Looks like a real merger!

After more than four years as ASAE & the Center, the changes that are now being put in place at 1575 I Street have the look and feel of a real merger. Both organizations, the American Society of Assn Executives and the Center for Assn Leadership, having worked in tandum since 2004, now have one chief staff exec and one joint board. Looks like a merger, smells like a merger, my goodness, can it be???

I am worried about associations

What impact will the bail out/rescue have on our community? The financial organizations are already involved with members and the impact the $700 billion will have on them. But what about the rest of us? The - dare I say it? - depression is already having an affect on many retail and consumer groups. Professional societies may have to counsel their members on ways to encourage clients and patients to continue treatment and use. Manufacturing assns will see members struggling to keep up production when sales fall. I'm worried. Are you prepared? What are you doing for your members? your staff?

ASAE Summit Awards

The Summit Awards Dinner was the nondues revenue brainstorm of George L. Kirkland, CAE. If he were still with us, he would be so proud to see that, in just 9 years, it has become an annual, must-attend event, on the level of the Oscars. Tonight, 1,000 members and friends will honor 6 Summit Award winners and pay tribute to those who "do good, real good" in our community.

Sponsored by vendors who contribute much needed money for our professional society's lobbying and coalition building efforts, the Associations Advance America Summit Awards are the top honor for assn activism. This year the awards go to the Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Illinois, Associated Builders and Contractors of Metropolitan Washington, Assn of Junior Leagues Intl, Assn of Public-Safety Communications Officials Intl, Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and the Intl Franchise Assn.

Many willingly part with $500 for a seat at this dinner to support our assn's AAA Campaign. They will be entertained, wined and dined, and go home tired and happy to be a part of this great community. While we will certainly miss Don Shea, CAE, the long-time MC of the event, maybe it is time for someone else to try to fill those shoes.

Thanks, George, for a great idea, and to all those who give, give, give, to our community.

Gaylord reports 'spike in attrition'

In an interview with the Ft. Worth (TX) Star-Telegram this week, Gaylord Entertainment Co. (Dallas) chief executive Colin Reed said, "Over the last several months, we have witnessed a modest spike in attrition...this would not be good if we did not have contracts," to protect the hotel's revenue. Most meeting contracts have clauses that require groups to pay attrition fees to the hotel if rooms are blocked but not used.

In the recent Association Pulse survey by Association TRENDS and Association Research, Inc., 42.5% of respondents said attendance at their meetings in Q1 2008 was "even." 30% said their attendance was "down." 27.6% expect fewer to attend their events through the remainder of 2008.

While Ft. Worth CVB CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, told the Ft. Worth paper, "Through June, we didn't feel any impact of the slow economy," he also claimed that meeting planners are being more "conservative" in setting their room blocks for future events. A spokesman for the nearby Irving (TX) CVB said hotels there have seen drops in occupancy "every month this year."

Hotels need to maintain their revenue numbers. Associations that don't meet their contracted room blocks can expect to see increased enforcement of attrition clauses.

It's worth the trip

As air fares rise, IAEE is extolling the benefits of exhibiting in a new ad campaign. Why should exhibitors travel to shows in the current climate of rising air fares? Well, to start, the advantage of meeting multiple potential clients in one place, says Steve Hacker, CAE, president of the International Assn of Exhibitions and Events, Dallas.

IAEE just released the "Be There" ad campaign to show corporate exhibitors why they should travel to exhibitions and events. The first ad in the series is available for free at www.iaee.com/bethere. Hacker said more ads will be posted in the coming weeks with complimentary full page, high-resolution print ads available as PDFs.

The cost to fly these days, as well as the cost to ship exhibits, has made some exhibitors re-think their need to travel. "These ads are intended to take that [notion] on directly. It boils down to this: Do the math - how many customers can you see at a trade show vs. what it would cost in time and in airfare to see them separately," Hacker said.

The campaign points out a number of things that should be in every exec's mind when promoting the assn's trade show:

• The power of face-to-face marketing plays a major role in exhibitions and events.
• The benefits of being on the show floor such as cutting expenses, generating revenue, creating profit, securing multiple contracts, meeting new leads and justifying ROI.
• The cost-saving aspects of reaching multiple clients and leads in a single location vs. making multiple trips.

Consider promoting your annual meeting NOW, no matter when it is scheduled. Rates are bound to go up-up-up and you will have continuing problems getting your members to travel.

Ask Amy

Want your e-mail included in your ASAE online directory listing? Send an e-mail directly to Amy Hissrich, director of knowledge initiatives at ASAE & the Center at ahissrich@asaecenter.org or call her at 202-326-9532. Tell her you want your e-mail included in the directory so others can reach you without using the bland form that limits members to one-by-one contact with no variation of type styles or highlights.

The enhanced online membership directory has some great social networking tools but members won't find any e-mails included. An ill-conceived omission that needs to be reconsidered.

Call for Entries: TRENDS All-Media Contest

The 2008 Association TRENDS All-Media Contest will begin accepting entries on Aug. 1.

There are 28 categories, including all forms of media: print, a/v, electronic and online. All assns and assn vendors are eligible to enter any and all media products created between Nov. 1, 2007 and Oct. 31, 2008. This year, a special category has been created for PODCASTS!

TRENDS has been conducting the All-Media Contest for over three decades to acknowledge and honor media products created by and for the nonprofit community. Communicators from all sizes and types of organizations are encouraged to submit their best media products. Winners will receive colorful certificates in Gold, Silver and Bronze levels and be recognized at the Salute to Association Excellence at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24.

For more information and to enter, go to www.AssociationTRENDS.com on Aug. 1.

Questions? 301.652.8666

Trial TRENDS subscription

We're about to send out a trial subscription offer to association professionals. Those of you who read our blog have the first chance to sign up!

Go to www.AssociationTRENDS.com and click on SUBSCRIBE. Select 4 week free trial and we'll get you started right away.

Churn at the top

For years, we all have repeatedly heard that "nothing happens during July and August" in the association community. The latest CEO changes refute that! Changes atop some of the largest trade associations, as well as several moves in mid-size groups.

So, you are thinking about tossing your hat in the ring for a job that looks "just right" for you?

Before you send in your resume, along with the appropriate cover letter, be sure you do your homework.

One CEO job in the medical community has had only three chief staff execs in its history - the first stayed more than 15 years and was loved by all. Next up was a recruited exec from a similar group. Lasted only a few months. The latest exec, also recruited from a related organization, left recently without fanfare, and no party. I'd be scared to death to be #4!

Another assn hired a talented, tenured exec away from a great industry job. Moved the family. Within a few months, the exec was gone and the assn was looking again. The board didn't like the changes he made - wanted same-old, same-old. Hmmmm, didn't the candidates talk during the interview process?

So check the history. Insist on seeing the financials. Talk to the staff. Look under the blotter before you sign a contract. Be sure you aren't opening Pandora's Box.

Natl assn denies membership to critic

How does this current situation apply to your assn?

A national professional society last week returned membership documents and payments from an industry publisher and staffer, refusing the applications. The assn's staff and attorney would not comment on the matter, other than to confirm refusal of membership. Staff and board members had previously been ordered not to comment or respond to inquiries from the media bulldog.

The publisher's longtime coverage of the assn's community has been adversarial and uncomplimentary, increasingly so over the past few years. Using information gathered from assn members and personal contacts, the publication strongly criticizes the assn's policies and actions, frequently exposing information not otherwise available to members or the public. The assn has claimed the information is unfounded and incorrect, while the publisher doggedly insists the assn is hiding or omitting facts.

Relationships between the publisher and the assn's staff broke down considerably when the the publisher and several others filed a lawsuit seven years ago for unauthorized copying and resale of copyrighted materials. That suit was dropped when the assn closed its in-house service that provided "educational materials" and ceased copying documents for resale. No apologies or payments to the authors were made by the assn.

Assn law generally does not require assns to accept membership from any individual or company. According to the Assn Law Handbook, 4th ed., by Jerald A. Jacobs, "Membership... is ordinarily a privilege that may be granted or denied if done so on reasonable grounds; [it] may sometimes become a right when denial if it would result in a serious economic disadvantage to outsiders."

Also, "Any policy to arbitrarily or unnecessarily limit assn membership seems ill advised..." when it could be deemed as a violation of antitrust laws. While the publisher railed extensively about the impropriety of the denial of membership, there was no indication or claim of an antitrust violation. The assn appeared to be avoiding the acceptance into membership of an individual known to be an adversary and a troublemaker for the organization, who they previously claimed required undue amounts of information and support.

More at www.AssociationTRENDS.com.

Red Cross National Capital Area lets go one-quarter of staff

American Red Cross National Capital Area chapter will lay off 25% of its staff in order to meet a $2-million budget shortfall. The layoffs are due in part to the slower economy and fewer donations, a spokesman for the assn said.

COO Lee Stebbins said that the layoffs are top-to bottom, including nine managerial positions and 24 specialists. Four positions kept vacant due to a hiring freeze will not be filled. The board approved the layoffs on April 24, and the workers have been offered separation packages.

The group, which provides relief to residents of the Washington area after disasters such as house fires, said residents will not see a reduction in services. The chapter said it will also rely more on volunteer labor.

Sarfati to leave ASAE & the Center Aug. 31

"Going forward, my work and career will continue to focus on leadership development, social responsibility, women’s issues and contributions to the assn and meetings industry, which are all my passions... I am proud of my many contributions, including being the founding CEO of The Center, leading the 13 seasons of the Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speakers Series, building a high performance team, and most recently, launching the Global Summit on Social Responsibility and the assn social responsibility movement... What I value most are the relationships I have built with volunteer leaders, members, and the incredibly talented staff whom I have had the honor of working with over the years.”

- Susan Sarfati, CEO of the Center for Assn Leadership, Washington

More coverage at www.AssociationTRENDS.com.

Cranmer out as BICSI executive director

Edward J. Donelan, RCDD/NTS Specialist and BICSI President said:

"It is with regret that I must inform you that our Executive Director, Mr. David Cranmer has tendered his resignation citing personal reasons. The officers of BICSI have accepted his willful resignation, effective immediately... Change is inevitable and so with this announcement, I have appointed Mrs. Betty Eckebrecht, our current CFO, as acting Executive Director."

Cranmer began is official tenure at BICSI in January 2007, having been a member, board member and noted specialist in the field. He took over as the acting exec after the previous short-time exec was "sent home" 5/06 while still under contract. Potential candidates for this position should look long and hard before accepting this volatile spot. Know what you are getting into before you commit.

More association news at www.AssociationTRENDS.com.

Swisher to retire in January

Randall Swisher, CEO of the American Wind Energy Assn, Washington, will retire in January. He has been executive director since 1989, and before was legislative representative, American Public Power Assn, Washington; energy program director, National Assn of Counties, Washington; and executive director, DC Public Interest Research Group. AWEA has not yet announced details about an interim, possible successor or a executive search.

Radio alliance to 'reignite passion'

April 28 - National Assn of Broadcasters, Radio Advertising Bureau, and HD Digital Radio Alliance launched the Radio Heard Here campaign, an education program to “bring radio back to the forefront of consumers' minds.”

According to the group, despite the proliferation of electronic media devices, radio still reaches
235-million Americans each week. Part of the campaign will include an education component, to teach advertisers the value of radio. The campaign is an offshoot of "Radio 2020,” a multiyear and multimillion campaign to make every portable media device able to receive radio signals by 2020.

"Like any longterm relationship, things have become a little predictable. [Radio] just needs a little help to reignite the passion," NAB CEO David Rehr said.

CEOs coming and going

Paul Hartgen, chief executive of the Nevada Restaurant Assn, Las Vegas, will be the new CEO of the Restaurant Assn of Maryland, Columbia MD, beginning June 30. He succeeds Marshall Weston Jr., EVP, Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation, who has been interim president since CEO Marcia Harris died in September following a short illness.

Tom Rogers, CEO of Technology 2020 has retired after 12 years as leader of the public-private nonprofit that lobbies for tech jobs in the Tennessee Valley Corridor. He has accepted a position as industrial and economic development partnerships director, Oak Ridge (TN) National Laboratory. CFO David Snider will serve as interim CEO while the board initiates an executive search.

Jaynee Drange Groseth, alumni relations executive director at Montana State U., has been named CEO of the MSU Alumni Assn. She joined MSU in 1975, and worked in the admissions office and alumni relations office. As a state employee of the university, she will retain her current title as executive director.

President George W. Bush

"The government cannot create entrepreneurs; its role should be to create an environment for entrepreneurship."

- President George W. Bush, at the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit, April 18. Right, the President was introduced by US Chamber CEO Tom Donohue

We thought it was funny too

Jack Canfield, CEO, Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, incorporated in several comics (as well as other interactive bits) to keep his presentation lively during ASAE & the Center's Springtime 2008. Included were several of Gary Larson's old-yet-still-funny "The Far Side" panels, and the above classic Easter card.

This year, a total of 4,518 people (including 2,390 assn professionals and 2,128 exhibitors) made Springtime's recorded attendance the highest yet, ASAE said. Full coverage this week in TRENDS.

Givray is Forum Shapiro Award winner

SmithBucklin CEO Henry S. Givray is the recipient of the Assn Forum of Chicagoland's 2008 Samuel B. Shapiro Award for CEO achievement. The award is the assn's highest honor. Givray will be honored at the Forum Honors Gala, June 19 at the Navy Pier in Chicago.

Givray worked for SmithBucklin from 1983 to 1996, and returned to the AMC in 2002 as CEO. His success in revitalizing SmithBucklin is featured in the book Results Rule by business performance consultant Randy G. Pennington. In 2005, Givray oversaw the transfer of ownership of the company from investors to employees, which he calls the proudest moment of his career. Other accomplishments under his leadership include:

- Creating the William E. Smith Institute for Assn Research
- SmithBucklin joined with MCI Group to create the SmithBucklin + MCI Global Partnership
- creating the SmithBucklin Innovation Center
-launch of the SmithBucklin Learning Center
- Spirit of Hospitality Award from Direct Marketing Assn International Foundation
- 100 most influential people in the tradeshow business by Tradeshow Week.

AB&C Update

AB&C, BlueSky and Reliant Equity Investors have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by West Virginia attorney Paul G. Taylor, following the reported bankruptcy and shuttering of BlueSky brands, which includes two West Virginia call centers.

"I think crimes have been committed. Money has been withheld from 401K contributions, money has not been paid to retirement accounts and to workers," alleges Taylor, who filed the suit in a Jefferson County (WV) court. He will file a formal motion to seek class action status shortly, and expects it will be granted. He also asked the court to appoint a receiver to take control of the AB&C's assets before they "disappear."

When they just... won't... talk...

As reported in this week's issue of TRENDS, it appears multititle mailer BlueSky Brands did not get the financing it was desperately seeking.

According to The Journal in Martinsburg, WV, BlueSky's national fulfillment center AB&C Group was shuttered on Friday, putting about 200 people out of work. A former AB&C employee tells MULTICHANNEL MERCHANT via e-mail that the entire plant was called together 2:30 p.m. on Friday and told that they didn't have paychecks but they would be available on Saturday morning.

At the end of the day supervisors told employees to take home any personal belongings and call on Monday to see if they would be needed, the former employee said. AB&C workers were eventually told that the company had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but this could not be confirmed. According to reports, employees were not paid on Saturday, and many have not been paid in at least three weeks. About 600 total AB&C employees are out of work in the last month.

Notice the silence? Nowhere, in any online story, is any explanation from any BlueSky representative. The company did not return phone calls or e-mails from Association TRENDS or from any other newspaper that reported on this story.

While there can be a need for secrecy, what would any worker left high & dry - or any assn client, for that matter - say about BlueSky Brands after this kind of treatment? Furthermore, would you hire an executive who worked for BlueSky?

What are you doing to make sure your assn keeps those who need to know (and that would be your members and the public) well informed?

What's in a name?

What should we name our blog?

“Association TRENDS blog” is OK, because it says exactly what it is. But surely the creative minds of the assn community can help us come up with a name that is much more provocative, more today, that has a certain je ne sais quoi quality about it.

Share your ideas. Winner gets a ( ) and :* from all of us at TRENDS.

What’s that you say?

Welcome to the official launch of the Association TRENDS blog.

For nearly 40 years, Association TRENDS has brought provocative articles on trends and issues to the national assn community. Now TRENDS is giving readers the immediate opportunity to discuss issues of interest through our new blog.

Topics might be serious, often times they will be fun, but we hope every blog entry will be of interest. Our goal is to help members of the assn community discover each other and find like-minded peers, or to challenge each other in professional discourse.

We invite you to suggest a blog entry. There is no better source for topics and information than those for whom this blog was created - the assn professional!

So thank you for visiting our blog, and we hope you will visit it often.

Arthur C. Clarke

Futurist Arthur C. Clarke, 90, who wrote "2001: A Space Odyssey," died March 19 of respiratory illness at Apollo Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, Washington, will remember the prolific science fiction writer and scientist through the "Arthur C. Clark Center to Investigate the Reach and Impact of Human Imagination" at the U. of Nevada, Las Vegas. After two years of planning, the foundation recently selected a design for the center and hopes to begin construction soon.

"This is our most ambitions project, and one that was very dear to Arthur's heart," foundation chairman Tedson Meyers said. The center will continue Clarke's mission to find the next generation of futurists. "How do you find the youngster who, with his left brain can produce marvels like ground control radar, and with his right brain become the leading science fiction writer of his age?" Meyers posed.

Clarke wrote 100 books and more than 1,000 short stories and essays. He is best known for his work with director Stanley Kubrick to make Clark's 1948 short story "The Sentinel" into the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." Many consider it to be the seminal work of science fiction. He is also remembered for his work alongside Walter Cronkite on CBS, during coverage of the Apollo 12 and 15 missions.

He said he most wanted to be remembered as a writer. In 1945, he published a paper called "Extra-terrestrial Relays,” which led to the geostationary orbit now known as a "Clarke Orbit." His 1964 short story "Dial F for Frankenstein" is credited as the inspiration for British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee, who helped create the "World Wide Web" in 1989. His most recent science fiction novel "The Last Theorem," which was cowritten with Frederik Pohl, and is scheduled to be released this year.

When he turned 90 in December, he released a YouTube video, in which he said his three wishes were proof of extraterrestrial life, adoption of clean energy sources, and an end to the civil war in Sri Lanka, where he will be buried.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

March 17 - According to the Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago, there are 34.7-million US residents who claim Irish ancestry. This is nearly nine times the population of Ireland itself, 4.2-million.

NAHB says Freddic Mac 'light years off course'

March 14 - Jerry Howard, EVP and CEO of the National Assn of Home Builders, Washington, sharply criticized remarks made by Freddie Mac CEO Richard Syron.

"With millions of Americans facing foreclosure or unable to obtain financing to buy a home, [Freddie Mac CEO] Richard Syron said yesterday that his chief interest is making money for his shareholders. It is now painfully obvious that [Freddie Mac] has strayed light years away from its other vitally important congressionally mandated mission of ensuring an adequate flow of credit for housing and home buyers," Howard said.

The credit crunch has implications "far beyond the housing market" and could impact the whole economy, Howard said, which " ... at best, is teetering on the brink of recession."

He also called for comprehensive reform of the Government Service Enterprises, a group of financial service institutions created by congress to provide and regulate the flow or credit. Other GSEs include lender Fannie Mae and several Federal banks.

“It is deeply discouraging that a company that should be doing everything within its power to restore liquidity to the marketplace has instead decided to neglect that responsibility,” Howard said.

Freddie Mac is the second largest US mortgage provider.

Elliott Spitzer

"Over the course of my public life I have insisted, I believe correctly, that people regardless of their position or power take responsibility for their conduct... I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason I am resigning from the office of governor."

- New York governor Eliot Spitzer

Negroponte wants new CEO for OLPC

March 7 - Nicholas Negroponte, CEO of the One Laptop Per Child Assn, Cambridge MA, is looking for a CEO to assume responsibility for daily operations, according to an interview in BusinessWeek. He said the search began in private last year, and had recently "intensified." Negroponte plans to remain OLPC's chairman.

"I am not a CEO... management, administration, and details are my weaknesses. I'm much better at the vision, big-picture side of the house," Negroponte said during the interview. He said OLPC has been operating "almost like a terrorist group" for three years, "doing impossible things," and also that his ideal candidate is somebody with a leadership profile similar to former secretary general of the United Nations Kofi Annan.

Negroponte is also founder and director of the the MIT Media Lab, Cambridge MA. He began OLPC three years ago, with the goal of supplying computers to children in third-world countries by 2008 (See "$100 laptop to cost $188," 9/28/07). The "XO," which was designed by OLPC and debuted in November 2006, is a lightweight, waterproof laptop with a sun-readable screen that can be powered by nonconventional means including a hand crank or car battery. It has sold several hundred-thousand units to date, but experienced problems with productions. Several governments have also backed out of promises made to the assn.

Dog and a beer... and a conference?

Following a trend in newly built athletic facilities, Nationals Park in Washington DC will be available to assns, charities and other nonprofits for such events as trade shows, private receptions and meetings. Other events may be booked there, as well, and team president Stan Kasten mentioned that a couple of bar mitzvahs already are scheduled at the park.

Events are arranged through Ballpark Enterprises, a new division of the Washington Nationals organization. Facilities include an 8,000 sq. ft. conference center for general sessions and breakout meetings. Also available are four indoor club spaces with views of the field or the Capitol Riverfront, with space for up to 1,000 guests. There are opportunities to visit areas such as the players’ clubhouse, dugouts and playing field. The park also offers event management services and catering.

The first non-baseball event will be April 17, a mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to the US. The pope also will celebrate a mass at Yankees Stadium when he later visits the United Nations in New York.

George W. Bush

"Now, as you know, I'm a big believer that government ought to empower people who have got a great capacity to help change people's lives. Sometimes I like to say government is not a very loving organization, it's an organization of law and justice. But there are thousands of loving people who are willing, if given help, to interface with brothers and sisters across the country who need help. And so this report is one that describes the federal-state collaborative that's taken place.

“There are 35 faith-based offices set up in different states. And for those of you who've got them, I thank you. We want to help you - want to coordinate. If you don't have one, I strongly urge you to take a look at what other governors have done.

“Billions of dollars have now gone into helping these different community or faith-based groups meet specific needs. One such need is to help children whose parents may be in prison realize there is hope and love. Seventy thousand kids have been affected by this program. Another one is to help prisoners reenter society. It's a relatively new program and - but so far, we've helped - you've helped 10,000 people readjust.

“Another is to provide [prescriptions] for somebody who needs help on drugs and alcohol and can redeem this at a regular counseling center or a faith-based center. But the whole purpose is to focus on results. You know, we ought to be asking what works - not the process.

“And so I appreciate you taking a look at this. Again, I want to thank you for your cooperation, to the extent that you feel comfortable doing so. It's making a huge difference in people's lives, and I congratulate you all.”

- President George W. Bush

Excerpts from the acceptance remarks of TIA CEO Roger Dow

Travel Industry Assn CEO Roger Dow was honored at the TRENDS 2008 Salute to Association Excellence, Feb. 15 in Washington. Also honored were the winners of the 2007 All-Media Contest and the 2007 Young & Aspiring Association Professionals.

...I’d like to share something that I think is so important. When I was on the board of [the American Society of Assn Executives], the phrase for so many years, and it’s so true, was “Assns Advance America.” And you really realize how much they do.

We got a challenge we’re all facing. It’s a challenge that impacts not just the travel industry, but affects everyone of us as an American. In 1992 – that’s 15 years ago – 9% of the global travelers came and visited from around the world. Nine percent – 1 in 10 came to the US. By 2000 – we hadn’t even had Sept. 11 yet – that had slipped to 7.5%. Last year it was 6%. We’ve lost 37% of our market share. The global pie of people traveling is growing. Our slice is shrinking.

Why is that important? Is that just a travel problem, filling hotels? No. It’s an America problem. It’s a problem because that’s how people get to know us. When they come and visit us and see who we are. When they see the diversity, they see all that America is about. They see the freedom, they travel around. They get to know us.

We have to tell the story of why we’re doing this. And it’s one of the most important things we’re working on. We’ve got going through Congress right now something called the Travel Promotion Act. Because what’s happened around the world is that they’ve discovered this darling called travel and tourism. They discovered this darling called the meetings and convention business. Dubai, Shanghai, you should see the sites that are being built over there for conventions that will compete for [business from] many of the best nations that we hold so dear.

So the Travel Promotion Act is really to begin telling the story of why we’re doing these things.... We need your help to pass this, it’s so important to the vitality of this nation. We’re moving it forward. We found a way that not a dollar comes out of the American taxpayers, that the industry puts some skin in the game, that we’re there. That’s so critical, that so many people have worked on the iterations of this and moving it forward. So I ask your help. I guess in closing, a couple things: One, when I grew up, my parents always told me that the three R’s were important: reading, writing and arithmetic. So I look at my children, I said there’s a fourth R, and that’s roaming. You need to roam around the world. That’s why Blake went to school in London, that’s why he spent some time in Kenya. That’s why Devon spent some time in Spain, and is going elsewhere. Because if our children roam around the world, if we roam around the world, the world roams around here, then we’ll thrive. If we put a wall around this country, and we say, “go away,” then we’ll wither. And that’s the crossroads we’re at, and I think it’s so important. I was driving in this morning, got up early because I hadn’t figured out what I was going to say yet. My friends from Marriott know that’s the truth. So I thought I’d get up early, maybe make a few notes. I was driving across the 14th Street Bridge. It was about five of 7 [o’clock], the sun was coming up, I looked out and I saw the Washington Monument, I saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson – I saw the city coming alive, the cranes going up and down, and I said, yeah, it’s going to be OK. It is going to be OK if the folks, all of us in this assn community, this travel community, do the right thing. It’s about our future, it’s about our vitality....

New TIA Fossett Award to Virgin Atlantic’s Branson

Feb. 5 - Travel Industry Assn, Washington, will give the first Steve Fossett Innovation Award to Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, at TravelCom08, April 8-10 in Chicago.

Branson will pay tribute to his friend Fossett, who went missing in his plane last October. Fossett does not have a direct connection to TIA, but the TIA TravelCom Committee wanted to honor Fossett for being a “pioneer and risk taker,” and one of America’s best-known adventurers.

With the theme, “Destination Unknown: Predicting Tomorrow’s Travel Environment,” TravelCom08 will feature other travel industry sr. executives: Travelocity CEO Michelle Peluso; Priceline.com CEO Jeffery Boyd; Orbitz Worldwide CEO Steve Barnhart; YouTube advertising director Suzie Reider; and American Express VP Lynne Biggar.

Slight assn growth in DC

The number of national and international trade assns listed in the 2008 National Trade and Professional Assns is up from 2007, and Washington remains the nation's assn capital by number of assn headquarters.

Published by Columbia Books, Bethesda MD, the 2008 NTPA now lists 7,600 assns, up from 7,200 in 2007. There were 7,400 assns listed in 2006. The directory also has gone back to its old cover style, which it used for many years, except for 2007.

Washington lists 1,058 assn headquarters, up a grand total of 15 from 2007, reversing a trend that saw assns leaving the nation’s capital. Rounding out the top-five states for assn headquarters are Virginia (+54 from last year) with 881 assns; Illinois (- 16) with 623; New York (-34) with 580; and Maryland (+2) to 412.

Soaring and surfing

Those busy executives just have to have great Internet service, even when flying. Well, Southwest Airlines is the latest to try an in-flight Internet service.

The airline claims it will be the first US carrier to test satellite-delivered broadband Internet access on multiple aircraft, when it will outfit four of its fleet of 737s this summer. Working with Row 44, an Internet provider that specializes in aircraft, Southwest will install satellite antennae on the four planes to allow customers with a wi-fi enabled device full access to the Internet. This includes e-mail, searches, online entertainment and other capabilities. Test routes have not yet been determined.

Boeing previously offered an in-flight Internet service on its aircraft called Connexion to International carriers including Lufthansa, Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Last August, the six year-old service was discontinued after it was deemed "not profitable with the current state of airline industry."

American Airlines will try a Wi-Fi trial program sometime in 2008.

All the pretty colors

Walt Disney Co. announced a new schedule of construction and expansion for Disneyland, Anaheim CA. The Disney Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim will receive an additional 200 rooms and 50 villas, bringing the total to 945 rooms. The hotel also features a 20,000 sq. ft. convention center. Other group-related construction includes a 9,000-seat viewing area on Paradise Pier, scheduled to open in 2011, which will be available for private events. And because how often do you get to feature Jellyfish on the front page two weeks in a row?

GEICO Gecko makes jellyfish rejoyce

They may not speak with a Cockney accent, but lizards will be the center of a partnership program between the Silver Spring MD-based Assn of Zoos and Aquariums and GEICO.

The Gecko Exhibit will be a three-year partnership and tour that will bring live geckos as well as the insurance company’s English-accented mascot to AZA zoos across the country to increase conservation awareness.

Part of the tour features include day geckos, a large lizard species indigenous to Madagascar and islands in the Indian Ocean. The exhibit will spend several weeks at each stop, and GEICO will make a donation at each AZA member zoo. First stop is the San Diego Zoo through Feb. 17, followed by the Houston Zoo. Other tour dates will be announced.

Two TV commercials to promote the exhibit feature the animated mascot playing with an otter and a jellyfish.

Also as part of the agreement, GEICO will sponsor AZA's Earth Day "Party for the Planet" and other conservation events.

New 990 means more oversight

On Dec. 20, the IRS released the final draft of the 2008 Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, and there are significant changes. Get the details and put in place the necessary requirements now, before that unplesant phone call from your CPA...