 ROGER DOW TESTIFIES BEFORE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE
TIA President and CEO Roger Dow said that successful implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require a sustained communications campaign to explain changing travel document requirements for entering the United States by land or sea, with particular emphasis on the U.S.-Canada border. Click here for the release.
 New Website Details the Economic Power of Travel
PowerofTravel.org, a first-of-its-kind, interactive website, details the economic power of travel from the international level to individual congressional districts. Visit PowerofTravel.org.
 TRAVEL INDUSTRY ARMED WITH THE BENEFITS OF TRAVEL
 In advance of National Tourism Week, the federal tax rebates and the summer travel season, TIA created a new resource about the benefits of travel. To view the compilation of survey results and facts, visit www.tia.org/Benefits.
CAROLINE BETETA NEW TIA NATIONAL CHAIR
 Caroline Beteta, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the industry-led California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC), is the 2008 TIA National Chair. She comes to her latest post with numerous awards for her creative work and leadership in the travel industry.
Caroline’s National Chair Platform includes three objectives: 1) expanding TIA’s public affairs focus; 2) ensuring the success of DiscoverAmerica.com, the official travel and tourism website of the United States; and 3) becoming the champion of travel and the traveler, and continuing to position travel and tourism as an economic engine for local, state and national economies.
INTERNATIONAL POW WOW MONDAY LUNCHEON FEATURES
ANDREW WINSTON
 Andrew Winston, best-selling author, corporate environmental strategist and the founder of Winston Eco-Strategies, is the featured speaker at the Monday, June 2, luncheon at International Pow Wow. Brought to you by TIA's Partner in Travel, American Express, Andrew has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Time, BusinessWeek, Forbes, The New York Times, ABC News, and CNBC. Click here for more information about the 40th annual International Pow Wow.
AWARDS RECOGNIZE THE BEST IN DESTINATION MARKETING
 Deadlines are quickly approaching for the NCSTD Mercury Awards and the NCDO Destiny Awards. Both awards programs recognize the exciting and innovative work of destination marketing organizations and state and territory tourism offices. The awards will be presented during the Annual Awards Gala at the Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) in Bonita Springs, FL, August 23-26, 2008.
The National Council of State Tourism Directors’ (NCSTD) Mercury Awards recognize the exceptional work of state and territory tourism offices across 12 categories, including international marketing, print visitor guide and overall program. The deadline for the Mercury Awards is May 9, 2008. To learn more, click here.
 DMOs' won't want to miss the opportunity to enter the National Council of Destination Organizations' (NCDO) Destiny Awards. The NCDO Destiny Awards are open to DMO members of TIA at the urban, rural, and regional levels. Members can submit three entries for recognition of the outstanding work they do promoting their destination. The deadline for entry has been extended to May 16, 2008. Click here to learn more.
TIA OPENS THREE INTERNATIONAL DISCOVER AMERICA CENTERS
TIA is pleased to announce that members now have access to three Discover America Centers in India, Italy/Spain, and Mexico. The Discover America Centers are resources for TIA members to purchase PR or other representation services in that country or region. To learn more, please visit the International section of TIA.org or contact Michael Martin.
WHO'S TRAVELING WITH WHOM REPORT AVAILABLE
 Who’s Traveling With Whom: Characteristics of U.S. Domestic Travel Parties and Their Trips profiles the trip and demographic characteristics of different types of travel parties. The spending, activities, transportation, and accommodations of travel parties are described and compared. Information is obtained from the TIA TravelScope®/DIRECTIONS® by DKS&A program. Click here to learn more or to order the report.
CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY AND THE NEW BERLIN EMBASSY
AT AMERIKAFEST!
 On July 5, 2008, take advantage of a public celebration of the new Embassy opening in Berlin. Amerikafest is a street festival that highlights American culture, sports and entertainment; it’s also a great way to attract overseas visitors to your destination. TIA members can purchase a booth/tent and participate in Amerikafest and the organizers have secured exclusive offers at host hotels for TIA members. For more information, send an email to amerikafest@lexington-com.de.
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Volume
8: Issue 8 - April 29, 2008 
