2016 ASTA Advocacy Annual Report

One Voice for Travel Agents 2016 ASTAPAC Annual Report

The American Society of Travel Agents Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) is a special fund established under federal election laws to allow ASTA to collect voluntary contributions from travel agent members for the purpose of supporting political candidates and parties. ASTAPAC has been raising the Society’s political profile since 1979. Put simply, our advocacy successes are thanks to the travel agents and agencies who contribute to our PAC program.

Letter from the Co-Chairs

Dear Valued ASTA Members:

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg

Chris Seddelmeyer

As Co-Chairs of the Government & Political Affairs Committee, we are proud to report that 2016 marked a milestone fundraising year for ASTAPAC.

For 2017, the Government & Political Affairs Committee, which oversees both ASTAPAC and ASTA’s government affairs agenda, is focused on the Congratulations! Last year, ASTAPAC raised $200,599, education and recruitment of ASTA members for our marking the first time we have broken through the political advocacy efforts. In particular, we hope to two-hundred thousand dollar fundraising mark. Even increase our PAC participation rate to 30% of eligible more heartening, 2016’s fundraising totals represent members in 2017 (from 25.2% in 2016). an increase of 147% over our fundraising totals from just four years ago. Eleven of ASTA’s 26 chapters In Washington, DC, PAC size matters! Contributions exceeded their fundraising goals. It was also fantastic to ASTAPAC are essential as we advocate for our to see 17 chapters raise more PAC funds in 2016 than members, our businesses and our clients. ASTA has in 2015. over 2,500 active member companies – we have the numbers to be heard on the Hill. And with more This success is not by chance. Our members clearly contributors, we can do better – for our members, our recognize that ASTAPAC is a critical tool in the clients and our profession.

Association’s advocacy arsenal. It allows our members to pool resources, engage in the political process and We look forward to building on our success and influence public policy. Thanks to strong support from encourage you to make 2017 the year you take your ASTA chapters and members across the country, we involvement beyond writing a check or donating are in a better position than ever before. online. Please respond to ASTA grassroots alerts for e-mails and phone calls to members of Congress As the 115th Congress begins, the relationships and state legislators, volunteer to testify before cultivated on Capitol Hill by ASTA headquarters, ASTA state legislative committees or represent ASTA at chapters and members using ASTAPAC resources will fundraisers for Members of Congress in your district. be invaluable. ASTA is being invited to “sit at the table” Most importantly, encourage your fellow ASTA on a broad range of issues which will affect each and members to make an investment in travel agent every one of our businesses. Our key issues for 2017 advocacy through ASTAPAC. include rationalizing travel agents’ consumer disclosure responsibilities, harmonization of independent Our heartfelt thanks to all who donated in 2016. Your contractor laws and our fight to remove travel agents contributions inspire us to advocate tirelessly for the from the Department of Labor’s regulatory “Blacklist”. travel agency industry and the travel consumer at all At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance at levels of government. the state level as the travel industry continues to be targeted for additional tax revenue.

With Warm Regards, JENNIFER WILSON-BUTTIGIEG 2016 Co-Chair, ASTAPAC Committee Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. New York, NY

CHRIS SEDDELMEYER 2016 Co-Chair, ASTAPAC Committee Travel Concepts Lima, OH

2016 Government & Political Affairs Committee Co-Chairs

JENNIFER WILSON-BUTTIGIEG Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. 35th Floor New York, NY 10016 Phone: 212-592-1210 Fax: 212-251-0974 jenniferwb@vwti.com

CHRIS SEDDELMEYER

Travel Concepts 334 Ponderosa Trail Lima, OH 45805 Phone: 419-222-2121 chris@travelconcepts2121.com

JOHN F. HASKINS

LES BURGER

Ladera Travel 325 Sharon Park Drive, Suite D5 Menlo Park, CA 94025 Phone: 650-854-3222 les@ladera.travel

NORA FAIFER

Altair Travel & Cruises 6160 Treeridge Trail St Louis, MO 63129 Phone: 314-968-9600 norafaifer@altairtravel.com

MICHAEL HANSON

Sabre 1250 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 825 Washington, DC 20036 Michael.Hanson@sabre.com

Mena Tours/American Express 5209 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: 773-275-2155 jorge@mena.travel

DEBORAH S. MANGAS, CTC,ACC Menno Travel/American Express 210 S Main St Goshen, IN 46526 Phone: 574-534-1521 Fax: 574-534-2158 deb@mennotrav.com

KATE MURPHY

Members

JORGE SANCHEZ

Viking Travel Service 610 N Washington St Naperville, IL 60563 Phone: 630-983-1766 jhaskins@vikingtvl.com

Wings Travel Group 702 DeKalb Pike Bluebell, PA 19422 Phone: 215-628-3322 KateM@WingsTrips.com

MARY PETERS

Friendly Travel 1506-D Belle View Blvd Alexandria, VA 22307 Phone: 703-768-6020 mary@friendlytravelonline.com

ISAAC “IKE”REYNOLDS Reynolds Travel, Inc. 8934 Commerce Loop Dr Columbus, OH 43240 Phone: 614-847-8008 ike@reynoldstravel.net

MARILYN BELL ZELAYA

Willow Glen Travel Agency 1275 Lincoln Ave San Jose, CA 95125 Phone: 408-298-0136 willowglentravel@earthlink.net

Ex-Officio(s)

JAY ELLENBY

Safe Harbors Business Travel, LLC 126 S. Main Street Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 800-344-5656 Ext. 1408 jellenby@safeharbors.com

ZANE KERBY

ASTA 675 North Washington St., Suite 490 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-739-6804 zkerby@asta.org

Staff Liaisons

EBEN PECK

ASTA 675 North Washington St., Suite 490 Alexandria, VA 22314-2944 Phone: 703.739.6842 epeck@asta.org

4 – ASTAPC Annual Report 2016

GENEVIEVE STRAND

ASTA 675 North Washington St., Suite 490 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-739-8711 gstrand@asta.org

ASTAPAC Fundraising Growth

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

$81,279

$106,439

$144,175

$149,175

$200,599

Thanks to strong support from our members and member companies, the PAC reached new heights in 2016, increasing by $119,320 (or 147%) between 2012 and 2016. According to OpenSecrets.org, ASTAPAC is now the sixth largest PAC in the travel and tourism sector, behind only the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the U.S. Travel Association, Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2016 – 5

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) meets with members of the ASTA Arizona Chapter

Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC) addresses the 2016 Legislative Day reception

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi visits with attendees of ASTA’s Legislative Day 2016

Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) meets with ASTA staff

Walking up to the U.S. Capitol to meet with representatives at ASTA’s Legislative Day 2016

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) meets with members of the ASTA Hawaii Chapter

Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) meets with ASTA staff

6 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2016

Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) meets with members of the ASTA Mid America Chapter

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) meets with ASTA members and staff

Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) Cuba reception Oct 2015

CAC members storm the Hill during Legislative Day 2016

Using every opportunity available to proudly promote the value travel planners provide to the traveling public

ASTA members gather in Washington DC to tell the travel agent’s story to their local representatives

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2016 – 7

2016 ASTAPAC Charitable Match Program Since 2010, ASTA’s Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) has funded the ASTAPAC Charitable Matching Program, which provides chapters who reach PAC fundraising and participation goals with matching funds to the charity of their choice. The goal of the program is twofold: to stimulate PAC fundraising and support ASTA’s advocacy work while allowing our chapters to give back to their local communities.

Below are the chapters who qualified for matching funds based on 2016 fundraising.

$1,750 in matching funds for the first five chapters to hit their fundraising goal:

• • • • •

Midwest Long Island Carolinas Mid America Southeast

$750 in matching funds for the next five chapters to hit their fundraising goal:

• • • • •

Hawaii Pacific Northwest Southern California San Diego Upper Midwest

$1,500 in matching funds for the five chapters with the best participation rates:

• • • • •

Midwest (97.28%) Long Island (78.38%) Hawaii (68.75%) Mid America (68.42%) Southeast (62.63%)

$750 in matching funds for the most-improved chapter measured by percentage increase in total fundraising from 2015 to 2016 (with minimum total fundraising of $1,000 in 2016):

•

Pacific Northwest (1,049% increase)

8 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2016

PREREQUISITE To qualify for charitable matching funds, a chapter must have an overall chapter participation rate of at least 7.5 percent, with minimum total fundraising within the chapter of at least $1,000.

$1,000 in matching funds to the chapter raising the most hard dollars:

•

Midwest ($18,101)

$750 in matching funds to the chapter raising the most soft dollars:

•

Pacific Northwest ($26,577)

$250 in matching funds to each chapter meeting the prerequisite (see bullet #1):

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Arizona Carolinas Central Atlantic Hawaii Long Island Mid America Midwest Missouri Valley New Jersey New York City Northern California Orange County Pacific Northwest Rocky Mountain San Diego South Florida Southeast Southern California Southwest Upper Midwest

How Does ASTAPAC Decide Which Candidates to Support?

Deciding which candidates to support in a given year is a process involving the Chair and members of the Society’s Government & Political Affairs Committee and ASTA’s Government Affairs staff. Staff analyzes and interprets Congressional voting records and is able to pinpoint who is who in the area of travel and tourism policy and who best understands and supports the travel agency industry.

Among the criteria used by the Government & Political Affairs Committee to determine which candidates to support are the following factors:

1) Is the candidate sympathetic to the goals of travel agents? Has the candidate supported specific proposals or policies advanced by the industry?

2) If an incumbent, does the candidate hold a key

position of responsibility (i.e. chair or member of important committee or subcommittee; member of majority or minority leadership)?

ASTAPAC makes financial contributions to candidates for Federal office, regardless of party affiliation. We do not support candidates in state and local elections, nor do we engage in presidential politics.

It is worth noting that a campaign contribution through ASTAPAC is not a means of buying votes.

It is a “no strings attached” way of ensuring that responsible and dedicated legislators who understand and support the travel agency industry remain in or are elected to office. To ensure the money is well protected and properly spent, many detailed reports are required by the FEC from both ASTAPAC and the candidates it supports. Both must account for the sources of their funds and the purposes for which these funds are spent.

For a complete list of 2016 ASTAPAC Contributions, please contact Genevieve Strand at gstrand@asta.org.

3) If a nonincumbent, will the candidate pursue

assignment to a key committee or subcommittee, or likely to be in a position to assist the profession?

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2016 – 9

2016 Donor List SUPERNOVAS ($5,000+)

GOVERNOR’S CLUB ($500-$999)

ASTA Corporate Advisory Council ASTA Pacific Northwest Chapter BCD Travel Commonwealth Business Travel Group Enterprise Holdings PAC Jackie Friedman Roger Hale John Haskins Contribution in Honor of William H. Hunt John Lewis/Travel Management Partners PATA Midwest Chapter Contribution in Honor of Robert Roach Sabre PAC Contribution in Honor of Beverly Ann Schukar Signature Travel Network Virtuoso

ASTA Long Island Chapter ASTA New York City Chapter ASTA Southeast Chapter ASTA Upper Midwest Chapter Patricia Buckholt Lisa Buckner Christopherson Business Travel Staci Blunt Ann Chamberlin Brian Chapin Leila Dada Michael Dixon Jay Ellenby Bill Haire Ernest Held Dave Hershberger Hess Travel Holland America Line Pam Irwin Geoffrey Landis Ted Lawson Dan Lekki Deb Mangas Mark Meader Merit Travel Group, Inc. Luxe Travel Management/ TSI Eben Peck Mary Peters Connie Reudinger Jorge Sanchez Ryan Scheidler Chris Seddelmeyer Gloria Stock-Mickelson Uniglobe Travel Partners Ralph Vasami Hope Wallace Mike Weingart

NOVAS ($1,000-$4,999) ASTA Mid America Chapter ASTA Midwest Chapter ABC Global Services Van Anderson Balboa Travel Roger Block Gloria Bohan Linda Bourgeois Brownell Travel Marc Casto CTS Systems Robert Duglin Fox World Travel Rose Hache Margaret Haskins Denise Jackson Zane Kerby Dennis Lewis Eric Maryanov Lauren Matthews Gary Murphy Special Needs Group Steve Orens Susan Spain Vicki Powell Libbie Rice Lee Thomas TravelStore, Inc. Travel & Transport, Inc. Ovation Travel Group, Inc. Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg Marilyn Zelaya/Willow Glen Travel

PRESIDENTS CLUB ($250-$499) ASTA Central Atlantic Chapter ASTA Hawaii Chapter ASTA Orange County Chapter James Bailey Craig Baldridge Frederic Bursch Craig Carter Bill Coyle Chris Dane Nora Faifer Susan Ferrell Betsy Geiser Wendy Goodenow Michael Grueninger Richard Haymaker Robbi Hamida Cheryl Hudak Alan Hess Mary Krueger Robert MacDonald Gerry Mack Vicky Mary

10 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2016

Merit Travel Nancy Merrill Michael Premo Olga Ramudo Robert Riesmeyer Patrick Reynolds Robert Reynolds Doug Risser John Smith Charles Sturm Strong Travel Stephen Thomas-Schulere Jennifer Walker Duane Wallace Ann Waters

Team 100 ($100-$249) ASTA Orange County Chapter Susan Aft Raju Ahmed Mary Allen Agbayani Marilyn Allegra Jacquelyn Alton Brinda Amin Angel Anger Karen Marie Adamitis Rick Ardis Shaun Balani Ruth Banas Amy Barnhill Bay World Travel Kandra Berke Thornton Mary Beth Walsh Susan Biver Gloria Bochenski Pam Bonin Lucy Borkowski John Brawley Colleen Brechon Ruth Bridges Cindy Brown Les Burger James Buschbach Donald Buynack Danny Byrne Jennifer Camel Donna Campbell Peter Carideo Juan Carrillo Rebecca Carter Danny Ching Anthony Cimino Barbara Colombo Audrey Cooper Donna Cooper Anthony Cosenza Joann Costagliola Mario Costantini Dan Crumpton Cindy Cunningham Gavin Da Rosa Csilla Dali Patti Daniels Laura Davis

Heather Dolstra Cindy Erickson Mike Ertmer Lynn Farrell Pamela Faust Sandi Ferreira Dick Fislan Mary Flannigan Carole Formento Sharon Fritz Patricia Fulton Linda Furlan Jo-Marie Gagala Joanne Gardner Diane Gelaude Joanne Giampa Judy Gibbs Betty Given Rajib Goyal Vickie Greenlee Donna Greenwald Jesse Guerra Avril Guinn Marie Hager Robert Hale Judy Hall Darrellynn Hanes Gail Hannon Ardeen Harris Amy Hartline Nita Hass Gwyn Hay Miriam Hernandez Richard Herrington Angie Hill Walter Hirleman Lisa Hoppe William Huffman Marion Huiberts Lisa Husse Dan Ilves Barbara Jathas Carol Kalisz Joan Kay Grossman Kim Kelly James Keller Lindsey Kent Judy Keslik Ken Kimi Ilene Koenig Deb Kolnick Deb Kopeshke Edward Kopeshke Colleen Kosiek Nancy Kozlowski Linda Kozon Neal Kraemer Cornelia Kruse Kimberly Launer Wayne Lee Carol Lekki Aggie Lewis Marilyn Lindberg Kent Lindsey

Rosaria Longobardi Judy Louis Cynthia Lucking Andrew Lukasik Laura Lukasik Jesse Mackey Mary Margaret Reuther Judy Marshman Debra Masters Lynda Maxwell Becky McKay Maria Merlos Del Carmen Jennifer Michels Ray Miyashiro Anatalia Montano Kate Murphy Eugene Nicewonger Jane Norman Tammi Oliver-Vaught Scott Pinheiro Barbara Pokornowski James Pope James Posell Steve Powers Ingrid Price Jeanette Quetel Debra Quinn Wanda Radetti Laura Rago Tresa Reed Mary Respoto Ike Reynolds Kathleen Richards Deanna Richert Sheri Richer Henry Ristic Diana Ritter Sandy Robinson Laura Rodriguez Michelle Rooker Robin Sanchez Steven Sanchez Giselle Sanchez Marge Santo Monique Sattler Howard Scharf Kimberly Schneider Linda Schreiber Mary Ann Schneider Richard Schwartz Kathleen Seiwert Janet Seno Susan Shimkus Postak Shrestha Linda Snyder Krystina Slotwinski Gretchen Stalb Debra Sternberg Christine Strauss Mary Sturm Kathryn Sudeikis Judy Sumka Mike Sutko Paul Taylor Alice Tillem Jack Tillem Robert Thompson Rita Tosto

Stephanie Turner Ines Turos Renaud Urban Nancy Van Allen Angela Vernon Sharon Viotto James Ward Anette Weber Daniel Webster Phara Webster Shirley Webster Donna Welke Linda Wendler John Werner Maureen Wilkinson Elizabeth Wolak Michael Wolinski Norma Zarate Caryn Zavislak Richard Zimmerman Lorrie Zinda

PATRIOTS ($1- $99) Randi Anderson Hans Allgeier Stephan Atlee Barbara Baker Laura Baker Rossann Baker-Priestly Peggy Barnard Craig Beal Sheila Bear Jenee Bearden Terri Berger-Davis Cindy Berre Fred Blumenfeld Eric Bowden Ron Brncic DeJesus Bruilda Tina Brunck Dedra Cagle Sandra Callahan Ellie Carolus Charmaine Chan Connie Corbett Patricia Cox Courtenay Crockett Judith Dambach Claudia Darling Richard Darling Loretta Day Donna Delpier Paul Demers Teresa Di Nardo Robert Diaz Brenda Dodd Sara Durham Karen Dunlap Linda Edey Venella Edwards-Pasmore Janie Eldridge Wendy Elery Jane Essenburg Ania Falbo Jennifer Fante Dawn Farrell Jennifer Fowlkes Marilyn Fredericks

Deborah Funderbunk Sarah Garvin Gabe Garavanian Thomas Gementigis Kathy Gerhardt McCarthy Marty Gibson Brandi Van Gilder Rosa Goeller Kurt Goldschmidt Sonja Goldschmidt Alan Goodwin Chris Grabar Michael Graham Adrienne Greben Nathan Griffiths Crystal Groome Lynn Hakam Melissa Hartley Julie Harrington Henry Hastava Mario Herrera Dr. Sam Hilt Carole Hoffman Ann Patricia Hollywood Lois Howes Antonio Iafrate Patricia Irvin June Jensen Betty Jo Currie Debra Kalsmith Sternberg Howard Kaplan Charlena Kendrick Regina Kiefer Joan Kingsley Francine Klein Julie Kulp Phyllis Kushner Geneva Kutin Alex Kutin Karen Lacy Nita Lambert Lola Lamprecht Jerry Lang Monica Lang Toni Lanotte-Day Rodney Lau Christine Lee Cathie Lentz Fryer Stewart Lindsay Judith Litner Daniel London Sandra Lovick Barbara Mack Linda Maggert Esther Malana Guillermo Malana Candace Mancuso Wendy Marchant Fran & Gary Matthews Joseph Mazzola Barbara Mazzola Carol McConnell James McGriff Linda McMullen Doug McMullen Melisa Meyer Geoffrey Milestone Christopher Minoletti

Deirdre Morgan Linda Nemerson Tim Nimtz Jane Norman Mary Jane Northrup Bea Nyilas Kim Ocheltree Dierdre Oss Cindy Para Shannon Perry Virginia Peterson April Piazza Nilda Pinales Stanley Pollard Heather Popovec Richard Post Penny Porter Brosoto Sharon Powers Paula Quon Lori Raduenz Patricia Renick Erika Richter Babette Rinis Kay Rogers Brenda Salvato Ruth Schulien Kay Schwartz Mary Louise Seifert Donald Shapiro Leslie Shaw Dana Showers Linda Shumofsky Rhonda Shumway Dottie Simmons Jeannie Sipp Helen Skipper Lynn Slaughter Kendal Sommers Christy Spencer Brooke Stahly Gretchen Stalb Amanda Steele Michele Stockard Andrew Stone Larry Strayer Kathleen Sutter Ian Swain Virginia Swift Elisa Taylor Patricia Tervola Kim Thompson Patty Thorington Melita Thorpe Susan Vandivier Kim Vetter Jeannie Ventimiglia Joseph Ventimiglia Sharon Viotto Cynthia Waters Robert Walters Linda Welch Mary Jane Williams Joan Wisinski Susan Yawn Helena Zuniga Contributions received through December 31, 2016

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2016 – 11

One Voice for Travel Agents

675 N Washington St, Suite 490, Alexandria, VA 22314

ASTA.org

Travelsense.org

@ASTAAgents

JENNIFER WILSON-BUTTIGIEG 2016 Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee 212.592.1210 jenniferwb@vwti.com

EBEN PECK Senior Vice President, Government & Public Affiars 703.739.6842 epeck@asta.org

CHRIS SEDDELMEYER 2016 Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee 419.222.2121 chris@travelconcepts2121.com

GENEVIEVE STRAND Manager, Government & Industry Affairs 703.739.6806 gstrand@asta.org