Industry group honors GROWMARK’s Dana Weaver for activism, educational activities

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Oct. 10, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — The Incentive Travel Council (ITC) has named Dana Weaver, marketing services manager of GROWMARK, as its 2011 Advocate of the Year. GROWMARK is a regional agricultural cooperative based in Bloomington, Ill.

This marks the third Advocate of the Year Award presented by the ITC, which is a strategic industry group under the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA). It recognizes an individual, business, or organization that demonstrates outstanding leadership in enhancing, educating, and/or promoting incentive travel as a value driver for achieving organizational performance.

At the ITC awards ceremony, held Tues., Oct. 4, 2011 in conjunction with the Motivation Show, Jim Ruszala of Maritz Travel, who nominated Weaver, said, “Dana has become a significant asset to the Incentive Travel Council and the industry as a whole. From various speaking engagements, and panel discussions, to the sharing of best practices and further perspectives, Dana has been a true leader in helping our industry understand and further tap into the fuller potential value of incentive travel.”

ITC President Carol Wain said, “Our industry is indeed fortunate to have individuals like Dana Weaver, who, as an incentive travel adopter and buyer, has made a significant impact in clearly articulating the value that incentive travel provides both to the companies and the travelers alike.”

“I am honored to be recognized by the ITC,” Weaver said. “At our company, it’s a privilege to recognize our top achievers with rewards that are meaningful, motivational and memorable. I truly believe travel incentive programs provide the most trophy value for our participants.”

Weaver joins both Dahlton Bennington of the SFN Group and G.J. Hart of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain (who is now with California Pizza Kitchen), as Advocate of the Year winners. “Together, these individuals have and continue to help shed stronger light onto the significance of incentive travel, both at the organizational and participant level,” Wain said.

The Incentive Travel Council, a strategic industry group within the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) (http://www.incentivemarketing.org), is dedicated to exploring, promoting and educating about how incentive travel strategies can best be designed and leveraged to help organizations achieve better business performance. More information is available at http://www.incentivetravelcouncil.org/.

About GROWMARK: GROWMARK is a regional agricultural cooperative based in Bloomington, Ill. GROWMARK is owned by local member cooperatives and provides those cooperatives and other customers with fuels, lubricants, plant nutrients, crop protection products, seed, structures, equipment, and grain marketing assistance. For more information, visit www.growmark.com.

Press Contacts:

Karen Renk 630-369-7780
Karen@incentivemarketing.org

Sue Voyles 734-667-2005
sue@logos-communications.com

SOURCE Incentive Travel Council; Incentive Marketing Association

http://www.incentivetravelcouncil.org/
http://www.incentivemarketing.org/

Incentive Travel Council Names Advocate of the Year | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

To date, locations include Presidential Towers at 555. W. Madison and the AON Center at 200 E. Randolph, with several more sites planned for the near future.

“There are several thousand residents in our building who will definitely benefit from Value Van,” says Phyllis Kempton, senior community manager for Presidential Towers. “You really can’t beat the convenience, service and price.”

“We assessed our operations and developed a way to efficiently service these densely populated areas and provide passengers with our standard high quality, safe and convenient transportation ultra-affordable rates. This is an attractive option for those living or working in or near the designated buildings,” says Rob Hann, vice president, sales and marketing, GO Airport Express.

Departures from the sites will occur every half hour by reservation and are available from 4 a.m. through 11:30 p.m. No more than two additional stops will be made, and passengers can earn airline miles and free rides via the company’s Preferred Rider Program.

Reservations to secure space to and from the airports can be made online at www.airportexpress.com/valuevan or by calling 1.888.2theVan. Walk ups at the airports will be accommodated based on availability.

The company will continue to provide its door-to-door services in downtown Chicago, its surrounding neighborhoods and most suburbs.

Founded in 1853 as the Parmelee Transportation Company, GO Airport Express currently transports more than one million passengers annually to and from Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Airports. It is also a founding member for GO Group, LLC., offering transportation in airports worldwide.

For more information or to book transportation online visit www.airportexpress.com.

Chicago Travelers Have New Option for Inexpensive Airport Transportation | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, March 17, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Planning the dream vacation this year? Consider National Plan A Vacation Week, and visit http://www.planavacationweek.com. Built for savvy consumers and supported by professional travel agents, this online extravaganza officially begins this week in March when families are planning their vacations. This free service quickly matches families, singles, couples or grandparents to their dream vacations based on major travel themes and 18 unique travel experiences. Seasoned travel writers Bob Jenkins and Chris Bertrand share their insights from “American Discoveries” and “Pacific Paradises” – two of the major six travel themes featured during National Plan A Vacation Week.

So you want to stay keep it domestic this year – not have to explain exchange rates, jet-lag and why European hotel bathrooms don’t have washcloths. U.S. destinations range from awesome to inspirational, from historical to hysterical. And all provide longtime memories. For instance …

Orlando – Think you already know about the No. 1 tourist destination in the world? Then you must have been to Walt Disney World since mid-January and set off on the three-hour Wild Africa Trek: Instead of riding through Wild Kingdom habitats, you’ll walk them, even clipping into a safety harness to lean over gullies that are home to hippos and crocodiles.

If you prefer the wind in your face, drive 30 minutes from the city to a down-home place like the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp, and step into the flat-bottom sound machines called airboats: You’ll roar over the water until your captain spots gators, throttles down and drifts so close the gators may hiss at you.

New Orleans – This defined the cliche: so many choices, so little time. Step aboard an old-time trolley running parallel to the mighty Mississippi. Browse the Warehouse district, chocked with art galleries and studios. At family-favorite Louisiana Children’s Museum, the show-stopper is the computer that lets kids steer a cruise ship down the Big Muddy. A free ferry ride across the river is Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World. On a tour, visitors see last year’s floats being reshaped to next year’s theme.

Take a break from the city by driving over Lake Pontchartrain to the laidback North Shore, a destination for foodies and those who want to cycle or kayak beneath moss-draped oaks and cypress.

Honolulu – To discover the best of this island paradise, just ask a kama’aina – a native. He’s likely to suggest surfing or standup paddle-boarding at famed Waikiki, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay or riding the surf aboard an outrigger canoe. Must-sees include the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in America, and the moving USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

When it’s cocktail hour, head to the Moana Surfrider and sit outdoors, listening to the musicians and the ocean. Also enchanting is the classic Hyatt in Waikiki or the Zen-inspired boutique Hotel Renew; both offer a honeymoon package, of course. For a spectacular view, consider the Equus Hotel and Marina Tower, where decor recalls Hawaii’s cowboys, the paniolos. Visitors to the north shore can book trail rides at the Hawaii Polo grounds. Discover some of the best championship surfing and breath-taking ocean views. Need a tee time? You’ll find manicured grounds, an ideal wedding setting and a natural lagoon which shelters swimmers at the Turtle Bay Resort less than an hour from the airport.

Las Vegas – The Mega-style MGM properties feature brand-new and modern Aria, a stunning spa and vibrant and intimate nightlife. Julian Serrano, a brightly decorated Spanish tapas restaurant, and the upscale shopping mall will seduce you if the slots and blackjack tables don’t. Be sure to consult your travel agent for the best MGM offers since airfare and room upgrades are possible. The sleek design and futuristic pool areas create an ultra-cool vibe.

Look for more high-energy video content on http://www.planavacationweek.com, which gives an excellent overview of more than 33 unique vacation experiences and includes over 400 professional destination photographs to whet your vacation appetite.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE National Plan A Vacation Week

http://www.planavacationweek.com

National Plan A Vacation Week Features ‘American Discoveries’ and ‘Pacific Paradises’ Themes at planavacationweek.com | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Travel star Rick Steves, the Fiery Foods Challenge, Wines of the World, Storytelling for All Ages and a photography workshop are some of the new additions to the already brimming Travel and Adventure show itinerary.

Set for January 29-30 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, the show brings an unequalled line up of activities, all included in the show admission:

• NEW: Fiery Foods Challenge that lets you taste and attempt to survive hot foods from around the world, presented by Chicago-area chefs
• NEW: Wines of the World offers more tastings, and seminars featuring wine regions from around the world
• NEW: Storytelling for all Ages brings children some of the world’s most endearing and renowned tales
• Scuba diving lessons in the world’s largest mobile scuba diving pool (no matter HOW cold it is outside, this pool – all 15,000 gallons of it! — is a toasty 72O, mimicking the temperatures of Bon Aire in the Caribbean.) All equipment is provided, even hair dryers.
• Camel Rides
• Rock Wall Climbing
• Meet travel celebrities and learn their secrets, including European expert Rick Steves, Amanda Pressner, Co-Author of The Lost Girls, and JD Rinne, an editor with Budget Travel magazine
• Almost non-stop international music and dancing on the Global Beats Stage

According to John Golicz, CEO for Unicomm, which produces the event nationally, this year’s show will also present more than 150 exhibits representing every continent. “We think the travel market is showing definite signs of recovery for 2011, and people are ready to get away,” said Golicz. “After six previous years, we’re bringing the biggest show yet to Chicago.”

“Our specialty is experiential travel,” said Golicz. “It’s not sight-seeing, it’s sight-doing, whether it’s cycling ‘inn to inn’ across Europe, taking cooking lessons in Tuscany, dive and jungle adventures in Belize, or whitewater rafting in Colorado. The traveler becomes physically immersed in the culture. But the trips also provide ‘creature comforts’ – a lovely dinner indigenous to the region, spa options and upscale lodging.”

The Travel & Adventure Show opens Saturday, January 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, January 30 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (The show opens 9:30 a.m. Saturday for travel professionals.) Adult admission is $9 online with Promo Code: CHPR or $15 at the door. Children 16 year of age and under are free.

The Travel and Adventure Show is the longest-running series of consumer travel events in the U.S., with shows in the New York metro area, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Dallas and Washington D.C. The national magazine sponsor is Budget Travel.

For more information on attending or exhibiting in the event, please visit www.adventureexpo.com/Chicago or call 203-878-2577 x100.

# # #

New Experiences and Exhibits on Board for 7th Annual Travel & Adventure Show | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Jan. 10, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ – United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the U.S. Northeast region and Chicago.  Weather conditions are expected to lead to the delay or cancellation of certain flights at Continental’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport for travel from Jan. 11 through Jan. 13 and United’s hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for travel on Jan. 11. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast may also be affected.

The travel waiver for the Southeast region continues for customers traveling through Jan. 11.

Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived.  If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested.  Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased.  Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

About United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. For more information about United Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com, and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

http://UnitedContinentalHoldings.com
http://united.com
http://continental.com

United and Continental Offer Rebooking Options to Customers Affected by Winter Weather | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Northeast U.S. this weekend. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the cancellation or delay of certain flights at United’s hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and at Continental’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast may also be affected.

Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the affected airports Jan. 7 through Jan. 9 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com. Customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their tickets were purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1, Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agents. Another way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

About United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. For more information about United Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com, and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

http://www.UnitedContinentalHoldings.com
http://www.united.com
http://www.continental.com

United and Continental Offer Rebooking Options to Customers Affected by Northeast Weather | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SKOKIE, Ill., Dec. 9, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Just in time for the holiday travel season, Rand McNally’s editors have pulled together the Top 10 Tips for Safe Winter Road Travel.  The arrival of cold and blustery weather in many parts of the country combined with increased traffic on the roads, can make getting “over the river and through the woods” more stressful than at other times of the year.

“More than 60% of U.S. leisure travelers take road trips,” said Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally.  ”Advanced planning and patience are the keys to traveling our roads safely, especially during inclement weather.”

“With road travel, drivers and passengers play a large role in how safely they travel.  These simple, must-read tips from our editors can help ensure that folks are safer this season,” continued Jeff DeKorte, SVP of Travel & Digital Media for Rand McNally.

And a bonus point: carry a first aid kit in the car with you.  This is especially important if you have children or older individuals riding with you.

For more information and travel tips, please visit www.RandMcNally.com.

About Rand McNally – Rand McNally is the most trusted source for maps, directions, and travel content.  Rand McNally’s products and services include: Interactive travel service, Tripology; America’s #1 Road Atlas; IntelliRoute® truck routing software and GPS devices; and the leading geography-based educational resources for the classroom.  Consumers, businesses, truckers, and educators depend upon Rand McNally to help navigate today’s world. www.RandMcNally.com

Follow us –

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/randmcnally

www.twitter.com/tripology

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/randmcnally

http://www.facebook.com/tripology

Travel Blog:

http://ontheroad.randmcnally.com

Tripology Travel Blog:

http://vacations.tripology.com/

SOURCE Rand McNally

http://www.randmcnally.com

Rand McNally Lists Top 10 Tips for Safe Holiday Travels | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Continental Airlines received top honors in Business Travel News’ (BTN) Annual Airline Survey for the third consecutive year. The recognition marks the sixth time Continental finished first in the 13 years BTN has measured corporate travel buyer perceptions of airline performance in delivering service and maintaining preferred relationships.

“We are honored to once again receive this recognition, which reflects the hard work of my co-workers over the past year,” said worldwide sales senior vice president Dave Hilfman. “We’re going to look top to bottom in our approach to the market to ensure the new airline continues to do those things that are appreciated and recognized by our key corporate buyers.”

About Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL). Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,400 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 142 domestic and 131 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries.  Continental has hubs serving Cleveland, Guam, Houston and New York/Newark Liberty, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.  

United Continental Holdings, Inc. became the holding company for both United and Continental upon close of the merger transaction. The two airlines will operate separately as they begin to integrate key customer services, marketing activities and airport processes. For more company information, go to continental.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

http://www.continental.com
http://www.continental.com/company/news

Continental Receives Top Honors in Business Travel News’ Annual Airline Survey | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Originally reported by WISH-TV News. Read the original article here.

Weather may disrupt holiday travel | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

O’Hare has already replaced many metal scanners with the full body electronic scanners, while Midway’s will not be in place by Thanksgiving.

The body scanners may take longer because passengers are required to remove all items from pockets (not just metal); an image is taken and a person in another location then views the image before clearing the passenger. Passengers who opt out of the scanners will be required to undergo a pat down, which will cause added delays.

While the general rule is to arrive 90 minutes prior to take off for domestic flights and two hours for international, travelers may want to leave earlier next week. Following are some travel tips from GO Airport Express to make the process of navigating your way onto a plane this holiday season a little easier.

1. Know beforehand what you can carry on and what must be checked or left at home. Even the TSA’s menu of holiday foods that are approved for carry-on travel has changed. Cakes and pies are allowed but gravy, cheese dips and other dense edibles that detection devices might flag are banned as carry-ons. All gifts must be unwrapped. For a complete list of TSA prohibited items visit the TSA website.
2. You will be required to remove items such as oversized electronics (laptops, full-size video game consoles, etc.) from your carry-on bag and submit them separately for x-ray screening. However, TSA now allows for certain “checkpoint friendly” laptops to be carried on. In general, these bags need to have a designated laptop-only section that lies flat on the X-ray belt and have nothing in this section other than the laptop itself. A quick online search will help you find which bags are approved.
3. Coats, jackets and shoes will all need to be removed. Prepare your one, quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag of liquids and have this readily accessible before arriving at the airport. The bag must be removed and placed in the provided tote for processing.
4. Children must be removed from strollers and pets from carriers for separate screening. However, TSA is not allowed to separate parents or guardians from their children during the process.
5. Rather than drive, consider a door-to-door shared ride service, which will pick you up at home or office, and deliver you to O’Hare or Midway without the need to park at the airport.

The key to stress-free travel this holiday season is to plan ahead; be prepared; know the rules and allow for plenty of time traveling to the airport and through security.

This Thanksgiving, GO Airport Express is offering 10 percent off for one-way or round trip transportation to either airport. Travelers can relax in roomy vehicles with plenty of space for luggage, gifts and gear without worrying about driving through Chicago’s busy streets and highways; finding spaces in crowded lots or paying expensive parking fees.

About GO Airport Express

Founded in 1853 as the Parmelee Transportation Company, GO Airport Express currently transports more than one million passengers annually to and from Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Airports.

Its door-to-door services are offered to and from downtown Chicago, as well as most Chicago neighborhoods and its surrounding suburbs. It is also a founding member for GO Group, LLC., offering transportation in airports worldwide.

For more information or to book transportation online visit www.airportexpress.com.

GO Airport Express Offers Time Saving Holiday Tips | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Oct. 28 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Continental Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL), has introduced a new application for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users that gives travelers easy access to their travel information.  With the free, full-featured app, Continental customers can book reservations — including reward travel — check-in for flights, have one-touch access to mobile boarding passes and flight status details, and manage their OnePass frequent flyer accounts.

“The Continental Airlines App is another example of Continental‘s commitment to technology and innovation that makes travel more convenient for our customers,” said Jared Miller, Continental‘s managing director of self-service and emerging technology.  “This app provides time-saving, full-featured access to the information that our customers need on the go, as well as other useful tools for travelers such as interactive airport smart maps and flight updates sent directly to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.”

The new app also includes a feed of Continental‘s latest postings on Twitter.

Continental will soon expand the accessibility of the application to the Android platform, and is exploring other smartphone options.

The Continental Airlines app is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

About Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL). Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,400 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 142 domestic and 131 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries through its 28 member airlines. Continental has hubs serving Cleveland, Guam, Houston and New York/Newark Liberty, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. became the holding company for both United and Continental upon close of the merger transaction. The two airlines will operate separately as they begin to integrate key customer services, marketing activities and airport processes. For more company information, go to continental.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE Continental Airlines

http://www.continental.com

Continental Airlines’ New iPhone App Offers One-Touch Access to Travel Information | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Oct. 25 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel business of Orbitz Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: OWW), today unveiled new tools that give travel managers and senior business leaders the ability to provide increased traveler security and ensure greater business continuity while mitigating the financial exposure caused by unexpected global events.  With the launch of Traveler Limit(SM), travel administrators can now restrict the number of employees or company officials that book on any single flight.  Additionally, the Orbitz for Business Traveler Locator(SM) enables companies to quickly search for, identify and communicate with travelers impacted by unforeseen travel disruptions, such as natural disasters, labor strikes, and civil/political unrest.  

Employee safety and security policy management continue to be top of mind for travel managers and administrators.  And according to a recent National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Foundation study of its membership, the financial impact of disruptions like the Icelandic volcanic eruption can be significant.  The study found that the resulting ash cloud caused 5,600 meetings to be cancelled, impacted 310,000 travelers and cost the surveyed companies more than $367 million collectively*.  

“At Orbitz for Business, our customers tell us that employee safety and business continuity are increasingly important components of their travel programs,” said Frank Petito, president, Orbitz for Business.  ”It’s critical to know where your travelers are at any given time, and be able to reach them immediately in the wake of unforeseen disruptions.  Orbitz for Business Traveler Locator is designed to be a travel manager’s first response tool, where Orbitz for Business Traveler Limit provides a proactive, preventative measure that mitigates the safety and financial exposure for a single flight.  All managed travel programs, regardless of size or scope, can benefit from having these tools in place.”

Traveler Limit(SM) ensures that all flights booked through Orbitz for Business are compliant with company policy. Travel managers and administrators can now restrict the number of employees or company officials that can make a reservation on any single flight before it is booked.  These policy restrictions can be set by individual group leaders and/or instituted as a company-wide policy.  The tool also automatically reviews codeshare flights against travel policies to ensure all flights are treated the same, regardless of the operating or marketing airline.  Previously, travel managers were forced to manually identify at-risk flights, often incurring change or cancel fees, in order to mitigate their company’s financial exposure.  

The Traveler Locator(SM) search tool makes it easier to identify and more quickly communicate with both pre-travel and in-transit employees by giving travel managers comprehensive search capabilities and detailed reservation tracking.  Once located, travel managers and approved arrangers can send an individual or mass e-mail to impacted employees through their customized Orbitz for Business interface.

Traveler Limit(SM) and Traveler Locator(SM) are now available for all Orbitz for Business customers.

*NBTA Foundation Iceland Volcanic Ash Cloud Member Survey, April 2010

About Orbitz for Business

Orbitz for Business (http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com) is the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW).  Launched in 2002, Orbitz for Business offers a complete portfolio of travel products and services that help corporate customers plan, search and book business travel. Orbitz for Business leverages the Orbitz Worldwide technology platform, customized for corporate travelers. In addition to its leading technology, Orbitz for Business delivers full service, cost effective travel management solutions including 24×7 customer support; expense reporting and policy management tools; and comprehensive choice in travel inventory.

About Orbitz Worldwide

Orbitz Worldwide is a leading global online travel company that uses innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to research, plan and book a broad range of travel products. Orbitz Worldwide owns a portfolio of consumer brands that includes Orbitz (www.orbitz.com), CheapTickets (www.cheaptickets.com), ebookers (www.ebookers.com), HotelClub (www.hotelclub.com), RatesToGo (www.ratestogo.com) and the Away Network (www.away.com).  Also within the Orbitz Worldwide family, Orbitz Worldwide Distribution (http://corp.orbitz.com/partnerships/distribution) delivers private label travel solutions to a broad range of partners including many of the world’s largest airlines, and Orbitz for Business (www.orbitzforbusiness.com) delivers managed corporate travel solutions for corporations. For more information on partnership opportunities with Orbitz Worldwide, visit corp.orbitz.com.  Orbitz Worldwide uses its Investor Relations website to make information available to its investors and the public at http://www.orbitz-ir.com. You can sign up to receive email alerts whenever the company posts new information to the website.

SOURCE Orbitz for Business

http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com

Orbitz for Business Launches New Travel Security and Business Continuity Tools | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Oct. 12 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — United Continental Holdings, Inc. today announced that Continental Airlines was first and United Airlines was second in on-time performance for domestic scheduled flights among America’s five largest global carriers* for August 2010, as measured by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and published in the Air Travel Consumer Report released today.

Continental ended the month with 87.1 percent of flights arriving at their destinations within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, according to data published by the DOT.  United was second in August with 85.1 percent of flights arriving at their destinations within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, according to monthly data from the same report, when comparing Continental and United with Delta, American and US Airways – the five largest U.S. global carriers by revenue, available seat miles or passengers flown.

“These results demonstrate our commitment to get customers to their destinations safely and on-time,” said Pete McDonald, executive vice president and chief operations officer of United.  ”Ranking highest in on-time performance among our peers reflects the combined efforts of our teams at both airlines.”

About United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries worldwide through its 28 member airlines. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. For more information about United Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com, and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.

*According to arrival data published today in the U.S. Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Report, Continental was first and United was second in on-time performance for domestic scheduled flights as measured by the U.S. Department of Transportation (i.e., flights arriving within 14 minutes of scheduled arrival time) for the month of August 2010, when compared to the largest U.S. global carriers based on available seat miles, enplaned passengers or passenger revenue, which includes American, Continental, Delta, United and US Airways.

SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

http://www.continental.comhttp://www.continental.com/company/newshttp://www.united.comhttp://www.UnitedContinentalHoldings.com

Continental and United Lead in On-Time Performance for August 2010 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

A person with knowledge of the decision says North Carolina receiver Greg Little won’t travel to Atlanta for the 18th-ranked Tar Heels’ opener against No. 21 LSU.

The person spoke to The CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM on condition of anonymity because the ongoing NCAA probe at the school is confidential.

Investigators visited the campus in July initially focused on whether Little and defensive tackle Marvin Austin received improper benefits from agents. That investigation has since expanded to include possible academic misconduct involving a tutor.

Coach Butch Davis suspended Austin on Wednesday for violating team rules.

AP Source: UNC’s Little won’t travel for LSU game | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Top Virtuoso Company Gets the Word Out on Hosting Successful Agents

CHICAGO, Aug. 12 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — K Squared Communications, a marketing, public relations, and social media firm specializing in the travel industry has just signed with Travel Experts, Inc. to promote their services and successes as a top host agency. Travel Experts is known in the travel industry for hosting hundreds of expert travel agents who pair the ideal travel package with people looking to travel anywhere in the world. Travel Experts has achieved notable success over the past year in the cruise segment with a 40% increase in cruise production and a 23% increase in revenue from 2009 to 2010.

“The Travel Experts team, including their independent agents, consistently delivers top-notch travel expertise to their clients. They have a clear understanding of the future of the travel industry and are able to individually tailor travel experiences to meet travelers’ needs,” said Kate Koziol, president of K Squared Communications. “Our work with Travel Experts will consist of telling their story in new and fresh ways to audiences within both the travel and business industries.”

Independent agents that are affiliated with Travel Experts enjoy 100% commissions and simply pay a monthly fee rather than a portion of their commission.  Travel Experts is staffed with seasoned agents ready to assist travelers in all aspects of their trip including flights, cruises, and hotel and resort stays.

“We are fortunate to have the most driven, knowledgeable and amiable agents in this industry, and are very proud of the continued success of our independent agents,” said Susan Ferrell, president of Travel Experts, Inc.  ”We look forward to broadcasting that success through the work of K Squared and we know that their services will spotlight our passion and determination for complete client satisfaction.”

Travel Experts was founded in 1989 as a pioneering host agency. Travel Experts is now ranked in the Top 40 of Travel Weekly’s 2010 “Power List” of the Largest Agencies in the Country as well being honored as a top luxury travel specialist by Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Yachts of Seabourn  and Regent Cruise Lines. More information on Travel Experts is available at www.travel-xperts.com or by calling 800-274-2544.

About K Squared

K Squared Communications is a public relations, social media and marketing firm specializing in finding, refining and promoting positive stories that help grow client businesses.  Founded in 1997, K Squared Communications is a national entrepreneurial award-winning organization and more information about K Squared is available at www.ksqrd.com or via many social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and You Tube or by calling (773) 774-7847.

SOURCE K Squared Communications

http://www.ksqrd.comhttp://www.travel-xperts.com

K Squared Earns Travel Experts, Inc. Account | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CANTERBURY, England, July 1, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Currency Exchange Site
Ltd officially launches its new travel money comparison website,
http://www.travel-money.org, across the UK today. A recent survey by Which?
(A Service that delivers, 1st June 2010) indicates that at the moment only
around one-quarter of people order travel money online. However, there is
evidence that this is likely to change, with a reported rise in online travel
money sales alongside a decline in high street sales by foreign exchange
specialists. The launch of Travel-Money.org will help consumers buy foreign
currency online by allowing visitors to view and directly compare the
exchange rates of multiple providers in the comfort of their own home, before
selecting the product and provider which best suits their needs.

Travel-money.org offers a comprehensive range of foreign currency product
comparisons, including comparisons of exchange rates, fees and delivery
information for providers of currency as cash, currency cards and travellers
cheques. In addition, those looking to emigrate or make large overseas
purchases can benefit from comprehensive comparisons of foreign exchange
providers who specialise in international money transfers. If you need money
transferred quickly, or if you need 24 hour access to your account, you can
find the provider who can cater to your needs on Travel-Money.org.

Marketing Director, Claire Jakeways, commented “We are very pleased to be
launching this website, and to be supporting good causes by donating 10% of
our future profits to charity. Buying foreign currency online really can save
you money and our comprehensive comparisons will make it easier for everyone
to find the best travel money provider or international money transfer
specialist for them.”

About Travel-Money.org:

Travel-Money.org is part of Currency Exchange Site Ltd, and provides
independent comparisons of travel money and foreign currency providers and
products via the website http://www.travel-money.org.

For more information please contact us on admin at travel-money.org or
visit us at http://www.travel-money.org.

Contact: Claire Jakeways on admin@exchange-currency.com

SOURCE Travel-Money.org

Compare and buy Travel Money, and all for a Good Cause | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Gatlinburg Travel Change Specialists make visiting Gatlinburg easy

GATLINBURG, Tenn., June 24 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Summer travel plans can change quickly leaving travelers to cancel reservations, pay penalties and plan a new trip. The City of Gatlinburg has launched a program to assist travelers with this overwhelming task.  Gatlinburg Travel Change Specialists are available to help travelers create itineraries and provide discounts to help offset the cost of cancellation fees.

(Photo: http://photos.CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM.com/prnh/20100624/CL26293 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100624/CL26293 )

“Our program will help travelers who have a change in plans this summer for any reason,” said David Perella, Executive Director for the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.  ”No one wants to cancel a vacation and the hassle of planning a new vacation may seem daunting.  That’s why we are offering to help simplify the process and make your ideal vacation a reality.”

By calling 800-965-0374, a Gatlinburg Travel Change Specialist will assess a traveler’s vacation needs and help build a custom itinerary so they don’t have to plan a whole new trip.  Whether travelers are looking for adventure and outdoor activities, shopping, relaxation or family fun, Gatlinburg has something to offer.

Gatlinburg will help accommodate travelers who have to cancel travel plans by offering a Gatlinburg Game Changer Card valid for a variety of different discounts. For example, travelers can receive a 25 percent discount on a stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, free child admission with the purchase of an adult admission to many of the Ripley’s attractions and much more.  The number of restaurants, attractions and retailers who are offering help to travelers is growing daily and an updated list can be found on the web at www.tcap.gatlinburg.com. Travelers must show proof of cancellation to be eligible for the Gatlinburg Game Changer Card.

Gatlinburg Travel Change Specialists are also available to help with changing group tours, reunions, meetings or convention plans. Visitors can find more information about the program by visiting www.tcap.gatlinburg.com or calling 800-965-0374.  

ABOUT GATLINBURG

Gatlinburg is a quaint, mountain getaway nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.  It offers a variety of travel experiences ranging from family activities to romantic getaways or outdoor adventures.  Gatlinburg also has more than 12,000 rooms for lodging and 400 shops as well as many attractions including Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Ober Gatlinburg and many others.

SOURCE Gatlinburg Department of Tourism

http://www.tcap.gatlinburg.com

Changing Summer Plans Made Easier with Gatlinburg’s Travel Change Assistance Plan | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

BEIJING, June 23 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Summer travelers to Beijing are
looking for ways to beat the heat, especially families with younger children.
The China Guide ( http://www.thechinaguide.com ), a high quality China travel
company, is offering a number of summer activities for families to keep the
kids happy and parents entertained.

“As a parent of three children in China I have years of experience dealing
with family travel and child-friendly activities,” says Peter Danford, owner
of The China Guide. “We keep the tour at a pace which suits the children, and
is flexible in case they become tired or side tracked.”

A popular item on The China Guide’s family itineraries is an afternoon at
Tuanjiehu Park. It is an off-the-radar spot as it is mostly enjoyed by the
local neighbourhood and not a touristy park. Outdoor swimming is available
including waves, artificial beach and slides. Small electric boats are
available for rent on the lake or a simple stroll around the park path is also
relaxing.

The China Guide is also offering a variety of other activities for
families that include local parks, amusement rides, the toy market, Kung Fu
lessons and the Beijing Zoo. “With a one child policy Chinese tend to give a
lot to their children, and thus Beijing has a lot to offer for youngsters,”
adds Danford.

Families can put together their own custom itinerary using The China
Guide’s ‘Build Your Own Tour’ system. Items can be selected based on
categories including family-friendly activities and prices are immediate. To
see the Build Your Own Tour’ system visit:
http://www.chinatourbuilder.com/tour/index.php?main_page=itinerary_add

The China Guide

The China Guide, ( http://www.TheChinaGuide.com ), is a Beijing based
travel agency, American owned and operated. Specializing in western-style
service and quality with hassle free web bookings, they work with clients to
customize tours that match their travel style. Operating only in China, they
have up to date knowledge and offer exciting experiences for travelers
including their famous Sleep on the Great Wall tour. The China Guide avoids
the common factory shopping stops that are not reflective of the true China.

SOURCE The China Guide

http://www.TheChinaGuide.com

The China Guide Beats the Summer Heat for Family Travelers | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Area Travel Agency Ltd to Leverage TRX’s CORREX Reservation Processing Platform

ATLANTA, June 22  /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — TRX, Inc. (www.trx.com) (Other OTC: TRXI), a world-leading provider of travel technology, process automation, consulting and data services, today announced a new agreement with Area Travel Agency, a leading travel agency in Finland and a subsidiary of Finnish Air PLC, to provide mid-office solutions via CORREX™.

CORREX is a reservation processing platform enabling efficient, automated quality control, file finishing, and ticketing of travel reservations. By eliminating manual processes, CORREX helps increase agent productivity, reduce front and back-office errors, and reduce costs. The platform allows agents to consolidate pre-travel and reservation reporting across multiple Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), third-party and corporation-specific databases, and other sources of traveler-specific information.

“Area chose TRX as our mid-office partner due to their reputation and global experience,” said Samuli Sakari, Operations Manager, Area. “To ensure the continued delivery of the highest level of service to our customers, we needed a partner with a proven track record of delivering reliable, high quality service and the ability to meet the specific needs of our market and customers.” Sakari added, “This partnership will skyrocket Area quality standards with new tailor-made, automated and enhanced email communication.”

The new user-friendly eTicket layout will be ground breaking, enabling enhanced mobile solutions for business travelers. It solves the problem of eTickets ending up in junk mail folders.

“We are delighted to announce Area Travel Agency as a new client for our mid-office processing solution, CORREX. We think of ourselves as the category leader in this space and adding a Finnish travel partner of the quality of Area, just adds to that leadership position,” said Shane Hammond, President and CEO, TRX.

About TRX

TRX is a world-leading travel technology and data services provider, offering more than 20 software-as-a-service utilities for online booking, reservation processing, data intelligence, and process automation. We deliver our technology applications in an on-demand environment to travel agencies, corporations, travel suppliers, government agencies, credit card associations, credit card issuing banks, and third-party administrators. We provide patented savings maximization solutions via our travel analytics consulting practice, extending spend management services to travel buyers all over the world. We complement all of these offerings with a global workforce focused on travel process automation and reengineering. For more information about TRX or to contact a TRX sales office, phone 404.929.6100 or visit the company’s web site at www.trx.com.

About Area Travel Agency Ltd.

Area Travel Agency Ltd is a pioneer in electronic travel services and one of leading business travel agencies in Finland. Area.fi is Finland’s largest shopping site for individual tours. Developing e-solutions for both business and leisure travel is an important part of our strategy. Area is part of Finnair Group and is an American Express Travel Services Representative in Finland. www.area.fi.

SOURCE TRX, Inc.

http://www.trx.com

Leading Finland Travel Agency Taps TRX to Provide Reservation Processing Services | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

As the region’s only festival for adrenaline fuelled sports and holidays, Adrenaline Sports Live presented by RANI will have another thrilling line-up of events, activities and demonstrations of adrenaline and adventure sports this year.

Ahmed Shaboury, Head of Brands at Aujan, said “This is a great place for RANI’s customers to try out sports, have fun and connect with our brand in a meaningful way.” He continued “This is our third year sponsoring the event and we’re looking forward to working with the organisers to develop another extremely successful event which supports youth, community and sport in the region.”

This year Adrenaline Sports Live presented by RANI will include the RANI area with different sports activities being demonstrated by RANI to try. Becky Crayman, Sponsorship Director of Adrenaline Sports Live presented by RANI, said “It’s great news RANI has decided to support Adrenaline Sports Live. It is a major event on the sporting calendar and is helping to promote sporting activities in the region among the youth community. This year we will deliver the best event yet.”

The festival will include different festival zones, such as Water, Land
and Urban, Adventure Tourism, Retail and Clubs and the Air Zone. The
adventure travel zone will include holidays, tours and travel related to
adventure tourism, tourism bodies, travel agents, holiday shops, and
destination management companies with Cyprus Tourism and the Tourism
Authority of Thailand are already taking part and the retail zone will
involve companies which manufacture and supply sporting products, clothing,
accessories and lifestyle products. The Club Zone will promote local
non-profit sporting clubs and associations to continue to foster a UAE-wide
adventure and adrenaline sports community.

And “Have a Go” sports trials, competitions, demonstrations will cover
sports such as wakeboarding, water-skiing, kitesurfing, wakesurfing,
catamarans, jet boating, kayaking, sea-bobbing, jet-skiing, Dragonboating,
try dives, skateboarding, beach volleyball, in-line skating, BMX,
free-running, gaming, climbing, abseiling, zipline, airsoft and RC cars.

Notes to the editor

For more information please see http://www.adrenalinesportslive.com

Local clubs, associations, agencies and companies that are interested in
finding out more about Adrenaline Sports Live, presented by RANI should
contact the organisers, UBM Middle East for information, on +971-2-406-4471
or email info@adrenalinesportslive.com

Adrenaline Sports Live presented by RANI is the region’s festival for
adrenaline-fuelled sports and holidays. Adrenaline Sports Live presented by
RANI is organised by UBM Middle East, and is one of the four founding
partners of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company.

Adrenaline Sports Live presented by RANI includes sports demonstrations,
“Have a Go” sports trials, competitions and the following festival zones -

    - Water
    - Land and Urban
    - Adventure Tourism
    - Retail and Clubs
    - Air

Further information on UBM Middle East can be found athttp://www.ubmmiddleeast.com

For images, photographs and further enquiries please contact: Bryan
Espie, Marketing Director, bryan.espie@ubm.com or +971(0)2-4064314

SOURCE United Business Media (UBM Middle East)

RANI Sponsors the Middle East’s Festival for Adrenaline Fuelled Sports and Holidays | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.