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Jamie Bisiada
Last week saw a changing of the guard for the ASTA Executive Committee for the 2023-2024 Board of Directors: Nexion Travel Group President Jackie Friedman was elected chair after running unopposed. Former Chairman Mark Casto, senior vice president of the Flight Center Travel Group, will serve a two-year term on the ASTA Board of Directors.
Friedman and Casto spoke about the board’s recent past and future at a press conference at the ASTA Global Convention in San Juan last week.
Jackie Friedman, president of Nixon Travel Group.
Casto said there were three “cornerstone principles” the board focused on during his tenure.
The first is the “20 by 25” initiative, or the goal of having 20,000 ASTA members by 2025. “It’s well on its way to achieving that,” Casto said, and it’s clear members see that. Association Values and Membership.
ASTA currently has nearly 16,000 members, a 29% increase since Casto took over as chairman.
The second focus was on sustainability, with a goal of net zero emissions by 2030. ASTA has taken some steps to accomplish this goal, Casto said. The Society has improved all carbon works related to its meetings and programs. The conference is also working to include more education on sustainability, as well as provide members with actionable information on moving toward zero-emissions.
Finally, Casto said, recognizing that anything that affects travel and tourism around the world affects the entire industry, Asta is casting its net wide by reaching out to members of similar trade associations around the world.
Friedman picks up where Casto left off.
Friedman said she plans to continue building on all of those goals.
Regarding the focus on growing membership, her strategy is “buy, engage, retain.”
To get it, she encouraged members to take a hands-on approach to talking with agencies and suppliers about membership needs. From there, it’s important to involve members in everything from ASTA’s chapter system to its events, she said. Then it will be much easier to maintain, she said.
She also looks forward to continuing discussions with ASTA’s international partners. Friedman also hinted at other strategic partnerships on the way.
Friedman, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Secretary Lee Thomas, COO and President of Altour Business Travel and President of the Altour Leisure Division of Travel Authority; Kelly Bergin, CEO of Duglin Travel Group; and Kathy Bedell, Senior Vice President of BCD Travel, as well as Chair of the Corporate Advisory Council (CAC).
Casto, president of Lazy Days Travel, is joined on the board by regional director Deb Belchak. Executive Director Kareem George, CEO and Founder of Culture Travel; Regional Director Robert Hale, Travel N Relax Inc. Executive Director Tiffany Hines, CEO of Global Escapes; Executive Director Pamela Irwin, Vice President of Sales at ATB Travel; CAC Director Amanda Klimack, President and Co-Owner of Larga Travel; Executive Director Anita Pagliaso, Vice President of Industry Relations at KHM Travel Group; Regional Director Shelly Phillips, owner of Travel by This Girl; Small Business Network Director Rhonda Shumway, President of TerraMar Travel; and Alliance Director John Werner, President of Mast Travel Network.
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