It has been three months since I took over the role of President of BABTA. Although I have been on the Board for two years as VP Programs, the role of President was one I knew would be even more challenging given the economic times we are currently experiencing. I really value all that BABTA has brought to me professionally and personally, and I am honored to be your President. BABTA has been a source of education, networking and industry friends. All of these have been invaluable, as I face the many challenges we all do in this ever evolving industry we work in.
I attended my first Chapter Presidents Council meeting in January. There are quarterly meetings in different locations across the U.S., including one during the NBTA Convention. It is a time for the Presidents of the local chapters in the U.S. to come together and to receive updates on the NBTA agenda. It is also a chance for everyone to share best practices and challenges from each of their chapters.
Michael Lyons, VP of NBTA, provided us with updates regarding the national goals, and the adjustments to those goals, based on the impacts of the economy on events and membership. We spent an entire afternoon in small groups, based on our chapter’s membership size, to exchange ideas, find out how our associations were structured, to exchange ideas on speakers used for monthly programs, and how we maintain and recruit new membership. There were many great ideas shared, and a chance for me to network with other presidents within NBTA.This year has been especially challenging for a number of our colleagues and friends. It is a time for all of us to work together and to support each other through networking and education. From past experience and from discussions with other industry colleagues, networking is the number one way people find new positions.
BABTA continues to post any open positions it receives on the Job Board tab of our website. We encourage members to post open positions on the Job Board on a complimentary basis and ask members to encourage non-members to post open positions for a nominal charge. Together, we will overcome these challenges.
NBTA and BABTA are both extending annual memberships for active members who lose their positions, through the end of calendar year 2009, on a complimentary basis. This allows each member access to the website, networking, and the ability to attend meetings at a member’s cost level.
Finally, I wanted to encourage all of our members to become more involved in BABTA, through their work on BABTA Committees, like membership, technology, finance and programs. Most work on committees does not take much of your time, and it is a great way to meet new people in the industry and to help influence the future of our chapter. I joined the Board a couple of years ago, and through this involvement, I have made many new friends in the travel industry, and it has been another great way to network. BABTA is a completely volunteer non-profit association, which depends on your involvement to make it function and grow. Please reach out to any of the VPs that represent these various areas, to become more involved today. Their contact information is on the Contact Us” tab on the BABTA website. There are also committees that operate on an annual or semiannual basis – The Gala Committee, Education Day Committee and the Nominations/Elections Committee.
This has proven to be a challenging year, and it looks like we will continue to face challenges due to our changing economy for the foreseeable future. Together we can influence the path of the industry, through involvement in organizations like BABTA. I appreciate your involvement and continued support to make this the best travel association in the U.S.
Dave Kuffel
2009 BABTA President
