It’s no accident that a mentoring relationship would thrive at an NTA event, as described in “A mentoring match,” which details the experiences of a Travel Exchange first-timer, Amina Watkins, and a TREX veteran, Pam Williams.
Two elements of the NTA core values are collaboration and teamwork, as well as learning and innovation, according to NTA President Catherine Prather.
“I’ve always believed that NTA offers a nurturing environment where everyone is welcomed and encouraged to seek guidance and support from their colleagues,” she says. “Our tagline, ‘Together. We go further.’ is put into action at Contact and Travel Exchange, but also year-round during our webinars and member network virtual gatherings.”
Prather explains that networks were created for specific member categories because the discussions—about challenges, strategies, and successes—can flow more easily when everyone is on the same peer page. And at in-person events, many of the education sessions are led by NTA members because they are subject-matter experts.
“When you’re learning from a panel of peers, you know who to seek out later for one-to-one conversations and guidance,” Prather says.
In the run-up to Travel Exchange ’24, the NTA Headquarters team added more ways for experienced members to guide new arrivals.
“For many years, we’ve offered webinars with TREX veterans like Clayton Whitehead walking first-timers through various aspects of the show,” says Todd Probus, director of member solutions and education. “Then this year, we put together a more comprehensive series of video offerings targeted to specific types of first-timers.”
Probus says there are “TREXtips” conversations geared to DMOs, buyers, international receptive operators, and two types of tour suppliers: attractions and hotels. Another TREXtips conversation focuses on how to have successful appointments at Travel Exchange. All of these conversations, plus other helpful webinars for convention-goers, are available for viewing on the NTA Online education page.
