LEXINGTON, Ky. — The late Bob Whitley, USTOA president for 32 years, will be honored this year with the NTA Pioneer award, and John Stachnik of Mayflower Tours will receive the Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement award.
Both awards will be presented at the 2010 NTA Convention in Montreal, Quebec.
The Pioneer award, established by the NTA board in 2005, honors individuals whose accomplishments have resulted in a significant change in the travel industry from which NTA and its members have benefited.
Established in 2003, the Bob Everidge award honors an individual who has had an active dedication to the mission of NTA and the best interest of its members while making professional and personal contributions over a span of at least 20 years.
“There is no one more deserving of the Pioneer Award than my dear friend Bob Whitley. It will be our honor to present the award to his family at our convention in November,” said NTA president Lisa Simon. “It will be especially memorable to also honor John Stachnik at the same time.
“John is a long-time member and past president of NTA and the current USTOA chairman. He really stepped in to manage the organization after Bob’s untimely passing. John’s tireless work for NTA and USTOA is something we are all thankful for.”
Whitley, who was president of USTOA from 1978 until his death earlier this year, also held earlier positions as director of the Florida and Pennsylvania departments of tourism and director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Tourist Bureau.
