U.S. Travel Association Launches 2013 Grassroots Program

washington dcThe U.S. Travel Association has announced Travel Blitz, a 2013 grassroots advocacy program to stress the power of the $1.9 trillion travel industry and its 14.4 million-strong workforce to Members of Congress. 

The campaign will leverage the strength of U.S. Travel’s 1,200 member organizations in identifying and developing congressional advocates in key districts and states nationwide, U.S. Travel says.

“The new Congress in Washington, D.C. is poised to wrestle with critical issues that will either drive or hamper our nation’s economic growth, and travel will figure prominently in much of the debate,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of  U.S. Travel.

“Every congressional district in America can thank travel for jobs and economic activity, so we’ve designed a program to build our bench of champions in Congress, those members who will stand with us and play offense on policies to protect and stimulate increased travel," Dow said.

Travel Blitz builds on the association's 2012 Vote Travel campaign, a national effort that brought travel’s impact to the forefront of dozens of communities with a bus tour and public events with elected officials.

 The 2013 Travel Blitz will include:

In-district roundtables and meetings with Members of Congress and their staff;

Back-of-house industry tours (at locations such as convention and meeting facilities, hotels and attractions) for Members of Congress and their staff to witness firsthand the investment and training that goes into building the travel industry’s growing workforce and the impact that travel events create on local economies; and

Local rallies in support of travel initiatives.

Travel Blitz officially kicks off in January, but  a “draft” of grassroots activists is currently underway through U.S. Travel’s Power of Travel Coalition website.

Persons interested in becoming involved as a local leader in this effort are encouraged to sign up and serve on the team.

Visit www.ustravel.org