Miami - IATAN is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Scott Ahlsmith to its permanent independent Advisory Board. Scott is currently Chairman of the Board, The Travel Institute and Executive Vice President, Global Technology for Virtuoso.
IATAN’s Advisory Board is an independent body comprised of 14 accomplished and diverse individuals representing all aspects of the industry from home based agents to mega agencies, hoteliers, cruise lines and airlines. The Board expertise and insight derives from a combined 400 years experience in the travel and tourism industry.
This vast experience has allowed IATAN to always be at the forefront of the industry’s innovative initiatives such as the new on-line services, where eligible agents can apply for a new card or renew their card. This service not only has a positive environmental impact by eliminating paper but also brings an efficiency component by reducing processing time by over 50%.
Another win-win initiative driven by IATAN Board is AgentExperience.com. This site offers IATA and IATAN Cardholders the ability to gain first-hand experience of suppliers’ products and services as well as the latest familiarization trips. There are now more than 600 suppliers reaching out to over 200,000 travel professionals around the globe. This programme is gaining momentum and its popularity is increasing by leaps and bounds.
IATA/IATAN serve the global Travel and Tourism industry – offering its customers well-designed programmes with the significant added value of worldwide reach and recognition.
Editors Notes:
- IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 240 airlines comprising 94% of scheduled international air traffic
- The IATA / IATAN ID Card is recognised worldwide as the industry credential for the identification of travel professionals, and is a valuable tool for Travel & Tourism suppliers, including airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, etc.
- IATAN Advisory Board members:
- Roger Block CTC, Executive Vice President, Carlson Travel Franchise Group
- Fred Miller CTC, Vice President Travel Industry Relations - Marriott International
- Patricia Conlan, Manager, Multinational Sales, USA – Air Canada
- Anne Marie Moebes, President and Founder, Curves Travel
- John Fazio, President, Caprice Travel Agency
- Peter Rasmussen, General Manager USA, Travel Counsellors LLC
- Donna Flora, CTC, Vice President, Travel Industry Relations - American Express
- Gail Ruderman, Executive Director, Lee and Nancy Rosenbluth Foundation
- Aida Fournier, President & Founder, Connections Travel Agency Inc
- Steve Smith, Vice President Passenger Sales for the Americas - Japan Airlines
- Horace Hord, Associate Vice President Community Relations, Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Ann White, Director of Industry Affairs, American Airlines
- Scott Ahlsmith, Chairman of the Board - The Travel Institute and Executive Vice President, Global Technology - Virtuoso