All In The Family: ASTA And NACTA Come Closer Together

NACTA President Ann Chamberlin will take on dual roles at ASTA and NACTA Photo: NACTA

Just two months out from its annual national congress, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) on Thursday announced a closer integration with the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA), its sister association.

NACTA president Ann Chamberlin will retain that title, but also add the title of senior vice president of business development for both ASTA and NACTA.

In her new role, Chamberlin will assist ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby in day-to-day operations, “focusing on membership growth and support, chapter operations and consortia partnerships.”

Robert Duglin, NACTA vice president of sales & industry relations, will assume the title of vice president of business development for both ASTA and NACTA. In this role, Duglin is responsible for ASTA’s existing and new business development activities with industry suppliers, as well as meetings and events.   Additionally, as part of the reorganization, ASTA’s Kelly Bigel (director) and Sarah Kresge (senior manager) are being promoted to support ASTA-NACTA business development activities, meetings and events.

Kerby said the idea to better integrate the two organizations arose out of ASTA’s first ever “Showcase” event held this past May in Maui, which “was successful due in large part to the strong professional relationships and sales and marketing efforts of Ann (Chamberlin) and Bob (Duglin), which complemented the work of other ASTA staff members.”

According to Chamberlin, “Under Zane’s leadership, ASTA has been revitalized and been dubbed the ‘New ASTA’ in many industry circles.” By integrating the two more closely, the organizations are hoping to maximize their resources to continue this trend.

ASTA and NACTA have 186 members in common.

ASTA’s first major event with the combined team will be the ASTA Global Convention (AGC) in Reno, NV, Sept. 25-28.