RSAA Welcomes First International Outbound Operator to the Association
The Receptive Services Association of America (RSAA) welcomes TUI UK and Ireland Specialist Holidays group to the association, the first international outbound tour operator to join RSAA since the conclusion of a historic bylaw vote. On April 12, RSAA regular members voted to change the association’s bylaws to permit international membership.

TUI UK and Ireland Specialist Holidays group, best known for the brands Hayes and Jarvis, Jetsave, and American Holidays, is one of the leading outbound tour operators to the United States.



2013 Summit Dates/Location Announced
Atlantic City, New Jersey will be the home of the 2013 RSAA Summit. The event will be held Feb. 20-21 at Caesar's Atlantic City. The event will conclude with the annual RSAA Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. More information will be posted on the RSAA website in the coming months.

As a reminder, ConnectWest will be held Oct. 25-26 at the Riviera Palm Springs. Pre- and Post-FAM information has been posted on the Connect West website.

RSAA Regular Members Approve Bylaw Changes
RSAA regular members overwhelmingly approved proposed bylaw changes that would allow the Board of Directors greater flexibility in the creation and modification of membership categories. As a result, a new international membership category has been created.

RSAA Bylaw Vote to Begin April 5th
RSAA regular members will be voting on proposed changes to the RSAA bylaws that would give the Board of Directors greater flexibility in the creation of membership categories. Such changes would allow tour operators (who sell U.S. inbound product) to join RSAA.

Regular members are encouraged to vote on the proposal in a timely manner.

RSAA Membership Meeting in New York City, March 29
The next RSAA Membership Meeting will occur at the New York Historical Society (170 Central Park West) from 6pm-8pm on Thursday, March 29. Members will receive an update on RSAA activities and see a brief presentation from Anastasia Xenias of the U.S. Department of Commerce highlighting current tourism trends.

Registration is $25 for Regular members, $50 for Supplier members and $60 for non-members.

RSAA Celebrates Successful 2012 Summit
RSAA celebrated its 21st Annual Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana Feb. 7-8. Nearly 200 participants enjoyed interactive educational sessions, a productive marketplace of one-on-one appointments, and the hospitality of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 
Highlights of the Summit included:
• Participation of buyers from the UK and Germany
• Educational sessions featuring the RSAA/Visit USA-Europe partnership, the U.S. Travel Association, and the Department of Commerce
• More than 700 buyer-seller appointments

In addition, the 2012 Stanley Awards were presented to highlight excellence in the U.S. inbound industry.

Awards were presented to the following companies:

• Excellence is Sales and Marketing, Hotel – The Roosevelt Hotel.
• Excellence in Sales and Marketing, Non-Hotel – ALON Marketing Group
• Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Operations, Hotel – Chicago’s Essex Inn
• Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Operations, Non-Hotel – World Yacht
• Chairman’s Award for Cooperating with RSAA Receptive Tour Operators, Hotel – Blair Hotels
• Chairman’s Award for Cooperating with RSAA Receptive Tour Operators, Non-Hotel – New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Stanley Fisher Award for the Outstanding Travel Professional of the Year – Desiree Blum, Escalante Travel

 Sponsors of the 2012 Summit were:
• The New Orleans CVB
• Great Lakes USA
• Best Western International
• Choice Hotels
• Wyndham Worldwide
• TeamAmerica
• NYC & Co.
• The Court of Two Sisters Restaurant