TLS 2007 BREAKFAST FEATURES CNN’S BEGALA AND MSNBC’S CARLSON
Attendees of the 2007 Travel Leadership Summit (TLS), September 26-27, Washington, DC, will hear from two Washington insiders: Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson.  Begala, currently a political analyst on CNN, served as a counselor during President Clinton’s time in office and was a senior strategist on the 1992 Clinton-Gore presidential campaign.  Carlson is an accomplished journalist and author who is the host of MSNBC’s Tucker.  Their Point-Counter-Point session will be an excellent and motivational start to a day spent meeting with Members of Congress and their staff.  This breakfast program is a highlight of the Travel Leadership Summit, a day and a half event focused on unifying the industry to speak with one voice on public policy issues impacting the industry.  To learn more about TLS, please visit www.tia.org/TLS. 

ESTO: DEADLINE FOR HOTEL AND EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION APPROACHES
Save $100 on your ESTO registration and receive the special conference rate at The Phoenician of only $159, plus applicable state and local taxes, by acting on or before July 21. Register online at www.tia.org/ESTOReg and make your hotel reservations by clicking here. View the ESTO online program for the most recent updates. From best practices to research updates to speakers like Jerry Swerling, Public Relations Counselor and Director, Public Relations Studies, USC Annenberg School of Journalism and Veronica Stoddart, Deputy Managing Editor for Travel, USA TODAY, the afternoon sessions at ESTO will provide focused programming for specific tourism office staff functions. Come prepared to share your best practices during one of the afternoon open forums. ESTO 2007’s dynamic program will engage your mind, enhance your skills, and equip you for the future. Join us August 15-18 in Phoenix, AZ.

MARKETING OUTLOOK FORUM FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL
The 2007 Marketing Outlook Forum, to be held October 22-25, 2007 in Charlotte, NC, is essential to anyone interested in shaping the travel environment and preparing for the future. There will be a wealth of opportunities to engage in dialogue with experts and industry colleagues about the emerging trends and their implications! Get the scoop from highly sought-after speakers such as Mark Dyer, President of Motorsports Authentics; Geoff Ramsey, CEO of eMarketer; Peter Yesawich, Chairman & CEO of Ypartnership, and John Walker, Chairman of Oxford Economics. Visit www.tia.org/marketingoutlook for more information.

LAST CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN GROUNDBREAKING CHINA STUDY
Over the past decade, China’s economy has grown faster than any other economy in the world. Indeed it has been predicted that by 2020 China will generate over 100 million outbound trips annually, making it the largest and one of the most lucrative outbound travel markets. TIA, in cooperation with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is creating a new study that will help U.S. organizations and destinations capitalize on China as a source of inbound tourism. This groundbreaking study will include both quantitative and qualitative research with long-haul travelers and travel experts and government officials across mainland China.  Deadline for participation is July 21. Contact Traverse Burnett at 202-408-2142, or tburnett@tia.org to join TIA and other international experts in this exciting, cost-effective study.  

EXPLORATORY MISSIONS FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Space is available on both of TIA’s upcoming exploratory trips but deadlines are approaching fast. The first is India, (September 18-21), the second most populous country in the world with outbound travel expected to grow sharply by 2010. The second is the Southeast Asia market including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (October 5-12). These exploratory missions will put you face to face with key players in the local travel industry and U.S. Embassy officials from each country. You will learn and evaluate their needs as well as your own. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your destination/product. Join us this fall and ensure your chance for a piece of the pie. To maximize the missions’ effectiveness space is limited to 15 participants so sign up today. Contact Bruce Bommarito today at bbommarito@tia.org for further information.