ASTA 2014 ASTAPAC Annual Report

ASTAPAC Annual ReportOne Voice for Travel Agents

2014

What happens in D.C. does not stay in D.C.

Decisions made here impact travel businesses across our nation.

ASTAPAC is the path by which ASTA supports political caus-es, legislation, regulations and initiatives that promote the travel agency cause.

• ASTAPAC dollars help change political futures

• ASTAPAC dollars help gain access to key legislators who play important roles in determining the collective future of our industry

• ASTAPAC dollars shape legislation to reflect your best interest

Maintaining a strong PAC will allow ASTA to gain access to key legislators who play important roles in determining our collective futures.

The American Society of Travel Agents Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) is a special fund estab-lished under the federal election laws to allow ASTA to collect voluntary contributions from travel agent mem-bers for the purpose of supporting po-litical candidates and parties. ASTAPAC has been raising the Society’s political profile since 1979. Put simply, our advocacy successes are thanks to the travel agents and agencies who contribute to our PAC program.

Letter from the Co-Chairs

ASTA Members:

Wrapping up our first year as co-chairs of the American Society of Travel Agents Political Action Committee Board of Governors (“AS-TAPAC Committee”), we are proud to report that 2014 marked the best fundraising year on record for ASTAPAC.

As you know, ASTAPAC is a critical tool in the Association’s advocacy arsenal. It allows our members to pool resources, engage in the politi-cal process and influence public policy. Thanks to strong support from ASTA chapters and members across the country, we are in a better position than ever before.

In 2014, ASTAPAC raised $144,175, an increase of 35% over 2013, 77% over 2012! Eight of ASTA’s 26 chapters exceeded their hard dollar (from individuals) and soft dollar (from chapters and agencies) fundraising goals while eight others hit one of their two goals. It was also fantastic to see 17 chapters raise more PAC funds in 2014 than in 2013.

For 2015, the newly renamed Government & Political Affairs Committee, which oversees both ASTAPAC and ASTA’s government affairs agenda, is focused on the education and recruitment of ASTA members for our political advocacy efforts. In particular, we hope to increase our PAC participation rate to 20% of eligible members in 2015 (from 16.75% in 2014).

While the 113th Congress struggled to resolve some of the big issues facing our country, the relationships cultivated on Capitol Hill by ASTA headquarters, ASTA chapters and members using ASTAPAC resources proved to be invaluable. ASTA is being invited to “sit at the table” on a broad range of issues. Our key issues for 2015 include airline ancil-lary fee transparency, Cuba travel freedom, protection of independent contractor status and the expansion of “trusted traveler” programs like TSA PreCheck. At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance at the state level as the travel industry is targeted for additional tax revenue.

4 – ASTAPC Annual Report 2014

Contributions to ASTAPAC are essential as we advocate for our mem-bers, our businesses and our clients. In Washington, DC, PAC size matters! ASTA has over 2,500 active member companies – we have the numbers to be heard on the Hill. And with more contributors, we can do better – for our members, our clients and our profession.

We encourage you to make 2015 the year you take your involvement beyond writing a check or donating online. Please respond to ASTA grassroots alerts for e-mails and phone calls to members of Congress and state legislators; volunteer to testify before state legislative com-mittees or to represent ASTA at fundraisers for Members of Congress in your district. Most importantly, encourage your fellow ASTA mem-bers to make an investment in advocacy through ASTAPAC.

A special note of thanks to all who donated in 2014. Your contribu-tions inspire us to advocate tirelessly for the travel agency industry and the travel consumer at all levels of government.

Sincerely,

Deborah Mangas, CTC Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg2015 Co-Chair, ASTAPAC Committee 2015 Co-Chair, ASTAPAC Committee Menno Travel / American Express Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc.Goshen, IN New York, NY

ASTAPC Annual Report 2014 – 5

CO- CHAIRS

Deborah S. Mangas, CTC,ACCMenno Travel/American Express210 S Main StGoshen, IN 46526-3723Phone: [email protected]

Jennifer Wilson-ButtigiegValerie Wilson Travel, Inc.475 Park Ave. SNew York, NY 10016-6901Phone: [email protected]

MEMBERS

Lisa BucknerCorporate Travel Solutions5900 Rowland RoadMinnetonka, MN 55343-8924Phone: [email protected]

Les BurgerLadera TravelSharon Heights Shopping Center Menlo Park, CA 94025-6805Phone: [email protected]

Bruce CharendoffSabre1250 Connecticut Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20036Phone: [email protected]

John F. HaskinsViking Travel Service610 N Washington StNaperville, IL 60563-3102Phone: [email protected]

Cynthia Kropp ABC Global Services 6400 Shafer Ct. Ste. 225Rosemont, IL 60018 Phone: [email protected]

Linda G. NelsonSignal Mountain Travel1238 Taft Hwy Ste 136Signal Mountain, TN 37377-3274Phone: [email protected]

Jorge SanchezMena Tours/American Express5209 N. Clark StreetChicago, IL 60640Phone: [email protected]

Chris SeddelmeyerTravel Concepts 334 Ponderosa Trail Lima, OH 45805Phone: [email protected]

Lee ThomasAltour 702 North Shore Dr. Suite 202Jefferson, IN 47130Phone: [email protected]

EX-OFFICIO(S)

Roger BlockTravel Leaders Franchise Group3033 Campus Dr. Ste. W320Plymouth, MN 55441Phone: [email protected]

Leo ZabinkskiClassic Travel 29 Plantation Park Dr. Ste 104BBluffton, SC 29910-9010Phone: [email protected]

Zane Kerby ASTA675 N Washington St., Suite 490Alexandria, VA 22314-2944Phone: [email protected]

STAFF LIAISONS

Eben Peck ASTA675 North Washington St., Suite 490Alexandria, VA 22314-2944Phone: [email protected]

Erika RichterASTA Manager, Government Affairs & CommunicationsPhone: [email protected]

2014 ASTAPAC Committee

Rep. Dina Titus addressing attendees ASTA’s Legislative Day


ASTAPAC Fundraising, 2010–2014

Rep. Sam Farr receiving ASTA’s first annual Global Travel Advocate Award at the 2015 Legislative Day

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2014 – 7

2013 Funds Raised

2013 Chapter Participation

2014 Funds Raised

2014 Chapter Participation

% Increase 2013 vs. 2014

Arizona $2,043 31.11% $2,159 37.21% 5.68%

Carolinas $1,250 3.92% $4,489 7.14% 259.12%

Central & N Florida $525 2.70% $273 1.56% -48.00%

Central Atlantic $5,125 10.40% $8,500 8.53% 65.85%

Delaware Valley $400 3.85% $619 7.25% 54.75%

Great Lakes $1,637.50 7.48% $1,469 7.83% -10.29%

Hawaii $1,258 17.65% $1,319 38.46% 4.85%

Long Island $1,905 34.88% $1,972 66.67% 3.52%

Mid America $4,930 10.50% $6,923 19.09% 40.43%

Midwest $18,493.50 83.67% $30,674 90.65% 65.86%

Missouri Valley $1,675 5.71% $1,482 7.58% -11.52%

New England $1,737.50 5.52% $889 3.62% -48.83%

New Jersey $575 4.69% $959 3.82% 66.78%

New York City $13,411 13.85% $10,332 14.75% -22.96%

Northern California $5,024 10.56% $4,576 11.11% -8.91%

Orange County $1,490 21.28% $1,227 25.58% -17.65%

Pacific Northwest $475 5.62% $1,971 11.49% 314.95%

Puerto Rico/VI $100 3.33% $94 4.55% -6.00%

Rocky Mountain $950 6.25% $3,439 12.50% 262.00%

San Diego $640 5.00% $2,537 21.05% 296.41%

South Florida $3,030 8.26% $3,279 8.46% 8.22%

Southeast $4,150 7.14% $5,772 11.19% 39.08%

Southern California $6,420 8.00% $6,809 8.03% 6.06%

Southwest $5,165 7.69% $16,147 10.00% 212.62%

Upper Midwest $4,200 28.38% $6,028 30.49% 43.52%

YPS $1,617 6.99% $528 5.93% -67.35%

CHAPTER TOTALS $88,227 14.12% $124,465 16.75% 41.07%

PAC-to-PAC $8,500 $8,500 0%

ASTA HQ $1,735 $710 -59.07%

CAC(1) $5,000 $5,000 0%

CPC $227 $0 -100.00%

Misc. Soft $2,750 $5,500 100.00%

GRAND TOTAL $106,439 $144,175 35.45%

(1) This represents the ASTA Corporate Advisory Council's direct contribution to ASTAPAC. It does not include CAC indirect support through funding of the ASTAPAC charitable matching program and other initiatives.

Chapter Fundraising

= Indicates Chapters with 100%+ increase in overall fundraising

8 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2014

Campaign Contributions, 2010–2014



How Does ASTAPAC Decide Which Candidates to Support?Deciding which candidates to support in a given year is a process involving the Chair and members of the ASTAPAC Committee and ASTA’s Government, Legal and Industry Affairs staff.

Government Affairs staff analyze and interpret Con-gressional voting records and are able to pinpoint who is who in the area of travel and tourism policy and who best understands and supports the travel agency industry.

ASTAPAC makes financial contributions to candi-dates for Federal office, regardless of party affilia-tion. We do not support candidates in state and lo-cal elections.

It is worth noting that a campaign contribution through ASTAPAC is not a means of buying votes. It is a “no strings attached” way of ensuring that re-sponsible and dedicated legislators who understand and support the travel agency industry remain in or are elected to office. To ensure the money is well protected and properly spent, many detailed re-ports are required by the FEC from both ASTAPAC and the candidates it supports. Both must account for the sources of their funds and the purposes for which these funds are spent.

For a complete list of 2014 ASTAPAC Contributions, please contact Erika Richter at [email protected].

CRITERIAAmong the criteria used by the ASTAPAC Committee to determine which candidates to support are the following factors:

1. Is the candidate sympathetic to the goals of travel agents? Has the candidate supported specific proposals or policies advanced by the industry?

2. If an incumbent, does the candidate hold a key position of responsibility (i.e. chair or mem-ber of important committee or subcommittee; member of majority or minority leadership)?

3. If a nonincumbent, will the candidate pursue assignment to a key committee or subcom-mittee, or likely to be in a position to assist the profession?


2014 ASTAPAC Charitable Match Program

$250 to each chapter with 100 percent chapter board participation with an aggregate contribution total of at least $250 from board members:

Arizona Central Atlantic Great Lakes Hawaii Long IslandMid America MidwestNew York City

Northern CaliforniaPacific NWSoutheastSouthern California Southwest Upper Midwest

$2,000 in matching funds for the first five Chap-ters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals;

Midwest Upper MidwestNew York City

SouthwestLong Island

$500 in matching funds for the next five Chapters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals;

ArizonaMid America

Hawaii

$1,500 in matching funds for the five Chapters with the best Chapter participation rates, with an aver-age contribution of at least $36 (the per-member amount called for by the overall ASTAPAC goals);

Midwest (90.65%)Long Island (66.67%)Hawaii (38.46%)

Arizona (37.21%)Upper Midwest (30.49%)

$750 in matching funds for the most improved Chapter measured by percentage increase in total fundraising from 2012 to 2013 (with a minimum total contribution of $2,000 in 2013);

Pacific NW (68% increase)

$1,000 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most hard dollar contributions;

Midwest ($22,256)

$750 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most soft dollar contributions; and

Southwest ($10,182)

Since 2010, ASTA’s Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) has funded the ASTAPAC Charitable Match-ing Program, which provides chapters who reach PAC fundraising and participation goals with match-ing funds to the charity of their choice. The goal of the program is twofold: to stimulate PAC fundraising and support ASTA’s advocacy work while allowing our chapters to give back to their local communities.

The Charitable Matching Program has been an un-qualified success on both fronts – between 2010, when it was put into place, and 2013, overall PAC fundraising has increased by 106 percent while al-most $50,000 has been donated to charitable orga-nizations across the country. At its September 2013

meeting, the CAC renewed it support for the pro-gram, authorizing up to $25,000 in matching funds to high-achieving chapters in 2014.

Contributions to ASTAPAC – from you personally, from your chapter, from mem-ber company treasuries – will not only support your association’s advocacy ef-forts but can also make a difference in your community.

We encourage you to participate, and hope that we can work together to achieve both of these goals.

CHAPTER MATCH PROGRAM


2014 Donors List

SUPERNOVAS ($5,000+)

ABC Global ServicesBohan, GloriaCommonwealth Business Travel GroupCorporate Advisory CouncilHaskins, JohnSabre PACVirtuoso/Upchurch, Matthew

NOVAS ($1,000+)

ASTA MidAmerica ChapterASTA Midwest ChapterASTA Rocky Mountain ChapterBalboa Travel ManagementBest TravelBlock, Roger/Travel Leaders Franchise

GroupBourgeois, LindaCasto, MarcChemla, AlexandreChristopherson Business TravelEnsemble Travel GroupEnterprise Holdings PACExpedia PACFriedman, JackieHale, RogerHaskins, MargaretHeld, ErnieKlebanow, PeterLewis, JohnLewis, DennisMatthews, LaurenOrens, SteveOvation Corporate TravelPowell, VickiSanchez, JorgeSignature Travel NetworkStewart, GregoryStrong Travel Services, Inc./Jim StrongThomas, LeeTravelstoreTzell TravelWilson-Buttigieg, JenniferZelaya, Marilyn Bell/Willow Glen TravelZabinksi, Leo

GOVERNOR’S CLUB ($500+)

ASTA Long Island ChapterASTA Missouri Valley ChapterASTA Southeast ChapterASTA South Florida ChapterASTA Upper Midwest ChapterASTA Orange County ChapterBreton Village TravelBuckner, LisaCadence Travel

Corporate Travel ManagementCruise Planners/American Express TravelDarling, ClaudiaDarling, RichardDixon, MichaelFrosch International TravelGreenwald, MikeHaire, BillHess TravelHowes, BrianGutierrez, YanaIrwin, PamelaLee, BonnieLewington, MarkMangas, DebMarkham, BarbaraMarkham, ThomasMerit Travel GroupMontrose TravelNg, DanielPeters, MaryRoach, RobertSpain, SusanStock Mickelson, GloriaTomaszczuk, RebeccaTravel Leaders Franchise GroupTravel-On, Ltd./ Karen DunlapUniglobe Travel PartnersVasami, Ralph

PRESIDENTS CLUB ($250+)

Banks, PhillipBoche, AmyBursch, FredCarol’s Travel ServiceCovelli, JeanDuglin, RobertEllenby, JayGoodenow, WendyHaymaker, RichardHickory Global PartnersHudak, CherylJackson, DeniseKerby, ZaneKramer, NealLandis, GeoffreyLovell, JohnMcGredy, RyanOptions Travel ServicesPATA Midwest ChapterPeck, EbenPeterson, Virginia/MSP Travel GroupPinheiro, ScottPowers, SteveRisser, DougRodriguez, LauraSeddelmeyer, ChrisSeifert, Mary Louise

Sudeikis, KathyTervola, PatriciaTurner, StephanieVan Allen, NancyVan Leeuwen, AnnVerboom, JoAnneWallace, DuaneWallace, HopeWeingart, MikeWright, Pamela

TEAM 100 ($100+)

ASTA Arizona ChapterAdamitis, KarenAft, SusanAlbright, CynthiaAllegra, MarilynAndrolia, LindaArdis, RickyArmin, BrindaBalani, ShaunBeissel, SusanBerke, LarryBiver, SusanBlunt, StaciBonin, PamBrawley, JohnBrechon, ColleenBrown, PatriciaBurger, LesCarideo, PeterChiappetta, MaureenChing, DannyChris Accomando ToursCimino, AnthonyColombo, BarbaraConsenza, AnthonyCooper, AudreyCooper, DonnaCorniche TravelCostagliola, JoanneCunningham, CindyDa Rosa, AndreaDa Rosa, JoseDali, CsillaDaniels, PattiDavis, LauraDemers, PaulDolstra, HeatherErickson, CindyEstill, GeorgeEvans, DonnaFaifer, NoraFarrell, MichaelFarrell, LynnFaust, PamelaFlanagan, Mary PatFormento, Carole


Fredericks, MarilynFritz, SharonFrosch, AdrienneFurlan, LindaGagala, Jo-MarieGaravanian, GabeGardner, JoanneGedansky, DavidGeiser, ElizabethGelaude, DianeGiampa, JoanneGilbert, PhillipGray, Ruth AnnGreenwald, DonnaGundlach, JeffreyHaas, Nita AnnHager, MarieHall, JudyHannon, GailHartline, Amy LynnHenderson, RebeccaHenry, AndrewHerman, RobertHill, JohnHill, AngelaHoppe, LisaHowes, LoisIerulli, JaniceJathas, BarbaraJohns, SueJohnston, JeanneKalisz, CarolKay, MaryKelly, KimberlyKemp, MargaretKeslik, RichardKozlowski, NancyKozon, LindaKruegger, MaryLauner, KimLekki, CarolLieventhal, JenniferLindberg, MarilynLinderholm, SueLindsey, StuartLovick, DaveLucking, CynthiaLukasik, AndrewMack, GeraldMaxwell, BarbaraMaxwell, LyndaMazzola, BarbaraMcCue, BillMcGredy, RyanMcKay, RobertMeil, SamarahMichels, JenniferMiyashiro, RaymondMurphy, Kate

Nelson, LindaNorman, JaneO’Riordan, JohnPaczosa, SusanPenna, LucyPicture Pefect TravelPinales, NildaPokornowski, BarbaraPoland, RobertQuetel, JeanetteQuinn, DebraRaymer, SusanReuther, Mary MargaretReynolds, IsaacRicher, SheriRistic, HenryRitter, DianaRodriquez, LauraRoyal Travel & ToursSanchez, GiselleSanto, MargeSattizahn, RichardSattler, MonquieSchlagel, KathleenSchneider, KimberlySchneider, Mary AnnSchwartz, RichardSeno, JanetShimkus, Susan/Lake Zurich

TravelSkach, RosemarySlotwinski, KrystinaStaples, NancyStrauss, ChristineSturm, MarySturm, WalterSturm, CharlesSumka, JudithSwirtz, MaryTeichen, FrederickTillem, JackTillem, AliceTofel, WayneTrans World TravelTravel 100 GroupTravel Leaders of NapervilleUrban, RenaudWallace, CarrieWalsh, MaryWaters, AnnWebber, AnnetteWebster, DanielWebster, PharaWebster, ShirleyWeigel, WendyWeingart, MikeWendler, LindaWerner, JohnWheeler-Medley, Bernard

Wilkinson, MaureenWolak, ElizabethWolinski, MichaelWorld Class TravelWorld Travel MartZavislak, CarynZinda, Lorrie

PATRIOTS (UP TO $99)

4 Season Travel BureauA Plus Travel AdventureAtlee, StephenAyala, KathrynBuschbach, JoanneCamel, JenniferChan, CharmaineCole, SherylCook Travel CompanyCostoso, JeanetteCox, ElizabethCruse, JohnCymrot, IsaacDa Rosa TravelDada, LeilaDe Souza, BellDelpier, DonnaExotic JourneysFawcett, MonicaFulton, PatriciaGibbs, JudithGoldschmidt, KurtGoldschmidt, SonyaGrabar, ChrisGreben, AdrienneGreenlee, VickieGrossmann, AlanHarwood, SherriHobble, PaulaHolland, JasonHyatt, BarryJohnson, JulieJones, PatriciaKowalik, CarolynLafrate, RitaLane, DeborahLanotte-Day, ToniLard, DarcyLarson, StephanieLau, RodneyLindsey, FrancesMalana, JunMack, BarbaraMay, KatieMcConnell, CarolMcParland, CarolMittleman, HelenMoore, DianneOn Track Travel

Oyster Bay Travel CenterPlainview TravelPoole, JoshuaPost, RichardProchilo, HelenRaszka, DebraRomano, JamesSalas, Mary JoShimamoto, RachelSpencer, JanineStalb, GretchenSternberg, DebraSutko, MichaelThomas-Schulere, StephenTorpey, MarkTosto, RitaTrettin, AlexVentimiglia, JeannineVentimiglia, JosephWagner, CarolWard, JamesWelke, DonnaWhere 2 Now TravelWommer, ChristopherYanuzzi, JeannetteZukow, Bev

14 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2014

Contact ASTAPACDeb MangasCo-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee(574) [email protected]

Jennifer Wilson-ButtigiegCo-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee (212) [email protected]

Eben PeckASTA Senior Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs(703) [email protected]

Erika RichterASTA Manager, Government Affairs & Communications(703) [email protected]


I know about incredible secret places

I AM YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR

675 N Washington St, Suite 490, Alexandria, VA 22314 ASTA.org @ASTAAgents

ASTA 2014 ASTAPAC Annual Report

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