CCRA Shares Success at THETRADESHOW in Las Vegas

CCRA International had a successful experience this month at THETRADESHOW, Travel Retailing and Destination Expo, presented by ASTA, in Las Vegas.  As the preferred Hotel Program Supplier to ASTA members, CCRA was a presenter and exhibitor at the annual event for the world’s largest association of travel professionals.

“We got a very positive response from agents in regard to our consolidated worldwide hotel inventory offered in the CCRAtravel.com Booking Portal, and the newest booking portal features such as integration with travel agency TRAMS software,” reports Patti Free, CCRA Vice President of Global Membership Services. 

Patti Free and Nancy Freigher, CCRA Account Manager for ASTA, conducted a hotel booking seminar for ASTA travel agents, and presented custom group trainings within the three-day trade show setting. ASTA reports that this year’s event drew over 2,000 registered attendees, or a third of their 6,000-plus members located nationwide. 

Patti Free also spoke at the International Chapter Presidents Council annual meeting, presenting “CCRA International – A World View” to International Chapter Presidents and the ASTA Board of Directors. ASTA Attendees included Cheryl Hudak CEO, Bill Maloney COO, Cheryl Ahearn, Vice President of Sales, and Paul Ruden, Chief Council.  International Members included Uniglobe Sky link, Tanzania; Ysivuahas, Madrid; Gyro Travel, Kenya; Castle Transport, Dublin; BTG (Business Travel Group) Russia; Toucan, Peru; Magister Tours, Istanbul; First Travel Lufthansa City Center, Phnom Penh; Unitravel, South Africa; Lifestyle Holidays, Mumbai; and Destination Travel, Beijing.  ASTA international members especially like the fact they can package FIT hotels with their own offerings. One of ASTA’s 2008 Strategic Initiatives is to increase International Membership.

Supporting ASTA’s efforts in promoting and leveraging the travel trade industry in congress, CCRA International hosted a table at the 2007 Advocacy Dinner.  Joining our table were VIP guests: Ken Gagliano, President of Travel Planners International; John Hart, COO of IT Group Network; Gary Fee, President and CEO of OSSN; Danette Hose, Director of Partner Marketing and Member Retention for ASTA; Anita Pagliasso, President of Ticket to Travel; and from CCRA - Jim Day, COO; Patti Free, and Nancy Freigher. 

CCRA looks forward to joining THE TRADESHOW again next September, in Orlando, Florida.