Upcoming Webinars
Stay tuned – more coming soon!
Webinar Recordings
Technology and Travel Distribution – Part 3
A Demo of OpenTravel’s 2.0 Open Standards
Technology and Travel Distribution – Part 2
Retooling the Travel Business for the Future
Technology and Travel Distribution – Part 1
A Perspective on Hybrid Distribution Models
Covid-19 Relief – Is There Any for the Travel Industry?
- Payment Protection Program – New – most DMOs will now be eligible.
- Unemployment extension
- Employee Retention Tax Credit
- Live Venue Grant Program
- Transportation inclusions
Retool Your Business for 2021: Learn How Companies are Adopting Data and Technology Standards to Allow for New Business Opportunities and Flexibility in a Changing World
How to Earn the Safe Travels Stamp
WTTC: Uniting the Global Travel Industry and Rebuilding Traveler Confidence
The travel industry must adopt standard protocols and practices for safe traveling across the world to rebuild consumer confidence. The World Travel and Tourism Council, in conjunction with governments and health experts, has developed global protocols for a coordinated and consistent experience for the traveler. Adolfo Reyes presented WTTC ‘s vision and global activities to ensure future travel is safe, secure, and seamless for the traveler.
Connectivity Providers – Navigating Smart!
Connectivity – Benefits and Challenges for the Tour Operator Markets
Connectivity has been driving change in the travel distribution system in recent years, forcing inbound operators and travel suppliers to adapt their business models to stay competitive. With the number of connectivity solutions available for both buyers and sellers based on business type, size, products and a variety of other factors, it can be confusing at best. Join our panel of inbound operators to hear about the benefits and challenges they’ve experienced and how the travel trade can help shape technology distribution standards in the post-Covid business environment.
Moderator: Peter van Berkel, Travalco USA Panelists: Oswaldo Freitas, Easy Time Travel Nick Hentschel, AmericanTours International Lena Ross, America 4 You Faisal Sublaban, Bonotel Exclusive Travel
National Parks – It’s Good News for a Change!
Positive news around national parks of late provides a glimmer of hope for the rebound of inbound travel. The National Park Service’s delay of its systemwide tour operator CUA program and the hopeful prospect of much improved park infrastructure due to the passing of the Great American Outdoors Act should give tour operators a positive outlook for the post-pandemic future. Join this session to hear how tour operators and our DMO and Supplier partners can work with the parks through smart programming and best practices to fuel the recovery of the nation’s economy following this health crisis.
Presented by Lisa Simon, Executive Director, IITA; Peter van Berkel, President, Travalco; Gary Schluter, Founder, Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours.
Direct Connectivity – The Wave of the Future
IITA’s Technology Task Force present on connectivity among travel organizations the benefits and pitfalls, types of technology and how open standards provide the most flexible and affordable technology solutions.
Who should watch?
- Inbound operators
- Travel suppliers – hotels, attractions, restaurants, transportation companies, and other services
- DMOs – state/local/regional/national destination marketers
- Contracting managers
- Technology and api/distribution specialists
- Product developers
- Sales & marketing teams
IITA’s Connectivity Task Force
Town Hall
Airlift and Tourism Development: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Understanding the importance of airlines and their contributions to the popularity of tourism destinations, this webinar looks at what is going on in the international aviation market, and, how to try and ensure the restoration of air services. IITA member Alfredo Gonzalez sets the stage with the status of air travel and the issues the airlines must overcome in today’s environment to resume critical airlift. Aviation and tourism consultant Gavin Eccles provides valuable insights and actions for how destinations and airports need to be aligned in how we present to the new realities of airlines post Covid-19.
Gavin Eccles, GE Consulting
Alfredo Gonzalez, AG Hospitality Group
Thought Leader Panel: What Will the ‘New Normal’ Look Like for Inbound Travel to the US?
At this time when international travel is at a dead stop, everyone’s asking, “What’s our new normal going to look like post-Covid-19?” and “When can we expect the inbound travel rebound?” and “What will we need to do differently to ensure health and safety standards are met?” While none of us knows the answers, we can begin to collectively shape the future as we navigate this uncharted territory together. Our panel of leading destination marketers and inbound tour operators share their perspectives on what’s in store for the industry and how we will bring international visitors back to the U.S.
Moderator:
Elliott Ferguson, President & CEO, Destination DC
Panelists:
Fred Dixon, President & CEO, NYC & Company
Gloria Lan, Owner/President, Tour America, LLC
Peter van Berkel, President, Travalco USA Inc.
Vicki Varela, Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism
Preparing Your Company To Do Business Post Covid-19
Jeff Ment, a travel attorney with more than 28 years of industry experience, talks about doing business in the post COVID-19 travel world. He shares suggested changes to better protect your company with terms and conditions, including force majeure clauses, payment and cancellation terms, and limitations on liability. He also discusses the ramifications of credit card chargebacks. Jeff is joined by Alastair MacMillan-Bell, senior vice president at The Berkely Group, to answer questions and concerns about how to best protect your business going forward.
Jeffrey Ment
Alastair MacMillan-Bell
Dr. Bryan Williams on Leadership during a Pandemic
Dr. Bryan Williams is a keynote speaker and author, who focuses on leadership and service excellence. He has facilitated workshops and delivered keynotes worldwide for various companies in diverse industries.
In this webinar, Bryan discusses key concerns and shares best practices relating to our current work environment.
Key points include:
- How to stay present and mindful in this constantly changing time.
- What kind of things can we be working on now to set ourselves up for success upon return?
- How to keep your team members motivated and aligned as they work virtually.
- How best to respond when people reach out to you in fear and anxiety.
Dr. Bryan Williams
Peter Greenberg Answers Your Questions About Covid-19 and Its Impact on Inbound Travel
Emmy-winning investigative reporter and producer, Peter Greenberg shares insight into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global travel industry and specifically where inbound travel to the United States will be when the health crisis is behind us. America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist — known in the travel industry as “The Travel Detective” — Peter is the consummate INBOUND INSIDER.
Peter Greenberg
IITA Inbound Insider Webinar: Understanding Covid-19 Legislation
Join the replay of this IITA webinar to hear legal experts discuss aspects of recent COVID-19 legislation related to the needs of small travel businesses. Adventure Travel Law attorney Chun T. Wright discusses financial relief available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, cancellation/refund strategies in the wake of COVID-19, and mitigating future business risk. Labor and Employment Law attorney Laura M. Merritt provides an overview of best practices and key employment laws currently impacting the workforce, including the emergency sick leave and enhanced family and medical leave requirements of the newly enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Chunnie Wright
