WASHINGTON -- ARTA and the Outside Sales Support Network forged a
marketing alliance that would enable the two associations to
coordinate agent training programs and lobbying efforts.
ARTA president John Hawks said both groups would benefit from
efficiencies gained through economies of scale.
For instance, Hawks said, ARTA does about a dozen agent
educational programs a year, while Jupiter, Fla.-based OSSN
produces nearly 80.
"ARTA is very good in the areas of governmental lobbying efforts
in Washington, which was a void for us," said OSSN president Gary
Fee.
The alliance also enables OSSN agents to receive free membership
in the Consumer Travel Rights Center, an Internet-based consumer
advocacy group ARTA recently created, while ARTA members will have
access to OSSN's suite of Web site-building programs.