• Travel Community Applauds First Step in Visa Waiver Expansion
• TravelCom Hotel Deadline Extended to March 12
• Hall of Leaders Nominations Due March 14
• Grand Canyon West Hosts Tuesday Lunch at International Pow Wow
• Portland, Oregon to Host TIA's 2008 Marketing Outlook Forum
• NCDO Destiny & NCSTD Mercury Awards Now Accepting Entries
• Odyssey Awards Entry Materials Now Available

TRAVEL COMMUNITY APPLAUDS FIRST STEP IN VISA WAIVER EXPANSION
The Travel Industry Association praised the Department of Homeland Security for rapidly moving forward with expansion of the Visa Waiver Program by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Czech Republic. The MOU is a first step toward enabling Czech citizens to travel to the United States without a visa. View the press release.

• Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA, submitted written testimony to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee calling for expedited and effective implementation of the Visa Waiver Reforms enacted by Congress last year. View the press release.
  

TRAVELCOM HOTEL DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 12
A sellout crowd is anticipated for TIA’s TravelCom’08, featuring special guest Sir Richard Branson along with more than 45 of the industry’s travel distribution and eCommerce leaders. To accommodate attendees, the TravelCom ’08 room rate of $249 (plus applicable local taxes) at the Hyatt Regency Chicago has been extended to Wednesday, March 12. As a reminder, to reserve your hotel room at the $249 rate, you must first register for TravelCom. After March 12, you can still register for TravelCom but standard room rates will apply – or may not be available. Click here to register now.

HALL OF LEADERS NOMINATIONS DUE MARCH 14
Don't miss your chance to nominate a distinguished industry leader, mentor, colleague, or friend for the 2008 Hall of Leaders. TIA's Hall of Leaders is the industry's highest honor and inductees join an esteemed group of men and women including Marilyn Carlson Nelson (2003), the Honorable John Rockefeller IV (1993), J.W. Marriott, Jr. (1986), and many more. The Hall of Leaders recognizes sustained, noteworthy contributions by individuals that have had a positive impact on the broad travel and tourism industry. Click here to learn more or to download the nomination form. Nominations are due March 14.

GRAND CANYON WEST HOSTS TUESDAY LUNCH
AT INTERNATIONAL POW WOW
Wear your dancing shoes to the Tuesday, June 3 luncheon at TIA’s 40th annual International Pow Wow in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by Grand Canyon West and featuring Hualapai artists, musicians, and dancers - audience participation at the lunch is being encouraged – you may find yourself dancing onstage! A truly unique International Pow Wow experience, the Tuesday luncheon will be a feast for many of your senses. Click here to learn more about TIA's 40th annual International Pow Wow, May 31 - June 4, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PORTLAND, OREGON TO HOST TIA'S 2008 MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM
Mark your calendars! TIA's 2008 Marketing Outlook Forum will be at the Portland Conference Center in Portland, Oregon, October 27-30. More than 600 industry professionals will gather for three days to learn about industry trends, marketing best practices and the latest in research and forecasts from leaders in the travel and tourism industry. Stay tuned to Newsline as more details are announced. In the meantime, bookmark www.tia.org/mof to keep informed of the very latest developments.

NCDO DESTINY & NCSTD MERCURY AWARDS NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES
TIA’s National Council of Destination Organizations’ (NCDO) Destiny Awards and National Council of State Tourism Directors’ (NCSTD) Mercury Awards are now accepting submissions for their 2008 awards program. These awards offer a unique opportunity for destination marketing organizations and state tourism offices to showcase their exceptional work. The NCDO Destiny Awards are open to DMO members of TIA at the urban, rural and regional levels and state and territory tourism office members of TIA may submit up to five entries for the NCSTD Mercury Awards. The awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Gala at the Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) in Bonita Springs, FL, August 23-26, 2008. The deadline for both programs is May 9, 2008. Click here to learn more and read the entry guidelines.

ODYSSEY AWARDS ENTRY MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE
TIA, in partnership with National Geographic Traveler, is pleased to announce the opening of the Call for Entries for the 2008 Odyssey Awards.  The Odyssey Awards recognize the highest achievements worldwide in the travel and tourism industry.  Categories include marketing, advertising, geotourism and sustainability.  Winners will appear in a National Geographic Traveler ad (November/December issue) and are presented with their awards at a dinner ceremony during TIA’s Marketing Outlook Forum in October.  Download the Call for Entries brochure.