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Editorial Director: Maria Pieri Outgoing Editor: Chris Peacock Editor: Zane Henry Project Editor: Josephine Price Contributing Editors: Halima Ali, Stephanie Cavagnaro, Jo Fletcher-Cross, Seamus McDermott, Glen Mutel, Pat Riddell, Helen Warwick, Tamsin Wressell Editorial Assistant: Amelia Duggan Interns: Jack Southan, Christopher Agathangelou Sub Editor: Hannah Doherty, Lorraine Griffi ths, Chris Horton, Joanna Reeves Art Editor: Chris Hudson Designers: Gabriella Finney, Daniel Almeroth, Philip Lay, Katy Stamp, Lauren Atkinson-Smith Picture Researcher: Natalie Jackson Production Manager: Daniel Gregory Production Controllers: Joaquim Pereira, Lisa Poston, Anthony Wright, Joanne Roberts, Maia Abrahams Project Manager: Cynthia Lawrence Sales & Marketing Manager: Rebecca Fraser Media Sales Managers: Amanda Boughoufa, Mark Salmon
Special Projects Consultant: Matthew Midworth Chief Executive: Anthony Leyens Managing Director: Matthew Jackson Offi ce Manager: Abigail Beresford Offi ce Assistant: Taylah Brooke Financial Controller: Taurai Mangezi Credit Manager: Craig Chappell Accounts Manager: Siobhan Grover Credit Controller: Marnie Dillon Billings and Revenue Controller: Sarah Robinson
Printed in the UK. ASTAnetwork is published by APL Media Limited. Its entire contents are protected by copyright © 2015 and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine, but the publishers assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or ASTA. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information which is contained in the magazine.
THE VALUE OF MEETINGS Have business, will travel
By the end of 2015, it’s estimated Americans will have taken over 490 million business trips — that’s 16% of the country’s total long-distance travel, according to research from fi nance group Aries Residence Suites. The study also shows business travel will contribute $310bn to the nation’s GDP, so clearly the combined meeting, conference and incentives market looks to be in rude health. But what about things on a smaller scale — is business travel worth it for individual companies? Drilling down into the data, it seems that for every $1 spent on
business travel in the US, companies realize $12.50 in incremental revenue. Or from another perspective, an estimated 28% of current business would be lost without in-person meeting by executives and business travelers, with roughly 40% of their prospects becoming customers after an in-person meeting, compared to 16% without such a meeting. Travel professionals who recently attended ASTA’s Global Convention (AGC) in Washington DC
(Aug. 29-Sept. 1) will certainly understand the value of personal meetings and industry conventions in fostering closer relationships, developing new partnerships, learning new skills and ultimately increasing their bottom line. Read on in this issue for a rundown of the key fi ndings and developments from the hugely successful AGC 2015, plus we take a look ahead to ASTA’s forthcoming Destination Expo in the Spanish city of Seville (June 2-5, 2016). And be sure to check out our series of industry reports, covering government affairs, escorted
tourism, hotel trends, car rental and agent training, plus our cover story, which puts the spotlight on the top family travel destinations for 2016, from San Franciso and London to Australia. Lastly, after six years at the helm of ASTAnetwork I now leave you in the very capable hands of my
colleague Zane Henry as incoming editor. Feel free to drop him a line at
zane.henry@aplmedia.co.uk with your thoughts on the magazine. Happy selling.
CHRIS PEACOCK OUTGOING EDITOR
ASTA Executive Committee: Roger Bloc, Chairman; Jay Ellenby, Vice Chair and Secretary; Jorge Sanchez, Treasurer; Marc Casto, Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) Chair
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