Press Releases

USTOA ANNOUNCES 2013 ASSOCIATE MEMBER ADVISORY COMMITTEE  

NEW YORK – November 6, 2012 – The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) today announced the 2013 Associate Member Advisory Committee to be chaired by USTOA Board Members, Richard Launder, president of the Travel Corporation USA, Inc. and Roger Mahil, chairman and CEO of SITA World Tours. Next year’s committee will be comprised of eleven Associate Members, two Active Members and USTOA President and CEO, Terry Dale. 

“More than 60 associate members raised their hand to be considered for this important committee, a testament to the enthusiasm they feel towards USTOA,” said Dale.  “Each showed a strong sense of engagement and willingness to roll-up their sleeves to be a part of USTOA’s future growth.  While making the selection was an extremely difficult task, we are very positive with the outcome.”  

The following Associate Members will serve on the advisory committee for 2013: 

• Advertising & Public Relations: Nathalie Pilovetzky, president, Latitude
  
• Airlines:  Rohan Garnett, regional general manager New Zealand & Pacific, Qantas Airways; Pablo Chiozza, vice president USA, Canada and Caribbean, LATAM Airlines Group; Norma Dean, director, specialty sales, Delta Air Lines
  
• Hotels: Lindsey Heinzel, account director, leisure sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; Jodi Dell Leblanc, vice president sales & marketing international, Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces
  
• Insurance - Medical Assistance:  Greg Takehara, senior vice president, Aon Affinity Berkely 
  
• Travel Marketing & Travel Related Services: Shannon Brooks, director, airlines, travel agencies & tour operators, American Express Merchant Services 
  
• Technology - Reservation System:  Carolyn Cauceglia, vice president strategic sales, Amadeus North America 
  
• Tourist Boards:  Ricarda Lindner, director - The Americas, German National Tourist Office; Sthu Zungu, president, South African Tourism
  

Registration is open for the association’s Annual Conference & Marketplace taking place December 6-8, 2012 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawai’i the Big Island, Hawaii.  The conference is open to delegates from active member and associate member companies of USTOA. Companies must be a current member of USTOA with annual dues paid for 2012 in order to attend.  

For questions and more information on USTOA’s annual conference, visit www.ustoa.com, email conference@ustoa.com or call 212.599.6599 ext 24.

About USTOA:   The Active member companies of U.S. Tour Operators Association provide tours, packages and custom arrangements that allow travelers unparalleled access, insider knowledge, peace-of-mind, value and freedom to enjoy destinations and experiences across the entire globe.   Each Active member company has met the travel industry’s highest standards, including participation in the USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program, which protects consumer payments up to $1 million if the company goes out of business.  USTOA Associate members represent an array of travel supplier companies such as airlines, tourist boards, attractions, hotels and resorts, ground operators, and more.    

As a voice for the tour operator industry for 40 years, USTOA also provides education and assistance for consumers and travel agents.

Contact: 

Gina Sisco/Liz Carty  

Redpoint Marketing PR., Inc. 

212-229-0119 

Sisco@redpointpr.com  

Carty@redpointpr.com