About Us
Trade Associations & Partners
Because business is about relationships, knowing where to seek advice, where to get legal support, where to find marketing support, and the myriad of other information that helps businesses grow is important. With this in mind, we seek out organizations that do just that.
Below are some of the travel industry associations we feel are advocates not just for us, but for you as well.
ARC Agency Accreditation (ticketing)
A community of travel agencies that issue air, rail, and bus tickets
through ARC’s world class settlement system, ARC Agency Accreditation
(ticketing) allows agencies to ticket directly on over 180 carriers worldwide,
and have full access to all ARC products and services, including the ARC Travel
Agency Service Fee product. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
accepts ARC Numbers and pays full commission with no fees deducted to ARC
agencies.
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Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA)
Established in 1977, ACTA is an industry-led, non-profit, membership based
national trade association representing the retail travel sector of Canada's
tourism industry. Members include retail travel agencies and suppliers such
as tour operators, travel wholesalers, airlines, hotels, destination
marketing organizations, cruise and rail lines, and automobile rental
companies. ACTArepresent the interests of Canadian travelers through
approximately 3,000 members employing 14,000 travel professionals.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is proud to be the ACTA hotel
partner.
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Association of Retail Travel Agents(ARTA)
Founded in 1963, the Association of Retail Travel Agents is the largest
non-profit association in North America that represents travel agents
exclusively. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, ARTA has always been at the
forefront of industry changes that have strengthened the agency community and
is the strategic partner of Canadian-based ARTA Canada.
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ASAE
ASAE represents more than 21,000 association executives and industry
partners representing 10,000 organizations. ASAE members manage leading trade
associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations
across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. ASAE is
the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the
association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas
and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and
nonprofit community.
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The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)
The leading advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling
public, and the largest association of travel professionals worldwide, the
American Society of Travel Agents’ mission is to facilitate the business of
selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the
enhancement of professionalism. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.,
is a proud partner of ASTA at the Platinum Level.
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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
Cruise Lines International Association is the world’s largest cruise
association and is dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise
industry. More than 16,000 travel agencies are affiliated with CLIA and display
the CLIA seal. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., accepts CLIA
numbers and pays full commission with no fees deducted to CLIA members.
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Financial and Insurance Conference Planners (FICP)
Financial and Insurance Conference Planners (FICP) is an individual
membership association for meeting planners employed within the insurance and
financial services industry. The association exists to provide high-quality
information, education and networking to financial and insurance meeting
professionals, increasing their success and strategic value within their
companies and in their careers. FICP maintains a close relationship with
hospitality partners who serve our industry and uniquely provides a balanced
planner-to-hospitality partner ratio to maximize the intimacy and relationship
building within our business environment.
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The Global Business Travel Association(GBTA)
The Global Business Travel Association(GBTA) is the world’s premier
business travel and meetings organization. Collectively, GBTA’s 5,000-plus
members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings
expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 17,000 business and
government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers,
with networking events, news, education & professional development,
research, and advocacy.
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International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) promotes the
unique value of exhibitions and other events that bring buyers and sellers
together such as road shows, conferences with an exhibition component, and
proprietary corporate exhibitions. IAEE is the principle resource for those who
plan, produce and service the industry. Founded in 1928, IAEE is composed of
approximately 1,300 members (organizations) and over 8,000 member
representatives (individuals).
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Meeting Professionals International
Meeting Professionals International,the premier global association
community for meeting and event professionals, believes in the unequalled power
of events and human connections to advance organizational objectives.
MPI—founded in 1972—believes that meeting and event planners serve a critical
role in the success of business, and is committed to giving its members the
very best in professional development, business opportunities and a vibrant
industry community. MPI has more than 21,000 members, representing 86
countries, from 71 clubs & chapters
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National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA)
The National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents is the travel industry's
leading national trade association representing independent contractors,
outside sales agents, cruise and tour-oriented agents. NACTA is an affiliate of
ASTA, the largest association representing travel agents in the world. Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., accepts the NACTA credentials and pays
full commission with no fees deducted to NACTA members.
Website link ->
National Tour Association (NTA)
The National Tour Association is a trade organization of thousands of tourism
professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel
industry. NTA is committed to providing business opportunities and professional
education in an environment where members can foster relationships with one
another.
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Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN)
The Outside Sales Support Network's mission is to provide members with every
possible tool and unlimited travel agent training to help their business
succeed in today's new travel environment. Memberscan choose from a variety of
educational programs and networking communication platforms, allowing them a
professional forum to help ensure the success of their travel agent business.
Founded in 1990, OSSN now has over 80 Chapters with more than 8,000 members and
160 Allied Supplier Members.
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The Professional Convention Management Association(PCMA)
The Professional Convention Management Association(PCMA) is the
professional resource and premier educator for the meetings and convention
industry. Founded in 1957, PCMA represents the interests of meeting management
executives from associations, corporations, independent meeting planning
companies and multi-management firms who recognize the importance of meetings
to their organization. PCMA empowers members with the tools they need to
succeed as meeting professionals and to promote the value of the industry to
their organizations and the general public. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has
16 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
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Site
Site is a global network of meetings and event professionals dedicated to
delivering business results. Site is the only global authority connecting
motivational experiences with business results. The network of Site
professionals brings best-in-class solutions, insights and global connections
to maximize the business impact of motivational experiences regardless of
industry, region or culture. Site serves as the source of expertise, knowledge
and personal connections that will catapult and sustain professional growth,
and help build the value of extraordinary motivational experiences
worldwide.
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The ARC VTC Program
The ARC Verified Travel Consultant Program is the fastest growing community of
travel agencies that have established their own identity in the industry by
leveraging the revenue generating products and services ARC provides. With
their own unique ARC Number, access to Travel Agency Service Fee products, and
more, VTCs are able to build strong travel businesses and direct relationships
with national suppliers. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. accepts
VTC agency ARC Numbers and pays full commission with no fees deducted to the
ARC VTCs.
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The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge
and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education
programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The
Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry
knowledge and excellence.
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The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
The United States Tour Operators Association, USTOA, is a professional
association representing the tour operator industry. USTOA is composed of
companies whose tours and packages encompass the entire globe and who conduct
business in the U.S. USTOA members number among the top names in travel and
represent the entire spectrum of vacation packages and tours available
today.
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U.S. Travel Association
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization
representing all components of the $704 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel's
mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.
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