Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/58649
MONTH IN REVIEW Obama Unveils Strategy to Boost Travel to and Within the U.S. BY SANDI CAIN, news editor Orlando, FL – President Barack Obama today unveiled a plan to ease the way for international visitors to obtain visas and travel to the U.S. as part of a com- prehensive effort to spur job creation. Te latest data reveals that in 2010, travel and tourism supported 14 million jobs, according to the Washington, DC-based U.S. Travel Association. Speaking at Walt Disney World in Orlando — the heart of Florida's tour- ism industry — the President announced a national strategy to make the United States the world's top travel and tourism destination, as part of a comprehensive effort to spur job creation. Te plan is expected to result in as many as 100 additional counsels in Brazil, China and India to expand the program that allows smooth passage through airports for so-called "low- risk" international visitors. Te President also released an Execu- tive Order mandating a 40% increase in personnel in those countries that would help reduce the wait time to obtain visas to approximately three weeks for the majority of visa applicants. Te initiatives also include a final rule to expand and make the Global Entry program perma- nent. He also nominated Taiwan to the Visa Waiver Program. Te national strategy has long been sought by trade show organizers whose shows draw heavy contingents of in- ternational exhibitors and attendees. Last year, research from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research concluded that 116,000 international attendees and exhibitor staff were blocked from making a trip to exhibitions in the U.S. in 2010 for various reasons. According to U.S. Travel Association data, the U.S. received 17% of the global long-haul travel market in 2000. By 2010, that number had dropped to 12.4%. Te country lost more than $600 billion in visitor spending and $37 billion in new direct tax revenue as a result of the de- cline, the industry group said in a release. "Tis is the first time our country has had a national strategy and set goals for the amount of visitors we want to welcome to our country. Not only will this increase traffic to America's wonderful destinations and attractions, but nearly half of the travelers will come to attend conferences and trade shows," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "Te president has put forward his vision and the travel industry is ready to heed the call. U.S. Travel looks forward to working with the Administration to improve America's economy and create more American jobs," Dow said. Reach Roger Dow at (202) 408-8422 or presidentsoffice@ustravel.org World Tea Media Acquired by F+W Cincinnati, OH – F+W Media of Blue Ash, OH on January 10 announced the acqui- sition of World Tea Media, producer of the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas. With the deal, F+W gains a presence in the food and cooking market, while World Tea Media expects to strengthen its position in the sector through F+W's portfolio of events, education and competitions as well as ecommerce, magazines and video. "Combining with F+W Media allows us to better serve the global tea com- munity as well as extend and enhance our range of products and services," said World Tea Media's co-founder and Presi- dent George Jage in a prepared statement. 12 March 2012 | Trade Show Executive "We're looking forward to continued growth under their leadership," he said. Te World Tea Expo, now in its 10th year, is slated for the Las Vegas Conven- tion Center in June. Last year, the show featured more than 200 exhibitors, about 4,600 attendees and used 26,000 square feet of exhibit space. For this year, the expo already had signed on a dozen first-time exhibitors before the company was sold. Kim Jage, now sales and marketing director of the newly created F+W division, said in a release that she expects the new relationship to further the momentum World Tea already built for the trade industry and its events. "Together, we can further help the tea industry be profitable and boost the rise of tea," she said. World Tea Media, now a division of F+W Media Inc., also produces regional show World Tea East, the North American Tea Championships and World Tea News, an online destination for the tea trade. F+W Media is a 99-year-old company that serves 20 communities and produces 11 trade events and 10 public events. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Contact George Jage at (702) 253-1893 or George@worldteamedia.com