ASTA Small Business Network-Sacramento Chapter

📣 The wait is over! 2027 River Cruise Expo ship accommodations and FAM options are now available to preview. 🔎 While booking is not yet open, you can begin reviewing and planning your preferred selections in advance.

🛳️ Ship accommodations: https://events.asta.org/event/rce2027/travel-details/expo-accommodations

🗺️ Pre-Expo FAMs: https://events.asta.org/event/rce2027/travel-details/pre-fams

🗺️ Post-Expo FAMs: https://events.asta.org/event/rce2027/travel-details/post-fams

🗓️ Booking Timeline:

🔹 September 24 - Know Before You Book webinar will be hosted at 2 p.m. ET. Hear from our river cruise line partners about everything their ships have to offer. The ASTA team will also present a demonstration on how to navigate the Attendee Portal and make your selections. Pre-registration is required for the webinar; however, a recording will be sent out to attendees afterward. RSVP here: bit.ly/4rmroK5

🔹 September 28 - Booking opens for VIP Admission at 1 p.m. ET

🔹 October 1 - Booking opens for General Admission PLUS+ at 1 p.m. ET

🔹 October 6 - Booking opens for General Admission at 1 p.m. ET

🔹 October 26 - Selections close in the Attendee Portal

✨ The 2027 Expo is going to be bigger than ever—with more ships, more river cruise lines and more opportunities to supercharge your river cruise business!

Here's what's included:

☑️ Industry-leading educational content and sales training
☑️ Four days of meals onboard ships
☑️ Ability to book accommodations onboard ships during the Expo
☑️ Supplier trade show and several days of networking opportunities
☑️ Organized sightseeing tours to explore Vienna
☑️ FAM opportunities both before and after the Expo

⌛️ Space is still available to register for the Expo, but don't wait to lock in your spot. This event always sells out, and spots are filling up fast! Register now: bit.ly/4cN7LFM

🚙🦁🐘 Your next FAM is anything but ordinary. ASTA and WildReality Safari are taking you to Tanzania, February 1–7, 2027, for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime Educational Journey through one of Africa's most iconic safari destinations.

Experience the thrill of game drives, incredible wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and the magic of firsthand—all while gaining the knowledge and experience to confidently sell this bucket-list destination to your clients.

This is a ✨truly unique ASTA FAM opportunity✨ and space is extremely limited. 🚨 Registration closes December 31—secure your spot and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

🎟️ Register now: bit.ly/4xz5w04

🗺️ DETAILS & DESTINATIONS

This carefully curated ASTA Educational Journey has been designed specifically for travel advisors to experience firsthand Tanzania's exceptional wildlife, hospitality and safari experiences. During this 7-day, 6-night itinerary, you will visit some of the country's most iconic national parks while experiencing the accommodations, service standards and seamless operations that your clients can expect when traveling with WildReality Safari.

💵 RATES

🛏️ Single Occupancy Room (1 Travel Advisor): $4,884

🛏️🛏️ Double Occupancy Room (2 Travel Advisors): $4,044/person

🛏️🛏️ Double Occupancy Room (1 Travel Advisor and 1 Non-Travel Advisor Companion): $4,044/person

☑️ WHAT'S INCLUED

✔️ 6 nights premium safari accommodations (including (breakfasts, lunches and dinners)
✔️ Airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
✔️ Transportation in custom-built 4x4 safari vehicles with guaranteed window seats
✔️ Professional English-speaking safari guide throughout trip
✔️ All national park and conservation area entrance fees
✔️ Guided game drives in Tarangire National Park and Central Serengeti National Park
✔️ Full-day safari inside Ngorongoro Crater
✔️ Two nights in Southern Serengeti during the Great Migration Calving Season
✔️ All government taxes and VAT

Join us for this webinar for an introduction to KAI, your resource for exotic destinations.

More About KAI:

Since 1995, we are proud to represent an award-winning collection of some of the finest travel suppliers from around the globe. We excel at connecting premier international travel brands with the travel trade in North America. KAI focuses exclusively on up-market suppliers in long-haul destinations, making us an authority on exotic luxury travel.

Our mission is to foster creative collaborations between visionary minds and leading brands in the travel industry. We champion meaningful travel experiences that enrich lives and create lasting impacts, with a focus on supporting the communities and ecosystems of the destinations in which we operate.

KAI is more than a representation company. We are a family of passionate travel professionals seeking to improve the communities we represent, cultivate meaningful relationships across all borders and to be your guides in creating the best travel experiences for your clients.

Register now: https://www.asta.org/content/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=KAI26

Thank you to all advisors that came out to the chapter meeting with ALGV! August 25, 2026

Thank you Kalan Scherle, BDM

https://evite.me/XmMHkQ4uqQ

Join us for a partner webinar with Viking to discover how to harness the power of the Viking brand and leverage the tools, resources and promotions designed to help you sell more effectively.

Learn how to navigate the Viking Travel Advisor Portal, search current offers and promotion codes and access a wealth of ready-to-use marketing assets to inspire your clients and drive bookings. Plus, get an exclusive look at Viking's newest itineraries and be among the first to share these exciting opportunities with your clients.

Ready to grow your Viking business? This is the webinar you won't want to miss.

✨One lucky advisor attending live will win an 8-day European river cruise! Some restrictions apply.✨

Register now: https://www.asta.org/content/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=VIKADV

Update on Maryland Seller of Travel Law

The Don't You Worry (Wurie) Act was signed into law in Maryland on May 26. Since then, ASTA has been pursuing numerous avenues to address this misguided legislation and mitigate its impact on travel advisors. In late July, ASTA staff and travel advisor representatives met with the Maryland Comptroller to express concerns about the law and better understand how registration will be administered. The meeting provided an opportunity to explain our members' business operations and seek answers to numerous questions about, among other things, who must register and how. We also learned that many lawmakers similarly recognize that the Act in its current form is impermissibly vague and incapable of administration.

At the same time, ASTA has requested a legal opinion from the Maryland Attorney General on the challenges that this new seller of travel law has created for travel advisors around the country. On September 3, ASTA will participate in a stakeholder meeting with the Maryland Department of Labor, which is responsible for drafting the implementation rules. ASTA has been asked to answer a number of questions regarding implementation of the law, as well as to provide basics about the travel advisor business model. As we move through these steps, we will also be working with lawmakers in the next legislative session to develop new legislation to clarify or remove problematic aspects of the current law.

One thing that has become clear throughout this process is that it is highly unlikely Maryland will be ready to implement the new law on October 1. ASTA will remain engaged on behalf of all travel advisors to ensure they are represented every step of the way. If you have questions or would like to share your specific concerns about how this new seller of travel law that will affect you and your business, please reach out to our ASTA Advocacy team at govtaffairs@asta.

Join us for a partner webinar with Hilton on Tuesday, September 8, at 2 p.m. ET, to learn about Hilton's new and upcoming properties across the globe, get an insider's view of Hilton's travel advisor perks, and much more.

✨One lucky advisor attending live will win a 2-night stay at a Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection, Embassy Suites, Tapestry Collection or Tempo by Hilton property!✨

Register now: https://www.asta.org/content/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HILTUP26

ASTA Moves To Protect Travel Advisors From DOT Airfare Transparency Proposal

ASTA Moves To Protect Travel Advisors From DOT Airfare Transparency Proposal ASTA is advocating for U.S. travel advisors in hopes of protecting member agencies without compromising consumer fairness.