Why Over 200 Travel Professionals Attended ASTA Legislative Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)’s 13^th annual Legislative Day just wrapped up in Washington, D.C., and several attendees spoke with Travel Market Report about what drove them to show up on Capitol Hill. 

Though there are several other valuable ASTA events throughout the year, this one “puts the pedal to the medal,” Rachael Signer, vice president of events and business development at Signature, who just attended her fourth Legislative Day, told TMR. 

“Until you go to an ASTA Leg Day, you don’t really know what you’re getting out of your membership,” she said. “So to me, it’s a little bit of work, too, on our part, because we have to go in and prepare for the meetings, but it’s extremely well worth it.” 

She added that because the industry goes through so many changes, it’s important to continuously show up year after year to keep travel advisors top-of-mind for lawmakers. 

ASTA’s advocacy team spends a day educating about how to have productive meetings with House and Senate representatives before attendees embark on their meeting schedule the next day. For many first timers, this is eye-opening to see how ASTA works behind-the-scenes on Capitol Hill year-round to champion travel advisors.  

Lindsay Taylor, executive vice president of TL365, a Chicago-based travel agency, attended her first Legislative Day this year and spoke to TMR about the importance of showing up this year. 

“There aren’t too many industry lobbyists that are actually doing the hard work for us,” she said. “Hotels have a large voice. Airlines definitely have a huge voice. But agencies and advisors don’t really have a strong voice at the government level, except for what ASTA is doing. 

“So having this huge network of people [on Legislative Day] who live in all of the different districts that the Congresspeople represent … It hits different when they’re hearing from their own constituents and how it can impact us, so just being able to contribute to that conversation is important.” 

She added that “nobody really knows what we do as travel advisors,” and this is a chance to increase visibility for what the profession is all about to the country’s top decision makers, so they can make laws with the advisors’ and traveling clients’ interests in mind. 

Drew Daly, SVP and general mamanger of Dream Vacations, has attended for many years now and told TMR that “the fact that [lawmakers] see so many people showing up and talking about how [policy] affects their small business, it makes a difference.” 

He added that it’s a great networking event because attendees really bond with colleagues in their delegation toward a common goal of productive meetings with their representatives. Attending year after year just reinforces the seed planted and strengthens the relationship with those legislators, encouraging attendees to return. 

“The meetings with each of the [Congressmembers or staffers] can be intimidating, but at the same time, they’re just people,” Daily said. “I find that they’re very open, very present and engaged, so I found that to be really rewarding. And actually, that’s one of the things I love about coming back and doing it. Once you do it once, afterwards, you want to keep doing it multiple times. It just gets better.” 

Worth noting, attendees came from all over – even Hawaii and Alaska – for this week’s event, dedicating time and financial investment to be a voice for travel advisors on Capitol Hill.  

Wendy Goodenow, a travel advisor with Total Travel Inc. in Honolulu and a former ASTA chapter president, has flown in for Legislative Day for eight years. As a travel professional for 45 years, she told TMR that the industry “has been my life,” and that after a tumultuous year, her participation is more important than ever. 
 
“I still get nervous when I go in there, but I know it works. I’ve seen it work in the past,” she said. “It’s not just us as members; it’s for every single advisor out there.”