In this Issue...

News

• TIA Soliciting Comments on Board Branding Discussion Results
• Communicate the Importance of the
  Travel Promotion Act
• Join TIA's Grassroots Network at Upgraded PowerofTravel.org
• Make Your Voice Heard at the Travel Leadership Summit
• Celebrate World Tourism Day on September 27
• Industry Leaders to Address New Face of
  Tourism at Marketing Outlook Forum

TIA SOLICITING COMMENTS ON BOARD BRANDING DISCUSSION RESULTS
Members of the TIA Board have given their approval "in form" to a new name for the organization. The name, U.S. Travel Association, was the recommendation of a steering committee advised by branding experts. TIA is soliciting member feedback prior to any formal decision. Comments should be submitted to brand@tia.org by September 8.

COMMUNICATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT
Congress is in recess until September 8 and the Travel Promotion Act (S. 1661/H.R. 3232) is near completion - with a majority of the House of Representatives and nearly 50 U.S. senators currently supporting the legislation. We must encourage leadership in the House and Senate to move the TPA in September and give the U.S. a voice in the worldwide competition for international visitors. TIA needs you to communicate to Congress the urgency behind passing the TPA by the September 26 adjournment date. Urge House and Senate Leadership to help improve the U.S. economy by passing the TPA before they finish their work for the year. Click here to view the 235 co-sponsors in the House and 48 in the Senate.

JOIN TIA'S GRASSROOTS NETWORK AT UPGRADED POWEROFTRAVEL.ORG
Need help contacting your elected officials? TIA's Travel Action Headquarters, www.TravelActionHQ.org, part of PowerofTravel.org, is a grassroots mobilization tool that helps travel advocates from all sectors of the travel community contact members of Congress in support of key legislatives issues. The easy-to-use grassroots website also allows users to contact local and national media, see the status of key bills before Congress, find the names of their representatives, and draft communications to instantaneously e-mail.

The Travel Action Headquarters is one of several upgrades to PowerofTravel.org. In addition to showing the economic impact of travel on all states and congressional districts, PowerofTravel.org now includes information about key domestic and international facilitation issues, links to the latest information about the non-economic benefits of travel, and new data about key emerging markets. Visit the website today and see the true Power of Travel!

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AT THE TRAVEL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
You can make sure that the voice of the industry is heard by taking two actions. First, you can contact your Member of Congress with just a few clicks of mouse by visiting www.TravelActionHQ.org. Then, to maximize your impact, you can personally visit your representatives during TIA's third annual Travel Leadership Summit on September 24-25 in Washington, DC, where you will also get in-depth briefings on issues important to the industry and an inside-the-beltway update on the presidential election. The early registration fee of $95 is available for only three more weeks. Register now at www.tia.org/TLS. Register now to take advantage of the early registration fee of $95, good through August 25. To register as a participant click here. For more information, visit www.tia.org/TLS.

CELEBRATE WORLD TOURISM DAY ON SEPTEMBER 27
Celebrated across the United States and around the world, World Tourism Day provides a marker each year to join destinations worldwide in championing travel. Presented by the U.N. World Tourism Organization, it is an opportunity to engage local audiences - from visitors and media to legislators and boards - on the unique role that travel and tourism plays within your state, region or city. TIA and the UNWTO are developing resources to help you plan for 2008. Click here to learn more and mark September 27, 2008 on your calendar today.

INDUSTRY LEADERS TO ADDRESS NEW FACE OF TRAVEL AT MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM
TIA's Marketing Outlook Forum will feature some of the industry's most prominent leaders who will describe how the travel market is changing, offer predictions about the future, and point you in the direction of new markets. Among the speakers are: Bruce Himelstein, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, The Ritz-Carlton; Milton Pedraza, Founder and CEO, Luxury Institute; Barbara Leflein, President, Latino Life Research; Barbara Higgins, Vice President, United Contact Centers, United Airlines; Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, California Travel and Tourism Commission and TIA National Chair; Lorraine Sileo, Vice President of Research, PhoCusWright and Peter Yesawich, President, YPartnership. This year's conference will be held in Portland, Oregon from October 27-30, 2008. To register, go to www.tia.org/mof.