We’re beyond pleased to share Kelly Bergin, President of OTN, and Kareem George, Principal at Culture Traveler, LLC and OTN member, have been elected to serve as Directors-at-Large on the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Board of Directors! Their two-year terms will officially begin at the close of ASTA’s Global Convention in Chicago in August.
Among the new faces being welcomed to the ASTA Board of Directors, Bergin and George will join three newly elected Directors-at-Large and six returning Board Members, including Eddie Woodham of Palm Coast Travel, who is also an OTN member.
“I am so excited that Kelly and Kareem will be joining me on the ASTA Board of Directors,” Woodham said. “I’ve worked with them both through OASIS Travel Network for many years and look forward to sharing time with them as fellow ASTA board members.”
Bergin understands firsthand the challenges travel advisors and agency owners face.
“I bring experience and perspective which will help me promote and advance the needs of independent travel agencies and professionals,” said Kelly Bergin, President of OASIS Travel Network. “I’m thrilled to be joining ASTA’s Board of Directors because I want to give back to the industry that has been so good to me and to the people that have made my journey possible. I’m ready to get to work and further expand my involvement and advocacy in the industry.”
In addition to serving on several advisory boards and councils, Bergin’s more than 30 years of experience selling and marketing travel—in addition to managing a company with over 800 independent travel advisors—offers her valuable insight to help ASTA members navigate and succeed in a post-pandemic world.
George, who offers luxury travel services for discerning individuals and groups through Culture Traveler, explained how ASTA is critically important to the industry, especially to independent advisors such as himself.
“ASTA facilitated my transition to the travel world, providing information on news, trends and how the industry worked, as well as invaluable destination and product training,” he explained. “I will be a champion for these programs moving forward as well as further strengthening initiatives focused on sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion.”
As many members are aware, OTN has long worked with ASTA, including being the only host agency to offer ASTA memberships to its network of travel advisors and being honored with the ASTA Host Agency of the Year Award in 2020.
“We are excited to work with the new Board of Directors as we continue to rebuild our industry from the devasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Zane Kerby, ASTA President & CEO, said in a recent ASTA press release. “The Board has a deep commitment to ASTA’s advocacy mission, and its Directors are well-versed on the issues facing our industry. They’re savvy businessmen and women who are passionate and dedicated to shaping a positive future for our industry.”
Join us in congratulating Kelly and Kareem!