n his May 12 column, "Credibility gaps," Travel Weekly editor in
chief Arnie Weissmann directed some concerns to me about the
proposed changes to ASTA's bylaws.
ASTA's proposal adds two at-large members to the ASTA board from
the Corporate Advisory Council (CAC). The proposal is designed to
unify the travel agency industry under ASTA, thereby giving ASTA
the strong voice it needs to serve all travel agents.
First, I thank Mr. Weissmann for debunking the three main
arguments that the opposition raises. Second, in regard to his
question on why the vote needs to be held now, I think he is
looking at this backwards. The question really is, "Why wait any
longer?"
ASTA has been considering these issues for a long time. We have
had a lively debate and currently are voting on the issue. The
sooner we change ASTA, the sooner travel agents benefit from a
stronger trade association. Fourteen percent of ARC locations
closed between March 2002 and 2003. Unification makes us stronger.
Delay makes all agents weaker.
The second concern was about ASTA members' understanding of the
rationale behind the proposal. ASTA held two Town Meetings at its
regional meetings in Tucson, Ariz., and Orlando. The issues
surrounding the referendum have been communicated at least weekly
on a national level and within chapters.
More than 130 ASTA members have signed up for Travel Agents for
One Voice, publicly demonstrating their support of the bylaws
change. There is no lack of understanding of the rationale. ASTA
members know the industry is changing and so is our business
environment. ASTA needs to evolve in order to meet the challenges
of the future as the representative of a diverse and thriving
industry.
Lastly, Weissmann asks about funds donated by the CAC for future
government relations efforts. To date, the CAC companies have
donated more than $80,000 to ASTA, with pledges of more money
coming in, to handle legislative and regulatory challenges as they
come up.
ASTA and the CAC companies share many common concerns. We work
well together to address those concerns, as seen when we fought for
and got concessions from ARC on the new voiding rules. We also
share concerns about the regulation of travel distribution and
government support of the airline industry.
The majority of ASTA members have indicated year after year that
government relations should be ASTA's priority. The CAC companies
also see real value in ASTA's government-relations capabilities and
are willing to put their resources toward making ASTA Government
Affairs more representative and more effective.
There was no quid pro quo with the CAC except to listen to their
concerns, as we do with all travel agents. This was a case of ASTA
members generously giving of their resources to benefit ASTA and
all travel agents.
Only through continued support of the whole travel agency
community will ASTA be able to continue fighting for travel agents.
That's what this referendum is all about, and that's why I hope
ASTA members will vote yes.
Richard M. Copland, CTC, is the president and CEO of ASTA.
He can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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To read Arnie Weissmann's original "From the Window Seat"
column from May 12, see Credibility gaps.