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To survive, travel agent group had to evolve with industry

CEO Zane Kerby sought out partnerships to bring in new members while overseeing a revamp of the association's events Kerby The American Society of Travel Advisors was in decline when Zane Kerby joined the association as CEO in 2013, with the group reflecting the troubles in the industry it represents. The Alexandria, Va.-based ASTA—then called American Society of Travel Agents—reported deficit spending of more than $500,000 in its tax filings that year. Its events were sparsely attended. And multiple news stories painted the travel agent as a professional going the way of the dinosaur—just another victim of technological innovation. More than five years later, the group… Read More