Welcome to the Southern California Chapter of the American Society of Travel Advisors,
your source for the latest travel-industry news and information for travel professionals
and travelers in the Southern California area!
your source for the latest travel-industry news and information for travel professionals
and travelers in the Southern California area!
Who We Are
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ABOUT US
The SoCAL ASTA Chapter supports our membership by offering Professional Development scholarships, networking and training events, as well as Consumer Awareness campaigns to promote the use of a Travel Advisor. We support the lobbying efforts of our National ASTA organization as well as National Consumer Awareness campaigns.
Our Chapter meets at least 4 times each year in the Los Angeles area as well as in our outlying areas such as the Inland Empire, Las Vegas and Ventura County. |
VISION
To build a strong network of travel professionals in Southern California.
MISSION
To enhance the professionalism and profitability of our members.
Please contact us at socalchapter@asta.org for more information about ASTA and how you can become involved on a local level.
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EVENTS
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Congress Reaches Agreement on Massive Coronavirus Relief Package
Travel Advisors Will Have Access to $25 Billion Airline Assistance Funds, Multiple Other Options for Relief Under Bill
ASTA Members:
Today, Congressional leadership and the Trump Administration came to agreement and released the text of a massive $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While it is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Trump in the coming days, it is possible that additional changes might be made before then.
Over the past few weeks, we have worked hand-in-hand with our 13,000 members to secure the maximum amount of relief for the travel agency community in this package. Thank you to our members who sent more than 28,000 grassroots messages to legislators through ASTA.org. We are thrilled that travel agencies are included in the airline assistance portion of the bill -- it is a huge win because it means that Congress heeded our call to include our members in the targeted relief for the travel industry. Our efforts made a significant difference in the size and scope of relief options in the bill.
Among the provisions of the CARES Act that will provide relief to the travel agency industry, its employees and independent contractors (ICs) are:
In the coming days, ASTA will be analyzing the entirety of the relief package for provisions impacting its members, and will explore key questions such as how the new SBA loan program interacts with the Administration's existing Disaster Relief programs. ASTA will also monitor closely SBA and Treasury/Transportation Department announcements with regard to how they plan to distribute this relief.
In the meantime, members are encouraged to stay tuned to ASTA.org and subscribe to ASTA's Travel Advisor Daily newsletter for the latest information. Finally, given the scale of the crisis, ASTA expects Congress will consider additional relief legislation in the coming weeks and months and if so we will be heavily engaged to secure members access to further relief.
Questions: Contact govtaffairs@asta.org
ASTA owns the federal copyrights in the information which it has created above. If you are a dues-paid member of ASTA you may, as a privilege of ASTA membership, use the information above in that business and may share the information with the management and staff, BUT you MAY NOT REDISTRIBUTE OR DISCLOSE BY ANY METHOD the information to ANY PERSON OR FIRM THAT IS NOT AN ASTA MEMBER. Your use of this information constitutes your agreement that if you violate the distribution restriction set out above, you will be liable to ASTA, as liquidated damages, in the amount of $7,500.
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This email was sent by: ASTA, 675 N Washington St, Suite 490, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 800.ASK.ASTA
Congress Reaches Agreement on Massive Coronavirus Relief Package
Travel Advisors Will Have Access to $25 Billion Airline Assistance Funds, Multiple Other Options for Relief Under Bill
ASTA Members:
Today, Congressional leadership and the Trump Administration came to agreement and released the text of a massive $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While it is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Trump in the coming days, it is possible that additional changes might be made before then.
Over the past few weeks, we have worked hand-in-hand with our 13,000 members to secure the maximum amount of relief for the travel agency community in this package. Thank you to our members who sent more than 28,000 grassroots messages to legislators through ASTA.org. We are thrilled that travel agencies are included in the airline assistance portion of the bill -- it is a huge win because it means that Congress heeded our call to include our members in the targeted relief for the travel industry. Our efforts made a significant difference in the size and scope of relief options in the bill.
Among the provisions of the CARES Act that will provide relief to the travel agency industry, its employees and independent contractors (ICs) are:
- Travel Agencies Eligible for Airline Economic Stabilization Loans ($25 billion) – Under the bill, the Treasury Secretary is authorized to make up to $25 billion in loans, loan guarantees and other investments in support of passenger airlines, "ticket agents" (the statutory term for travel agencies) and other related aviation businesses. The Treasury Secretary must consult with the Secretary of Transportation in allocating these funds. Once the bill is enacted, ASTA will work with the Treasury and Transportation Departments as the work to implement this provision.
- Small Business Interruption Loans/Paycheck Protection Program – Under this new U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program, loans of up to $10 million will be available to U.S. businesses under the existing SBA size standards ($22 million in annual revenue) or with 500 or fewer employees. Independent contractors and other self-employed workers are eligible. There are no collateral or personal guaranty requirements for these loans. The portion of these loans that covers the business' payroll, mortgage, rent or utility expenses from February 15 to June 30 may be eligible for forgiveness in whole or in part.
- Economic Stabilization Loans for Severely Distressed Sectors – Under the bill, the U.S. Treasury Department is be authorized to extend low- or no-interest loans and loan guarantees to U.S. businesses that incurred losses directly or indirectly as a result of coronavirus. This relief is only open to a "business that has not otherwise received adequate economic relief in the form of loans or loan guarantees provided under this Act," indicating that businesses could not also apply for the new SBA program (see above).
- Unemployment Benefits for the Self-Employed – The CARES Act would also provide up to 39 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to people not otherwise eligible for regular unemployment compensation (including the self-employed and those who have exhausted their regular benefits). This was an ASTA priority given that there are currently around 40,000 independent contractors working in the industry, and their business income has seized up along with every other part of the industry, but these self-employed individuals typically do not have access to federal and state unemployment benefits, as laid-off W-2 employees do.
In the coming days, ASTA will be analyzing the entirety of the relief package for provisions impacting its members, and will explore key questions such as how the new SBA loan program interacts with the Administration's existing Disaster Relief programs. ASTA will also monitor closely SBA and Treasury/Transportation Department announcements with regard to how they plan to distribute this relief.
In the meantime, members are encouraged to stay tuned to ASTA.org and subscribe to ASTA's Travel Advisor Daily newsletter for the latest information. Finally, given the scale of the crisis, ASTA expects Congress will consider additional relief legislation in the coming weeks and months and if so we will be heavily engaged to secure members access to further relief.
Questions: Contact govtaffairs@asta.org
ASTA owns the federal copyrights in the information which it has created above. If you are a dues-paid member of ASTA you may, as a privilege of ASTA membership, use the information above in that business and may share the information with the management and staff, BUT you MAY NOT REDISTRIBUTE OR DISCLOSE BY ANY METHOD the information to ANY PERSON OR FIRM THAT IS NOT AN ASTA MEMBER. Your use of this information constitutes your agreement that if you violate the distribution restriction set out above, you will be liable to ASTA, as liquidated damages, in the amount of $7,500.
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This email was sent by: ASTA, 675 N Washington St, Suite 490, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 800.ASK.ASTA
As you know, our industry is in peril. While many of us have worked through any number of challenges throughout our time, from 9/11 to commission cuts to Y2k, nothing compares to this.
Today, and with support from ASTA, our industry is launching a “Call-Your-Legislator” campaign to preserve our side of the industry. Our goal is to promote our visibility within the government, advocate for relief for all sectors within our industry, and ensure that we have a seat at the table.
For our US campaign our target is 5,000 – 7,000 touch points (emails and phone calls combined). This is being done in combination with a social media program to launch tonight and over the weekend for the same effect, all targeting markets for key legislators.
Right now Congress is in reconciliation for the massive economic stimulus package. If we are going to have any impact, there is no more time to act. You must start now. We expect by Monday evening or Tuesday at the latest the bill will exit reconciliation and Congress will head home.
I ask to lend your hand and make some calls and send some emails to help protect our industry.
Attached are talking points and email phone scripts that can be used, as well as a copy of the ASTA Relief Request for $7.7Bilion in Grants as well as $7Billion in loans. You can go to the ASTA page here to make the process easier.
The travel industry requires travel agents to operate efficiently and effectively. Each of us has seen the concern and fear by all travelers, yet during this extraordinary time our clients time and again sing all of our praises. This is no accident; time and again you make the impossible happen.
We are all on this together, and together we will succeed,
Tama Holve
SoCAL ASTA Chapter President
Today, and with support from ASTA, our industry is launching a “Call-Your-Legislator” campaign to preserve our side of the industry. Our goal is to promote our visibility within the government, advocate for relief for all sectors within our industry, and ensure that we have a seat at the table.
For our US campaign our target is 5,000 – 7,000 touch points (emails and phone calls combined). This is being done in combination with a social media program to launch tonight and over the weekend for the same effect, all targeting markets for key legislators.
Right now Congress is in reconciliation for the massive economic stimulus package. If we are going to have any impact, there is no more time to act. You must start now. We expect by Monday evening or Tuesday at the latest the bill will exit reconciliation and Congress will head home.
I ask to lend your hand and make some calls and send some emails to help protect our industry.
Attached are talking points and email phone scripts that can be used, as well as a copy of the ASTA Relief Request for $7.7Bilion in Grants as well as $7Billion in loans. You can go to the ASTA page here to make the process easier.
The travel industry requires travel agents to operate efficiently and effectively. Each of us has seen the concern and fear by all travelers, yet during this extraordinary time our clients time and again sing all of our praises. This is no accident; time and again you make the impossible happen.
We are all on this together, and together we will succeed,
Tama Holve
SoCAL ASTA Chapter President
March 13, 2020
Dear Colleagues in Travel,
In light of the growing concerns, imposed corporate and governmental restrictions on travel and assembly, our SoCal ASTA board of directors has made the necessary decision to postpone The Diamond Awards until later this year.
We look forward to honoring esteemed members in our industry and sharing our mutual success in the not-too-distant future. Rest assured, we will announce the new date with great pleasure and with anticipation that you’ll join us for what will be a much-deserved celebration!
To our sponsors who have already committed, we will gladly move your reservations to our new date.
Stay well and wishing you all the best during these challenging times,
Tama Willetta Holve
President
SoCal ASTA
Dear Colleagues in Travel,
In light of the growing concerns, imposed corporate and governmental restrictions on travel and assembly, our SoCal ASTA board of directors has made the necessary decision to postpone The Diamond Awards until later this year.
We look forward to honoring esteemed members in our industry and sharing our mutual success in the not-too-distant future. Rest assured, we will announce the new date with great pleasure and with anticipation that you’ll join us for what will be a much-deserved celebration!
To our sponsors who have already committed, we will gladly move your reservations to our new date.
Stay well and wishing you all the best during these challenging times,
Tama Willetta Holve
President
SoCal ASTA
SoCal ASTA On the Go invites you to attend an evening of
All Alaska!
Dinner and Presentation
February 13, 2020
6:00 PM
Los Angeles Athletic Club
431 West Seventh Street
Los Angeles CA 90014
Graciously hosted by:
Visit Anchorage Visitors Bureau, Uncruise and Holland America!
socalchapter@asta.org
Please note: Limited space is available. RSVP to reserve your spot today!
Please click the link to register!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asta-on-the-go-all-alaska-tickets-88788951143
All Alaska!
Dinner and Presentation
February 13, 2020
6:00 PM
Los Angeles Athletic Club
431 West Seventh Street
Los Angeles CA 90014
Graciously hosted by:
Visit Anchorage Visitors Bureau, Uncruise and Holland America!
socalchapter@asta.org
Please note: Limited space is available. RSVP to reserve your spot today!
Please click the link to register!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asta-on-the-go-all-alaska-tickets-88788951143
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR WEST VALLEY EVENT! DISCOVER THE UNDISCOVERED ITALY!
February 17, 2020
6:00 pm
Dinner and Presentation
Venue and Time TBA in West Valley LA area
Graciously hosted by:
Mr. Tom Paris
GT Experiences
socalchapter@asta.org
Please note: Limited space is available. Reserve your spot today!
Please click the link to register!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/89122693375
SoCal ASTA On the Go invites you to attend an evening to
Discover the Undiscovered Italy!
Dinner and Presentation
February 18, 2020
6:00 PM
Olio e Limone
11 W Victoria St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Graciously hosted by:
Mr. Tom Paris
GT Experiences
socalchapter@asta.org
Please note: Limited space is available. Reserve your spot today!
Please click the link to register!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/89133154665
Check the calendar for upcoming events.
LUXURY SHOWCASE OCTOBER 2019
Hi CCTO Board of Directors and Member Organizations:
As per President Diane Embree, following please find the link for our member organizations to distribute to their members and industry partners in our new advocacy effort:
Take Action: California Travel Advisors ASTA-CCTO Day of Action on California AB 5:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/californiatraveladvisors
For those who desire to utilize the CCTO call-to-action which includes an embedded link to this website, it is attached here.
Thanks to everyone for your efforts -
Best,
Jerry Desmond, Esq.
Legislative Advocate
CALIFORNIA COALITION OF TRAVEL ORGANIZATIONS
DESMOND & DESMOND LLC
925 L Street, Suite 260
Sacramento, CA 95814
p 916.441.4166
f 916.441.3520
e jerry@DesmondLobbyFirm.com
www.DesmondLobbyFirm.com
CALIFORNIA COALITION OF TRAVEL ORGANIZATIONS THE STATE LEGISLATIVE COALITION OF NATIONAL, STATE AND REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF SELLERS OF TRAVEL
Call to Action
Take Action Today to Prevent the Elimination of Travel Entrepreneurs July 19, 2019
Travel advisors, tour operators, travel destinations and our industry partners are urged to take action and advocate for an amendment to a pending legislation that would disrupt the independent model that has existed for decades and provide opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs, many of whom are small, women-owned business owners.
Sign up today to visit and lobby your State Senator in the legislator’s office in your area on August 6: click here
The Issue – AB 5: California legislators are considering AB 5 [Gonzalez] that would place into statute the Dynamex ABC criteria for determining when workers are considered “independent contractors” and when they are considered “employees.”
Even individuals who consider themselves to clearly be “independent contractors” are subject to being deemed “employees” under this new rule if they are “in the same line of work [providing travel services]” as their host agencies. Even host agencies located outside California will be impacted if they have agents located in California. Our request is that state Senators take action to ensure that AB 5 is amended to include a provision clearly stating in the law that the Borello test rather than the Dynamex ABC test is utilized for determining the status of a Seller of Travel as either an independent contractor or employee.
Since the inception of the California Seller of Travel Law 25 years ago, this state registration program and consumer protection law has acknowledged independent agents - who are primarily women and are all small business owners - as an integral part of the travel industry. They:
California Coalition of Travel Organizations
The California Coalition of Travel Organizations [CCTO] is a nonprofit state government relations coalition of national, state and regional associations and consortiums of travel agents and tour operators. CCTO member organizations include individual California chapters of the American Society of Travel Agents, as well as United States Tour Operators Association, Student Youth Travel Association, Signature Travel Network, WESTA, Ensemble, PATH, Travel Leaders Network, and Virtuoso. CCTO has been actively lobbying in the State Capitol since its formation in 1987 and sponsored the legislation enacted in 1995 that established California’s Seller of Travel [SOT] Law and its landmark Travel Consumer Restitution Fund.
As per President Diane Embree, following please find the link for our member organizations to distribute to their members and industry partners in our new advocacy effort:
Take Action: California Travel Advisors ASTA-CCTO Day of Action on California AB 5:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/californiatraveladvisors
For those who desire to utilize the CCTO call-to-action which includes an embedded link to this website, it is attached here.
Thanks to everyone for your efforts -
Best,
Jerry Desmond, Esq.
Legislative Advocate
CALIFORNIA COALITION OF TRAVEL ORGANIZATIONS
DESMOND & DESMOND LLC
925 L Street, Suite 260
Sacramento, CA 95814
p 916.441.4166
f 916.441.3520
e jerry@DesmondLobbyFirm.com
www.DesmondLobbyFirm.com
CALIFORNIA COALITION OF TRAVEL ORGANIZATIONS THE STATE LEGISLATIVE COALITION OF NATIONAL, STATE AND REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF SELLERS OF TRAVEL
Call to Action
Take Action Today to Prevent the Elimination of Travel Entrepreneurs July 19, 2019
Travel advisors, tour operators, travel destinations and our industry partners are urged to take action and advocate for an amendment to a pending legislation that would disrupt the independent model that has existed for decades and provide opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs, many of whom are small, women-owned business owners.
Sign up today to visit and lobby your State Senator in the legislator’s office in your area on August 6: click here
The Issue – AB 5: California legislators are considering AB 5 [Gonzalez] that would place into statute the Dynamex ABC criteria for determining when workers are considered “independent contractors” and when they are considered “employees.”
Even individuals who consider themselves to clearly be “independent contractors” are subject to being deemed “employees” under this new rule if they are “in the same line of work [providing travel services]” as their host agencies. Even host agencies located outside California will be impacted if they have agents located in California. Our request is that state Senators take action to ensure that AB 5 is amended to include a provision clearly stating in the law that the Borello test rather than the Dynamex ABC test is utilized for determining the status of a Seller of Travel as either an independent contractor or employee.
Since the inception of the California Seller of Travel Law 25 years ago, this state registration program and consumer protection law has acknowledged independent agents - who are primarily women and are all small business owners - as an integral part of the travel industry. They:
- Are registered with the state as Sellers of Travel
- Set their own hours and schedules
- Set their own rates
- Select the customers with whom they will work
- Have unlimited earning potential as independent contractors – and would make less money as employees
- As entrepreneurs, select and market their own brands
- May choose to affiliate with more than one host agency
- Select the services they desire to sell
- May decide to specialize in specific types of travel services
- Select the service providers whose products they desire to sell
California Coalition of Travel Organizations
The California Coalition of Travel Organizations [CCTO] is a nonprofit state government relations coalition of national, state and regional associations and consortiums of travel agents and tour operators. CCTO member organizations include individual California chapters of the American Society of Travel Agents, as well as United States Tour Operators Association, Student Youth Travel Association, Signature Travel Network, WESTA, Ensemble, PATH, Travel Leaders Network, and Virtuoso. CCTO has been actively lobbying in the State Capitol since its formation in 1987 and sponsored the legislation enacted in 1995 that established California’s Seller of Travel [SOT] Law and its landmark Travel Consumer Restitution Fund.
A Message from your SoCal Chapter President
While the summer sun sizzles…
Many of us have been more than a little “hot under the collar” while raging war on AB5, first with our California State Assembly, then with our California State Senate. Despite concentrated efforts by both members, (we hope that you, reading this did participate by contacting your representatives), and our executive team from Washington who traveled to Sacramento to lobby on our behalf, this bill passed in both houses.
Effectively, if amendments are not placed into this bill before becoming legislation, independent contractor status in our travel industry, within the State of California will become unlawful.
So, how can you help? Continue to lobby your own state assembly representative and senator, express your support of our industry’s continued dependence on travel advisors who wish to be independent contractors. Urge them to understand that this independent status is not being coerced, but a matter of individual choice. Additional argument could be that IC’s in this state could simply find host agencies in other states, thus diluting the profits of California companies and their taxes paid to the state.
And for the fun topics this summer…!
We have long wished to create “ASTA on the Go” Events throughout our SoCal region enabling more members to attend and participate in what our great organization has to offer. We are thrilled that our first ASTA on the Go, scheduled for July 25 at the Riverside Mission Inn has sold out…now has a waitlist for members who would like to attend.
It’s with appreciation to Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruise for their sponsorship that we look forward to sharing this evening with so many of our members in the inland empire. Please visit and like YOUR new, refreshed SoCal ASTA Facebook Page, #astasocal. Follow to keep up with what we’re planning for our great members and do share with colleagues…the more we communicate, the stronger we are…and it’s fun in the sun time for us all!
Keep sending those great clients on vacation…and take some precious fun time for yourselves…I know how hard you work!
Kindest regards,
Tama Taylor Holve
SoCal ASTA Chapter President
While the summer sun sizzles…
Many of us have been more than a little “hot under the collar” while raging war on AB5, first with our California State Assembly, then with our California State Senate. Despite concentrated efforts by both members, (we hope that you, reading this did participate by contacting your representatives), and our executive team from Washington who traveled to Sacramento to lobby on our behalf, this bill passed in both houses.
Effectively, if amendments are not placed into this bill before becoming legislation, independent contractor status in our travel industry, within the State of California will become unlawful.
So, how can you help? Continue to lobby your own state assembly representative and senator, express your support of our industry’s continued dependence on travel advisors who wish to be independent contractors. Urge them to understand that this independent status is not being coerced, but a matter of individual choice. Additional argument could be that IC’s in this state could simply find host agencies in other states, thus diluting the profits of California companies and their taxes paid to the state.
And for the fun topics this summer…!
We have long wished to create “ASTA on the Go” Events throughout our SoCal region enabling more members to attend and participate in what our great organization has to offer. We are thrilled that our first ASTA on the Go, scheduled for July 25 at the Riverside Mission Inn has sold out…now has a waitlist for members who would like to attend.
It’s with appreciation to Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruise for their sponsorship that we look forward to sharing this evening with so many of our members in the inland empire. Please visit and like YOUR new, refreshed SoCal ASTA Facebook Page, #astasocal. Follow to keep up with what we’re planning for our great members and do share with colleagues…the more we communicate, the stronger we are…and it’s fun in the sun time for us all!
Keep sending those great clients on vacation…and take some precious fun time for yourselves…I know how hard you work!
Kindest regards,
Tama Taylor Holve
SoCal ASTA Chapter President
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Get In Touch
Feel free to contact SoCAL ASTA with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
You’ll find the contact information for our board members and committee chairs on the SoCAL ASTA Board page.
You’ll find the contact information for our board members and committee chairs on the SoCAL ASTA Board page.
EMAIL
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PHONE
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LOCATIONOur Chapter meets at least 4 times each year in the Los Angeles area, as well as in outlying areas such as the Inland Empire, Las Vegas, and Ventura County.
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Southern California Chapter of the
American Society of Travel Advisors |
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