I don’t live in Australia. Why should I join an Australian association?
WiTiA is an international alliance which happens to be headquartered in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia because, after all, it has to be headquartered somewhere. WiTiA’s focus and membership base are global, and one of our goals is to have members on the ground in each country throughout the world. As a matter of legality, WiTiA is a publicly listed, not for profit company limited by guarantee in Australia with the Australian Securities Investment Corporation.
Do the President and the Board of WiTiA have to be based in Australia?
Under the laws of ASIC, one Treasurer and one Secretary must be based in Australia but all other Directors may be from outside Australia.
I am a supplier with a sales territory in my home country. What advantage is it to me to belong to an international organization?
There are several advantages. Firstly, WiTiA not only has members in your country, but our publications also reach many potential members in your city, state, province and country who can learn about you through the Alliance. Since our main purpose is networking, you may be recommended to future clients through the recommendation of a third-party member who sees your listing. Secondly, members in a foreign country may be looking to sell your product to their clients. You can handle their business directly, or refer it to a travel agent within your territory. Thirdly, you will look very good to your boss or your bottom line if you develop new revenue streams. Fourthly, one of the benefits of WiTiA membership is the ability to advertise your product at no cost in our bi-monthly WiTiA NETWORKS! And finally, WiTiA can help you in your personal travel, offer you industry information, enable you to exchange business tactics with your peers and colleagues around the world, etc.
How can I maximize my membership to WiTiA?
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By creating an interesting and complete description of your company/specialty on your Personal Profile page so that members will be able to find you and do business with you. Please remember to keep your profile up to date by editing it to reflect changes in employment, address, telephone, fax, email, website, etc. |
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By book-marking the Travel Tools area of the website (www.witia.org) to get immediate access to an easy-to-use world clock, world currency converter, world weather, news, hotels, restaurants, embassies, airport information, airline seating charts, visa information, etc.
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By submitting ads to be included in the bi-monthly WiTiA NETWORKS! (no charge to WiTiA members). |
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By reading WiTiA’s publications to familiarize yourself with fellow members. |
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By attending WiTiA convention and FAM trips to establish personal relationships with our members and learn about exciting destinations in depth. |
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By becoming a Global Partner for AUD $100 per year, linking your website to ours in the public area. |
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Is there a way to find the WiTiA member who can help me without going through the entire database?
Easy – just login to the Members Only area of the website. Then click on Members Directory.
This will bring up the first page of the directory where you will see the headings “By First name” on the top. Click the down arrow in the box, and now you can choose another option:
By company, By country, By last name, By company type. Click “By company.” Want to know which airlines are represented, which hotels, which tour operators? Click “By company type.” Want to know who is a member in Fiji? Click by country and scroll down to Fiji.
How can I make it easier to access the WiTiA website?
Bookmark the WiTiA website by typing www.witia.org in your search engine’s home page.
When the WiTiA web page is displayed, go to the top left of your screen (above the webpage) where you will see a yellow star symbol (Favorites) and beside it, a green plus sign to the left of the yellow star (Add to Favorites). Click the later and select add to Favorites. Thereafter, when you want to access the WiTiA website, you need only click the yellow star and select WiTiA, displayed by name and its distinctive logo.
What sort of helpful information can I access through the WiTiA website?
Anyone can learn about WiTiA, read our latest and archived publications, learn how to contact WiTiA, and access the useful information contained in our Travel Tools area, including world time, currency converter, weather, news, embassies and visas, airport and airline information including seating plans, restaurant and hotel lists worldwide, etc. WiTiA members can access the Members Only section where they can tap into our member database, which can be sorted by first or family name, company name, company type and geographical location. Each member profile contains detailed information on that member’s specialties plus complete contact information.
How can I find WiTiA members who are located near me?
Login to the Members Only area through www.witia.org. Click on Members Directory.
This will bring up the first page of the directory where you will see the headings “By state”.
The list of names of members living in that state will appear on the screen.
Are there any WiTiA networking events scheduled around the world?
These are listed under Events on the Home page of the website. WiTiA held its 2007 AGM and Fiji Educational tour from 15 to 19 November 2007 and is now planning an Educational on the Big Island of Hawaii from 15 to 19 September 2008. The Program will be on the Events page soon.
I have moved, changed employment, etc. How can I edit my WiTiA Personal Profile page?
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Click on the Member Login on the Home page, and insert your user name and password. |
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From the menu on the left, click on “Your details” and your profile will appear. |
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At the top of your profile you will see three tabs. Run the cursor over “Edit” and the words “update your Profile” will appear. |
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Check all your details and make any necessary changes. Give some thought to your 25 word description so that other members can pinpoint what you do. |
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Finally, click on the “update” button at the bottom of the page. |
I have relevant industry news that I would like to disseminate through WiTiA. Is this possible?
Yes, WiTiA publishes the e-newsletter WiTiA NETWORKS which is designed to showcase travel and tourism offerings by members of WiTiA. WiTiA NETWORKS is a by-monthly publication and is distributed free of charge to our extensive database. Email your submissions of up to 160 words plus complete contact information to the Editor of WiTiA NETWORKS. Should your news be of a more general nature, please submit it for consideration in our monthly publication, WiTiA WORKS! Email to Vice President/Secretary.
When I look up WiTiA members on the website, I don’t see their email address listed, only their phone and fax number. How can I obtain their email addresses?
In order to email a WiTiA member, members must log on by using their user name and password, and then click on Members Directory. The default setting lists all members alphabetically by first name, but the list can be sorted by Last Name, Company, Country or Company Type by clicking the down arrow beside the “By First Name” box at right. Click the name of the person you would like to email to pull up her or his Profile, and then click on the Message tab at the top of the page. This generates an email form which you can use to send your message.
One of the advantages of our system is that the sender never sees the actual email address of the recipient unless that recipient decides to reply. By this means, the member is totally in control of who has her/his email contact, and is therefore able to avoid unwanted spam. WiTiA has pledged not to reveal any member emails except by permission (such as a member who wishes to promote her business through our emailed communications).
Is my email address secure with WiTiA? Do you share your list with other industry groups?
Yes, your email address is secure with WiTiA. It is not published on your Profile and the only way another member can obtain your email address is when they send an email to you through the Message tab on your profile, and you respond to that message. WiTiA does not divulge members’ email addresses to other industry groups.
How can I get my colleagues added to the WiTiA email list?
Just forward their email addresses to Website Co-ordinator and we will add the address to the email list.
Is it possible to make special offers to WiTiA members that promote my business?
Yes, WiTiA publishes the e-newsletter WiTiA NETWORKS which is designed to showcase travel and tourism offerings by members of WiTiA. WiTiA NETWORKS is a by-monthly publication and is distributed free of charge to our extensive database. Email all submissions (160 words, no graphics, plus complete contact information) to the Editor of WiTiA NETWORKS. WiTiA members can also become a WiTiA sponsor which allows promotional opportunities on our website. Please contact the Director of Sponsorship.
When and where is the next WiTiA function?
The next function will be an Educational on the Big Island of Hawaii from 15 to 19 September 2008. The Program will be on the Events page soon.
Are you able to obtain good airfares to attend the convention?
The Directors of Marketing in each region where WiTiA is represented will contact their airline companies and will negotiate a discount for WiTiA members when attending a FAM or Convention. Please go to www.witia.org and click on About WiTiA, then contact WiTiA to contact the Director of Marketing for your region.
Will there be any by-law changes at convention?
Changes to by-laws may only be made at an AGM. The AGM will be held during a Convention or during a FAM trip. Changes to the by-laws will only be introduced if deemed necessary and would normally be of a “housekeeping” nature.
What is your nominated charity as an international association?
At the AGM held in May 2007, the members agreed that WiTiA would not commit to a specific charity at this time and would be open to opportunities as they arise.
How can I benefit from WITIA membership if I can't always attend meetings?
Unlike local clubs which hold monthly scheduled meetings, WiTiA does not meet except for annual conventions/FAM trips which are publicized well ahead of time but not held on a regular basis. These conventions/FAM trips may be held anywhere in the world. Regionally, WiTiA members may organize get-togethers from time to time, depending on the desires of the local members. The purpose of WiTiA is to promote individual networking, allowing members to communicate with like-minded professionals in the travel and tourism industry through the mediums of email and the website. WiTiA will schedule at least one convention or FAM each year at which time the AGM will be held. This is the opportunity to meet face to face with WiTiA members throughout the world and we encourage you to attend these annual
events.
