Governor and Executive Council Agenda item PDF - 2026-01-07 - agenda 33

Meeting Date

2026-01-07

Attachment Kind Label

Agenda item PDF

Attachment Relation

primary_meeting_attachment

Agenda Numbers

33

Agency Names

Department Of Business And Economic Affairs

Parent Meeting Title

Governor and Executive Council meeting - 2026-01-07

B E A

New Hampshire Department of

BUSINESS AND

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

JAN 0 7 2026

December 15, 2025

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte

and the Honorable Council

State House

Concord, NH 03301

REQUESTED ACTION

Authorize the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Division of Travel and Tourism Development

to retroactively renew a membership with the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) (VC #170732), located In

Washington, DC In the amount of $9,400 for the 2026 calendar year effective upon Governor and Council

approval for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. 100% General Funds

Funding is available in account. Division of Travel-Tourism, as follows:

FY 2026

03-22-22-221010-20130000-026-500251 Membership Fees $9,400

EXPLANATION

This Item Is retroactive due to the timing of receipt of the Invoice.

The Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) seeks approval to continue Its longstanding

membership In the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), the national organization dedicated to Increasing travel

to and within the United States. DTTD has been an active member of USTA for thirty-nine years, and

continued participation Is essential to advancing New Hampshire's tourism economy and protecting the

state's Interests at the federal level.

USTA serves as the primary national advocate for the travel Industry, providing direct engagement with

Congress and federal agencies on policy Issues that directly Impact New Hampshire, Including air service

development, visa and entry policies, transportation Infrastructure, workforce challenges, and federal funding

for Brand USA. Membership ensures that New Hampshire maintains a voice In national policy discussions

that influence visitor access and travel demand.

Membership also provides access to Industry-leading research, economic Impact data, and market forecasts

that are used to guide strategic planning and support the accountable, data-driven use of state tourism

marketing funds. Additional benefits Include discounted registration for national and International trade

events, access to exclusive publications and research subscription packages, and participation In USTA

National Councils and ENGAGE, an online collaboration platform for state tourism offices.

Continued membership In USTA strengthens New Hampshire's visibility as a preferred travel destination,

supports Informed decision-making, and ensures alignment with national travel trends and federal policy

developments that directly affect the state's tourlsm-drlven economy.

Listed below are answers to the questions required for Governor and Council organization dues and

membership approval submissions and a copy of the renewal invoice is attached:

1. How long has this organization been in existence and how long h<is this agency been a

member of this organization?

The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) was established in 1941. New Hampshire has been a

member since at least 1982.

2. Is there any other organization which provides the same or similar benefits which your agency

belongs to?

This is the only organization that the Division of Travel and Tourism Development belongs to that

provides national data and trending reports.

3. How many other state's belonging to this organization and is your agency the sole New

Hampshire state agency that is a member?

All fifty states, territories and the District of Columbia belong to this organization, with the

exception of the Northern Mariana Island. The Division of Travel and Tourism Development is the

only New Hampshire state agency that is a member of the organization. Ail of the six New England

states are members of USTA.

4. How is the dues structure established? (Standard fee for all states, based on population,

based on other criteria, etc.)

The dues structure is tiered. The structure is based on annual budget appropriations.

5. What benefit does the state receive from participating in this membership?

USTA Membership benefits include access to industry-leading research and economic impact

data, market forecasts, breaking travel industry news, and exclusive USTA publications that inform

strategic planning and support evidence-based decision-making. Membership also provides

discounted registration for major industry events and international trade shows, discounted

research subscription packages, and inclusion in USTA's online membership directory.

USTA membership also supports New Hampshire's participation in major industry events such as

IPW, the premier intemational travel trade marketplace. Engagement in these platforms increases

New Hampshire's visibility in domestic and international markets, helps expand international

visitation, and supports tourism-related businesses and communities across the state, including

rural and gateway regions that rely heavily on visitor spending. New Hampshire tourism industry

attends this event yearly with BEA.

Membership provides a forum for New Hampshire to strengthen its position as a preferred travel

destination, allowing for participation in a USTA National Council and access to ENGAGE, an

online community of tourism office members.

6. Are training or educational/ research materials included in the membership? If so, is the cost

included? Explain in detail.

Online access to the executive summary of USTA publications, travel forecasts, Travel Price Index

and the Travel Sentiment Index are included in the membership. Additional research materials and

packages are available at a discounted cost.

7. Is the membership required to receive any federal grants or required in order to receive or

participate in licensing or certification exams? Explain.

No, membership is not required to receive federal grants, nor is it required to receive or participate

in licensing or certification exams.

8. Is there any travel included with this membership fee? Explain in detail any travel to include

the number of employees involved, the number of trips, destination if known and purposes of

membership supported trips.

There is no travel included with this membership fee.

9. Which state agency employees are directly involved with this organization? (Indicate if they are

members, voting members, committee members, and/or officers of the organization.

The Division of Travel and Tourism Development, its director, and all Division staff, are considered

members of the organization.

10. Explain in detail any negative impact to the State if the Agency did not belong to this

organization.

New Hampshire would lose access to national research data and information regarding national

travel trends. The state would also lose its 30 percent registration fee discount to events and

international trade shows. The state would lose the ability to serve on the USTA National Council

and access to ENGAGE, an online community of tourism office members.

Approval of this request will allow BEA to continue its longstanding membership in the U.S. Travel

Association, protecting the state's interests, strengthening tourism marketing and policy efforts,

and maximizing the economic impact of New Hampshire's tourism industry.

pectfully submitted.Re

James Key-Wallace

Interim Commissioner

U.S.TRAVEL

AS SOC IAT ION*

INVOICE

2026 MEMBERSHIP DUES

1899 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 11 th Floor

Washington, DC 20006 United States

(202) 408-8422 | vwvw.ustravel.org

Michelle Cruz

New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Dev.

100 North Main Street

Concord, NH 03301

United States

Invoice; # 0023625

Customer #: 185 Date:

12/1/2025 Payment

Term: 30 days

ACH/EFT and wire payments

(preferred payment method)

Remit check payable to:

Account Number:

Bank Routing Number:

Swift Code: WFBIUS6S (International)

U.S. Travel Association

Attn: Accounts Receivable

1899 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 11th Floor

Washington, DC 20006 United States

New address as of January 1, 2025

Membership Term Description Total ($)

1/1/2026 12/31/2026 Standard Inform Member $9,400.00

TOTAL $9,400.00

Your membership helps us champion policies that strengthen all segments of travel, unite diverse organizations to address critical

industry challenges, provide expert insights to guide business decision-making and foster industry-wide collaboration to shape the

future of travel. Thank you for your membership.

For questions regarding your dues invoice, please contact the membership team at membershioQustravel.ora. For payment

questions, contact finance@ustravel.ora.

U.S. Travel Association Federal Tax ID: I U.S. Travel W9