U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel leaders were on the ground in Vegas this week at #IMEX24, connecting with members from across the group travel community. We also convened the #MeetingsMeanBusiness coalition to: 💡 Shape U.S. Travel’s strategy to drive greater value in the group travel space. 🤝 Engage with policymakers, including a #TravelWorks Power Hour with Congresswoman Susie Lee to discuss industry priorities and travel’s essential impact on the local economy. 💬 Network with elected leaders, like U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, during a Travel Works reception to spotlight the power of travel. The Senator gave remarks & underscored the essential impact of travel to Nevada and across the country. More: https://lnkd.in/eNKcG6uw

Be in the room to hear about the cutting-edge innovations that promise to create a smoother, more secure and ultra-connected travel experience at U.S. Travel’s Future of Travel Mobility.    Industry leaders, policymakers and experts will discuss strategies for streamlining visa processing, explore how AI is poised to revolutionize the way we experience travel and highlight the potential of biometrics to reduce wait times and frictions—transforming every touchpoint of the traveler's journey.     Register for #FOTM24 today: https://lnkd.in/eC8p4VZz 

Get an exclusive first look at the forthcoming report that U.S. Travel’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel will release in early 2025 at our Future of Travel Mobility conference.   Following months of collaboration and expert insight, hear from Commission members including Kevin McAleenan (Former Acting Secretary, Department of Homeland Security), Patricia Cogswell (Former Deputy Administrator, TSA) and Jeffrey Bleich (Former U.S. Ambassador to Australia), as they preview a bold vision for the next decade of travel, including:    🌎 Previewing a blueprint to enhance U.S. global competitiveness 🗞️ Discussing actionable recommendations to sharpen government focus on travel issues 🛫️ Advancing cutting-edge solutions that will enhance security and vastly improve the traveler experience   The Commission’s full report will be released in 2025. Join industry leaders, policymakers and experts as we shape travel’s future. Secure your spot at #FOTM24 today: https://lnkd.in/eC8p4VZz 

“Many airport security checkpoints still employ the ‘bartender method’: A visual comparison of an ID to the individual standing before you. TSA’s biometric technology is a vast improvement.” With the U.S. on the brink of a decade packed with global sporting events, U.S. Travel’s Ryan Propis, VP of Security & Facilitation, and Joshua Friedlander, VP of Research, dive into the game-changing impact of biometric technology—and the data showing how travelers are embracing it.   Their conclusion: Biometric tech will transform airport security, making the travel experience smoother, safer and far more efficient.

📈 Today’s #JobsReport showed 254,000 new jobs, blowing forecasts away. The Leisure & Hospitality sector played a major role, with bars and restaurants adding 69K jobs and hotels increasing by 6,600 in September. This data reflects the continued vitality of the travel industry workforce. Still, with over a million L&H job openings, it’s time to expand the H-2B program to support the small and seasonal businesses that rely on temporary workers.

U.S. Travel is thrilled to announce the addition of three senior leaders, bringing new talent to our team as we drive a bold agenda for the travel industry. Allison (Sitch) O’Connor, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications: O’Connor will elevate U.S. Travel’s communications strategy, leveraging her extensive experience in global communications, public relations and crisis management from leadership roles at Marriott International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. and most recently, The Boca Raton.     Kevin Hinton, CAE, Managing Director, Group Travel: Hinton will lead and grow our group travel community, drawing from senior leadership roles at consultancy Minding Your Business, Hinton + Grusich, SITE (the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) and Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI).     Courtney Mesmer, CMP, DES, CED, Vice President, Event Programming and Experience: Mesmer will provide leadership and support to the association’s signature events and member experiences, bringing deep expertise in event design and innovation from roles at WorldatWork and multiple trade associations, including Finseca, the American Telemedicine Association and the American College of Cardiology. These new additions will help expand U.S. Travel’s services, provide members with greater value and ensure that the industry achieves newfound success. More: https://lnkd.in/eFJ8F8nW

We are excited to announce that Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Uber, is a keynote speaker at U.S. Travel's Future of Travel Mobility conference on November 20 in Washington, D.C. 🚗    Mobility is at the heart of Uber’s mission—a business that seeks to ‘reimagine the way the world moves for the better.’ Dara will share more about how Uber is leading the way to make transportation more reliable, accessible and efficient.    Join us as we spotlight the leaders and innovators driving progress and economic growth across every segment of the travel industry.   Register for #FOTM24 today: https://lnkd.in/eC8p4VZz 

📊 New data from U.S. Travel and Ipsos reveals that a vast majority (80%) of air travelers support using biometrics at TSA security checkpoints to confirm the identity of travelers. In a recent op-ed, John Katko, Former Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, highlighted the importance of continued and sustained investment in biometric technology: "Congress must continue to properly invest taxpayer dollars in technology that raises security and improves efficiency. Biometrics will enhance, bolster and strengthen security." Read more: https://lnkd.in/ewjk_Vnf

📣 U.S. Travel's Future of Travel Mobility conference is back—and registration is now OPEN!    As the U.S. prepares to welcome millions of international visitors for a "mega-decade" of global sporting events—the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games—we’re not just planning for the future of travel, we’re defining it.   On November 20, join business leaders, policymakers and experts for a one-of-a-kind thought leadership event that will inspire bold, innovative solutions to shape seamless and secure travel. Featuring content centered on efficient visa processes, cutting-edge security investments, AI advancements and much more, #FOTM24 is where the future of travel takes flight.   Register today: https://lnkd.in/eC8p4VZz

“The window to obtain a first-time U.S. visitor visa for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 is closing for some soccer fans. Visitor visa processing times have risen to 600 days for travelers in some countries, a big hurdle for fans who want to support one of the yet-to-be-determined 48 teams set to compete in the globally watched sporting event.”   With the #FIFAWorldCup fast approaching, the U.S. must step up to ensure millions of international visitors enjoy a seamless, efficient travel experience that will inspire them to visit the USA again. Via Reuters: https://lnkd.in/ebyeeEFg