WASHINGTON -
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition, convening in Las Vegas at IMEX America on October 8, welcomed United States Senator Catherine Cortez Masto for a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour discussion focused on the importance and value of travel and opportunities to help it thrive.
More than 50 travel leaders representing destinations coast to coast, travel businesses and affiliated trade groups joined the meeting at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to share industry priorities and learn more about the senator’s leadership on policies to support a strong and vibrant travel sector.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to bring the Meetings Mean Business Coalition together with Senator Cortez Masto for a Travel Works discussion on the value of travel and its far-reaching impact on the U.S. economy,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy. “Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for travel, and we look forward to our continued work in support of the growth of travel to Nevada and across the nation.”
“Between supporting thousands of working families, creating good-paying jobs, and bringing in visitors from all over the world, Nevada’s world-class travel, tourism, and convention industries are essential to both our state and national economies,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’ll continue partnering with organizations like U.S. Travel to promote these industries and encourage more travelers to experience everything Nevada has to offer.”
In 2023, $119 billion was generated nationally in meeting and events-related travel spending in the United States, which supported 600,000 American jobs. In total, travel produced $2.8 trillion in economic output and supported 15 million U.S. workers. Travel strengthens businesses across the economy by connecting people and places and contributing to the success of practically every business sector.
Meetings Mean Business is an industry-wide coalition working to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities.
The discussion included topics critical to the travel industry, including: the need to lower wait times for first-time visitor visas applicants, currently facing 260+ day wait times on average in key inbound markets; preparing for a decade of major sporting events coming to the United States; reducing wait times for travelers at U.S. Customs at gateway airports; and the need to permanently expand the H-2B worker visa program, which provides temporary workers to support small and seasonal business.
U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for more information.