Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to share that Brand USA has been re-authorized through 2020 as part of the omnibus spending package that was passed by the U.S. House and Senate over the weekend.   This legislative victory follows months of intense lobbying by U.S. Travel and the exceptional leadership of Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont who were the bill’s lead sponsors. Continue reading »

Now in its 47th year, the annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism is coming up September 22-24. In less than four weeks at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, attendees can count on being inspired, engaged, energized and educated by some of the industry’s top thinkers – and receive business insights that lead to big ideas.  Here’s what some of this year’s speakers will be talking about: Continue reading »

I am pleased to announce that yesterday evening the U.S. House of Representatives resoundingly voted to reauthorize Brand USA by passing H.R. 4450, the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014.  Clearing the House is a major step toward achieving renewal of this vital travel promotion program.

“This victory would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our travel community who engaged in a wide range of activities including hosting round table meetings and tours in local markets, lobbying on Capitol Hill, sending emails and letters, recording video testimonials and utilizing social media to urge elected federal representatives to support re-authorization of Brand USA,” said Roger Dow, President & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.  “We also could not have won the House vote without the leadership of Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Peter Welch (D-VT), who introduced the Brand USA re-authorization measure in April and shepherded the bill through the chamber’s process.” Continue reading »

I am sharing a message from U.S. Travel Association President & CEO Roger Dow on the importance of offering your support for the reauthorization of Brand USA.

Dear Travel Colleague:

Following testimony by U.S. Travel and other industry leaders last week to the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness and Innovation, media continue to report on the travel community’s appeal for Congressional support of programs that help grow the economy. Our work is far from done—and your voice is critical moving forward. Continue reading »

I am proud to share that last night travel industry veteran Randy Garfield of The Walt Disney Company was honored as a 2013 inductee into the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders. Garfield, and fellow honoree Mike Gallagher of CityPASS, were recognized during a dinner attended by more than 100 travel industry leaders as part of the U.S. Travel fall board meeting at the Fairmont in Washington, D.C. Continue reading »