ASTA 2015 Advocacy Annual Report

A S TA PA C A n n u a l R e p o r t

2015 One Voice for Travel Agents

To be heard, you have to have a seat at the table.

Together, we will make our voices heard in the halls of Congress.

The American Society of Travel Agents Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) is a special fund established under the federal election laws to allow ASTA to collect voluntary contributions from travel agent members for the purpose of supporting political 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: As Deb prepares to step down as Co-Chair after a four-year run atop the committee, we are proud to report that 2015 marked another successful fundraising year 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 political 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.

In 2015, ASTAPAC raised $149,282, which marks a new historic high and a total increase of 142 percent over the last five years. Seven of ASTA’s 26 chapters met both their hard dollar (from individuals) and soft dollar (from chapters and company funds) fundraising goals while eight others beat one of the two goals.

Our participation rate increased sharply, from 16.8 percent to 22.4 percent, with a total contribution count of 477. In 2015, we spent $76,000 on contributions to key Members of Congress from both parties, through DC-based and in-district fundraisers, giving travel agents a voice on Capitol Hill in the process.

While the 114th Congress has so far struggled to resolve some of the big issues facing our country, the relationships cultivated on Capitol Hill by ASTA headquarters, ASTA chapters and members will prove to be invaluable. 2016 will see Congress take up the critical FAA reauthorization bill, which could include proposals on new disclosures agents must make to consumers, transparency in air pricing, airline competition, and other issues. At the same time, we continue to focus on Cuba travel freedom, protection of independent contractor status, facilitation of international visitors to the U.S., and the expansion of “trusted traveler” programs like TSA PreCheck. All the while, we will maintain our vigilance at the state level as the travel industry is targeted for additional tax revenue.

In Washington, DC, PAC size matters, and contributions to ASTAPAC are essential as we advocate for our members, our businesses and our clients. ASTA has over 2,000 active member companies. We have the numbers to be heard on the Hill. And with more contributors, we can do better, for our clients and the future of our profession.

We encourage you to make 2016 the year you take your involvement beyond writing a check or giving online. Respond to ASTA grassroots alerts for e-mails and phone calls to members of Congress and state legislators; attend ASTA’s Legislative Day in March; volunteer to testify before state legislative committees or to represent ASTA at fundraisers for Members of Congress in your district. Most importantly, encourage your fellow ASTA members to make an investment in advocacy through ASTAPAC. A special note of thanks to all who donated in 2015. Your contributions inspire us to advocate tirelessly for the travel agency industry and the travel consumer at all levels of government.

Yours in travel and friendship, Deborah Mangas, CTC 2015 Chair, ASTAPAC Board of Governors

4 – ASTAPC Annual Report 2014

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg 2015 Chair, ASTAPAC Board of Governors

2015 Government & Political Affairs Committee CO-CHAIRS Deborah S. Mangas, CTC,ACC Menno Travel/American Express 210 S Main St Goshen, IN 46526-3723 Phone: 574.534.1521 deb@mennotrav.com Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. 475 Park Ave. S New York, NY 10016-6901 Phone: 212.592.1210 jenniferwb@vwti.com

MEMBERS Lisa Buckner Direct Travel 5900 Rowland Road Minnetonka, MN 55343-8924 Phone: 612.940.1295 lbuckner@dt.com Les Burger Ladera Travel Sharon Heights Shopping Center Menlo Park, CA 94025-6805 Phone: 650.854.3222 les@ladera.travel Bruce Charendoff Sabre 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202.467.8201 bruce.charendoff@sabre.com

EX-OFFICIO(S) Roger Block Travel Leaders Franchise Group 3033 Campus Dr. Ste. W320 Plymouth, MN 55441 Phone: 763.744.3788 Rblock@travelleaders.com Jay Ellenby Safe Harbors Travel 126 S Main St Bel Air, MD 21014-3864 Phone: 800.344.5656 Ext. 1408 jellenby@safeharbors.com

Nora B Faifer Altair Travel & Cruises 6160 Treeridge Trail St. Lois, MO 63129-4635 Phone: 314.968.9600 norafaifer@altairtravel.com

Issac B. Reynolds Reynolds Travel, Inc. 8934 Commerce Loop Dr. Columbus, OH 43240-2124 Phone: 614.847.8008 ike@reynoldstravel.net

John F. Haskins Viking Travel Service 610 N Washington St Naperville, IL 60563-3102 Phone: 630.983.1766 jhaskins@vikingtvl.com

Jorge Sanchez Mena Tours/American Express 5209 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: 773.275.2155 jorge@mena.travel

Kate Murphy Wings Travel Group 702 DeKalb Pike Blue Bell, PA 19422 Phone: 215.628.3322 KateM@WingsTrips.com

Chris Seddelmeyer Travel Concepts 334 Ponderosa Trail Lima, OH 45805 Phone: 419.222.2121 chris@travelconcepts2121.com

Linda G. Nelson Signal Mountain Travel 1238 Taft Hwy Ste 136 Signal Mountain, TN 37377-3274 Phone: 423.886.2200 lindanelson508@aol.com

Larry Swerdlin Burton Travel, Ltd. 8120 Derby Lane Owings Mills, MD 21117 Phone: 7410.363.1900 larry@burtontravel.net

Mary Peters Friendly Travel 1506-D Belle View Blvd Alexandria, VA 22307-6530 Phone: 703.768.6020 mary@friendlytravelonline.com

Marilyn Bell Zelaya Willow Glen Travel Agency 1275 Lincoln Ave. San Jose, CA 95125-3007 Phone: 408.298.0136 willowglentravel@earthlink.net

Zane Kerby ASTA 675 North Washington St., Suite 490 Alexandria, VA 22314-2944 Phone: 703.739.6804 zkerby@asta.org

STAFF LIAISON Eben Peck ASTA 675 North Washington St., Suite 490 Alexandria, VA 22314-2944 Phone: 703.739.6842 epeck@asta.org

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2015 – 5

How Does ASTAPAC Decide Which Candidates to Support?

Deciding which candidates to support in a given year is a process involving the Co-Chair, members of the Government and Political Affairs Committee and ASTA’s Government, Legal and Industry Affairs staff.

Government Affairs staff analyze and interpret Congressional 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 candidates for Federal office, regardless of party affiliation. We do not support candidates in state and local 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 responsible 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 reports 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 2015 ASTAPAC Contributions, please contact Erika Richter at erichter@asta.org.

CRITERIA

Among the criteria used by the Government and Political Affairs 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 member 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 subcommittee, or likely to be in a position to assist the profession?

6 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2015

Campaign Contributions, 2012–2015

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

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2015 – 7

Chapter Fundraising 2014 Funds Raised Arizona

2014 Chapter Participation

2015 Funds Raised

2015 Chapter Participation

% Increase 2014 vs. 2015

$2,159

27.91%

$4,032

36%

+86.75%

$4,489

7.14%

$4,276

9.52%

–4.74%

$273

1.56%

$444

1.49%

+62.64%

Central Atlantic

$8,500

8.53%

$6,765

15.6%

–20.41%

Delaware Valley

$619

7.25%

$590

6.9%

–4.68%

$1,469

7.83%

$1,534

6.48%

+4.46%

Hawaii

$1,319

38.46%

$1,491

61.11%

+13.04%

Long Island

$1,972

66.67%

$2,820

76.19%

+43%

Mid America

$6,923

18.18%

$9,731

47.75%

+40.56%

$30,674

89.93%

$33,785

103.68%

+10.14%

$1,482

7.58%

$2,613

6.06%

+76.32%

New England

$889

3.62%

$914

5.41%

+2.76%

New Jersey

$959

3.05%

$6,421

4.55%

+569.55%

$10,332

14.75%

$5,781

11.01%

–44.05%

$4,576

6.67%

$5,210

10.87%

+13.85%

Orange County

$1,227

20.93%

$1,433

20.45%

+16.79%

Pacific Northwest

$1,971

10.34%

$2,414

7.59%

+22.48%

$94

4.55%

$150

0%

+59.57%

Rocky Mountain

$3,439

12.5%

$1,285

3.51%

–62.63%

San Diego

$2,537

18.42%

$2,280

17.14%

–10.13%

South Florida

$3,279

7%

$2,384

7.41%

–27.29%

Southeast

$5,772

9.7%

$8,058

66.07%

+30.94%

Southern California

$6,809

7.3%

$7,404

7.84%

+8.74%

Southwest

$16,147

7.5%

$7,900

5.34%

–47.98%

Upper Midwest

$6,028

29.27%

$5,019

29.03%

–16.73%

$528

5.19%

$416

7.14%

–21.21%

Carolinas Central & N Florida

Great Lakes

Midwest Missouri Valley

New York City Northern California

Puerto Rico/VI

YPS CHAPTER TOTALS

$124,465

8 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2015

$125,150

2015 ASTAPAC Charitable Match Program Since 2010, ASTA’s Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) has funded the ASTAPAC Charitable Matching Program, which provides chapters who reach PAC fundraising and participation goals with matching 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. Below are the chapters who qualified for matching funds based on 2015 fundraising. $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 Hawaii Long Island Mid America Midwest

New York City Northern California Southern California Upper Midwest

$2,000 in matching funds for the first five Chapters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals; Midwest (6/29/15) Hawaii (7/14/15) Mid America (7/14/15)

Arizona (8/11/15) Upper Midwest (8/27/15)

$500 in matching funds for the next five Chapters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals; Long Island (11/17/15)

$1,500 in matching funds for the five Chapters with the best Chapter participation rates, with an average contribution of at least $36 (the per-member amount called for by the overall ASTAPAC goals); Midwest (103.7%) Long Island (76.2%) Hawaii (61.1%)

Mid America (47.8%) Arizona (36.0%)

$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); Arizona (86.75%) $1,000 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most hard dollar contributions; Midwest ($26,371) $750 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most soft dollar contributions; Midwest ($7,414)

ASTAPAC Fundraising, 2012–2015

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2015 – 9

2015 Donor List SUPERNOVAS ($5,000+) ASTA Midwest Chapter Commonwealth Business Travel Group Corporate Advisory Council Enterprise Holdings PAC Jackie Friedman John Haskins Sabre PAC travAlliance Media Virtuoso

NOVAS ($1,000-$4,999)

ASTA Arizona Chapter Roger Block Gloria Bohan Marc Casto Roger Hale Margaret Haskins Denise Jackson / Balboa Travel Dennis Lewis John Lewis Lauren Matthews Ovation Travel Network Steve Orens Vickie Powell Susan Spain Signature Travel Network TravelStore Lee Thomas Ralph Vasami Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg Marilyn Zelaya / Willow Glen Travel

GOVERNOR’S CLUB ($500-$999)

A&I Travel ASTA Central Atlantic Chapter ASTA Hawaii Chapter ASTA Long Island Chapter ASTA Missouri Valley Chapter ASTA Pacific Northwest Chapter ASTA Southeast Chapter ASTA Upper Midwest Chapter Philip Banks Linda Bourgeois Frederic Bursch Ann Chamberlin CTS Systems Richard Darling Claudia Darling Direct Travel Michael Dixon Heather Dolstra Robert Duglin Karen Dunlap Jay Ellenby Pamela Faust Doris Graham Mike Greenwald Michael Grueninger Yana Gutierrez

William Haire Troy Haas Ernie Held David Hershberger Alan Hess Pam Irwin Zane Kerby Alice Kikuchi David Kolner Uniglobe Travel Partners Deborah Mangas Barbara Markham Deborah Masters Eric Maryanov Barbara Mazzola Julie McClure Mark Meader Merit Travel Group Eben Peck Mary Peters Jorge Sanchez Richard Shore Jr. Gregory Stewart Gloria Stock Mickelson TravBeds Duane Wallace Hope Wallace

PRESIDENTS CLUB ($250-$499)

All Inclusive Vacations ASTA Carolinas Chapter Craig Baldridge Donald Buynack Jean Covelli Andrea da Rosa Christopher Dane Laura Davis Betsy Geiser Wendy Goodenow Jeffrey Gundlach Richard Haymaker Cheryl Hudak Elizabeth Hoppe Mary Krueger Geoffrey Landis Rochelle Lieberman Thomas Markham Vincent Mazza Damian McCabe Ryan McGredy John Morley Graham Mosey Ann Marie Powell-Moebes NACTA Atlanta Chapter Virginia Peterson / MSP Travel Group Olga Ramudo Orbitz Worldwide Robert Reynolds Patrick Reynolds Douglas Risser Mary Seifert Ann Waters

10 – ASTAPAC Annual Report 2015

Mike Weingart Victoria Travel

TEAM 100 ($100-$249)

ASTA New Jersey Chapter ASTA New York Chapter ASTA Orange County Chapter ASTA Southeast Chapter Karen Adamitis Angel Anger Susan Aft Cynthia Albright Marilyn Allegra Randi Becker Terrie Berger-Davis Susan Biver Staci Blunt Lucy Borkowski Colleen Brechon Gloria Bochenski Michel Boyd / Signal Travel & Tours Patricia Brown Cynthia Burchfield Les Burger Paul Busang Jennifer Camel Juan Carlos Carrillo Peter Carideo Carol’s Travel Services Danny Ching Anthony Cimino Ron Cole Jennifer Collins Barbara Colombo Audrey Cooper Donna Cooper Anthony Cosenza Joann Costagliola John Cruse Cindy Cunningham Jose da Rosa Directional Strategies Travel Easia Travel Cindy Erickson Eclipse Travel Lynn Farrell Mary Pat Flanagan Carole Formento Marilyn Fredricks Sharon Fritz Linda Furlan Jo-Marie Gagala Joanne Gardner David Gedansky Diane Gelaude Joanne Giampa Judith Gibbs Ruth Ann Gray Donna Greenwald Joan Kay Grossman Jesse Guerra Nita Haas Marie Hager

Judy Hall Robert Harris Amy Lynn Hartline Gwyn Hay Miriam Hernandez Paula Hilderbrand John Hill Angie Hill Ann Hollywood Janice Ierulli Dan Ilves Barbara Jathas Charles Jones Carol Kalisz James Keller Kimberly Kelly Judith Keslik Ilene Koenig Robert Kolnick Debra Kopeshke Nancy Kozlowski Linda Kozon Neal Kraemer Toni Lanotte-Day Kimberly Launer Carol Lekki Andrea Lewis Marilyn Lindberg Sue Linderholm Frances Lindsey Cynthia Lucking Donna Ludlum Laura Lukasik Robert MacDonald Barbara Maxwell Lynda Maxwell Bill McCue Rebecca McKay Maria Del Carmen Merlos Jennifer Michels Raymond Miyashiro Dianne Moore Anatalia Montano Kate Murphy Linda Nelson Jane Norman John O’Riordan Susan Paczosa Lucy Penna Picture Perfect Travel Robert Poland Barbara Pokornowski Jeanette Quetel Debra Quinn Paula Quon Mary Reporto Mary Reuther Isaac Reynolds Sheri Richer Henry Ristic Diana Ritter Robert Roach Laura Rodriguez Cheryl Rosen

Bill Rubinsohn Royal Travel & Tours Giselle Laborde Sanchez Steven Sanchez Marge Santo Monique Sattler Chris Seddelmeyer Sentinel Travel Kimberly Schneider Mary Ann Schneider Richard Schwartz Janet Seno Shama Travel/Rajib Goyal Rachel Shimamoto Susan Shimkus Pam Sigler Krystina Slotwinski Dan Smith Nancy Staples Christine Strauss Mary Sturm Charles Sturm Walter Sturm Judy Sumka Paul Taylor Fred Teichen Pat Tervola Stephen Thomas-Schulere Robert Thompson Alice Tillem Jack Tillem Greg Tomlinson Rita Tosto Travel 100 Group Travel Leaders of Naperville Renaud Urban Nancy Van Allen Mary Beth Walsh Lee Walter James Ward Annette Weber Shirley Webster Daniel Webster Phara Webster Donna Welke Linda Wendler John Werner Maureen Wilkinsow Elizabeth Wolak Michael Wolinski World Class Travel Norma Zarate Caryn Zavislak Lorrie Zinda

PATRIOTS ($1- $99)

Airtours Inc. All Asia Exclusive Travel Service Alpha Travel ASTA New Jersey Chapter Imab Abassy Kayla Andrews Jennie August Brinda Amin Raju Ahmed Jeannie Anderson

Denise Anderson Ricky Ardis Stephan Atlee Jeff Baer Lynn Bailey Peggy Barnard Lacy Baxley Shelia Bear Kimberly Bennett Judith Berry Black Stone Tours Limited Kimberly Brodie Roxanne Buchanan Pat Buckholt James Buschbach Joanne Buschbach Linda Calendine Maria Caso China Explorer Travel Service CG ConciergeTravel Inc Charmaine Chan Connie Corbet Jeanette Costoso Jill Coyle Elizabeth Cox Cruising Company/ MouseEarVacations Cruise Experts Travel Isaac Cymrot Leila Dada Csilla Dali Daigle Tours Da Rosa Travel DBX Travel Diamond Chauffeur Service Donna Delpier Paul Demers Rebecca Donaldson Eugenia Duggar Ecowin Tours April Edwards George Estill EB Sports Tours Empire Travel Services Ltd. ETNA Tours Five Star Alliance Elizabeth Floyd First Choice Tours France Travel Patricia Fulton Debbie Funderburk Foniadakis Business Center P.C. Michele Forrester Jennifer Fowlkes Alene Gamel Leslie Garner Rosa Goeller Kurt Goldschmidt Alan Goodwin Adrienne Greben Nathan Griffiths Talula Gunter Susan Hacker Pat Hager Mimi Hale Roger Hale Ardeen Harris

Melissa Hartley Marie Hastava No Borders Tours and Travel Henry Hastava Carole Hoffman Holiday Charme India Pvt. Ltd. Tama Holve Jennifer Honaker Julie Howell Lois Howes Wilson Hughes Antonio Iafrate Rita Iafrate Italian Geographic Ltd. Mary Jackson Shanyn James Tommisue Jones J&L Travel Ken Kimi Barbara King Karissa Krull Julie Kulp Debbie Lane Monica Lang Peggy Lang Dan Lanser Rodney Lau Christine Lee Leisure Corporation Ltd. Esther Laurent Shirley Lawrence Esperanza Lawson John Lovell Sheri Machat Machu Travel Peru Barbara Mack David Mackey Magic Carpet Travel Helen Maley Candace Mancuso Kay Mayer Kathryn Mazza Nicole Mazza Carol McConnell Susan McDougal Lisa McGowen Carol McParland Gregory Milestone Ginger Minoletti MK All Around Travel Inc. Mongolian Adventure Tours Tamara Monaghen Lauren Morgan Allison Moorehead Penny Nollenberger NACTA Long Island Chapter Chiaki Nakayama-Jones Eugene Nicewonger Mary-Jane Northrup Dale Oakes Pat Ogle-Collins Olonade Pacific Harbor Travel Theresa Payne Peace Smile Land Travel & Tours Holly Peck

William Pesnell Angela Porter Richard Post Mary Post Drew Price Antonia Paez Nilda Pinales Steve Powers Sharon Powers Gabriella Tatiana Price Lisa Townsend Paula Quon Karen Rass Amanda Ross Somerset Tours & Travel, Ltd. Mina Saunders Wendy Schwartz-Mix Chris Seddelmeyer Seagull Nepal, Ltd. Stephen Seh Kathleen Seiwert Donald Shapiro Dorothy Shirk Rhonda Shumway Serena Simmons Lynn Slaughter Ken Solomon Cathi Solla Gretchen Stalb Debra Sternberg-Kalsmith Larry Strayer Carla Sutton Michael Sutko Virginia Swift Deborah Taylor Elisa Taylor Kari Thomas Lisa Thompson Patty Thorington Jonathan Till Mark Torpey TraveLink TravelSync Charles Turner Trans World Travel Travel Point LLC Unique Romance Travel & Destination Weddings Jeannine Ventimiglea Joseph Ventimiglea Angela Vernon Kim Vetter Sharon Viotto Villa Travel Agency VIP Travel DMC & PCP VisitPeru.com Yianni Voulamandis Werlhi Travel / Susan Wehrli Nancy Wester Jeanette Yanuzzi Norma Zarate Helena Zuniga Contributions received through December 31, 2015

ASTAPAC Annual Report 2015 – 11

675 N Washington St, Suite 490, Alexandria, VA 22314

ASTA.org

Travelsense.org

@ASTAAgents

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg 2016 Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee 212.592.1210 • jenniferwb@vwti.com

Eben Peck ASTA Senior Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs 703.739.6842 • epeck@asta.org

Chris Seddelmeyer 2016 Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee 419.222.2121 • chris@travelconcepts2121.com

Erika Richter ASTA Manager, Government Affairs & Communications 703.739.6806 • erichter@asta.org