TMA Taps Ascrizzi, BTS

<B> TMA Taps Ascrizzi, BTS</B>

By Sarah Welt

<I>Oakland, N.J.</I> - Travel Management Alliance, a partnership of six independently owned travel agencies in the tri-state area, last week chose Sabre Business Travel Solutions as the group's standard online booking system.

Leading the signing of the distribution contract was the TMA's new president, Vic Ascrizzi, president and CEO of New York-based Seagate Travel.

Ascrizzi replaces former president of Stratton Travel Management Paul Leyh, who left to work for US Airways as national sales manager (see story, page 3). Ascrizzi is a founding partner of TMA. Since its inception he has served as TMA's co-chairman of technology and automation, and will continue in that role along with John Henry, CFO of Robustelli World Travel in Stamford, Conn.

The agencies formed TMA in 1996 as a way to exchange ideas and to combine forces in cost-saving initiatives. Originally the group was called the Tri-State Travel Association, but changed its name a year ago when it appointed Britannic Travel Limited of the U.K. an associate member. "We have quite a number of joint sales ventures with respect to large clients, sharing data on both sides of the Atlantic," Ascrizzi said, noting that the group does not like to be referred to as a consortium but rather a "strong travel alliance."

TMA has made significant strides by hiring a technology consultant to guide standard systems development. It signed with VIN.net in 1997 for expense reporting. The group also is working to select one purchasing vendor for office supplies. TMA has narrowed its selection down to four vendors and plans to have one vendor in place by June. Said executive director Ken Bennett, "We suggest working with that vendor, but we don't require it."

Bennett said the group is about to expand its membership, adding two members by June "out of the New York area--on the East Coast," and another two by the end of the year. The group also plans for the first time to have a presence as an alliance at NBTA this year.