U.S. Travel Association Mobilizes Industry to Lobby on Meetings

The U.S. Travel Association is mobilizing the industry to comment on U.S. Treasury Department rules just issued for companies that have received taxpayer assistance. There will be a 90-day public comment period, but the Travel Association does not expect these rules to change in any material way.

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the group, says it is pleased that after months of discussion with the Obama administration and the industry's full-court press on the value of meetings, events and incentives, these regulations do not do any further harm to the meetings and events marketplace.

Mr. Dow said that the Obama administration has come to appreciate the value of legitimate business travel, including meetings, events and incentives. Unfortunately, however, significant damage was done by weeks of media and political sensationalism earlier this year.

To get businesses back on the road, Dow said that the industry must take a more active role in counseling our customers and providing them with the confidence to meet again. The Treasury Department has announced that the boards of directors of companies receiving taxpayer assistance must develop a company-wide policy for “excessive” expenditures in the areas of meetings, events and incentive travel.

The U.S. Travel Association has developed a suite of materials to help travel agents and travel management specialists with their customers. Although the Treasury Department’s rules only apply to companies that have taken taxpayer assistance, these tools can be helpful with all businesses and associations.