One Voice
for Travel Advisors
2019 ASTAPAC ANNUAL REPORT
The American Society of Travel Advisors Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) is a special fund established under the federal election laws to allow ASTA to collect voluntary contributions from travel advisor 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 advisors and agencies who contribute to our PAC program.
Dear Valued ASTA Members:
WOW! Last year, ASTAPAC celebrated its 40th birthday,
Letter from the
Co-Chairs
and what a better way to celebrate than with a record-breaking $414,848 in funds raised!
This success is fueled by our members’ recognition that 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 continue to grow each year. As co-chairs of the Government & Political Affairs Committee, we are proud of not only this tremendous fundraising total for 2019, but of the story that these numbers tell about ASTA’s growing grassroots strength. Last year, nineteen of ASTA’s local chapters exceeded their fundraising goals and twelve chapters raised more PAC funds in 2019 than in 2018. Our participation numbers continue to grow, with one out of every 10 local ASTA chapter members donating to the PAC in 2019. With nearly 80% of our donors giving $100 or less, ASTAPAC is truly one voice representing many. As the 116th Congress continues, the relationships cultivated on Capitol Hill by ASTA headquarters, ASTA chapters and members using ASTAPAC resources remain invaluable. ASTA continues to be invited to “sit at the table” on a broad range of issues which will affect each and every one of our businesses. Our key issues for 2020 include harmonization of independent contractor laws and our fight to remove travel advisors from the Department of Labor’s regulatory “Blacklist.” At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance at the state level as the travel industry continues to be targeted for additional tax revenue. In Washington, DC, PAC size matters! Contributions to ASTAPAC are essential as we advocate for our members, our businesses and our clients. ASTA has almost 10,000 active members – 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 look forward to building on our past success and encourage you to make 2020 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 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. Our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all who donated in 2019. Your contributions inspire us to advocate tirelessly for the entire travel agency industry and the travel consumer at all levels of government. With warm regards,
JENNIFER WILSON-BUTTIGIEG Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. New York, NY
CHRIS SEDDELMEYER Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee Travel Concepts Lima, OH
2019 Government & Political Affairs Committee Co-Chairs
JENNIFER WILSON-BUTTIGIEG Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. 475 Park Ave. S, 35th Floor New York, NY 10016 Phone: 212.592.1210 jenniferwb@vwti.com
CHRIS SEDDELMEYER
Travel Concepts 334 Ponderosa Trail Lima, OH 45805 Phone: 419.222.2121 chris@travelconcepts2121.com
Members
ALVIN ADRIANO
Travelwise International 9201 Livingston Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 Phone: 240.493.8210 alvin@itravelwise.com
LES BURGER
Ladera Travel 325 Sharon Park Dr., Suite D5 Menlo Park, CA 94025 Phone: 650.854.3222 les@ladera.travel
JOSHUA BUSH
Avenue Two Travel 789 East Lancaster Ave., Suite 100 Villanova, PA 19085 Phone: 610.243.1100 joshua.bush@avenuetwotravel.com
BRIAN CHAPIN
Ensemble Travel Group 950 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 3604 Chicago, IL 60611 Phone: 312.951.7494 bchapin@ensembletravel.com
DREW DALY
ISAAC “IKE” REYNOLDS
JOHN F. HASKINS
MARY PETERS
NATALIE VOLIN LEHR
MARILYN BELL ZELAYA
JAY ELLENBY
Ex-Officio(s)
World Travel Holdings 1201 W Cypress Creek, Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: 954.958.3614 ddaly@wth.com Viking Travel Service 610 N Washington St Naperville, IL 60563 Phone: 630.983.1766 jhaskins@vikingtvl.com
Reynolds Travel, Inc. 8934 Commerce Loop Dr Columbus, OH 43240 Phone: 614.847.8008 ike@reynoldstravel.net
Friendly Travel 1506-D Belle View Blvd. Alexandria, VA 22307 Phone: 703.768.6020 mary@friendlytravelonline.com
Carlson Wagonlit Travel 701 Carlson Parkway, Suite 1500 Minnetonka, MN 55305 Phone: 763.762.2275 Natalie.VolinLehr@carlsonwagonlit.com
Safe Harbors Travel 126 S. Main St. Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 800.344.5656 Ext. 1408 jellenby@safeharbors.com
Willow Glen Travel Agency 1275 Lincoln Ave. San Jose, CA 95125 Phone: 408.298.0136 willowglentravel@earthlink.net
MARC CASTO
FCM/Casto 2560 N 1st St., Ste 150 San Jose, CA 95131 Phone: 408.984.7000 Marc.casto@us.fcm.travel
MIKE JULIUS
Carnival Cruise Line 3655 NW 87th Ave. Miami, FL 33178 Phone: 305.599.2600 mjulius@carnival.com
DAVE HERSHBERGER
Prestige Travel/Travel Leaders 9895 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45242 Phone: 513.793.6586 Ext. 1021 dave@prestige-travel.com
VANESSA MCGOVERN
GIFTED Travel Network 425 E. Statesville Ave., Suite 101 Mooresville, NC vanessa@giftedtravelnetwork.com
KATE MURPHY
Wings Travel Group 702 DeKalb Pike Bluebell, PA 19422 Phone: 215.628.3322 KateM@WingsTrips.com
ASTA Staff Liaisons
ZANE KERBY
ASTA 675 North Washington St., Suite 490 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703.739.6804 zkerby@asta.org
EBEN PECK
Phone: 703.739.6842 epeck@asta.org
GENEVIEVE STRAND Phone: 703.739.8711 gstrand@asta.org
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ASTAPAC Annual Report 2019
ASTAPAC Fundraising Growth
“Thanks to strong support from our members and member companies, the PAC reached new heights in 2019.� 414,848
$
286,635
$
230,392
$
200,599
$
149,282
$
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
ASTAPAC ASTAPAC Annual Annual Report Report 2018 2019 55
2019 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 2018 fundraising. PREREQUISITE – To qualify for charitable
matching funds, a chapter must have an overall chapter participation rate of at least 7.5 percent, and have raised a minimum total of at least 50% of their fundraising goal. Unless a chapter meets this first test, it will not qualify for charitable matching funds.
INVOLVEMENT
$250 in matching funds to each chapter meeting the Prerequisite. Alabama Long Island SBN Arizona Mid-Michigan SBN Charlotte Midwest Greater Atlanta New York City Hawai’i Orange County SBN Houston San Diego Long Island South Florida SBN
FUNDRAISING:
$1,500 in matching funds for the first five chapters to hit their fundraising goal; Midwest South Florida SBN Southern California Alabama $750 in matching funds for the next five chapters to hit their fundraising goal; Arizona San Diego Hawai’i
PARTICIPATION:
$1,250 in matching funds for the five chapters with the best participation rates; Mid-Michigan SBN (102.38%) Arizona (57.69%) Long Island SBN (51.32%) Charlotte (38.89%) Alabama (38.10%)
2185% 102.38%
$500 in matching funds for the next five chapters with the best participation rates; Long Island (37.68%) Midwest (35.95%) Hawai’i (29.17%) South Florida SBN (22.86%) Orange County SBN (21.88%)
IMPROVEMENT:
+ 16,034 $
6
ASTAPAC Annual Report 2019
$500 in matching funds for the five most-improved chapters measured by percentage increase in total fundraising from 2018 to 2019; Greater Atlanta (2185%) Southern California (101%) Arizona (48%) $250 in matching funds for five the most-improved chapter measured by total overall funds raised in from 2018 to 2019; Southern California (+$16,034) Greater Atlanta (+$5,462) San Diego (+$2,556) New York City (+$2,354)
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 Government & Political Affairs Committee and ASTA’s Advocacy staff, which analyzes and interprets Congressional voting records and is able to pinpoint who is who in the area of travel and tourism policy and who best understands and supports the travel agency industry.
HOUSE
$61,500
HOUSE
48,500
$
47,500
$
SENATE
42,000
$
SENATE
$ 37,500 38,500
$
HOUSE
SENATE
52,000
$
HOUSE
HOUSE
35,000
$
SENATE
15,500
$
SENATE
4,500
$
2015
Among the criteria used by the Government & Political Affairs Committee to determine which candidates to support are the following factors: 1) Is the candidate sympathetic to the goals of travel advisors? 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?
2016
2017
2018
2019
ASTAPAC makes financial contributions to candidates for Federal office, regardless of party affiliation. We do not support candidates in presidential, state or 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 Federal Election Commission 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 2019 ASTAPAC Contributions, please contact Genevieve Strand at gstrand@asta.org.
ASTAPAC Annual Report 2019
7
2019 Donors
Chairman’s Circle By law, ASTAPAC can accept corporate contributions and personal contributions in excess of $5,000 for the purposes of defraying the PAC’s operational costs.
Chairman’s Circle members have elected to take their investment in our advocacy work to the next level by funding these important activities. $50,000+ Royal Caribbean $25,000+ Crystal Cruises Matthew Upchurch Virtuoso $15,000+ Cathie Lentz Fryer Signature Travel Network $10,000+ Ensemble Travel Leaders Group
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ASTAPAC Annual Report 2019
2019 Donors continued Diamond ($5,000+) ADTRAV ASTA Corporate Advisory Council ASTA Midwest Chapter James Bailey BCD Travel Joshua Bush Jennifer Cochrane Commonwealth Business Travel Group Andrea Da Rosa Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC Expedia Jackie Friedman Roger Hale John Haskins Denise Jackson Sabre Holdings Corp. PAC Special Needs Group Travel & Transport, Inc. TravelStore
Eric Maryanov MAST Vacation Partners, Inc. Lauren Matthews Jim Mazza Rick Mazza Mark Meader Eben Peck Lynda Phillippi Helen Prochilo Alex Sharpe Susan Spain Genevieve Strand Lee Thomas Travel Experts, Inc. Travel Planners International Marilyn Zelaya
Platinum ($500 - $999)
Gloria Bohan Michael Dixon Bill Haire Toni Lanotte-Day Sunil Mahtani Steve Orens
ASTA Hawai’i Chapter ASTA Northern New England Chapter Jay Ellenby Betsy Geiser Alan Hess Geoffrey Landis Mary Peters Virginia Peterson Joan Qualls Eric Reader Jorge Sanchez TAMS Data LLC Chris Thelen John Werner
Ruby ($1,000 - $2,499)
Gold ($250 - $499)
Eric Altschul Rick Ardis ASTA Arizona Chapter ASTA New Jersey Chapter ASTA New York Chapter Philip Banks Margie Bell Lisa Buckner Craig Carter Marc Casto Ann Chamberlin Brian Chapin Bill Coyle Leila Dada Bob Duglin Helen Enriquez Troy Haas Peg Haskins Dave Hershberger David Juedes Kimberly Kelly Zane Kerby Amanda Klimak Steph Lee Denny Lewis Kirsten Little Laura Lukasik
ASTA South Florida SBN Chapter David Chait Lili Dallal Chris Dane Sandy Ferreira Wendy Goodenow Richard Haymaker Cheryl Hudak Marion Huiberts Ken Kimi Scott Koepf Shari Mardis Damian McCabe Vanessa McGovern Heather McIntyre Anne Moebes Beth O’Donnell Laura Rodriguez Amy Schwartz Chris Seddelmeyer Susan Sinclair Charles Sturm Stephen Thomas-Schulere Jennifer Walker Hope Wallace Guy Young
Emerald ($2,500 - $4,999)
Silver ($100 - $249) James Abel Alvin Adriano Cynthia Albright Phil Anderson Angel Anger Richard Aquino Nick Armin ASTA Atlanta Chapter ASTA Delaware Valley Chapter ASTA Ohio Chapter ASTA Orange County Chapter Jamison Bachrach Bernice Bakley Susan Becks Charles Bentivegna Kelly Bergin Kendra Berke Julie Bernario Susan Biver Nancy Bloch Lucy Borkowski Coleen Brechon Cindy Brown Les Burger Dori Cameron Donna Campbell Peter Carideo Juan Carillo Yolanda Carniero Rebecca Carter Colleen Carter Ruby Chadha Anthony Cimino Brent Clampet Barbara Colombo Donna Cooper Tony Cosenza Joan Costagliola Emer Coughlin Janice Craven Wendy Crawley Dan Crumpton Cindy Cunningham Csilla Dali Michelle Damadeo Laura Davis Jacqueline Day Phara Depodro Stephanie Dickson Judith Duke Susan Durbin Cynthia Erikson Lynn Farrell Janine Ferko Lotty Ferreira Richard Fislar Mary Pat Flanagan Carole Formento Sharon Fritz Pat Fulton Jo Marie Galaga Joanne Gardner
David Gedansky Diane Gelaude Judith Gibbs Donna Greenwald Laura Gribben Kay Grossmann Jesse Guerra Ron Gulaskey Wendy Guth Nita Haas Marie Hager Judy Hall Gail Hannon Ardeen Harris Amy Hartline Darrellynn Hayes Gwyn Haymaker Miriam Hernandez Paula Hilderbrand Meredith Hill Angie Hill Lou Hobbs Lisa Hoppe Karen Hospodka Daniel Ilves Barbara Jathas Gregory Jeffrey Carol Kalisz Susan Kelly Shawn Kendall Judy Keslik James Killen Kathy Koenig Debora Kolnick Debra Kopeshke Nancy Kozlowski Mary Kruger Julie Kusco Giselle Laborde Darcy Lard Riza Laudin Kim Launer Bonnie Lee Walt Lee Wayne Lee Carol Lekki Aggie Lewis Marilyn Lindberg Sue Linderholm Sandra Lipkowitz Cynthia Lucking Deb Mangas Judy Marshman Adam Martindale Kristin Matthews Lynda Maxwell Cynthia Maynard Carol McConnell Ellen McDannel Carol McKee Maria Merlos Nancy Merrill Raymond Miyashiro Anatalia Montano
ASTAPAC Annual Report 2019
9
2019 Donors continued Julie Morgeson Tammy Murphy Kate Murphy Eugene Nicewonger Oddysey Travel, Inc. Michael O’Malley John Pittman Jill Polezoes Vicki Powell Steve Powers Ingrid Price Janine Queenin Jeanette Quetel Debra Quinn Samplas John Rees Amy Reet Mary Reporto Mary Margaret Reuther Mary Reynolds Antoinette Riley Henry Ristic Diana Ritter Yolanda Robertson Sandy Robinson Gail Rosenberg Sandy Saburn Laney Sachs Iris Salazar Steven Sanchez Marjorie Santo Monique Sattler Howard Scharf Mary Ann Schneider Kathleen Seiwert Janet Seno Sue Shimkus Michelle Silagi-Media Janet Smart David Smith Marie Smith Linda Snyder Kendal Sommers Cynthia Stimmler Christine Strauss Mary Strum Michael Sulko Judy Sumka Kathy Takushi Beth Taylor Nancy Telizyn Patricia Tervola Frederick Tiechen Rita Tosto Renaud Urban Nancy Van Allen Ralph Vasami Joanne Verboom Janis Wade Duane Wallace Mary Beth Walsh
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ASTAPAC Annual Report 2019
James Ward Shirley Webster Daniel Webster Linda Wendler Stephanie Werner Maureen Wilkinson Susan Wilson Avril Winkle Elizabeth Wolak Norma Zarate Caryn Zavislak Sara Ziman Goldberg Lorrie Zinda
Bronze ($1 - $99) Camille Adams Rosalya Aizenberg Marie Jose Alce Bradford Alexander Hans-Peter Allgeier Lindsay Ames Derek Anderson Debra Anderson Donald Arnhols Charles Aroyo Fania Aroyo Stephen Atlee Victoria Aubert Celeste Auger-Munshi Jeffrey Austin Laura Avital Kathryn Ayala Michelle Bachmeyer Paul Bahna Laurie Bahna Nancy Bauman Bern Beaumont Deb Belchak Bryan Bell Thomas Berger Anne Berry Judy Berry Marcia Bethea Kelly Bigel Nora Blum Patricia Borrell Carol Brant Billy Braxdale Joelle Butner Rosalba Camacho Erin Camin Kenneth Cannizzaro Caprice Travel Pamela Castle Davis Vicki Castleman Judi Chaitman Phyllis Chavies Catherine Chiappa Mary Christmas Lucy Cichon Wanda Claiborne Lisa Collins
Denise Coubarous-Payne Lawrence Covi Louanne Covi Janice Crookston Del Ray Cruzen Paula Cunkelman Beth Cunningham Valerie Cusmano Wendy Dall William Day Gale De La Tora Betty Dean Nancy Decker Christine DeFilippo Donna Delpier Stephanie Denholm Dorothy DeSisto Stefany Di Manno Ceccato Stephanie Dickson Maggie Domond Linda Donaldson Michele D’Onofrio Kate Driscoll Josette Drobeck Suzanne Drumm Cheryl Dworman Danielle Dybiec Cindy Dykman Peggye Eck Roxanne Eck Krystal Eicher Pam Elser Dina Eovadi Kimberly Everett Jillian Everhart Maxine Ezra Pamela Fairbanks Tony Fallone Margaret Fallone Lucia Figueroa Cynthia Fischer Lisa Fletcher Dora Fouchea Brigitte Foulke John Foxworth Jacqueline Fuhs Lehman Mary Funkhouser Michelle Gagnon Kathleen Garbarino Sharon Gardner Steven Gardner Mary Ellen George Michael Geraci Mary Germano Gina Giannattasio William Gill Ellen Goldman Roy Goldman Barbara Goldsmith Riselys Gorini Judith Graper Adrienne Greben Norma Grecco
Nicholas Grecco Roger Gustafson Lynn Hakam Maureen Hamilton Jan Hammond Michael Hannan Tammy Harney Julie Harrington Julie Harris Sherri Harwood Henry Hastava Lu Ann Haygood Helaine O’Connell April Hicks Glenda Hills Peter Hills Kari Hines Barbara Hoeck Andy Howell Lois Howes Pam Hunley Paula Hunter Liz Ingram Sharon Iottov Leon Ittel Angela Jacobus Janette Jahoda Philip James Jeff Jenks Eleanor Jenks Carrie Jensen Erika Johnson Weikikse Johnson Christy Johnson Wally Jones Patricia Jones Debra Kalsmith-Sternberg Lynne Kaplan Julianne Kaplani Cynthee Karlin Scott Katsinas Owen Keefe Maurice Kelsall Sharletha Kendrix Christina Kile Barbara King Melissa Kinion Stephanie Kohl Carolyn Kowalik Judy Kusserow Lake Shore Travel Shannon Lamarche Diana Leone David Lester Amson Ann Lewis Hervey Lewis Laura Lindner Sarah Little Peter Lobasso Cynthia Loggains Denise Lorentzen Cheryl Love John Lovell
2019 Donors continued Kevin Lowe Shelly Lynch Carlos Macias Barbara Mack Gerald Mack Jerry Mack Joseph Malinda Laurie Marschall Julia Matheson Kim Maurer Catherine Max Eric McBean Paula McCarty Martha Mendoza Maxine Mickens Middleton Travel, Inc. Connie Miller Joan Miller Lillian Miller Honaawar Mistry Agni Mitra Jacqueline Montag Cliff Morgan Chasity Munn Gay Murphy Sarah Nelson Margaret Nichols Patricia Niemela Susan Nochumson Cynthia Nowatnick
Sharon Oberritter Carl Ong Scott Orr Christina Ortega Donna Pagano Palm Travel Sandy Parten Latetia Passmore Kathleen Paulson Elaine Peluso Kathleen Perkins Janis Perl Erin Peters Janet Peterson Michael Pickens Dawn Plonkey Joyce Pors David Porter Tina Posila Vicki Powers Thelma Pruitt Brando Quinn Alicia Raish Keven Randolph Trisha Rathke Amy Rectenwald Jason Reese Greg Reese Ronelle Remlinger Sandi Rhorer Gina Richards Kristie Richie
Janet Richmond Angela Robinson Debbie Rouls Teresa Scannell Janet Scheyer Lois Schren Kathryn Schutz Dorothy Sefton Leanne Seli Vito Severino Amy Shapiro Karen Sheehan Kathleen Shepherd Paul Sieferth David Slivken Erin Smith Pamela Smithgall Cathi Solla John Sposato Carla Stark Glenn Stark Charlene Stern Debra Sternberg Rebecca Storms Maureen Sullivan Julie Sullivan Joanne Sutton Irving Taylor Karen Teichman Patty Thorington Donna Titus Mark Torpey
David Trammell Susan Trantham Tony Troiano Jeannine Ventimiglia Joseph Ventimiglia Erika Villanueva Cinthia Villard Ann Marie Vis Pam Wadding Peggy Waeschle Carol Wagner Kathy Walden Ken Walden Delores Washington Juliet Weller Jean Wertman Erica Whitaker Jenn Whitney Linda Wiggins Debbie Winnie Catherine Winslow Eddie Woodham Lynn Ziegenhogel
ASTAPAC Annual Report 2019
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One Voice for Travel Advisors JENNIFER WILSON-BUTTIGIEG 2019 Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee 212.592.1210 jenniferwb@vwti.com CHRIS SEDDELMEYER 2019 Co-Chair, Government & Political Affairs Committee 419.222.2121 chris@travelconcepts2121.com EBEN PECK EVP, Advocacy 703.739.6842 epeck@asta.org GENEVIEVE STRAND Director, Advocacy 703.739.6806 gstrand@asta.org 675 N Washington St, Suite 490, Alexandria, VA 22314 ASTA.org Travelsense.org