The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has announced that Jake Tapper, CNN’s chief Washington correspondent, anchor of "The Lead with Jake Tapper" and host of "State of the Union," will participate in ASTA Global Convention 2018. This exclusive hour-long keynote and audience Q&A will take place on Thursday, August 23 at the Washington Hilton, the home to the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner and this year’s convention.
Tapper’s presence comes at a pivotal time, when travel and politics regularly converge in the headlines. He will speak to today’s current affairs, including the role of advisors and journalists as “stewards of important information,” his new book, The Hellfire Club, and more.
The Global Convention will run from August 21 – 23. New for 2018 will be live courses from the ASTA Verified Travel Advisor Certification Program (VTA) onsite. Individuals who are currently enrolled or interested in enrolling can take part in this live course and earn credits towards their certificate. In addition to Tapper, there are over 60 other professionals who will be speaking. Highlights will include:
- Alison Taylor, one of Business Travel News’ Top 25 Most Influential People in Business Travel in 2017, will be August 22’s keynote speaker. As senior vice president of global sales and distribution at American Airlines, Taylor is an expert in developing sales strategy by building relationships with leisure, corporate and group customers, travel management companies, online travel agencies, and travel partners.
- Sponsored by BCD Travel, TEDx speaker and a Guinness World Record holder, Tom Krieglstein has trained over half a million leaders around the world on how to build a "culture of connection" where everyone feels welcomed, connected and engaged. He is a successful internet entrepreneur and the co-author for the Amazon.com award-winning book, “First Year Student to First Year Success.”
- Fabrice Houdart, human rights officer, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner, works on the Free & Equal campaign, a United Nations global public education campaign for LGBT equality. He also leads a project on global LGBTI standards of conduct for business on tackling LGBTI discrimination.
In addition to the speakers, there will be 25 education sessions spread across each of the days.
To register for the ASTA Global Convention 2018, visit www.astaglobalconvention.org.
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