 THE TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT HAS MORE THAN 200
CO-SPONSORS
IN THE U.S. HOUSE
The Travel Promotion Act would create a public-private partnership to better explain U.S. security policies and attract millions of additional visitors - at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. More than 200 U.S. Representatives and 40 U.S. Senators support the Travel Promotion Act. Click here for the complete list of House and Senate co-sponsors. To view the release, click here.
 SUNDAY AT INTERNATIONAL POW WOW FEATURES
MARKET UPDATE AND
SURF, SAND & STARS
 On Sunday, June 1 at 10 am, registered International Pow Wow delegates will have the opportunity to ask international representatives about current market trends and conditions in their country (over 50 countries are expected to participate). This session is immediately followed at 11 am by an update from the Department of Homeland Security on inbound facilitation, visa regulations and new customs rules.
Sunday night, MGM MIRAGE and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority invite you to a beach party in the middle of the Mojave Desert! Wear your beach attire to Mandalay Bay's Beach Party, an evening of incredible food, exciting entertainment and more. Get ready for the sound of the crashing surf and the feel of sand between your toes! Learn more about TIA's 40th Annual International Pow Wow.
ODYSSEY AWARDS DEADLINE JUNE 16
 You have three weeks to enter TIA’s 2008 Odyssey Awards, in partnership with National Geographic Traveler! The Odyssey Awards recognize the very best in marketing, advertising and sustainability in the travel and tourism industry. Winners will be spotlighted in the November/December issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine and recognized at the Gala Dinner during TIA's Marketing Outlook Forum, October 27-30 in Portland, Oregon.
AOL TRAVEL'S NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK GALLERIES
SEEN BY MILLIONS
 AOL's special National Tourism Week galleries had over 10 million page views and were an excellent way to feature the 2008 theme, Discover Great American Traditions. TIA thanks AOL Travel for featuring National Tourism Week and the many organizations that chose to participate. As a reminder, please remove the AOL Travel logo and link from your website. National Tourism Week 2009 will be May 9-17.
DISCOVERAMERICA.COM OFFICALLY LAUNCHED IN JAPAN AND
TORONTO
 A successful media and trade event took place in Tokyo on Tuesday, May 20, and the website was very well received with 40 members of the press and an additional 40 industry representatives in attendance. TIA launched in Toronto, Canada on May 28 and the remaining four launches will take place after International Pow Wow. DiscoverAmerica.com will serve as the first-ever official travel and tourism website of the U.S. The site was developed through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce and initially will serve the five leading inbound markets – Canada, Mexico, UK, Japan and Germany.
ESTO CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF DESTINATION FOCUSED PROGRAMMING
 Make plans now to join more than 400 of your destination colleagues in Bonita Springs, Florida, August 23 - 26, 2008, for ESTO, the premier
learning and knowledge-sharing forum exclusively for state tourism office and regional
and local destination marketing organization professionals. For 25 years, ESTO has delivered learning opportunities, peer-to-peer discussions, best
practices, important trend information, and new ideas. Click here to view the 2008 ESTO pre-conference brochure and register online before June 13 to receive ESTO's Early Bird Registration rates.
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Volume
8: Issue 10 - May 28, 2008 
