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The US Travel Association (USTA) penned a touching tribute (and accompanying video) to longtime President & CEO Roger Dow in honor of his recent retirement. Dow served as USTA’s chief executive since 2005 and helped to lead the association through two of the travel industry’s most recent crises: the ’08 recession and the 2020 pandemic.
USTA also announced that it would induct Dow into its Hall of Leaders, which recognizes sustained, noteworthy contributions that have positively impacted the travel industry, according to the association. He joins just over 100 other distinguished leaders who have been inducted since it was established in 1969.
President & CEO Roger Dow recieves tribute (and video) in honor of his recent retirement
“It’s difficult to imagine a more effective advocate for travel today than Roger Dow. His selection to our most distinguished body reflects his countless contributions and our industry’s deep respect and gratitude,” said Carnival Cruise Line President and US Travel National Chair Christine Duffy. “As he concludes a celebrated career as head of US Travel and, previously, as a leader of Marriott, his induction honors all that Roger has achieved to advance and guide this industry and its workers.”
USTA credits Dow for his innovative and forward-thinking approach, which resulted in several legislative victories as well as the creation of Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization. Additionally, his efforts have significantly built the association’s profile in D.C., which has led to positive working relationships with lawmakers and several presidential administrations—especially important for the COVID relief and recovery funding that saved many companies in the travel industries from closing their doors. He also established the Meetings Mean Business Coalition, which positions the value and benefits of business meetings, trade shows, conferences, and conventions.
His most recent victory, however, was announced during the June IPW (the association’s conference) with the lifting of the inbound pre-departure COVID testing requirement—one of the last barriers to reestablishing international travel. According to Travel Weekly, Dow’s next endeavor will be the launch Future Work Solutions, an app-based service that aims to solve staffing issues for hospitality businesses.
Prior to leading USTA, Dow was a global sales and marketing executive with Marriott International. According to the USTA, Dow was behind the development of the hotel’s loyalty program, which is now known as Marriott Bonvoy. However, Dow has often stated that his greatest accomplishment at Marriott was his decades-long commitment to the development and mentorship of tens of thousands of salespeople.
The induction ceremony will take place during the association’s invitation-only board of directors meeting in November.
Visit ustravel.org for more information.
[08.02.22]
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Helping the global business travel industry create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet is the mission behind the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)’s relaunch of its charitable arm, the GBTA Foundation. The GBTA Foundation will focus on the strategy and execution of GBTA’s global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other talent-related topics via education, research, and advocacy.
GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang
“We are excited to re-establish the GBTA Foundation within a fine-tuned scope of ‘people and planet,’” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. “It’s an important moment in GBTA’s 54-year history, as we renew our commitment to creating lasting, positive impact. The GBTA Foundation, along with its newly appointed board of directors, will focus on making a positive impact in our industry and beyond.”
American Express Global Business Travel CEO Paul Abbott will serve as the chairperson of the GBTA Foundation Board of Directors for the next two years.
“I’m very pleased to lead the GBTA Foundation at this critical time—to pave the way for progress via ambitious programs and initiatives focused on sustainability,” he said.
GBTA’s new Sustainability Program initiative, which launched in late 2021 to build a greener future for business travel and help reduce its climate impact, will now be managed under the Foundation, as will GBTA’s existing people-related programs, WINiT by GBTA and GBTA Ladders.
Appointed by the GBTA Board of Directors, the Foundation Board will help ensure ambitions are large enough for the environmental and human sustainability challenges at hand, and to elevate the work of GBTA in research, advocacy, and practitioner learning—to reach those beyond the industry.
The current board, which recently held its first meeting in July, includes:
- Paul Abbott of American Express GBT (two-year term)
- Leslie Andrews of JLL (two-year term)
- Erica Gordon of Hilton
(one-year term) - Scott Kirby of United Airlines (two-year term)
- Darragh Ormsby of Google (one-year term)
- Tyronne Stoudemire of Hyatt (one-year term)
- Caroline Strachan of Festive Road (two-year term)
- Denise Truso of GBTA (as per Foundation bylaws)
- Suzanne Neufang of GBTA (as per Foundation bylaws)
- Delphine Millot of GBTA Foundation (ex-officio)
The GBTA Foundation was originally formed in 1989 as a US 501c3 charitable arm of GBTA. Until early 2018 when it was put on hiatus, the GBTA Foundation was the center of all GBTA education and research. The education and research areas of GBTA were subsequently moved to the core GBTA organization’s 501c6 tradeshow arm where they will continue to reside when not related to the “sustainability of people + planet” focus of the Foundation.
Visit gbta.org/gbta-foundation for more information.
[07.28.22]
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Golden Limousine International has announced that two of their staff have been nominated for the Annual ROSE Awards in the Transportation category. Chauffeur James Jordan and Senior Account Manager Shari Faulhaber have been recognized for excellence in service—and you can help them to win an award for their bravery by voting.
Founded more than twenty years ago, the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Awards celebrates outstanding service in the hospitality industry.
Jordan and Faulhaber are being acknowledged for their quick thinking and selfless actions that went far beyond their regular duties with Golden.
On May 25, Jordan blew the Golden community away with his response to an extremely difficult situation.
Golden Limousine International Chauffeur James Jordan
“While he was driving in Ann Arbor with passengers in his vehicle, he saw a woman being beaten by a man,” says Golden Limousine Vice President of Business Development Maya Adrine. “Without a second thought, James stopped his vehicle, told his passengers to call 911, and confronted the aggressor by himself. Thinking on his feet and acting without any concern for his own safety, he was able to stop the violence and physically restrain the man until the authorities arrived.”
On top of being a bona fide hero, Jordan is known at Golden for reliably completing his trips with an excellent attitude, and he is in the process of taking on additional responsibilities.
Golden Limousine International Senior Account Manager Shari Faulhaber
Similarly, Faulhaber saved a man’s life while out on the road.
“Recently, Shari was driving on a quiet street with very little traffic, and she saw a car pulled over. She stopped to see if the passengers were all right, and a woman flung the door open begging for help, saying that her husband was dying,” says Adrine.
With training in first aid and CPR, Faulhaber keeps a first responder kit in her vehicle. She was able to get 911 on the phone and keep the man as stable as possible until paramedics could take over his care. She followed the wife to the hospital and remained with her so that she would not be alone. Faulhaber has stayed in touch with the couple, and the man eventually recovered enough to return home.
This was not the only time Faulhaber assisted someone during a medical event, and she credits Golden with her people-centered outlook.
Voting closed on July 31 and winners will be honored on September 8 at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.
Visit goldenlimo.com for more information.
[07.28.22]