ASTA: Not a Nice-to-Have, but a Need-to-Have!

The ASTA National Board elections are underway, and it is important for all ASTA members to have a say in who will represent them on the National board. This year 5 members at large are being elected out of 9 total members at large. We have a very strong slate of candidates this year, so make sure you take the time to vote!

The ASTA National Board elections are underway, and it is important for all ASTA members to have a say in who will represent them on the National board.

This past 18 months or so ASTA has shown us and the travel industry that ASTA is a need to have vs just a nice to have. While the entire travel industry was being turned on its collective ear, ASTA was in action on many fronts. When the First Cares Act was being debated, ASTA fought for all things travel advisor and with a major win, got independent contractors included in who was eligible to receive CARES benefits. ASTA lobbied congress to the tune of several hundred congressional meetings to get our story heard and it worked! We also told our story and got concessions in later funding.

A strong ASTA makes for a strong agency industry.

ASTA works for the entire travel industry, but the active members are those who pay for all this work. So, if you are not an ASTA member or know another Travel Advisor who is not a member, I implore you to join and/or recruit your friends to join. There are various types of membership, and one is sure to fit your needs. WE NEED YOU and YOU NEED ASTA! An investment in ASTA membership will be the best money you spend to support our industry. If you are already a member, thank you and consider donating to ASTAPAC, no contribution is too small. ASTAPAC enables us to meet with congressional members to tell them our story.

It has been an honor to serve for the last three years as Chairman of the Board of ASTA. A strong ASTA makes for a strong agency industry.

Dave Hershberger

ASTA Chairman, Dave Hershberger, is a small business owner with a global perspective. As the owner of Prestige Travel, a Travel Leaders affiliate based out of Cincinnati, OH, Hershberger draws on over 35 years of experience and expertise in travel to successfully guide his company through a constantly evolving industry. A focus on providing a high level of customer service combined with the use of the latest technology has set Prestige Travel apart as a leader in the field, most recently recognized in 2018 by Travel Leaders as an “Agency of the Excellence”.

Hershberger has been an active participant and leader in several travel organizations over the years. This includes seven years of service on the Travel Leaders Franchise Advisory Board, time as a past chairman and current board member of the Commonwealth Business Travel Group, past board member and President of the Cincinnati SKAL Club, and years as an ASTA board member and Vice-Chair before stepping into his current role as Board Chair. His leadership extends into his community as well where he is an active member and past President of the Rotary Club and current member of the Little Miami Conservancy Board.

When he is not traveling, working, or serving his community, Hershberger enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his family, where he has recently become a grandfather for the second time