ITMI : Symposium

Well partners, as they say in the 'ol west, the dust has settled over the 22nd Annual ITMI Symposium in San Marcos, Texas.

Our sweet final event at Texas Old Town featured line dancing and sharing stories around the campfire, under a clear starlit Texas sky.

In this challenging economy, we must reach out to help each other, to take risks to show our determination to keep our economy strong. If you were unable to collaborate with us in person at Symposium this year, know that ITMI continues to work on your behalf for the betterment of the tourism industry.

Some of the Symposium highlights were...

During Marketplace, approximately 50 Tour Operators and 200 Tour Directors met for possible opportunities in the coming year.
Presentations given about new technology, taxes and personal websites for employment each were well received.
Former NTA President Mark Hoffman talked about the history of our industry and the state of tourism today.
Author Wilford Welch spoke about his newly released book called "The Tactics of Hope". He has created a website to give us the tools to connect with people and issues all over the world to make a difference. Log into www.tacticsofhope.org to learn more.
Lisa Simon, current National Tour Association President, shared a brief overview of NTA and their current initiatives. Lisa shared how NTA is bringing about awareness of the tour industry to the new Obama administration. You can read her entire speech here.
Fun presentations such as "Zap the Gap", were given by Meagan Johnson on generational challenges, customer service and in-office personnel interactions. www.meaganjohnson.com .
Holly Powers with Tourism Cares, came to announce the launching of the Bill Newton and Kathy Neville Scholarship, and their Save Our Sites Program (SOS). Log into www.tourismcares.org to find how individuals can qualify to be awarded ITMI Symposium or training fees.

We collected $547.22 for a special drawing for two individuals to fly above San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge aboard the first Zeppelin in America in 70 years. Log into www.airshipventures.com to view this unparalleled attraction.

And the Winners were:
Noel Daniels - Phoenix, Arizona - Class 204
Barbara Weis - San Francisco - Class 225

Each year in January, the Institute hosts a national tourism symposium in which ITMI graduates have the opportunity to interview with many tour companies from all regions of North America. Graduates also meet tour operators socially and during business sessions. In addition to interviewing, there are numerous seminars and roundtable discussions with the operators on subjects affecting professional tour directors.

The ITMI Symposium is the only event in North America exclusively for tour directors and tour operators. Half-day and full-day training trips in and around the host city are included, complimentary for all delegates.

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ADMISSIONS

ITMI ALUMNI

TOUR OPERATORS