The ASTA is celebrating record memberships and funds raised. The money raised from dues and donations will go towards advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill as well as services for its members.
During its annual Global Convention here in August, the Society reported it is on its way to its goal of 20,000 members by 2025. During the convention alone, it raised over three hundred thousand dollars.
The Society's Advocacy Gala at the convention was attended by Royal Caribbean Group, Carnival Corp., and Norwegian Cruise Line. The major cruise brands supported the travel advisor community.
ASTA's advocacy efforts will continue thanks to those funds. They will help the Society advocate for its top priorities, which include protecting travel advisors from being liable for air ticket refunds when they themselves don't have the funds, and reinstating the Employee Retention Tax Credit.
Two full-time lobbyists are on the ASTA staff, as well as several staff members who assist with lobbying efforts. An outside firm is employed by the Society to help arrange meetings with legislators for the annual congressional fly-in, Legislative Day.
Kerby said that the advocacy department is the largest department at ASTA. Outside lobbying costs that are important to the success of our efforts are helped by those funds.
Kerby said that $80,000 from the global convention this year can go to legislative candidates. The travel agency community in Washington can be developed into a champion.
The Society has more clout in Washington when it has a larger membership base. Kerby said that ASTA's members are very active.
He said that the organizational heft that comes with having more members can be overstated.
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