2013 ASTAPAC ANNUAL REPORT One Voice for Travel Agents
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.
ASTA Members: Wrapping up my second year as Chair of the ASTAPAC Board of Governors (“ASTAPAC Committee”), I am proud to report that 2013 marked one of the best years in memory for ASTAPAC. As you know, ASTAPAC is a critical tool in the Association’s advocacy arsenal. It allows our members to pool resources and 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 2013, ASTAPAC raised $106,439, up over 30 percent versus 2012 and up 106 percent versus 2010. Nine of ASTA’s 26 chapters beat both their hard dollar (from individuals) and soft dollar (from chapters and agencies) fundraising goals while five others beat one of the two goals. Fifteen chapters raised more PAC funds in 2013 than 2012. While the 113th 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. We continue to focus on the issues of airline ancillary fee transparency, protection of independent contractor status, expansion of “trusted traveler” programs like TSA PreCheck, and general travel facilitation. At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance at the state level as the travel industry is targeted for additional tax revenue. Contributions to ASTAPAC are essential as we advocate for our members, 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 clients and the future of our profession. I encourage you to make 2014 the year you take your involvement beyond writing a check. Please respond to ASTA grassroots alerts for e-mails and phone calls to members of Congress and state legislators; attend ASTA’s Legislative Day in May; 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 2013. 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 2013 Chair, ASTAPAC Board of Governors Menno Travel / American Express 210 S. Main Street Goshen IN 46526 2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 3
2013 ASTAPAC Board of Governors Chair Deborah S. Mangas, CTC Menno Travel/American Express 210 S Main St Goshen, IN 46526-3723 Phone: 574-534-1521 Fax: 574-534-2158 deb@mennotrav.com
Member Cynthia Kropp ABC Global Services 6400 Shafer Ct Rosemont, IL 60018 Phone: 1-312-462-1984 Fax: 1-312-234-0545 ckropp@abcglobal.travel
Member Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. 35th Floor New York, NY 10016-6901 Phone: 212-592-1210 Fax: 212-251-0974 jenniferwb@vwti.com
Member Lisa Buckner Corporate Travel Solutions 5900 Rowland Road Minnetonka, MN 55343-8924 Phone: 952-746-3500 Fax: 952-746-3582 lbuckner@ctsinc.com
Member Jerry Mack Gemini Tours 17 Village Ave Elmont, NY 11003-4241 Phone: 516-488-6060 Fax: 516-354-3529 harborview906@yahoo.com
Ex-Officio John I. Lovell, CTC Breton Village Travel Services, Inc. 1910 Breton Rd SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-4887 Phone: 616-942-3013 Fax: 616-956-9282 jlovell@bretontravel.com
Member Les Burger Ladera Travel Sharon Heights Shopping Center Menlo Park, CA 94025-6805 Phone: 650-854-3222 Fax: 650-854-5102 les@ladera.travel
Member Linda G. Nelson Signal Mountain Travel 1238 Taft Hwy Ste 136 Signal Mountain, TN 37377-3274 Phone: 423-886-2200 Fax: 423-886-7281 lindanelson508@aol.com
Ex-Officio Nina Meyer, CTC, MCC, DS Express Travel 5000 SW 75th Ave Ste 300 Miami, FL 33155 Phone: 305-341-1200 x 223 Fax: 305-341-1211 nrmmeyer@gmail.com
Member Frederic W. Bursch Bursch Travel/American Express 817 Broadway Alexandria, MN 56308-1856 Phone: 320-762-1544 Fax: 320-251-3391 fbursch@burschtravel.com
Member Robert J. Poland, CTA Don’t Go There Personal Travel Advisors 2633 NE 14th Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 Phone: 617-524-6743 Fax: 888-501-1631 bpoland@dontgotheretravel.com
Staff Liaison Eben Peck ASTA 1101 King St Alexandria, VA 22314-2944 Phone: 703-739-6842 Fax: 703-684-8319 epeck@asta.org
Member Bruce Charendoff Travelocity 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-467-8201 Fax: 202-467-8204 bruce.charendoff@sabre-holdings. com Member John F. Haskins Viking Travel Service 610 N Washington St Naperville, IL 60563-3102 Phone: 630-983-1766 Fax: 630-357-7481 jhaskins@vikingtvl.com
Member Arthur Salus Duluth Travel - American Express 2860 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Duluth (Atlanta), GA 30097 Phone: 770-813-9144 Fax: 770-813-8303 arthur@duluthtravel.com Member Lee Thomas, CTC Altour 702 North Shore Dr Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3146 Phone: 812-206-5105 Fax: 812-206-5305 lee.thomas@altour.com
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 4
ASTAPAC Overview ASTAPAC Fundraising, 2010-2013 $120,000
$100,000
Amount
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0 Total Fundraising
2010 $51,605
2011 $61,048
2012 $81,279
2013 $106,439
Chapter Fundraising
$41,005
$50,198
$67,779
$88,227
Scott Pinheiro (Santa Cruz Travel), Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) and former California Lt. Governor Bruce McPherson. 2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 5
Chapter Fundraising 2012
2013
2012 Funds Raised
Chapter Participation
2013 Funds Raised
Chapter Participation
% Increase, 2012 vs. 2013
Arizona
$2,138
21.74%
$2,043
31.11%
-4.44%
Carolinas
$1,635
5.66%
$1,250
3.92%
-23.55%
Central & N Florida
$875
2.78%
$525
2.70%
-40.00%
Central Atlantic
$3,450
5.98%
$5,125
10.40%
48.55%
Delaware Valley
$200
1.35%
$400
3.85%
100.00%
Great Lakes
$2,200
6.80%
$1,637.50
7.48%
-25.57%
Hawaii
$1,055
21.21%
$1,258
17.65%
19.24%
Long Island
$2,280
20.45%
$1,905
34.88%
-16.45%
Mid America
$3,415
11.88%
$4,930
10.50%
44.36%
Midwest
$14,130
89.21%
$18,493.50
83.67%
30.88%
Missouri Valley
$725
4.23%
$1,675
5.71%
131.03%
New England
$1,075
2.11%
$1,737.50
5.52%
61.63%
New Jersey
$850
3.13%
$575
4.69%
-32.35%
New York City
$8,201
12.00%
$13,411
13.85%
63.53%
Northern California
$2,701
6.85%
$5,024
10.56%
86.01%
Orange County
$1,390
18.75%
$1,490
21.28%
7.19%
Pacific Northwest
$1,100
2.27%
$475
5.62%
-56.82%
Puerto Rico/VI
$300
3.70%
$100
3.33%
-66.67%
Rocky Mountain
$1,695
6.06%
$950
6.25%
-43.95%
San Diego
$80
2.50%
$640
5.00%
700.00%
South Florida
$3,775
10.08%
$3,030
8.26%
-19.74%
Southeast
$2,210
4.38%
$4,150
7.14%
87.78%
Southern California
$3,530
21.28%
$6,420
8.00%
81.87%
Southwest
$5,129
5.13%
$5,165
7.69%
0.70%
Upper Midwest
$3,640
20.83%
$4,200
28.38%
15.38%
YPS
N/A
N/A
$1,617
6.99%
N/A
CHAPTER TOTALS
$67,779
13.33%
$88,227
14.12%
30.17%
PAC-to-PAC
$5,000
$8,500
70.00%
ASTA HQ
$500
$1,735
247.00%
CAC(1)
$5,000
$5,000
0.00%
CPC
$750
$227
-69.73%
Misc. Soft
$2,250
$2,750
22.22%
GRAND TOTAL
$81,279
$106,439
30.95%
(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.
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 6
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 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. Among 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 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?
ASTAPAC makes financial contributions to candidates for Federal office, regardless of party affiliation. We do not support candidates in state and local elections.
ASTAPAC Campaign Contributions 2010-2013 $30,000 $25,000
Amount
$20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $0
2010
2011
2012
2013
To Democrats
$23,000
$13,000
$12,000
$15,000
To Republicans
$17,250
$6,000
$7,000
$24,500
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 2013 ASTAPAC Contributions, please contact Jennifer Kelly at jkelly@asta.org.
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 7
2013 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. The Charitable Matching Program has been an unqualified success on both fronts – between 2010, when it was put into place, and 2013, overall PAC fundraising has increased by 106 percent while almost $50,000 has been donated to charitable organizations across the country. Below are the chapters who qualified for matching funds based on 2013 fundraising.
$250 to each chapter with 100 percent chapter board participation with an aggregate contribution total of at least $250 from board members: Midwest New York City Mid America Arizona
Long Island Southern California Central Atlantic Northern California
Missouri Valley YPS Great Lakes
$2,000 in matching funds for the first five Chapters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals; Mid America (June) Midwest (July) New York City (July)
Arizona (October) Southern California (November)
$500 in matching funds for the next five Chapters that meet both their hard dollar and soft dollar Chapter fundraising goals; Long Island (December) Northern California (December)
$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 (84%/$126 per member) Long Island (35%/$44 per member) Arizona (31%/$45 per member)
New York City (14%/$103 per member) Northern California (10.6%/$36 per member)
$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); Northern California (86% increase)
$1,000 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most hard dollar contributions; Midwest ($11,243.50 raised)
$750 in matching funds to the Chapter raising the most soft dollar contributions; and Midwest ($7,250 raised)
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 8
2013 Donors List 2013 SUPERNOVAS $5,000
Chemla, Alexandre
Sabre PAC
2013 NOVAS $1,000-$4,999
Bohan, Gloria Coleman, Jason/Jason Coleman, Inc. Enterprise PAC Expedia PAC Friedman, Jackie Hale, Roger Lewis, Dennis Tzell Travel Orens, Steve
Mahtani, Sunil/Ovation Travel Group Ramos, Osvaldo Shepherd, Anthony/Protravel International Signature Travel Network Thomas, Lee Travel and Transport Upchurch, Matthew Zelaya, Marilyn/Willow Glen Travel
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 9
2013 GOVERNORS CLUB $500-$999
Best Travel Block, Roger Bourgeois, Linda Breton Village Travel Casto, Marc Dixon, Michael Gagliano, Ken Greenwald, Michael Haire, William Haskins, John
Haskins, Margaret Hess, Alan Howes, Brian Jackson, Denise Klebanow, Peter Lewis, John Mangas, Deborah Matthews, Lauren Matthews, Whitney Mazza, Jim
Meyer, Nina Peters, Mary Powell, Vicki Salas, Ana Perez Sanchez, Jorge Spain, Susan Stewart, Gregory Stock Mickelson , Gloria Wilson-Buttigieg, Jennifer Zabinski, Leo
2013 PRESIDENTS CLUB $250-$499
Banks, Philip Boche, Amy Buckner, Lisa Bursch, Frederic Carol’s Travel Service Chen, Velma Covelli, Jean Coyle, Bill Dane, Christopher Duran, Joan Express Travel Gardner, Joanne
Goodenow, Wendy Haymaker, Richard Held, Ernie Hudak, Cheryl Jackson, Thomas Kraemer, Neal Landis, Geoffrey Lovell, John Maxwell, Lynda McGredy, Ryan Premo, Michael Peterson, Virginia
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 10
Pinheiro, Scott Poland, Robert Polk, Robert Risser, Doug Roach, Robert Rosen, Karl Seifert, Mary Tillem, Alice/Hillside Travel USA International Travel Verboom, JoAnne Wallace, Hope
2013 TEAM 100 $100-$249
Aft, Susan Albright, Cynthia Allegra, Marilyn Allgeier, Hans Ardis, Ricky Barbeito, Daphne Becker, Randi Biver, Susan Blaa, Eileen Blackwood, Idella Blunt, Staci Boomgarden, Victoria Brawley, John Brown, Patricia Burger, Les Byrne, Patrick Chiames, Christopher Cimino, Anthony Cole, Ron Colombo, Barbara Cooper, Donna Cosenza, Tony Costagliola, Joann CRC Travel Cunningham, Cindy Daniels, Patti Davis, Laura Demers, Paul Di Placidi, Fran Dolstra, Heather Duglin, Robert Elking, Rob Ellenby, Jay Erickson, Cindy Estill, George Evans, Rick Faifer, Nora Farrell, Lynn
Faust, Pamela Flanagan, Mary Pat Formento, Carole Fredericks, Marilyn French, Robert Fritz, Sharon Fulton, Patricia Furlan, Linda Gagala, Jo-Marie Gedansky, David Geiser, Betsy Gelaude, Diane Giampa, Joanne Gray, Ruth Ann Gregory, Jeff Haas, Nita Hager, Patricia Hager, Marie Hartline, Amy Hill, Angela Hill, John Holland America Hoppe, Elizabeth Howes, Lois Jathas, Barbara Jiffo, Joe Jones, Charles Kalisz, Carol Karuhn, Laurette Kelly, Kimberly Kozon, Linda Krueger, Mary Kruse, Neelie Lanotte-Day, Toni Larson, Stephanie Launer, Kim Lee, Bonnie Lee, Walt
Lekki, Carol Lindberg, Marilyn Linderholm, Susan Lindsey, Stuart Louis, Judith Lucking, Cynthia Lukasik, Laura Mack, Gerald Marshman, Judy Maxwell, Barbara McCue, Bill McElligott, Evan Meil, Samarah Minoletti, Ginger Morley, John Mosey, Graham Murphy, Kate Nelson, Linda Norman, Jane Northen, Maya O’Riordan, John Osborne, Jim Paczosa, Susan Pinales, Nilda Powers, Steve Quinn, Debra Quon, Paula Raymer, Susan Reuther, Mary Reynolds, Isaac Richer, Sheri Ritter, Diana Rodriquez, Laura Rubinsohn, Bill Sanchez, Giselle Laborde Santo, Marge Sattizahn, Richard Sattler, Monique
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 11
Scharf, Howard Schlagel, Kathleen Schneider, Kimberly Schneider, Mary Ann Schwartz, Richard Seddelmeyer, Christine Shimkus, Susan Shrestha, Postak Singleton, Paula Skach, Rosemary Sonti, Anantha Steele, Therese Strauss, Christine Strong, Jim Sturm, Mary Sturm, Walter Sturm, Charles Sumka, Judith Swerdlin, Larry Tanzman, Susan Tervola, Patricia Tillem, Jack Tofel, Wayne Urban, Renaud Van Allen, Nancy Vasami, Ralph Wallace, Duane Walsh, Mary Weber, Annette Weingart, Mike Welke, Donna Werner, John Wilkinson, Maureen Wolak, Elizabeth Zavislak, Caryn Zinda, Lorrie Zukow, Bev
2013 PATRIOTS $10-$99
ADG & Associates Amin, Brinda Atlee, Stephen Augustine, Lesley Ayala, Kathryn Bekisoglu, Oya Berry, Judith Buschbach, James Buschbach, JoAnne C&H International Camel, Jenifer Carroll, Laura Chan, Charmaine Cymrot, Isaac Da Rosa Travel Dada, Leila Dali, Csilla Delpier, Donna DeRose, Dick DeSouza, Bell Dream Vacations Unlimited Duggar Travel Agency, Inc. Exotic Journeys, Inc. Fairbank, Pamela Fawcett, Monica Frommer-Macky, Sylvia Gaitch, Ingeborg Garavanian, Gabriel Genung, Daniel Gillette, Colleen Goldschmidt, Kurt Grabar, Chris Guardiola, Pablo Hansen, Devin Harris, Robert
Hastava, Henry Herman, Robert Hirleman, Lucille Hoeck, Barbara Hurley-Lane, Mary Hyatt, Barry Iafrate, Antonio Irwin, Pamela Johnson, Julie Karuhn, Richard Karuhn, Maria Karuhn, Meagan Kerner, Fred Kozlowski, Nancy Kropp, Cynthia Lang, Peggy Lanser, Dan Lard, Darcy Lee, Caryl Lindsey, Frances Maxwell, Howard McConell, Carol McParland, Carol Michael Wolinski Miyashiro, Raymond Monzingo, Natalie Paez, Antonio Pearl Travel Penna, Lucy Picture Perfect Travel Pokornowski, Barbara Poole, Joshua Powers, Sharon Quetel, Jeanette Raduenz, Lori
2013 ASTAPAC Annual Report - 12
Roop, Harriet Rosen, Alan Ross, Irene Royal Travel & Tours Rudnick, Ruth Ruk, Jennifer Salamy , Cynthia Schwinn, Kenneth Shimamoto, Rachel Shirk, Dorothy Smith, Dan Staples, Nancy Stika, Suzanne Sutko, Michael Swirtz, Mary Talusan, Arcel Taylor, Paul Thomas, Kari Torpey, Mark Tosto, Rita Trans-World Travel Travel 100 Group Travel Guard Vega, James Ventimiglia, Jeannine Wallace, Carrie Ward, Jim Watt, Deborah Webster, Shirley Webster, Phara Webster, Dan Wehrli World Travel Wendler, Linda West, Lloyd Wommer, Christopher
Contact ASTAPAC Deb Mangas 2014 Co-Chair Menno Travel/American Express Goshen, IN (574) 534-1512 deb@mennotrav.com Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg 2014 Co-Chair Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. New York, NY (212) 592-1210 jenniferwb@vwti.com Eben Peck ASTA Vice President, Government Affairs (703) 739-6842 epeck@asta.org Jennifer Kelly ASTA Manager, Government & Industry Affairs (703) 739-6806 jkelly@asta.org