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IMEX America Association Leadership Forum to provide leadership skills training as boards face an unprecedented rate of change

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Future-proofing is among the topics explored at the Association Leadership Forum, a free half-day of education and networking at IMEX America, exclusively for association leaders and created by the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE).

According to ASAE, the world in which associations operate is changing fast, and organizations need to understand the external forces that could make or break their future success. Future-proofing is crucial and forms the backbone of major industry initiatives, including ASAE ForesightWorks, an evidence-based research initiative to create a culture of foresight among associations.

Taking place the day before the show on September 9, the Association Leadership Forum is designed to enhance leadership skills, address the current disruptive business environment, and ensure that associations are nimble enough to achieve results in a competitive landscape.

Participants will be inspired and challenged by visionaries and role models from a variety of professional and trade association backgrounds. Developed as an interactive format, the forum leverages strategic conversations and collaborative peer learning to help senior association members apply advanced leadership concepts. Participants will leave inspired, motivated, and ready to embrace change to drive their association forward.

Offerings to Drive Change

The Association Leadership Forum, which is followed by an Association Evening reception, will cover the following topics:

• Susan Robertson, CAE, Executive Vice President, ASAE President, ASAE Foundation will deliver the Chairman’s opening remarks: Focus on the future for associations, discussing the importance of developing a long-term view of the opportunities and threats on the horizon and using scanning and forecasting to anticipate members’ future needs and preferences. She will provide an overview of ASAE research on the leading drivers of change in the association industry.

• Hannes Combest, Chief Executive Officer, National Auctioneers Association will introduce ASAE’s foundation’s ForesightWorks initiative to reveal how foresight can help drive change in Drivers of change affecting the future of your association. Combest will also discuss how artificial intelligence, evolving workforce dynamics, and shifts in content delivery and consumption are altering the association environment.

• Technology and the future of work will explore how technological advances are disrupting the traditional definition of work and outline what to expect from the impact of flexible working schedules, outsourcing and the gig economy.

• Picking up on that theme, in The societal impact of work redefined, Lynda J Patterson, President and Owner, AMPED, will discuss the impact of growth in the freelance economy on organizational success. Attendees will take away an understanding of how working culture has developed over the years and what to expect in the future.

• Perhaps the critical question executive directors must ask themselves is: “How do you have the right conversation with your board about the future?” In The CEO perspective: Prime your board to probe the future, Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director, American Association of Anatomists will identify principles and practices to guide future-focused strategic conversations and decision making. Boynes will also offer tips to instill foresight as a discipline and cultural element and how to support a board’s effectiveness using research and tools from ASAE ForesightWorks.

• This year’s Panel Discussion, Using foresight and imagination to address leadership challenges, will address the trials and opportunities that come from engaging the boards of various organizations in conversations about how to face expected and unexpected challenges.

Making new connections at the Association Evening

Attendees can then network and celebrate the start of IMEX America at Association Evening. Association professionals can unwind with their peers, reconnect with old friends and forge new connections ahead of the show which runs September 10 – 12, 2019 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian® | The Palazzo® in Las Vegas, NV.

“Associations face challenges that are often vastly different from those of a typical business. Facing an unprecedented rate of change from factors such as changing workforce dynamics and advances in technology, association leaders must proactively embrace change. The ability to adapt and respond to these forces is critical to an association’s future,” says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. “Given the importance of associations to the meeting industry, and the importance of meetings to associations, we’re committed to offering the Association Leadership Forum as a way to examine and collaborate on some of these issues.”

The Association Leadership Forum takes place on Monday September 9. It is created by ASAE and sponsored by Meet Hawai’i.

IMEX America takes place September 10 – 12, 2019, with Smart Monday, powered by MPI on September 9. Registration for the show is free of charge and open to all who work in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Emma Blake (UK): [email protected] ; Norman Birnbach (US): [email protected]      

A new Tourism potential in Tanzania: The Southern Circuit

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A new Tourism potential is about to be unlocked In Tanzania. All roads and international air routes will in the near future, be leading to the Southern circuit, as the tour operators have major plans to open new tourism revenue streams.

Complimenting the Government’s drive to transform the Southern tourism circuit, the key tourism players are currently scouting for apt partners to invest heavily in accommodations as part of a strategy to open up the area for travel.

It is understood, the Fifth Government under President Dr John Pombe Magufuli is working overtime to put up hardware infrastructures as it seeks to unleash the full economic potential of the area.

Impressed by the government move to designate Iringa as the Southern circuit hub, Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) last week deployed a delegation led by its Vice-Chairman, Mr Henry Kimambo to identify new potential members in its effort to establish a chapter in the area to cater for the entire Southern circuit.

“We want to replicate the best practices from the northern tourism circuit to Southern shred,” Mr Kimambo told the tour operators in Iringa during the engagement meeting.

He revealed that TATO plans to bring its services close to its members in Southern circuit, comprising Morogoro, Iringa, Njombe and Mbeya anytime soon.

This implies that the 36-year-old advocacy agency for a multi-billion dollar industry, with its base in northern safari capital of Arusha, will soon have a liaison office in Iringa to take care its Southern circuit members.

Mr Kimambo said that his association was aware that the Southern circuit based tour operators not only have their own different issues but also need strong ties with their northern tourism circuit peers if the tourism potential is to be unleashed.

Presenting the benefits before the Southern Circuit tour operators, TATO Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sirili Akko said lobbying and advocacy is a core service offered by his association.

“Members enjoy the conducive business environment as TATO represent a collective voice for private tour operators in lobbying and advocate towards the common goal of improving the business climate in Tanzania” Mr Akko explained.

TATO also provides unparalleled networking opportunities for its members, allowing individuals tour operators or company to connect with their peers, mentors, and other industry leaders and policymakers.

As a member, one is in the unique position to attend conventions, seminars, award dinners and other related events with like-minded professionals in the field. These events are attended by the brightest minds and are a hotbed of ideas and collaborative efforts.

“An association’s annual General meeting represents an incredible opportunity for members to meet and network with the largest gathering of their peers during the year” Mr Sirili explained.

TATO also trains its members on key issues such as labour laws, tax compliance, corporate social responsibility, conservation issues, among others, he noted.

As if that was not enough, TATO members also enjoy the service of having a platform where they channel their operational or policy related challenges to the government for a solution.

Members are also bonded together as they advocate for their peers and share their challenges and triumphs with one another, TATO CEO explained.

“Indeed, TATO provides members with a competitive advantage because they become active, informed members of their industry” Mr Sirili said, stressing that his members also get updates on all issues on tourism and related sectors by providing resources, information, and opportunities they might not have had otherwise.

Thanks to USAID PROTECT Project for building the capacity of TATO, an umbrella organization with over 300 members, for it to become an efficient advocacy agency for the tourism sector.

Project coordinator, Mr Jumapili Chenga said the scaling up membership base for TATO is one of his scheme’s components.

Iringa Region Tourism Officer, Ms Hawa Mwichaga was grateful that at the long last a strategy to unlock the Southern tourism circuit has stepped up a gear.

Tour operators from Iringa, Mbeya and other regions namely Ernest Luwala, Nancy Mfugale, Modestus Mdemu, Serafina Lanzi supported the idea of joining TATO as a concrete step to spur tourism in southern circuit.

Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry’s officer-in-charge for Southern Circuit, Ms Tully Kulanya said her zone has a great potential for tourism business.

“The Southern Parks are the perfect destinations for travelers looking for plentiful and rare wildlife in a remote area of Africa” Ms Kulanya noted.

The national parks namely Mikumi, Udzungwa, Kitulo Ruaha, as well as Selous Game Reserve, have fewer visitors and give the feeling of being all-alone. Activities include game drives in open vehicles, boat safaris, and walking safaris. These safaris include flights between the parks.

Tanzania’s earnings from tourism jumped 7.13 percent in 2018, helped by an increase in arrivals from foreign visitors, the government has said.

Tourism is the main source of hard currency in Tanzania, best known for its beaches, wildlife safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Revenues from tourism fetched $2.43 billion for the year, up from $2.19 billion in 2017, Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa said in a presentation to parliament.

Tourist arrivals totaled 1.49 million in 2018, compared with 1.33 million a year ago, Majaliwa said.

President John Magufuli’s government said it wants to bring in 2 million visitors a year by 2020.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Ghana Tourism makes money on selfies

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Ghana Tourism is a big business and full of surprises. This is also true for  Mr Guru, Ghanaian,  a comedian who went to Facebook after being asked to pay GH¢4.00 , what is a little less than a US-Dollar when he wanted to take a photo when crossing Kwame Nkrumah bridge.

In his Facebook message he addressed the Ghana President: “Your Excellency Mr. President, this is the receipt given to me today 19th April 2019 at Adomi bridge as a fee for pictures I wanted to take as a Ghanaian on the bridge Kwame Nkrumah built and which Mahama renovated.

The people in charge told me that the order is from the President, that even if you want to take selfie it’s 2gh per person. Your Excellency if indeed you authorized this God forsaken tax then am disappointed in you. How much do Ghanaians pay when they travel to Dubai, China, American, etc yet those countries are 100× developed. Even China’s world’s longest 30 miles sea bridge to Hong Kong is free, what is happening? What a shame!!!!

It’s said; there is no free lunch anywhere. Henceforth, you may have a good phone with a good front camera but you may have to pay between GH¢2.00 and GH¢4.00 to pose for a picture on Kwame Nkrumah’s Adomi Bridge.

One of the longest bridge on the Volta Lake in Ghana built some decades ago was recently renovated to avert any possible danger to the lives of motorists.

The government instituted the levy as a measure to rake in some revenue to sustain its numerous projects hence a levy on the bridge.

Tourists have taken to social media to cry over the levies expressing disappointment at the move by government.

Johannes Nartey Mr Guru, Ghanaian comedian took to Facebook  to lament after being asked to pay GH¢4.00

 

Travel News | eTurboNews

Shopping at – where else? The Dead Sea Mall!

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When you think of the Dead Sea, do you think of a mall? What about a mall with luxury stores, an ice cream store, cafes, and even a spa?

A beautiful new mall at the Dead Sea, situated directly on the boardwalk and beach on the southern end of the salty attraction, offers both Israelis and tourists products at prices less the Value Added Tax amount. The cost of the rebate will be footed by the developer of the mall. Overseas tourists will be able to claim a double discount as they can still get a VAT rebate on many items.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and is surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert. The saline water of the lake gives lead to the name Dead Sea, because no fish can survive in the salty waters. The other result of the salty water of the Dead Sea is its renowned health and healing properties and the unique feature that one can float naturally in them.

There are a number of public beaches open along the shores of the Dead Sea. Popular beaches include the Ein Gedi Beach and the beach at the Ein Bokek resort where many hotels offer private beaches, and where some beaches charge an entry fee.

If for nothing else, tourists can always go in simply to enjoy the air conditioning.

Travel News | eTurboNews

SBC Travel Group announces new Chief Digital Officer

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SBC Travel Group, a technology company, has officially appointed Chief Digital Officer Anthoney Jayasekera. He steps into this role with more than 18 years of experience within the hospitality sector, having worked in digital marketing and online distribution for several leading global brands including Minor Hotels, Crown Melbourne and Aitken Spence Hotels where he was in charge of driving digital strategies.

“SBC Travel excites me as they have a passion for embracing new technology and building solutions for travel,” Mr. Jayasekera says. “Being with hospitality and travel for the last 18 years, I’ve been able to see the paradigm shift from traditional to digital platforms.  It’s exciting to see the transformation from then to now. However, there’s still more opportunity to improve and disrupt current processes so they can be secure, faster, novel, and cost-effective with the use of new advancements in technology.”

In his new role with SBC Travel Group, Mr. Jayasekera will direct the overall digital strategy for all business units within SBC Travel, manage the website and social presence and manage all digital marketing initiatives.

For more information on SBC Travel, please visit sbctravel.io.

Travel News | eTurboNews