ASTA Also Honors Members, Chapter for Advocacy Support
Alexandria, VA – The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), which advocates on behalf of the travel agency community at all levels of government, honored its most active members for their participation in this mission at the annual gala, the Advocacy Dinner, held during the
2022 ASTA Global Convention
in San Francisco last week.
At the Advocacy Dinner, the Society bestowed the ASTA Lifetime Achievement Award on Arnold Donald, longtime Carnival Corporation CEO who recently transitioned to Vice Chair of the Board. This award has been handed out by ASTA only five times in the past
twelve years and requires unanimous approval from the Society’s Executive Committee.
“Our heartfelt congratulations go to Mr. Arnold Donald, the recipient of a well-deserved ASTA Lifetime Achievement Award, only the second non-travel advisor winner in our history,” said Zane Kerby, President & CEO of ASTA. “Over
the past decade, he's made an indelible impression on colleagues and competitors alike and has steered the world’s largest cruise industry company through its most trying time. Throughout his years of dedicated service to our industry, it was
always clear that he personally values his partnership with the travel advisor community.”
“It is an honor to be recognized in such a special way by ASTA," said Donald. "In reality, our accomplishments over the years are the direct results of the outstanding work by the dedicated men and women in our global workforce and the travel professionals
who strive always to exceed our guests’ expectations.”
Other advocacy award recipients include:
- The Paul M. Ruden Industry Ambassador Award, given annually to the ASTA member who best represents our industry as an ambassador to multiple audiences – the government, the broader travel industry, and the traveling public. Dave Hershberger,
President, Prestige Travel and former Chairman, ASTA’s Board of Directors, was bestowed this honor.
- The Barbara O’Hara Award, which is focused specifically on advocacy and government affairs, was awarded to two recipients: Betsy Geiser, VP, Uniglobe Travel Center and Jenn Lee, VP of Trade Engagement & Support, Travel Planners International.
- The Haskins Chapter Advocacy Award (renamed in honor of the late ASTAPAC champion John Haskins) was given to ASTA’s South Florida Chapter.
In addition to celebrating ASTA’s top donors and advocacy champions, the annual gathering broke fundraising records. In total, the Society raised over $375,000 to support ASTA’s ongoing advocacy mission and political efforts. Over 200 individuals
donated during the Advocacy Dinner, plus extremely generous company contributions from Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Travel Allies Society.