CTA Connections - Winter 2009

Upcoming Events 
Join your fellow Tucson CTAs on Thursday, February 5 from 5-7 p.m. at the "La Fiesta de los Vaqueros" Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum for a behind-the-scenes tour and reception! The Rodeo Parade Committee invites all CTAs to get reacquainted with the history and traditions of Tucson's Rodeo Parade with an overview and guided tour of over 150 historic horse-drawn vehicles. You'll enjoy Western appetizers catered by BBQ specialists Port-A-Pit Catering, prize drawings and a roping demonstration by a Tucson Rodeo Queen! The museum is located at 4823 S. Sixth Avenue at Irvington Rd.
********** Earn 10 renewal points by attending this event/attraction!

$10 CTAs/$15 CTA Guests
$20/$25 without a reservation

RSVP and pay online with credit card (www.visitTucson.org/PartnerRSVP) by Monday, February 2, 2009 at 624-1817 ext. 178 or by email at lwhite@visitTucson.org and send payment to Partner Services, 100 S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.

Check Out 
"What's New in Tucson" courtesy of MTCVB's PR Department!
*****Earn 5 renewal points by reading these Tucson tourism updates!

And use MTCVB's calendar of events for quick answers on what's to do including major events and community events-just go to www.visitTucson.org/visitor/events.  

New Features
New features at www.ctanetwork.com include a "Discounts & Freebies" section, testimonials from your colleagues in Tucson's hospitality community, event photos and details on the CTA Job Shadow Day. 

Have you been promoted? 
Did your CTA designation make a difference?  We'd love for you to share your "career advancement" story at www.ctanetwork.com.  Just use your login ID and password and click on "Career Advancement" in the "Stay Professional" box to submit your story. Or, call us and we'll do it for you!

Renewal Update
Thank you Tucson CTAs!  We are delighted that over 100 CTAs from the 2007 classes renewed their CTA designation online!! If you earned your CTA designation in 2007 and haven't yet renewed-we've extended the grace period to Wednesday, December 31, 2008. 

Renewing your certification online is easy.  Go to www.ctanetwork.com and login with your username and password. (If you do not know your login information, please contact Laurie White at lwhite@visitTucson.org or 770-2131.) Once you have logged in, click on the Annual Renewal of Certification link on the lower left side, under the MYCTA section of the web page. Then click on the link "Begin Your Renewal Process" or "Learn More About Renewal of Certification." Or, from MYCTA, click on the new "Tutorial: The Online Renewal Process" at the bottom of the page for step-by-step renewal instructions.
 
Mentor a Student and Earn Renewal Points!
As CTAs, we all know that tourism is about creating experiences and making an emotional connection.  To extend the Tucson brand--MTCVB is offering CTAs an opportunity to participate as a mentor for a day to a student interested in tourism careers. The CTA Shadow Day is a unique opportunity for you to share your knowledge and love of Tucson!

Here's how it works!

You are paired with a qualified student with an interest in your area of the tourism industry. The CTA Shadow Day is scheduled at a mutually convenient time and can be a half-day or an entire day.  CTAs provide an overview of their job, hands- on experience, a tour, and a special meeting with a member of their management team. (Complimentary lunch is a nice touch, but certainly not mandatory!)
*****Earn 5 renewal points for volunteering as a CTA mentor!

Please contact Vicki Doyle for questions and to volunteer - 770-2133 or vdoyle@visitTucson.org.  

CTA Spotlight On . . .
Kristine Massey, Curator of Education, Interpretation and Exhibits at the International Wildlife Museum . . . where Kristine says "no two days are the same!"

Kristine's day at the IWM includes everything from hosting tours of seniors or school children, designing exhibits and creating advertising campaigns. Kristine's Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Master's degree in Education serves her well in making sure guests to the IWM are getting the most from their visit. 

Kristine says earning her CTA designation in March 2008 helps her in supervising the admissions team and connects her to CTAs at attractions across Southern Arizona. Kristine declares the November CTA event at the Sonoran Glass Art Academy as one of the "coolest things I've ever done!"

Use your complimentary CTA attractions passport to take a friend at two-for-one to tour IWM's amazing dioramas depicting wild animals in their natural settings, videos, interactive computers, and hands-on exhibits promoting wildlife appreciation and conservation.
********** Earn 5 renewal points by visiting this and other Tucson-area attractions!

Embrace Tourism . . . and Win!
Do you know of a state, regional or national group or association that might consider bringing their meeting to Tucson?  Send us the lead online at www.embracetourism.com and our entire tourism community wins-AND--you can enjoy free golf, dining, shopping or airfare just for helping!