What Destinations Are Saying
Launch Date May 2006: Our front-line tourism employees are our greatest resource
for word-of-mouth promotion with our visitors and advocacy for our industry. We're very proud to have initiated the concept of a front-line certification program and to have been directly involved in the development of the Certified Tourism AmbassadorsTM nationwide certification program.
Rick Hughes, CDME, President & CEO
Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
Launch Date March 2009: The CTA Program enables us to raise the bar on both destination knowledge and customer service skills presented by all our frontline personnel. It ultimately helps to enhance the overall guest experience while developing a greater sense of pride among those who work in our destination. We have been fortunate to always maintain a great community here in Anaheim and Orange County, however, the national recognition provided by the CTA Program has and will continue to fuel the excitement of what we offer to all our visitors.
Charles Ahlers, President
Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau
Launch Date May 2009: Over 10 million out of town visitors enjoy Fort Worth annually and that 
number doesn't include our own 700,000 citizens who enjoy our city. The CTA program motivates and better informs our hospitality industry associates and improves the service levels and guest/visitor experiences throughout our North Texas Metroplex.
David DuBois, CMP, CAE, CTA, President & CEO
Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
Launch Date August 2010: The focus groups accelerate buy-in to the program by the 
community and provide instant feedback and insights from the stakeholders. In addition, the predicted attributes of the CTA program played out in the focus groups, reinforcing the value and validity of the program.
Lee Hladki, President/CEO
Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
Launch Date May 2009: I was really impressed with the CTA course. With the history of 
North Texas, orientation with tourist interests, and basic service training, it undoubtedly will help our front line service personnel be true ambassadors to our visitors.
Don S. Freeman, Jr., Chairman
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau
Launch Date August 2009: We believe strongly in the regional tourism concept. The
Journey's CTA training is a win-win for everyone. The CTA program is incredible, and we're getting great reviews from those who have gone through the course and used the information they learned! Kurt Burkhart, Executive Director
Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau
Launch Date October 2010: The Kalamazoo Tourism Ambassador Program has been well 
received by our community. Not only have we had the traditional industry partners participate in the program, but we have also been successful in having local realtors and employees of our health systems become certified. We believe the most critical component to sustained success will be to keep our Certified Tourism Ambassadors engaged, informed and motivated to help us continue growth of our program and to make Kalamazoo a fabulous destination for all to discover.
Greg Ayers, CSEE, CTA, President
Discover Kalamazoo
Launch Date November 2011: Our aim is to educate and to coach everyone that has any frequent contact 
with visitor. Our community will be perceived as more welcoming when all front-line staff; whether it is a bank, fast-food restaurant, convenience store, etc., can readily talk about all assets and amenities of the city. At same time, it provides a marketing advantage, not only because visitors will be enthused, but they will become testimonials and salespeople when then return to their communities and then become recurrent visitors.
Keith Arnold, CEO
Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau
