2006 Press Releases

 CONTACT:
Kristin Zern
                                                                               Association of Travel Marketing Executives
                                                                                                                          212 765-0625
kzern@atme.org

Chree Carr
VOLLMER
972/488-4790
chree@vollmerpr.com
           

   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

theme of Innovation and annual atlas awards presentation to highlight the 2006 LAS VEGAS TRAVEL MARKETING CONFERENCE
 MAY 22-24

New York (April 28, 2006) – Top travel industry executives will explore the keys to successful innovation during the Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) 26th annual conference, May 22-24 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. ATME also will present its Lifetime Achievement award to David Neeleman, chairman and founder of JetBlue Airways.

“Through 26 years of presenting the Travel Marketing conference, we have seen the marketing trends evolve with the importance of brand differentiation among competitors taking the forefront now more than ever,” said Gary Sain, chairman of ATME’s board of directors. “For this year’s conference, we have gathered top executives from some of the most influential travel companies in the world, providing a forum for the broad discussion of innovation and how it affects the industry to day and in the future.”

Marketing experts from the travel industry’s most successful brands will be on hand to discuss the best strategies to recognize and harness innovative marketing initiatives.  Speakers’ presentations focus on timely issues, including: 

• Innovative Customer Acquisition
• Innovative Ways to Use the Power of Partnerships and Alliances
• Innovative Ways to Use PR in your Marketing Mix
• CMOs in Travel on Innovation
• Non Travel Industry CMOs Discuss Their Experience and Strategies

                        Moderated by the Harvard Business Review senior editor, Paul Hemp

The two –day conference featuring timely presentations and industry case studies is capped off with the annual Atlas Awards, presented May 23, honoring top executives and companies in the industry for innovation, creativity and success. The awards ceremony is highlighted by the presentation of the 2006 ATME Lifetime Achievement Award given to an individual who has consistently distinguished him/herself as a travel marketer and has advanced the travel industry worldwide.

This year’s lifetime achievement award honoree David Neeleman stands as a shining example of the importance of innovation in the rapidly changing travel industry.  His achievements have paved the way to success for some of the most recognized and accomplished products and services in the field of travel.

Additional conference sessions will be delivered by influential executives, including: Vicki Freed, SVP, Marketing& Sales, Carnival Cruise Lines; Rosemarie Ryan, Co-President, J Walter Thompson; Sean Renke, EVP, Air Canada; Randy Wagner, CMO, Orbitz Travel.com; Clara Chong, Executive Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board; Vernice Walkine, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Roberta Rinker-Ludloff, VP Marketing, Conrad Hotels;  Jeff Senior, SVP Marketing/CMO, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Jim Anhut, SVP Brand, Development, InterContinental Hotels Group; Steve Short, VP Leisure Business, Development, Enterprise Rent a Car; Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO, Las Vegas CVA; Chuck Bowling, CMO, MGM Mirage, Inc.; Paul Hemp, Senior Editor, Harvard Business Review; Denise Randazzo, VP Advertising and Public Relations, Wynn Resorts and David Levine, CEO, E Suites.

For information about membership and attending or participating in the conference, visit www.atme.org or call (212) 765-0625.

About ATME
The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) is a professional association of senior-level executives with vital responsibilities in the marketing of travel and tourism worldwide. ATME’s members represent airlines, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, car rental companies, advertising and public relations firms, travel marketing professionals, research groups and tourist offices of domestic and foreign destinations. ATME is a global network of industry marketing professionals committed to enhancing skills, recognizing excellence, and providing innovative, effective and provocative marketing ideas and solutions while enhancing the highest standards of travel leadership.
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 CONTACT:
Kristin Zern
                                                                               Association of Travel Marketing Executives
                                                                                                                          212 765-0625
kzern@atme.org

Chree Carr
VOLLMER
972/488-4790
chree@vollmerpr.com
           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York (June 10, 2006) – The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) recognized some of the most progressive companies in travel and marketing and awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award during the 26th annual ATLAS Awards. The ceremony, sponsored by Discover Network, was held during the 2006 ATME Annual Conference on May 22-24 in Las Vegas.

The ATME Atlas Awards were first awarded in 1980 to honor leaders and innovators within the travel industry who have displayed breakthrough thinking and leadership in marketing. Categories recognize executives and companies for innovative tactics, results-oriented programs and broad marketing vision.

ATME presented the ATLAS Lifetime Achievement Award to David Neeleman, Founder and CEO of JetBlue Airways.  This prestigious award is presented to individuals who consistently distinguish themselves as marketing leaders and have advanced the travel industry worldwide.

Mr. Neeleman was recognized for his innovative career that included the  creation of Mprris Air and JetBlue Airways, a forward thinking company that has established itself as an industry innovator since its launch in 2000.  Built on a low-cost carrier platform and distinguishing itself with top of the line, in-flight entertainment options, JetBlue Airways has become one of the travel industries most successful and recognizable brands.

“In a time when the travel industry has never been more competitive, we have seen JetBlue successfully entrench itself as a leading airline nationwide through the introduction of innovative marketing and customer-centric programs,” said Joel Chusid, newly elected ATME chairman.  “We are honored to present David Neeleman the ATLAS Lifetime Achievement Award to honor his passion and dedication to the development of a travel brand that has enriched the travel industry as a whole.”

During this year’s ATLAS Awards ceremony, ATME also honored Gary Sain, ATME immediate past chairman, with the Inspired & Passionate Leadership Award, recognizing the passion and commitment he has shown throughout his five year tenure leading the organization. 
 In addition to the ATLAS Lifetime Achievement Award, ATME also announced the following awards for 2005.

• Innovation Award (Presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority)  - W Hotels Worldwide – For its solidification as the first major hotel chain to use design as the most important element of product differentiation
• Best Branding: Domestic Destination – Visit Florida – For its marketing communications which created a distinction in the marketplace and reinforced Florida as the vacation capital of the world
• Best Branding: Cruise Line – Royal Caribbean International – For its “Get Out There” campaign which brought a younger, more active customer to cruising and helped to redefine what cruising is today
• Best Branding: International Destination – Tourism Ireland – For its “Discover Ireland” ad campaign
• Best Branding Strategy – Air Canada – For its campaign to rebrand itself as a "loyalty" carrier
• Best Branding: Airline – Continental Airlines – For its BusinessFirst product first introduced in 1998
• Best Online Community – Tripadvisor.com – For its large source of information online and high degree of engagement within the online travel community
• Best Branding: Hotel – Hyatt Hotels & Resort – For its global marketing campaign targeted at business and leisure travelers
• Best Online Strategy – Travelzoo – For its impressive business formula reaching 10 million subscribers
• Best One-to-One Marketing – Virtuoso – For its enviable reputation for customer marketing, care and service within the affluent traveler, luxury market
• Best Overall Branding – Disney Parks and Resorts – For its brand quality standards with such initiatives as the Magical Gatherings program as well as its continual commitment in supporting the travel trade

About ATME
The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) is a professional association of senior-level executives with vital responsibilities in the marketing of travel and tourism worldwide. ATME’s members represent airlines, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, car rental companies, advertising and public relations firms, travel marketing professionals, research groups and tourist offices of domestic and foreign destinations. ATME is a global network of industry marketing professionals committed to enhancing skills, recognizing excellence, and providing innovative, effective and provocative marketing ideas and solutions while enhancing the highest standards of travel leadership.
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ASSOCIATION OF TRAVEL MARKETING EXECUTIVES

ANNOUNCE NEW CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

executive committee looks to increase brand awareness and membership within the travel industry    

New York (August XX, 2006) – The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) announces the election of Joel Chusid as chairman of the organization and the nomination of a new executive committee to spearhead the association’s mission of providing members with an ongoing forum for the exchange of creative ideas and effective marketing solutions.

Joel Chusid, principle of travel marketing company Joel Chusid & Associates, replaces long-time chairman Gary Sain as the chairman of ATME.  Best known as one of the founders of American Eagle, American Airlines’ large regional carrier, Joel Chusid is an experienced travel and tourism professional.  His experience includes leading U.S. domestic and international air carriers in their strategic positioning in sales and business development, marketing, and branding.

 “With a new executive committee comes the opportunity to not only continue ATME’s goals and objectives, but to create a new foundation for the association through the implementation of innovative strategies and approaches to travel marketing, said Joel Chusid.  “I am honored to have been a part of Gary’s tenure with ATME and hope to continue expanding upon all this organization has to offer to professionals in the travel industry.”

Chusid will lead the executive committee of travel industry professionals in shaping the future of the organization by building brand awareness as well as increasing and retaining membership.  Throughout its tenure, the executive committee will work with sub-committee teams to proactively create programs and develop strategies to implement the organization’s forums, conferences and various other initiatives.  The newly-elected executive committee includes:

• Joel Chusid, Chairman (Principal, Joel Chusid & Associates)
• Frank Camacho, Vice Chairman (Senior Vice President of Marketing, Hertz Corporation)
• Gary Sain, Immediate Past Chairman (Executive Vice President, YPB&R)
• Greg Marshall, Secretary (Vice President, Greater Rochester Visitors Association)
• Jacqueline Johnson, Treasurer (Executive Director of Travel, Conde Nast Bridal Group)
• Vicki Freed, Executive Committee Member At Large (Vice President of Marketing, Carnival Cruise Lines)
• Susan Black, Executive Committee Member At Large (Chief Marketing Officer, COMM Group)
• Jeff Senior, Executive Committee Member At Large (Vice President of Marketing, Fairmont Hotels)

"I am proud to have with me a committee who as individuals have introduced cutting-edge ideas to the field of travel marketing and contributed greatly to the embodiment of the travel industry as we know it,” said Joel Chusid. 

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