
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mannix to Retire as Chairman of The Travel Institute FRAMINGHAM, MA, September 16, 2015 — After five years at the helm, Jack E. Mannix, CTC, founder and principal of the consulting firm Jack E. Mannix & Associates, is stepping down from his position as chairman of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees. Moving into the top leadership roles are Brian Robb, principal at The Robb Aspect, as chair; and Gary Pollard, CTC, of Ambassador Tours, as vice chair. Under Mannix’s leadership, the non-profit education and certification organization – which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014 – grew significantly in depth and breadth of its products and programs, constantly retooling and reinventing itself to meet the changing needs of travel professionals, regardless of one’s experience in the industry. “I am pleased with how The Travel Institute has stayed true to its education mission yet is always evolving to stay relevant – and always ahead of the curve to set the training, learning, and certification standards in our ever-changing business. It’s an honor to have played a small part in its success in several ways over the years,” said Mannix, who had also served as the organization’s CEO and president from 2000 to 2002. “I’m extremely proud of the staff. It’s a lean team but strong and dynamic in its dedication to providing meaningful benefits to agents and to the travel industry.” Robb has been a member of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees for 10 years, serving as its vice chair for the last four years. He recently retired from his position as senior vice president of The Mark Travel Corporation and Trisept Solutions. Prior to that, he led the development and marketing efforts at Carlson Travel Group and also managed SuperCities and Nordic America Travel. For nearly 40 years, Robb has worked in all aspects of agency management and has long promoted the bond between agents and suppliers. Pollard is president and CEO of Ambassador Tours, a family-owned and -operated agency that started in the travel business in San Francisco in 1955. Beginning his travel-agent career in 1981, Pollard now leads one of California’s top agencies. “I earned my CTC in 1988, joined The Travel Institute as a life member a year later, and then was elected to the board in 2009,” said Pollard, who was voted one of the Top 25 Agents in America by Travel Agent magazine. “I know that a lot of our agency’s success is due to the Institute’s positive impact on our agents’ expertise on many levels – destination, sales, customer service, management, and leadership.” The changes to The Travel Institute Board of Trustees are effective October 1, 2015. About The Travel Institute Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute, visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mannix to Retire as Chairman of The Travel Institute

FRAMINGHAM, MA, September 16, 2015 — After five years at the helm, Jack E. Mannix, CTC, founder and principal of the consulting firm Jack E. Mannix & Associates, is stepping down from his position as chairman of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees. Moving into the top leadership roles are Brian Robb, principal at The Robb Aspect, as chair; and Gary Pollard, CTC, of Ambassador Tours, as vice chair.

Under Mannix’s leadership, the non-profit education and certification organization – which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014 – grew significantly in depth and breadth of its products and programs, constantly retooling and reinventing itself to meet the changing needs of travel professionals, regardless of one’s experience in the industry.

“I am pleased with how The Travel Institute has stayed true to its education mission yet is always evolving to stay relevant – and always ahead of the curve to set the training, learning, and certification standards in our ever-changing business. It’s an honor to have played a small part in its success in several ways over the years,” said Mannix, who had also served as the organization’s CEO and president from 2000 to 2002. “I’m extremely proud of the staff. It’s a lean team but strong and dynamic in its dedication to providing meaningful benefits to agents and to the travel industry.”

Robb has been a member of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees for 10 years, serving as its vice chair for the last four years. He recently retired from his position as senior vice president of The Mark Travel Corporation and Trisept Solutions. Prior to that, he led the development and marketing efforts at Carlson Travel Group and also managed SuperCities and Nordic America Travel. For nearly 40 years, Robb has worked in all aspects of agency management and has long promoted the bond between agents and suppliers.

Pollard is president and CEO of Ambassador Tours, a family-owned and -operated agency that started in the travel business in San Francisco in 1955. Beginning his travel-agent career in 1981, Pollard now leads one of California’s top agencies. “I earned my CTC in 1988, joined The Travel Institute as a life member a year later, and then was elected to the board in 2009,” said Pollard, who was voted one of the Top 25 Agents in America by Travel Agent magazine. “I know that a lot of our agency’s success is due to the Institute’s positive impact on our agents’ expertise on many levels – destination, sales, customer service, management, and leadership.”

The changes to The Travel Institute Board of Trustees are effective October 1, 2015.

About The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence. For more information about The Travel Institute, visit www.thetravelinstitute.com or call (800) 542-4282.