ONE Travel Conference on Shopping, Dining & Cultural Tourism

Power Packed Program to Promote Experiential Travel
January 15–17, 2012, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Orlando, Florida

Presented by
Shop America Alliance, US Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and
The Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance

In Partnership with
Visit Orlando, VISIT FLORIDA and American Express

Shop America Alliance, U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and the Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance announce that the 2012 ONE Travel Conference on Shopping, Dining and Cultural Tourism will be held at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida, January 15-17, 2012. The conference is being presented in partnership with Visit Orlando, VISIT FLORIDA and American Express.

Keynote presenters Roger Dow, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association; Helen Marano, Executive Director, U.S. Department of Commerce/OTTI; Chris Thompson, CEO of VISIT FLORIDA and Gary Sain, President and CEO of Visit Orlando, will be joined by more than 35 influential presenters for executive level idea exchange and partnership development. In addition, the conference will present the SASI-ONE Awards for innovative marketing and VIP Mobile Experiential Tours featuring shopping, dining and cultural destinations in the Orlando area.

Shopping, Dining and Cultural-Heritage Travel are consistently ranked as the top three travel activities in the USA, according to data tracked by the U.S. Department of Commerce/Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) and the U.S. Travel Association.

The theme of the conference is "Coopertition and Connections." With the recent establishment of the Corporation for Travel Promotion that is charged with increasing international inbound travel to the US, along with the ongoing economic recovery fueling domestic travel, the conference will focus on addressing the new opportunities for business development and growth for the travel industry.

"The ONE Travel Conference is a win/win for all involved," states Rosemary McCormick, President of Shop America Alliance and co-producer of the ONE Travel Conference. "Experiential travel is what consumers want today, more than just 'heads in beds.' Several research studies will be presented at the conference to underscore the synergy between shopping, dining and cultural-heritage travel and how to market to these lucrative visitors. At the ONE Travel Conference, we will be exploring and celebrating the best practices in promoting these important travel sectors. The program, developed with input from our advisory committee of industry leaders, will focus on delivering ROI through the power of partnerships."

"Our goal is to continue to unify these powerful travel industry segments to speak with ONE voice on the importance of promoting these top travel experiences. They are the key economic drivers and job providers, "states Sheila Armstrong, Executive Director of the US Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and co-producer of the ONE Travel Conference. "The establishment of the Corporation for Travel Promotion offers new and exciting national and international marketing opportunities. Delegates at the ONE Travel Conference, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), shopping, dining and cultural-heritage leaders along with international tourism partners will learn of new opportunities to shape their future marketing initiatives." Ms. Armstrong also serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Travel & Tourism Advisory Board charged with advising the Secretary of Commerce on tourism policy issues.

"The Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance (C&HTA) is pleased to take a lead role in planning and promoting the ONE Travel Conference, "states Jo Ann Haden-Miller, Director of Consumer Markets of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the C&HTA Steering Committee Co-Chair. "Our cultural and heritage partners are industry leaders who look forward to sharing their expertise and best practices with this expanded audience and developing new partnerships."

Gary Sain, President and CEO of Visit Orlando states, "We are pleased to welcome the ONE Travel Conference to Orlando and to be a partner in the planning and promoting of this important industry event. Orlando is internationally known for its world class theme parks. Hosting the ONE Travel Conference is an opportunity for us to showcase our wide array of superb shopping, trend setting dining and rich collection of cultural and heritage treasures that we also offer to visitors."

Registration for the ONE Travel Conference will open in August at OneTravelConference.com with the program, sponsorship opportunities and special hotel rates along with SASI-ONE Awards Entry and Silent Auction Donation Information. The Silent Auction will benefit the Destination & Travel Foundation's Educational Initiatives and local cultural programs in Orlando. The Conference delegate fee is $495 per person through August 31, 2011 and $595 from September 1 through December 31, 2011, subject to availability.

For more information, contact the ONE Travel Conference producers:

Rosemary McCormick
Shop America Alliance
707.224.3795
shopamericatours@aol.com

Sheila Armstrong
US Cultural Heritage Tourism Marketing Council
843.341.6392
CulturalTraveler@aol.com