Educational Advisory Committee

Rick Ardis, VTA, Ardis Travel Nolan Burris, Signature Travel Network Brian Chapin, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours Bill Coyle, KHM Travel Group Denise R Coubarous-Payne, CoubaTravel, LLC Jackie Friedman VTA, Nexion Heather Kindred, Travel Leaders Vanessa McGovern, Gifted Travel Network

Connie Miller, Your Travel Center/Montecito Village Travel Tina Moczynski, VTA, Shores And More Travel Mo Noubani, The Travel Box International Steve Phillips, TravelSavers Tracy Schatz, VTA, Elite Travel Journeys Sandy Schadler, Travelink/American Express Scott Taylor, Celebrity Cruises Stephen Thomas-Schulere, Balboa Travel

I came to AGC with so many questions and doubts about running my company, but I left with tons of ideas and plans and a renewed sense of excitement and hope for the future. I learned so much, not just from the presenters and suppliers, but from other advisors. I made invaluable friends and contacts, and I'm already excited about everything I'll learn in Puerto Rico in May!

Membership in ASTA is critical for travel professionals. As our Trade Organization, ASTA makes it possible for us to grow and thrive as an industry. Membership in ASTA and completion of the VTA program, at minimum, should be a requirement for all Travel Advisors; both of these things make me a better business owner, advisor, and industry representative. Being in attendance at the ASTA Global Convention in 2022 afforded my home-based travel business greater knowledge, new ideas, and stronger relationships with suppliers, partners and peers. I'm better suited for success in the coming year thanks to ASTA's support of us through their advocacy and educational efforts.

This (2022) was my first ASTA Global Convention and it did not disappoint! From Sandra as the MC, meeting the suppliers on the trade floor, and the supplier luncheons, everything was great!

I was very impressed with this year's conference. Everything ran well and the presentations, breakout training sessions, and social events were well planned. It was a great blend of big meetings, small educational events and ways to get together on a personal level. I strong urge all ASTA members to attend every year!    

For a new agent, this was an investment well made in terms of networking and learning. The sessions were really informative; the session on social media with Sandra McLemore was worth the price of admission alone. This was my first convention, but it won't be my last. 

The ASTA Global Convention gets better each year.  I highly recommend independent travel professionals attend not only their host agency and consortia conferences, but ASTA Global Convention as well.  This ASTA event contains training and networking opportunities that other events do not.      

This was my first ASTA Global Convention. Meeting other travel advisors, networking with trade suppliers and engaging with tourism boards was invaluable to me. I also learned more about ASTA, and how important it is for me as a travel advisor to support this organization. ASTA works tirelessly to ensure that we, as travel advisors, are able to continue to do what we love most, which is to provide the best travel opportunities to our clients.    

The ASTA Global Convention is quickly becoming THE industry event of the year. I am grateful to the current administration and board for their tremendous collective effort to bring ASTA into the 21st century.  ASTA has evolved into an extremely relevant organization and membership is a no-brainer, as there's so much to be gained.

ASTA’s unique educational sessions receive high marks for their distinctive content so relevant to today’s evolving world for travel advisors whether large or small, leisure or corporate, owners or front line advisors. The strong focus provided by our Educational Advisory Committee – made up of a cross section of ASTA members – ensures our educational sessions are relevant, timely and true differentiators for today’s world. -Mark Meader, SVP, ASTA

The ASTA Global Convention is a great way to not only strengthen my business, but also expand my knowledge and opportunities. The contacts and content are outstanding in leading us into the future. 

Membership in ASTA is critical for travel professionals. As our Trade Organization, ASTA makes it possible for us to grow and thrive as an industry. Membership in ASTA and completion of the VTA program, at minimum, should be a requirement for all Travel Advisors; both of these things make me a better business owner, advisor, and industry representative. Being in attendance at the ASTA Global Convention in 2022 afforded my home-based travel business greater knowledge, new ideas, and stronger relationships with suppliers, partners and peers. I'm better suited for success in the coming year thanks to ASTA's support of us through their advocacy and educational efforts.

This (2022) was my first ASTA Global Convention and it did not disappoint! From Sandra as the MC, meeting the suppliers on the trade floor, and the supplier luncheons, everything was great!