Calvert County Tourism Coordinator Attends National Tour Association Convention

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- December 05, 2003 -- The Calvert County Department of Economic Development announced today that Heather M. Phelps, Tourism Program Coordinator for Calvert County, attended the National Tour Association's 2003 Annual Convention in Charlotte, Nov. 14 -18.

Recognized as one of the premier travel events held in North America, the five-day convention attracted more than 2,700 NTA travel professionals, including tour companies, tour suppliers (such as hotels, restaurants and attractions), and destination marketing organizations. This year the National Tour Association introduced a new convention format, based on member feedback and designed to enhance buying and selling opportunities.

The Tour & Travel Exchange, a forum for buying and selling travel services, was a highlight of the convention. Approximately 60,000 business appointments took place during the Tour & Travel Exchange. The Exchange gives destinations, like Calvert County, the opportunity to promote travel to the area to the more than 525 NTA tour operators who attended the Convention. This could mean big financial gain to Calvert County with future tourism from NTA tour operator clients.

"The NTA Tour & Travel Exchange gives me the ability to get up close and personal with tour operators from all over the country. It’s an in-your-face approach to marketing Calvert County as the wonderful tourist destination that it is, especially for the motorcoach industry," says Phelps about her first NTA Convention.

The Calvert County Department of Economic Development and Tourism is a member of the National Tour Association, an organization of nearly 4,000 tourism professionals representing the packaged travel industry. NTA provides unsurpassed business opportunities, knowledge and information to businesses involved in tour operator-packaged travel and serves as a consumer advocate through membership requirements, education and a consumer protection plan. For more information, visit www.ntaonline.com

For more information, please contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, via email cced@co.cal.md.us

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com