Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) - (Travel Daily News)

Travel innovators honored at 2007 ATME Conference

Friday, June 22, 2007

During a time when customers are calling the shots in the travel industry, the Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) recognized some of the most innovative leaders and companies in travel marketing at its 27th Annual ATLAS Awards during the organization’s recent annual conference in Las Vegas.

The ATME ATLAS Awards, which have been sponsored by the Discover Card for the past 14 years, were created to honor and promote leaders and innovators within the travel marketing industry who have displayed innovative tactics, result-oriented programs and broad marketing vision. Joseph JaQuay, who heads the Discover travel group was the emcee for the evening.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The awards ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of the 2007 ATME Lifetime Achievement Award to Rossi Ralenkotter, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) by Gary Sain, President and CEO of the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau and ATME`s immediate past chairman.

After starting his career in the Air Force and at a local Las Vegas telephone company, Ralenkotter joined LVCVA and has been with the organization for 34 years. He was instrumental in developing Las Vegas’ current slogan “What Happens Here Stays Here,” and was named Grand Marketer of the Year by BrandWeek magazine in 2004. Ralenkotter also served as a Nevada delegate to the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, and holds membership in the travel industry’s premier associations.

ATLAS Awards

Additional ATLAS Awards were given to: