Commonwealth CircleKTIA has created an opportunity for companies and organizations to reap major benefits for themselves while also contributing to a stronger, more effective and increasingly influential Kentucky travel industry. Today’s Kentucky Travel IndustryThe Kentucky travel industry is of immense importance and value to our state. The industry’s $8 billion contribution to Kentucky’s economy and the 95,000 jobs it supports all speak loudly to the industry’s importance. Unfortunately, the message of the Kentucky travel industry’s value to the commonwealth has not reached the level of awareness among policy makers and the public that it should. In the absence of that awareness, the industry’s influence is not commensurate with the benefits it delivers to the state. Additionally, in these rapidly changing times, Kentucky’s travel industry needs cutting-edge education and timely and insightful information. It also needs an ever-expanding set of business development opportunities. This assessment points to the importance of a strong and highly effective association to deliver on the needs and opportunities confronting the industry. KTIA has a 40-year history of dedicated service to its members and the Kentucky travel industry. However, there is more that the association can and should do. The Vision for TomorrowIn 2015, KTIA began a transformative change to enable Kentucky’s travel industry to expand its influence, capabilities and competitiveness; and provide Industry businesses with opportunities for improved performance, productivity and profitability. KTIA ‘s pursuit of this vision has included:
Pursuing the VisionArticulating a vision and taking the first steps in pursuing it is only a first and relatively easy phase of achieving it. Understanding the broad, strategic steps that must be taken, having the courage to take them, and enthusiastic day in and day out persistence are essential to the ultimate transformation. There is one more factor that must be confronted. The vision and its required steps carry with them a cost – certainly a cost in time, effort and commitment, but also a financial cost. Commonwealth Circle MembershipAll businesses in the Kentucky travel industry will derive benefits from a greatly improved association and the resulting strengthened industry. However, there are many businesses that are positioned to gain greater benefit than others and that have sufficient resources to make an added investment in pursuit of those benefits. KTIA has created the means for them to do so. That means is the Commonwealth Circle. The Commonwealth Circle is a KTIA membership classification through which those members have an opportunity to reap important benefits for themselves, while at the same time investing in a transformed association and strengthened industry. BENEFITSThe benefits available to Commonwealth Circle members will include those available at the highest level of the annual conference and spring conference sponsorships, as well as other benefits, some of which are year round, and some of which are unique to Commonwealth Circle members. The complete list of Commonwealth Circle member benefits is as follows: Kentucky Travel Industry Annual Conference (KTIAC)
Spring Travel Forum (STF)
Destination Frankfort
Other
ANNUAL FEE$10,000 CURRENT MEMBERSThe following companies and organizations have enlisted as KTIA Commonwealth Circle members:
Beyond the VisionKentucky tourism is a sleeping giant, one that when fully awakened can become a major global travel destination. No other place in the world can compete with our combination of iconic visitor experiences that include Kentucky’s striking beauty, horses, bourbon, outdoor adventures, Kentucky cuisine, our homegrown Bluegrass music, exciting and distinctive urban venues, and a multitude of authentic rural and small town experiences. And top off all of that with the genuine friendliness of our people. Transforming KTIA in ways that expand the influence, capabilities and competitiveness of Kentucky’s travel industry will position the industry to awaken the giant – to elevate Kentucky tourism to a global destination status. The investments made by Commonwealth Circle members are critical to the transformation and to all that lies beyond the vision. For more information about the Commonwealth Circle contact Hank Phillips or by phone at 502.224.8687.
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