2001 Summit Conference Out of This World
More than 400 top receptive tour operators and suppliers from around the country packed New York’s Grand Hyatt for the Receptive Services Association (RSA) 2001 Summit Conference and Gala.
During the two-day conference, representatives from the leading destinations, attractions, hotels, restaurants and travel service companies in the United States met with the country’s top inbound receptive tour operators.
This year’s event, themed “E-Summit,” offered a glimpse into the future of the industry and included the ever-popular Marketplace. The Marketplace consisted of two sessions of 15, seven-minute pre-scheduled appointments where supplier members met one-on-one with inbound receptive operators. Over 100 receptive tour operator members participated. (Roundtable discussions held concurrently).
“The 2001 Summit was the most comprehensive conference in the association’s history,” noted summit chair, Rosalie Rance Paulonis of the American Museum of Natural History. “The Marketplace had the largest gathering with more than 100 receptive operators meeting with suppliers and almost everyone walked away satisfied with the amount of business handled.”
A highlight of the event was keynote luncheon speaker, John Spencer, founder and president of Space Tourism Travel. John, a space architect who creates, designs, and develops space themed projects, captivated the audience with his futuristic aspects of space tourism.
Attendees learned what the future holds for the international market during the General Session. Bill Hastings, managing director for The America’s for Pacific Asia Travel Association, and Rick Still, managing director for La Cumbre de Turismo gave an informative presentation on “E-International - Market Outlook” and attendees learned what the prototypical visitor will be like in the next decade.
The many breakout sessions encompassed a wide variety of topics from the basics to the “dot-com” revolution. Joan Lowell, vice president of electronic distribution in marketing for Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Eric Thomas, executive vice president for City Tours USA, and Tom Chevins, vice president of sales and distribution for Omni Hotels, came together for an educational panel discussion on “Sleeping With the Enemy.”
Webby Award judge and leader in visual designer technology, Kristee Rosendahl refined attendees’ website knowledge during the afternoon session during “E-Technology: You’re Only as Good as Your Web Site.” Together with Douglas Quinby, packaged travel/technology editor for Leisure Travel News, Kristee discussed what has drawn and held millions of travelers to the industry’s top sites.
For the first time in the association’s history, RSA hosted the First Annual Silent Auction. CVB and DMO members handpicked the top properties, dining facilities, and attractions and sponsored the great getaways. Proceeds helped fund new membership benefits, such as the new international marketing plan.
The Summit also included the 2001 Gala Space Odyssey at Mars 2112. This black tie affair provided attendees an evening of networking, fine dining, and great entertainment and resulted in a standing-room-only celebration.
“The annual Summit Conference continues to be the industry’s must attend event,” said Michele Biordi, RSA executive director. “It’s the perfect opportunity for industry representatives and association members to come together, network and learn about industry issues.”