* COUNTDOWN: 6 DAYS UNTIL UNITY DINNER!
THE 21st ANNUAL
TEXAS TOURISM UNITY DINNER
"TRAVEL MATTERS"
In this issue you will find:
1. The Unity Day Sessions and Speakers
2. Converge Transportation
3. Dinner Menu - A Shellfish & Nuts Warning
4. Reminders
1. UNITY DAY SESSIONS & SPEAKERS:
We hope you plan to attend the afternoon sessions this year.
2:15pm - 3:15pm Business Roundtable
The Business Roundtable session is targeted at helping our business members, especially small businesses, better understand and sort through the implications of key government regulations. Dale Craymer, President of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, will brief us on the latest information regarding the state franchise tax and unemployment insurance tax.Stephanie See, Government Relations and Safety Services Manager for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), will discuss the new federal health care legislation and its impact on businesses, along with how changes in the House will impact this legislation.
3:30pm - 4:15pm General Session
In the General Session, Patricia Rojas, Vice President, Government Relations with U.S. Travel Association will update us on the Travel Promotion Act, the Corporation for Travel Promotion, visa waiver and other issues. Ron Hinkle, TTIA's lobbyist, David Teel, President & CEO of TTIA, David Dunham, Publisher with Texas Monthly and the Chair of TTIA's Legislative Affairs Committee, and Bill Noble, President of Noble Strategic Partners will provide a panel discussion on the very latest regarding our policy priorities at the Capitol, talking points for discussing our issues with legislators, grassroots opportunities, and why Travel Matters to all of us.
For the full schedule of activities, click here.
2. converge transportation:
We commend members in the DFW, San Antonio, New Braunfels/San Marcos and Corpus Christi areas for doing a tremendous job in encouraging people to come to the Converge. Motor coaches coming from these areas are near capacity, but there are still a few seats available. If you still need a seat on a motor coach, and you are coming from one of these areas, please contact Jennifer Roush NOW to reserve your seat.
Due to a lack of participation from the Houston area, the two motor coaches scheduled from Houston have been Cancelled.
See the section below of the current motor coach schedule.
3. Dinner menu - a shellfish & NUTS warning!
This year's dinner menu is fantastic. But, shellfish is included in the Salad and Lobster Mac & Cheese, and nuts are included in the dessert. If you have a food allergy to shellfish or nuts, or other dietary needs, please contact Jennifer Roush as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made.
To see the full dinner menu, click here.
4. Reminders:
Table Sponsors: Remember, our tables this year seat eight (8). Last call! Avoid the lines at registration by providing the names of those sitting at your table(s) to Jennifer Baker by Thursday, February 17th.
Since Unity Dinner is our opportunity to thank our elected officials for supporting our industry, be sure to invite your legislator to be a guest at your table. As a constituent, you have tremendous influence in your legislator's decision to attend Unity Dinner.
TWEET FROM UNITY! Use hashtag #TTIAUnity and let folks know how Unity Dinner is going, what you are learning, and who you are meeting.
 Dear ,
Your Tourism Unity Dinner is just a little over 5 weeks away! Have you purchased your table yet? Click here to register
. This year, more than any other time in Unity history, your presence matters. The future of our industry as well as our jobs/careers are being placed in harms way. This is our moment to inform the 82nd Legislative body and your elected officials just how much TRAVEL MATTERS and to thank those who have shown their support of travel and tourism. The success of Unity Dinner depends upon your participation...if you, the constituent, won't attend and show the legislatures your strength for your industry why should your legislator attend or care about you and your industry? Join us as we applaud this year's Silver Spur Award Award winner. The Silver Spur will be presented by David Dunham of Texas Monthly to Chairman Robert Isler for his continued support of the Travel and Tourism industry. Previous winners of this prestigious industry award have been: 2006 - Governor Rick Perry & First Lady Anita Perry
2007 - Speaker Tom Craddick & Lt. Governor David Dewhurst 2008 - Representative Lois Kolkhorst 2010 - Comptroller Susan Combs
Only your participation can make this year a success for tourism legislatively.
Converge on the Capitol follows Unity Dinner the next morning, February 23, 2011. From 9 am to 3 pm we will partner with the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association to conduct the Converge. This Converge will provide you and your industry associates an opportunity for a one on one visit with your legislator and their staff. Tell them why Travel Matters to you, your business, your community and your state. We will arrange motor coach transportation to bring many of you to Austin to participate in the Converge, if you are unable to attend the Unity Dinner. This is how important the 82 Legislative Session is to each of us in the industry! Our goal is to have 1,000 travel industry advocates crowding the halls of the Capitol Building on February 23rd spreading the message that Travel Matters. Click here to register for the Converge.
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