Africa's Section at THETRADESHOW the last time it was held in Las Vegas was a top attraction of the event, and with 57 different countries on the African continent and offshore islands, the potential for participation is unlimited. Our editorial team joined Ron and Sylvia Mracky from ATA Southern California Chapter to look after the exhibit. We enjoyed interviewing, meeting with and photographing many of the African delegates and exhibitors representing airlines and various regions of Africa. Both editors vowed to do their utmost to encourage even more African Travel Industry participation in 2009 - and we are expecting an outstanding encore. Thanks to a special arrangement by the Africa Travel Association with Trade Show Management, ATA members receive a discount on exhibit space. Here are some important details about the event. Important FactsTHETRADESHOW, the #1 travel trade show in North America, connects thousands of travel sellers, destinations and travel related companies in one convenient and affordable location. As a travel retailer, attending this travel show, gives you the best opportunity to assemble a diverse, dynamic group of travel suppliers and destinations that will give you new, profitable business options to have at your fingertips when the deal is on the line. The 3-day travel show conference program is designed specifically for you. It offers comprehensive education and training to enrich your career and increase your sales. By attending THETRADESHOW, you will gain the essential knowledge and expertise to make your travel business more profitable. Show ProgramThe three-day travel trade show conference program is specifically designed to give exhibitors the greatest amount of time with travel retailers to generate new leads and establish new business relationships. THETRADESHOW is created and supported by the travel industry's leading organizations. This diverse group of organizers enables THETRADESHOW to attract a large, qualified mix of travel retailers. The expansive travel trade show and unparalleled educational program draws every type of travel retailer including: Retail travel agency owners / managers, Home-based agents, corporate travel sellers, Independent Contractors, International and Canadian travel sellers and more. THETRADESHOW attracts travel retailer members of these worldwide associations in addition to our own Africa Travel Association: American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA) Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) National Business Travel Association (NBTA) International Gay & Lesbian Association (IGLTA) The Travel Institute National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) plus many more. These special partnerships give THETRADESHOW an increased marketing arm, to ensure that exhibitors will meet their target market. THETRADESHOW features the most expansive trade show floor in North America. The 2007 show floor featured 548 booths representing over 450 exhibiting companies in 70 countries. Among the exhibiting companies, visiting travel agents met with representatives from: • 77 domestic and international tourist offices • 54 hotel brands/chains/properties • 28 cruise lines • 133 travel & tour companies • 37 technology firms • 14 publications • 36 transportation companies (air/rail/car rental) • 34 other (entertainment, shopping, attractions) This year's show is at the Las Vegas Convention Center - Hall N1, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Website: www.thetradeshow.org/splash09.htm Toll-Free: 1-866-870-9333 Fax: 703-739-8717 Exhibitor information: exhibit@thetradeshow.org Mail: 1101 King Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314