Message from the Executive Director

Dear APTA Members,

On March 29th the APTA Executive Board had our first meeting of the year. We reflected how far APTA has progressed in the last couple of years. With APTA's growth have come new standards for the organization. As long as we keep achieving our goals, the organization will grow. We are building exciting new associations. One of our new members is ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) and we will be announcing others soon.

I am proud to announce that the Executive Board voted the "Allan Tyrcha Memorial Fund" as APTA's official Charity. The Executive Board and other members feel strongly that this needs to be an ongoing charity for APTA. The school has officially registered the trust in South Africa in honor of Allan which has helped to garner additional funding to benefit the students. National has pledged $1,000 this year to the Hlau Hlau School near White River, South Africa, and we urge the chapters and members to continue to contribute to this worthwhile charity. Additional updates can be found in the "African Charities" section under "About APTA" on this website.

A HUGE Thank you to all the hard working chapter members that made this year Discover Africa shows a success. The host chapters were Pacific Northwest, Los Angeles, Arizona and Rocky Mountain.

Our National Forum will be held in Colorado this year, September 12-14, 2008. Put it on your calendar and plan to attend. Forum updates will be posted on this website under the "Events Calendar."

This will be my last official message as Executive Director. I have served on the Executive Board for six years and the last three as Executive Director. It has been an adventure and I have enjoyed getting to know many of our members. When I joined the board six years ago, so did Beth Lincoln, who has worked tirelessly for the Discover Africa programs and the National Forum. I would like to thank Beth along with all the other board members. I appreciate your support, understanding and belief in the organization. Without you, APTA wouldn't be the organization it is today. The Board has officially voted Kathryn Monaco as the new Executive Director, and she has graciously accepted. I know she will do a fantastic job, especially with the support of her fellow board members and our chapters.

I just returned from safari in the Southern Parks of Tanzania. After a difficult and busy year I needed a good dose of Africa, and it was just what the doctor ordered. I love the smells, people and being on safari. It reminded me why all the volunteers in APTA work diligently for the organization. Africa's dust is truly in all of our bones and we are all passionate about Tourism to the continent. We have an organization to be proud of and it has been an honor to serve as your Executive Director.