NTA's Travel Exchange 2016 and 2017 Convention Dates Announced

The National Tour Association announced a slate of upcoming convention dates that will return its annual Travel Exchange to the fourth quarter of the calendar year.

Following the previously announced event in St. Louis, Feb. 26-March 2, 2017, San Antonio will host Travel Exchange later in the year, Dec. 14-18. And Milwaukee will be the host city in 2018, Nov. 4-8. Members who attend the 2017 St. Louis show can pay half the registration fee for San Antonio. The same discount will apply to sponsors.

"With shows on both ends of the year, we're working to make it affordable-and essential-to double up in 2017," said President Pam Inman. "Members asked that we return our convention to the fourth quarter, and we're excited to do just that."

On NTA's immediate horizon, though, is Travel Exchange '16 in Atlanta, Jan. 31-Feb. 4; it will be the first convention to include travel agents as full participants. The association this year added a new membership category, Travel Planner, open to retail travel agents. Also in 2016, NTA will conduct the Atlanta show independent of the United Motorcoach Association; the two organizations completed a three-year colocation agreement earlier this year. Travel Exchange will continue to include NTA's sister organization, Faith Travel Association.

The changes reflect the desires of members. "We really take to heart-and mind-the feedback we get from members through post-convention surveys, annual questionnaires and face-to-face conversations," Inman said. "The board and staff are constantly seeking to fine-tune Travel Exchange."

Registrations for Atlanta are still coming in, and it's not too late to sign up and receive prescheduled appointments. Appointment scheduling continues until Tuesday, Dec. 22. For more information on the event and to see who's coming, visit NTAonline.com/convention.