CTSM Graduates


I'm back from EXHIBITOR, the conference and expo for trade show professionals, with my CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketing) diploma in hand. It was a wonderful celebration. Did you know there are thousands of people in the program but only 280 people thus far who have graduated? It is amazing to be part of such an elite group. this year there were 37 graduates all female! What is the deal with that?
Photo: I am sitting down, third person from left to right.
Travel Promotion Act is Now Law

DALLAS - 4 March 2010 - President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act today which represents an enormous victory for the exhibitions, meetings and travel industries. The legislation, led by the lobbying efforts of the U.S. Travel Association and dozens of supporting organizations, including IAEE, took almost three years to pass through Congress.

"All IAEE members who visited Washington D.C., who talked with, wrote and called their Congressional representatives and senators share in this important victory," says IAEE President Steven Hacker, CAE. "Working in tandem with our partners across the industry ensured that our messages were both heard and acted upon. It is now time to go about the work of recapturing international market share for the business travelers who are so important to our domestic trade shows and events."

In the last decade, the U.S. lost substantial ground in the global travel market to other nations. The economic loss to the nation is estimated to be in excess of billions. Now that the Travel Promotion Act is law, the U.S. will have a source of travel promotion support for the first time.

For more information about the Travel Promotion Act, visit ustravel.org