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 Uncle Sam Wants You!
The meeting and travel industries are finally getting noticed by Washington, D.C.
By MARSHALL KRANTZ
Thank high unemployment and an impending presidential election for what many meetings and travel industry leaders consider a big win: the U.S. government's first formal travel strategy, designed to boost travel in the country primarily by streamlining entry procedures—and thereby create more jobs.
"It's an election year, so you can see a focus on these key initiatives," said Michael McCormick, executive director of the Global Business Travel Association, which represents corporate travel managers, including those responsible for meetings management. "Whatever the motive, it's certainly very welcome. It's good for the industry, and it's good for the economy."
Eric Hansen, director of domestic policy for the U.S. Travel Association—the umbrella organization for U.S.-based travel, hospitality and meetings associations—praised the new initiative.
"It exemplifies how focused the government is on creating jobs and that it has identified the travel industry as a key component of the economy."
In unveiling the new travel policies during a speech at Walt Disney World in January, President Obama called the travel industry "one of our nation's leading service sectors." He set no specific goal for an increase in inbound travel, but the White House said improved international travel could generate an extra 1 million jobs domestically over the next decade. Inbound travel accounted for 1.2 million of the 7.5 million jobs attributed to the U.S. travel and tourism industry in 2010, according to the White House.
The President said that nearly 60 million international visitors helped the U.S. tourism industry generate over $134 billion in 2010, or 2.7 percent of gross domestic product. But the country's share of total global spending by international travelers fell more than 30 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the White House, or from 17 percent to 11 percent of the global market. Obama blamed stiffer competition from international destinations for the decline in U.S. market share, but also called out stricter government security measures at the nation's airports following the Sept. 11, 2001 Al Qaeda terrorist attacks. Read More...
Meeting With Elected Officials
Roger Rickard, partner and chief advocate of Revent LLC, and the founder of Voices in Advocacy, shared these tips for meeting with elected officials.
Make A Courtesy Call:
- Attempt to get to know your elected official first. It’s best to get acquainted with elected officials on an informational basis, before you really needsomething. This may be the single most important aspect of dealing with elected officials. A must if you are to have major success.
- You may still get the help you need, but you will be in a much better position if your elected official already knows you and your concerns.
Be Prepared:
- While an initial meeting with an elected official may be a “meet and greet," you also carry the responsibility of providing them with facts and positions on issues.
Read More...
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