Well-known travel industry figure Bruce Beckham, principal of Bruce Beckham & Associates, Inc., has been named Executive Director of the USTOA-sponsored Travelers Conservation Foundation. His company will be responsible for operations, including building industry awareness and fund raising for the charitable foundation. Julie Goebel, former TCF Executive Director, will continue to serve as Project Manager, working directly with recipient organizations as well as with the nonprofit sector to secure matching grants and identify potential beneficiary organizations.
According to Mr. Beckham, "Our mission is to communicate to USTOA's membership and the hospitality and tourism industry as a whole, the value of helping to protect and preserve endangered areas that are of importance to tourism. My goal is to raise the level of awareness about the importance of contributing to TCF among USTOA members, and to involve all 62 USTOA corporate member companies in TCF."
A longtime travel industry veteran, Mr. Beckham is a past president of the National Tour Association, past chairman of the National Tourism Foundation, and former owner of a highly respected tour company, travel agency and receptive service company. For the past several years, Mr. Beckham has also served as a consultant and speaker for USTOA, as well as other travel industry organizations and destinations.
"With Bruce Beckham at the helm, we look forward to making TCF the industry leader in charitable contributions for tourism-related causes," says Sven-Olof Lindblad, chairman of TCF, and president of Lindblad Expeditions. "We have tapped a widely respected industry figure with a gift for motivating others. Together with Ms. Goebel, we have a winning team in place," he adds.
The TCF, which is less than a year old, has already contributed its first gift: a donation to the Mesa Verde National Park Restoration Project, by Tauck World Discovery, to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary. Earlier this summer First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton recognized TCF for its contribution of more than $240,000 to restore the original ferry building on Ellis Island.
TCF identifies cultural, historical and environmental sites in need of conservation, preservation or restoration throughout the world; provides funding through USTOA-member contributions; and seeks philanthropic partnerships and/or matching grants in order to maximize results. In order to qualify for TCF consideration, all projects must be related to tourism.
More information on the Travelers Conservation Foundation is available through Bruce Beckham & Associates, Inc., 587 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021, (781) 821-5990; or toll free at (888) 821-5990; e-mail beckham@aol.com. Interested parties can also contact USTOA, 342 Madison Ave., Suite 1522, New York, NY 10173, (212) 599-6599; fax (212) 599-6744; or e-mail: information@ustoa.com
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