VOICES OF LEADERSHIP
Members take to
the Hill to influence
policy, impact travel
BY DOUG RENTZ
NTA WAS FOUNDED ON ADVOCACY. You can
trace the association’s roots with a straight line
back to a meeting in 1951, when a dozen tour
operators came together to combat federal reg-
ulations that would’ve crippled an industry that
was just gaining traction. Together, they succeeded.
Fast forward six decades, and NTA members still gather to
have their voices heard regarding legislative issues. In March,
travel professionals from across the United States—325 people
from 42 states—met in Washington, D.C., for Destination
Capitol Hill. The industry’s premier fly-in event gives attendees
a chance to educate policymakers about the power of travel and
showcase it as one of America’s strongest economic sectors.
“National travel and tourism policies sculpt an economic
impact in the United States and beyond, and advocacy at this
event is important to me running my own company,” says Jay
Smith, 2017 NTA chair and owner of Hatfield, Massachusetts-
based Sports Travel and Tours.
Prior to the 305 meetings held at the U.S. Capitol with
elected officials, attendees were prepped on legislative
priorities that are critical to the security and economy
of the United States. NTA annually partners with U.S.
Travel Association and Destination Marketing Association
International on the two-day program, and this strength in
numbers has a greater impact when attendees walk the halls
of Congress.
“I’m there to meet and work side by side with other NTA
members to advocate for our industry but also to network
and build relationships with other travel professionals,” says
Paul Larsen of Ed-Ventures in Rochester, Minnesota. “We each
carry the message that travel continues to drive the economy.”
The key issues set by U.S. Travel are consistent with NTA
members’ priorities, and Chase Poffenberger of D.C.-based
Three Massachusetts men meet with their senator. From left:
John Tavano, Yankee Leisure Group; Sen. Elizabeth Warren;
John Yonce, Tourism Cares; Jay Smith, Sports Travel and Tours.
Academic Travel Abroad says taking part in DCH also is con-
sistent with her company’s core beliefs.
“It’s important for our team to participate and lend our
voices in support of the industry’s top legislative priorities,”
Poffenberger says. “When we send a team up to the Hill to
lobby with NTA colleagues, we get to live out a core part of
our mission statement, which is to contribute meaningfully
to our world, our field and our community.”
Mark your calendar for March 21–22, 2018, and join us in
Washington next spring at Destination Capitol Hill. A new
administration is in place, and by working together, we can
ensure travel will continue to be a powerful economic engine
for the United States.
Doug Rentz is the director of communication and marketing
for NTA.
2017 NTA Legislative Priorities
In a 2017 survey, NTA members identified the following priorities
when asked what issues are top of mind for them this year:
• National park funding
• Modernizing airport infrastructure
• Expanding the Visa Waiver Program
• Transportation Security Administration programs
• Surface transportation funding
Comments from Destination Capitol Hill 2017
“Knowing your congress-
person is as important
as knowing your banker.
Going there in person,
year after year, shows
the people I meet with that I’m serious
about being informed. If something hap-
pens that turns the world upside down, I
have contacts who can help me.”
—Mark Hoffmann, CTP, Sports Leisure
Vacations; Sacramento, California;
NTA Advocacy Advisory Group member
6
June 2017
“If you’re a bit intimidated
by the thought of partici-
pating, have no worries;
it’s structured where any-
one can do it. The legisla-
tors and their aides are very respectful,
take notes and really listen. If we don’t
share our perspective, who will?”
—Jerry Varner, Making Memories Tours;
Washburn, Missouri;
NTA Advocacy Advisory Group member
“Because I have par-
ticipated in NTA’s event
and made contacts and
worked those contacts,
now when I need some-
thing, I know who to call and they know
who I am.”
—Paul Nakamoto, Gray Line San Francisco;
2014 NTA Chair