LOS ANGELES--The 10th annual ASTA Silent Auction will be held Oct.
13 to 16 at the ASTA World Travel Congress. Delegates can bid on a
range of products and services provided by suppliers to support the
ASTA Scholarship Foundation.
According to the Society, 120 donations have been received. They
range from travel books and free tuition for certificate courses to
packages and cruises. The goal for this year's auction is to raise
$100,000 to be divided among 50 scholarships for travel industry
students and professionals who want to further their education.
Scholarships range from $250 to $3,000 per recipient. Last year,
the auction raised about $70,000 for the various scholarships.
Located in the south lobby of the Los Angeles Convention Center,
the auction will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 13; 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 14, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 15 and
16.
No bids will be accepted after 2 p.m on Oct. 16. Winning bids
will be posted outside the venue on Oct. 17, with payments being
made from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The largest single donation for this
year's auction is a Silversea cruise for two for up to 14 nights, a
retail value of $25,390.
Among other items up for bid are:
A deluxe cruise by Manohra Cruises to Bangkok and Ayutthaya
aboard the Manohra Song river barge, a $400 value.Coralia-Accor Resort Hotels Tahiti Getaway, a $1,685 value,
with two nights at the Sofitel Maeva Beach-Tahiti and five nights
at the Sofitel Ia Ora-Moorea.Eight times around a speedway in a Winston Cup stock car with
the Richard Petty Driving Experience, a $700 value.Two cases of Texas wine from Cap Rock Winery in Lubbock, Texas,
a $200 value, donated by the ASTA Southwest Chapter.Four tickets in a luxury suite to a Chicago Bulls game at
United Center, an $800 value, donated by Budget Rent a Car.A complete set of the 1999 Fodor's Gold Guides, a $1,300
value.Tuition for four destination-specialist programs by the
Institute of Certified Travel Agents, including educational
materials and the option to test and earn a certificate, a $316
value.A choice of one of four sailings for two aboard a Delta Queen
Steamboat Co. vessel, a value of $4,640.A two-night package to the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las
Vegas with two tickets to EFX starring David Cassidy, a $470
value.First class accommodations on a Globus or Cosmos Europe or
North America tour of up to 14 days, a $2,500 value.Two glass and silver bowls from the Curry Glass Design in
Bremerton, Wash., donated by ASTA Pacific Northwest Chapter, a $400
value.