ASTA 2014 ASTAPAC Annual Report

2014 ASTAPAC Annual Report One Voice for Travel Agents

What happens in D.C. does not stay in D.C. Decisions made here impact travel businesses across our nation.

ASTAPAC is the path by which ASTA supports political causes, legislation, regulations and initiatives that promote the travel agency cause.

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ASTAPAC dollars help change political futures

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ASTAPAC dollars help gain access to key legislators who play important roles in determining the collective future of our industry

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ASTAPAC dollars shape legislation to reflect your best interest

Maintaining a strong PAC will allow ASTA to gain access to key legislators who play important roles in determining our collective futures.

The American Society of Travel Agents Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) is a special fund established under the 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 ASTA Members: Wrapping up our first year as co-chairs of the American Society of Travel Agents Political Action Committee Board of Governors (“ASTAPAC Committee”), we are proud to report that 2014 marked the best fundraising year on record for ASTAPAC. As you know, ASTAPAC is a critical tool in the Association’s advocacy arsenal. It allows our members to pool resources, engage in the political process and influence public policy. Thanks to strong support from ASTA chapters and members across the country, we are in a better position than ever before.

In 2014, ASTAPAC raised $144,175, an increase of 35% over 2013, 77% over 2012! Eight of ASTA’s 26 chapters exceeded their hard dollar (from individuals) and soft dollar (from chapters and agencies) fundraising goals while eight others hit one of their two goals. It was also fantastic to see 17 chapters raise more PAC funds in 2014 than in 2013.

For 2015, the newly renamed Government & Political Affairs Committee, which oversees both ASTAPAC and ASTA’s government affairs agenda, is focused on the education and recruitment of ASTA members for our political advocacy efforts. In particular, we hope to increase our PAC participation rate to 20% of eligible members in 2015 (from 16.75% in 2014).

While the 113th Congress struggled to resolve some of the big issues facing our country, the relationships cultivated on Capitol Hill by ASTA headquarters, ASTA chapters and members using ASTAPAC resources proved to be invaluable. ASTA is being invited to “sit at the table” on a broad range of issues. Our key issues for 2015 include airline ancillary fee transparency, Cuba travel freedom, protection of independent contractor status and the expansion of “trusted traveler” programs like TSA PreCheck. At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance at the state level as the travel industry is targeted for additional tax revenue.

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Contributions to ASTAPAC are essential as we advocate for our members, our businesses and our clients. In Washington, DC, PAC size matters! ASTA has over 2,500 active member companies – we have the numbers to be heard on the Hill. And with more contributors, we can do better – for our members, our clients and our profession.

We encourage you to make 2015 the year you take your involvement beyond writing a check or donating online. Please respond to ASTA grassroots alerts for e-mails and phone calls to members of Congress and state legislators; volunteer to testify before state legislative committees or to represent ASTA at fundraisers for Members of Congress in your district. Most importantly, encourage your fellow ASTA members to make an investment in advocacy through ASTAPAC. A special note of thanks to all who donated in 2014. Your contributions inspire us to advocate tirelessly for the travel agency industry and the travel consumer at all levels of government.

Sincerely,

Deborah Mangas, CTC

2015 Co-Chair, ASTAPAC Committee Menno Travel / American Express Goshen, IN

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg 2015 Co-Chair, ASTAPAC Committee Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. New York, NY

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2014 ASTAPAC Committee CO- CHAIRS Deborah S. Mangas, CTC,ACC Menno Travel/American Express 210 S Main St Goshen, IN 46526-3723 Phone: 574.534.1521 deb@mennotrav.com Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. 475 Park Ave. S New York, NY 10016-6901 Phone: 212.592.1210 jenniferwb@vwti.com

MEMBERS Lisa Buckner Corporate Travel Solutions 5900 Rowland Road Minnetonka, MN 55343-8924 Phone: 952.746.3500 lbuckner@ctsinc.com Les Burger Ladera Travel Sharon Heights Shopping Center Menlo Park, CA 94025-6805 Phone: 650.854.3222 les@ladera.travel Bruce Charendoff Sabre 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202.467.8201 bruce.charendoff@sabre-holdings.com

EX-OFFICIO(S)

John F. Haskins Viking Travel Service 610 N Washington St Naperville, IL 60563-3102 Phone: 630.983.1766 jhaskins@vikingtvl.com

Roger Block Travel Leaders Franchise Group 3033 Campus Dr. Ste. W320 Plymouth, MN 55441 Phone: 763.744.3788 Rblock@travelleaders.com

Cynthia Kropp ABC Global Services 6400 Shafer Ct. Ste. 225 Rosemont, IL 60018 Phone: 312.462.1984 ckropp@abcglobal.trave Linda G. Nelson Signal Mountain Travel 1238 Taft Hwy Ste 136 Signal Mountain, TN 37377-3274 Phone: 423.886.2200 lindanelson508@aol.com Jorge Sanchez Mena Tours/American Express 5209 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: 773.275.2155 jorge@mena.travel Chris Seddelmeyer Travel Concepts 334 Ponderosa Trail Lima, OH 45805 Phone: 419.222.2121 chris@travelconcepts2121.com Lee Thomas Altour 702 North Shore Dr. Suite 202 Jefferson, IN 47130 Phone: 812.206.5105 lee.thomas@altour.com

Leo Zabinkski Classic Travel 29 Plantation Park Dr. Ste 104B Bluffton, SC 29910-9010 Phone: 843.815.9228 lazabinski@yahoo.com Zane Kerby ASTA 675 N Washington St., Suite 490 Alexandria, VA 22314-2944 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 Erika Richter ASTA Manager, Government Affairs & Communications Phone: 703.739.6806 erichter@asta.org

Rep. Dina Titus addressing attendees ASTA’s Legislative Day

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Rep. Sam Farr receiving ASTA’s first annual Global Travel Advocate Award at the 2015 Legislative Day

ASTAPAC Fundraising, 2010–2014

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2014 – 7

Chapter Fundraising 2013 Funds Raised Arizona

2013 Chapter Participation

2014 Funds Raised

2014 Chapter Participation

% Increase 2013 vs. 2014

$2,043

31.11%

$2,159

37.21%

5.68%

$1,250

3.92%

$4,489

7.14%

259.12% 

$525

2.70%

$273

1.56%

-48.00%

Central Atlantic

$5,125

10.40%

$8,500

8.53%

65.85%

Delaware Valley

$400

3.85%

$619

7.25%

54.75%

$1,637.50

7.48%

$1,469

7.83%

-10.29%

Hawaii

$1,258

17.65%

$1,319

38.46%

4.85%

Long Island

$1,905

34.88%

$1,972

66.67%

3.52%

Mid America

$4,930

10.50%

$6,923

19.09%

40.43%

$18,493.50

83.67%

$30,674

90.65%

65.86%

$1,675

5.71%

$1,482

7.58%

-11.52%

$1,737.50

5.52%

$889

3.62%

-48.83%

$575

4.69%

$959

3.82%

66.78%

New York City

$13,411

13.85%

$10,332

14.75%

-22.96%

Northern California

$5,024

10.56%

$4,576

11.11%

-8.91%

Orange County

$1,490

21.28%

$1,227

25.58%

-17.65%

Pacific Northwest

$475

5.62%

$1,971

11.49%

Puerto Rico/VI

$100

3.33%

$94

4.55%

-6.00%

Rocky Mountain

$950

6.25%

$3,439

12.50%

262.00% 

San Diego

$640

5.00%

$2,537

21.05%

296.41% 

$3,030

8.26%

$3,279

8.46%

8.22%

$4,150

7.14%

$5,772

11.19%

39.08%

$6,420

8.00%

$6,809

8.03%

6.06%

$5,165

7.69%

$16,147

10.00%

212.62% 

$4,200

28.38%

$6,028

30.49%

43.52%

$1,617

6.99%

$528

5.93%

-67.35%

$88,227

14.12%

$124,465

16.75%

41.07%

Carolinas Central & N Florida

Great Lakes

Midwest Missouri Valley New England New Jersey

South Florida Southeast Southern California Southwest Upper Midwest YPS CHAPTER TOTALS PAC-to-PAC ASTA HQ CAC(1)

$8,500

$8,500

0%

$1,735

$710

-59.07%

$5,000

$5,000

0%

$227

$0

-100.00%

$2,750

$5,500

$106,439

$144,175

CPC Misc. Soft GRAND TOTAL

314.95% 

(1) This represents the ASTA Corporate Advisory Council's direct contribution to ASTAPAC. It does not include CAC indirect support through funding of the ASTAPAC charitable matching program and other initiatives.

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100.00%  35.45%

 = Indicates Chapters with 100%+ increase in overall fundraising

Campaign Contributions, 2010–2014

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2014 – 9

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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 ASTAPAC Committee and ASTA’s Government, Legal and Industry Affairs staff.

Government Affairs staff analyze and interpret Congressional voting records and are able to pinpoint who is who in the area of travel and tourism policy and who best understands and supports the travel agency industry.

ASTAPAC makes financial contributions to candidates for Federal office, regardless of party affiliation. We do not support candidates in state and local elections.

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 2014 ASTAPAC Contributions, please contact Erika Richter at erichter@asta.org.

CRITERIA

Among the criteria used by the ASTAPAC 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)?

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?

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2014 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.

The Charitable Matching Program has been an unqualified success on both fronts – between 2010, when it was put into place, and 2013, overall PAC fundraising has increased by 106 percent while almost $50,000 has been donated to charitable organizations across the country. At its September 2013

meeting, the CAC renewed it support for the program, authorizing up to $25,000 in matching funds to high-achieving chapters in 2014.

Contributions to ASTAPAC – from you personally, from your chapter, from member company treasuries – will not only support your association’s advocacy efforts but can also make a difference in your community.

We encourage you to participate, and hope that we can work together to achieve both of these goals.

CHAPTER MATCH PROGRAM

$250 to each chapter with 100 percent chapter board participation with an aggregate contribution total of at least $250 from board members: Arizona Central Atlantic Great Lakes Hawaii Long Island Mid America Midwest New York City

Northern California Pacific NW Southeast Southern California Southwest Upper Midwest

$2,000 in matching funds for the first five Chapters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals; Midwest Upper Midwest New York City

Southwest Long Island

$500 in matching funds for the next five Chapters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals; Arizona Mid America

Hawaii

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$1,500 in matching funds for the five Chapters with the best Chapter participation rates, with an average contribution of at least $36 (the per-member amount called for by the overall ASTAPAC goals); Midwest (90.65%) Long Island (66.67%) Hawaii (38.46%)

Arizona (37.21%) Upper Midwest (30.49%)

$750 in matching funds for the most improved Chapter measured by percentage increase in total fundraising from 2012 to 2013 (with a minimum total contribution of $2,000 in 2013); Pacific NW (68% increase)

$1,000 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most hard dollar contributions; Midwest ($22,256)

$750 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most soft dollar contributions; and Southwest ($10,182)

2014 Donors List SUPERNOVAS ($5,000+) ABC Global Services Bohan, Gloria Commonwealth Business Travel Group Corporate Advisory Council Haskins, John Sabre PAC Virtuoso/Upchurch, Matthew

NOVAS ($1,000+) ASTA MidAmerica Chapter ASTA Midwest Chapter ASTA Rocky Mountain Chapter Balboa Travel Management Best Travel Block, Roger/Travel Leaders Franchise Group Bourgeois, Linda Casto, Marc Chemla, Alexandre Christopherson Business Travel Ensemble Travel Group Enterprise Holdings PAC Expedia PAC Friedman, Jackie Hale, Roger Haskins, Margaret Held, Ernie Klebanow, Peter Lewis, John Lewis, Dennis Matthews, Lauren Orens, Steve Ovation Corporate Travel Powell, Vicki Sanchez, Jorge Signature Travel Network Stewart, Gregory Strong Travel Services, Inc./Jim Strong Thomas, Lee Travelstore Tzell Travel Wilson-Buttigieg, Jennifer Zelaya, Marilyn Bell/Willow Glen Travel Zabinksi, Leo

GOVERNOR’S CLUB ($500+) ASTA Long Island Chapter ASTA Missouri Valley Chapter ASTA Southeast Chapter ASTA South Florida Chapter ASTA Upper Midwest Chapter ASTA Orange County Chapter Breton Village Travel Buckner, Lisa Cadence Travel

Corporate Travel Management Cruise Planners/American Express Travel Darling, Claudia Darling, Richard Dixon, Michael Frosch International Travel Greenwald, Mike Haire, Bill Hess Travel Howes, Brian Gutierrez, Yana Irwin, Pamela Lee, Bonnie Lewington, Mark Mangas, Deb Markham, Barbara Markham, Thomas Merit Travel Group Montrose Travel Ng, Daniel Peters, Mary Roach, Robert Spain, Susan Stock Mickelson, Gloria Tomaszczuk, Rebecca Travel Leaders Franchise Group Travel-On, Ltd./ Karen Dunlap Uniglobe Travel Partners Vasami, Ralph

PRESIDENTS CLUB ($250+) Banks, Phillip Boche, Amy Bursch, Fred Carol’s Travel Service Covelli, Jean Duglin, Robert Ellenby, Jay Goodenow, Wendy Haymaker, Richard Hickory Global Partners Hudak, Cheryl Jackson, Denise Kerby, Zane Kramer, Neal Landis, Geoffrey Lovell, John McGredy, Ryan Options Travel Services PATA Midwest Chapter Peck, Eben Peterson, Virginia/MSP Travel Group Pinheiro, Scott Powers, Steve Risser, Doug Rodriguez, Laura Seddelmeyer, Chris Seifert, Mary Louise

Sudeikis, Kathy Tervola, Patricia Turner, Stephanie Van Allen, Nancy Van Leeuwen, Ann Verboom, JoAnne Wallace, Duane Wallace, Hope Weingart, Mike Wright, Pamela

TEAM 100 ($100+) ASTA Arizona Chapter Adamitis, Karen Aft, Susan Albright, Cynthia Allegra, Marilyn Androlia, Linda Ardis, Ricky Armin, Brinda Balani, Shaun Beissel, Susan Berke, Larry Biver, Susan Blunt, Staci Bonin, Pam Brawley, John Brechon, Colleen Brown, Patricia Burger, Les Carideo, Peter Chiappetta, Maureen Ching, Danny Chris Accomando Tours Cimino, Anthony Colombo, Barbara Consenza, Anthony Cooper, Audrey Cooper, Donna Corniche Travel Costagliola, Joanne Cunningham, Cindy Da Rosa, Andrea Da Rosa, Jose Dali, Csilla Daniels, Patti Davis, Laura Demers, Paul Dolstra, Heather Erickson, Cindy Estill, George Evans, Donna Faifer, Nora Farrell, Michael Farrell, Lynn Faust, Pamela Flanagan, Mary Pat Formento, Carole

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2014 – 13

Fredericks, Marilyn Fritz, Sharon Frosch, Adrienne Furlan, Linda Gagala, Jo-Marie Garavanian, Gabe Gardner, Joanne Gedansky, David Geiser, Elizabeth Gelaude, Diane Giampa, Joanne Gilbert, Phillip Gray, Ruth Ann Greenwald, Donna Gundlach, Jeffrey Haas, Nita Ann Hager, Marie Hall, Judy Hannon, Gail Hartline, Amy Lynn Henderson, Rebecca Henry, Andrew Herman, Robert Hill, John Hill, Angela Hoppe, Lisa Howes, Lois Ierulli, Janice Jathas, Barbara Johns, Sue Johnston, Jeanne Kalisz, Carol Kay, Mary Kelly, Kimberly Kemp, Margaret Keslik, Richard Kozlowski, Nancy Kozon, Linda Kruegger, Mary Launer, Kim Lekki, Carol Lieventhal, Jennifer Lindberg, Marilyn Linderholm, Sue Lindsey, Stuart Lovick, Dave Lucking, Cynthia Lukasik, Andrew Mack, Gerald Maxwell, Barbara Maxwell, Lynda Mazzola, Barbara McCue, Bill McGredy, Ryan McKay, Robert Meil, Samarah Michels, Jennifer Miyashiro, Raymond Murphy, Kate

Nelson, Linda Norman, Jane O’Riordan, John Paczosa, Susan Penna, Lucy Picture Pefect Travel Pinales, Nilda Pokornowski, Barbara Poland, Robert Quetel, Jeanette Quinn, Debra Raymer, Susan Reuther, Mary Margaret Reynolds, Isaac Richer, Sheri Ristic, Henry Ritter, Diana Rodriquez, Laura Royal Travel & Tours Sanchez, Giselle Santo, Marge Sattizahn, Richard Sattler, Monquie Schlagel, Kathleen Schneider, Kimberly Schneider, Mary Ann Schwartz, Richard Seno, Janet Shimkus, Susan/Lake Zurich Travel Skach, Rosemary Slotwinski, Krystina Staples, Nancy Strauss, Christine Sturm, Mary Sturm, Walter Sturm, Charles Sumka, Judith Swirtz, Mary Teichen, Frederick Tillem, Jack Tillem, Alice Tofel, Wayne Trans World Travel Travel 100 Group Travel Leaders of Naperville Urban, Renaud Wallace, Carrie Walsh, Mary Waters, Ann Webber, Annette Webster, Daniel Webster, Phara Webster, Shirley Weigel, Wendy Weingart, Mike Wendler, Linda Werner, John Wheeler-Medley, Bernard

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Wilkinson, Maureen Wolak, Elizabeth Wolinski, Michael World Class Travel World Travel Mart Zavislak, Caryn Zinda, Lorrie

PATRIOTS (UP TO $99) 4 Season Travel Bureau A Plus Travel Adventure Atlee, Stephen Ayala, Kathryn Buschbach, Joanne Camel, Jennifer Chan, Charmaine Cole, Sheryl Cook Travel Company Costoso, Jeanette Cox, Elizabeth Cruse, John Cymrot, Isaac Da Rosa Travel Dada, Leila De Souza, Bell Delpier, Donna Exotic Journeys Fawcett, Monica Fulton, Patricia Gibbs, Judith Goldschmidt, Kurt Goldschmidt, Sonya Grabar, Chris Greben, Adrienne Greenlee, Vickie Grossmann, Alan Harwood, Sherri Hobble, Paula Holland, Jason Hyatt, Barry Johnson, Julie Jones, Patricia Kowalik, Carolyn Lafrate, Rita Lane, Deborah Lanotte-Day, Toni Lard, Darcy Larson, Stephanie Lau, Rodney Lindsey, Frances Malana, Jun Mack, Barbara May, Katie McConnell, Carol McParland, Carol Mittleman, Helen Moore, Dianne On Track Travel

Oyster Bay Travel Center Plainview Travel Poole, Joshua Post, Richard Prochilo, Helen Raszka, Debra Romano, James Salas, Mary Jo Shimamoto, Rachel Spencer, Janine Stalb, Gretchen Sternberg, Debra Sutko, Michael Thomas-Schulere, Stephen Torpey, Mark Tosto, Rita Trettin, Alex Ventimiglia, Jeannine Ventimiglia, Joseph Wagner, Carol Ward, James Welke, Donna Where 2 Now Travel Wommer, Christopher Yanuzzi, Jeannette Zukow, Bev

Contact ASTAPAC Deb Mangas Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee (574) 534-1512 deb@mennotrav.com

Eben Peck ASTA Senior Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs (703) 739-6842 epeck@asta.org

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee (212) 592-1210 jenniferwb@vwti.com

Erika Richter ASTA Manager, Government Affairs & Communications (703) 739-6806 erichter@asta.org

ASTAPC Annual Report 2014 – 15

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

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