Fans of the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) will welcome the association's newly announced rebranding. As a first step, the respected group has been renamed the National Association of Career Travel Agents. Scott Koepf, president of NACTA announced the change during a NACTA meeting at THETRADESHOW in Orlando.

NACTA members will also welcome a fresh new NACTA logo and a host of new programs that Koepf hopes will attract new members and retain the loyalty of existing members. NACTA has over 20 chapters in the U.S. and is seen as an effective champion and advocate of the independent home-based travel agent. Koepf says the word “Career”  better describes the core of NACTA member agents.

With strong support from the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), NACTA’s parent, the rebranding will expand NACTA’s appeal to entrepreneurial, career-minded agents who want professional support, training, networking and other benefits. While ASTA represents the entire spectrum of the travel industry, NACTA will be focused on the independent, individual and home-based travel agent. Koepf said that the industry has moved from an agency-centric to agent-centric system. “NACTA is a great brand and the new approach will allow us to expand its appeal,” he said.

Koepf said NACTA agents would benefit from a host of new programs including a new website, a new stand alone annual meeting, more chapters, cruise and fam trips, webinars and a new publication Agent Life, which will be published six times a year. The popular NACTA Agent Digest will be continued and improved. Also new is a unique NACTA MasterMinds education, networking and community program.

Koepf, a 25-year industry veteran, is optimistic about NACTA’s future and about the future of the career-minded independent agent. He wants to build a new dynamic NACTA program that serves agents and the suppliers who want to effectively reach them. The rebranding will position NACTA to address future members' needs. Koepf also thanked NACTA members for their input on the new program.

The new strategic plan for NACTA will be implemented this year and next. It also marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation and partnership with ASTA, according to Koepf.

Visit www.nacta.com.