• TIA Launches "Change the Debate" Campaign
• Think Your Company's Innovative?
• Register for Media Marketplace at ITB
• TIA Announces Theme for National Tourism Week
• 2007 Edition of the The Impact of Travel on State Economies Now Available
• Registration and Hotel Rates Available for ESTO 2008

TIA LAUNCHES "CHANGE THE DEBATE" CAMPAIGN
To call the attention of the presidential candidates to critical travel issues, TIA launched the “Change the Debate” campaign January 10.  Billboards running in Myrtle Beach and Columbia proclaim “South Carolina Wants a President Who Will Stand Up For Travel.”  Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA, was also in South Carolina meeting with local media prior to the January 10, 2008 presidential debate.  Click here for the full press release.

REAL-ID: The Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule setting timelines and minimum standards for states to issue driver's licenses for federal purposes. TIA and TBR applaud DHS for the flexibility they have provided to the states as they develop REAL-ID compliant driver's licenses. For more information, click here.

TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT: The Chairs of TIA and TBR also called on President Bush to include the Travel Promotion Act in an economic stimulus package. Their letter highlights the critical role overseas travel to the United States can play in strengthening the American economy. Click here to view the press release.

THINK YOUR COMPANY'S INNOVATIVE?
Then put your company’s accomplishments up against the travel industry’s best in technology, eCommerce and distribution by competing in the 2nd Annual TIA TravelCom ’08 Innovator of the Year Awards. TIA is looking for outstanding innovations that have not only transformed a business, but have had a major impact on the travel industry. Winners will be honored on stage at TIA’s TravelCom 08 being held April 8-10 in Chicago. As part of their winnings, honorees will be able to attend the event using two complimentary registrations. Don’t miss out. To submit an entry online, click here. To register for TIA’s TravelCom 08 click here.

REGISTER FOR MEDIA MARKETPLACE AT ITB
Participating in the Discover America Pavilion at ITB this March?  Be sure to register for the Wake Up @ Discover America Media Marketplace on March 7, 2008 where you can meet and network with over 100 German journalists.  The breakfast event has a maximum of 50 tables available so register today. The deadline to register in February 15, 2008.  Click here to download the registration form.

TIA ANNOUNCES THEME FOR NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK
“Discover Great American Traditions” is the theme for the 25th annual National Tourism Week, to be held May 10-18. The silver anniversary theme encourages travel to American locales and highlights the role that tourism plays in discovering the icons of a destination. “From baseball games and Broadway shows to ‘The Great American Road Trip,’ our collective memories are filled with places and activities traditionally associated with travel,” said Roger J. Dow, President and CEO of TIA. TIA expects to have refreshed resources, including a National Tourism Week logo and updated industry facts and figures, available for use in February. For more information, go to www.tia.org/NTW.

2007 EDITION OF THE IMPACT OF TRAVEL ON STATE ECONOMIES NOW AVAILABLE
With estimates of the impact of domestic travel on the economies of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, The Impact of Travel on State Economies is one of TIA's most popular research reports. The report includes travel economic impact statistics on travelers' expenditures, travel-generated employment, tax revenues and payroll income for the nation, as well as each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The report also estimates the impact of domestic and international travelers on the U.S. economy from 2000-2006. To learn more or to purchase this report, click here.

REGISTRATION & HOTEL RATES AVAILABLE FOR ESTO 2008
Destination professionals planning to attend TIA’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) in August can obtain information on the 2008 registration and hotel rates by clicking here.  Registration will officially open in early February.