Noelia Gisbert
President
Proficient Travel Inc. Chief Executive Officer • Travel Advisor
Building the Future of Travel
Since 1965, TIA has connected travel professionals, strengthened industry relationships, and advanced professional excellence.
Our Mission
Uniting, Elevating, and Strengthening the Travel Industry
The mission of the Travel Industry Association (TIA) is to unite and strengthen the travel industry by creating a trusted national community where travel professionals, agencies, suppliers, educators, and industry partners can connect, grow, and succeed.
We advance professional excellence through education, training, industry resources, ethical standards, regulatory awareness, and meaningful collaboration. TIA also promotes accountability, transparency, responsible business practices, and consumer confidence.
Through nationwide programs, industry events, partnerships, professional recognition, technology, and access to meaningful resources, TIA connects the industry, elevates its professionals, strengthens its businesses, and helps shape a more trusted future for travel.
Our Values
What We Stand For
The principles that guide everything we do at TIA.
Education
Continuous learning and professional development opportunities for all members.
Networking
Building meaningful industry connections that drive business growth.
Excellence
Setting high standards for the travel industry community.
Advocacy
Representing travel professionals’ interests at every level.
Community
Creating a supportive environment for all travel professionals.
Heritage
Honoring our 60-year legacy while embracing innovation.
TIA Today
A Historic Association Building for the Future
TIA continues the founders’ vision through practical education, professional relationships, and opportunities that help travel professionals and industry partners grow together.
Professional Education
TIA Academy provides bilingual learning, continuing education, specialized training, examinations, and professional certification programs.
Industry Engagement
Educational events, supplier partnerships, networking opportunities, FAM experiences, and ship tours connect members with the wider travel industry.
National Community
From its South Florida roots, TIA now welcomes professionals and industry partners across the United States while maintaining meaningful local engagement.
What Sets Us Apart
The TIA Difference
Real Industry Connections
We don’t just create meetings—we create meaningful connections between travel advisors and trusted suppliers that lead to real business opportunities.
Practical, Relevant Education
Our sessions are designed to deliver real value—focused on current trends, supplier insights, and tools that travel professionals can immediately apply.
Built for Professionals
TIA operates as a structured, professional association committed to supporting and elevating travel advisors through integrity and collaboration.
Nationwide Reach, Local Impact
While we serve members across the United States, we maintain strong local engagement through events, relationships, and community presence.
Growth-Focused Environment
Everything we do is designed to help our members grow—whether through new partnerships, increased knowledge, or expanded opportunities.
Quality Over Quantity
We focus on delivering high-value experiences, ensuring that every event, connection, and partnership provides meaningful benefit to our members.
Executive Board of Directors — 2026
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Kay Castro
Vice President
Anmart Superior Travel LLC Vice President • Travel Advisor
Martha Brito
Treasurer
AmeriMia Travel President • Travel Advisor
Eglys Larez
Recording Secretary
Santo Domingo Travel President • Travel Advisor
Jose Jaime Rojas Jr.
Chief Communications Officer
Feel One World Chief Executive Officer • Travel Advisor
Board Council
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Susan Rice
Board Member
New Era Travel President • Travel Advisor
Zobeida Castillo
Board Member
Love to Travel Vacations President • Travel Advisor
Anthony Martin
Board Member
An. Martin Air, LLC & Anmart Superior Travel LLC Chief Executive Officer • Travel Advisor
Adriana Parra-Simon
Board Member
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Miami International Airport — 36th Street Director of Sales
Joker Naveira
Board Member
JN Multiservices Corp. Chief Executive Officer • Travel Advisor
Our History
Our History
TIA was established in South Florida in 1965 to bring together the many sectors of the travel industry through education, cooperation, and professional engagement. Its first official meeting followed in 1966. Across six decades, successive generations of volunteer leaders have carried that founding vision forward as TIA has expanded its reach and developed programs serving today’s travel professionals and industry partners.
Read the Full History
Our Legacy of Leadership
Former Presidents
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Honoring the leaders who helped shape TIA across generations. Each president is shown with the organization they represented during their term, preserving an important part of our association’s history and the travel industry it has served.
20232025
Lucy See
See Cruises and Tours
20182022
Elena Calella-Diaz
New Era Travel
20152017
Jose Valentin
TransEagle Travel
20132015
Nick Jaramillo
TEI Vacations
20122013
Frank Robleto
Carnival Cruise Line
20112012
Diana Riel
NCL Cruise Line
20082010
Alina Barcia
ProTravel
20072008
Luisa Yu
Westchester Travel
20042007
Lenny Martinez
Norwegian Cruise Line
20032004
Holly Black
Travel Leaders
20022003
Eliane Kellogg
Cosmo & Globus Tours
19992002
Lillian Kirchheiner
Wylly's Travel
19981999
Larry Green
World Travel Dimensions
19971998
Sonni Roth
Regal Travel
19961997
Pat Reznic
Choice Vacations
19951996
Eilene Huber
Go Go Tours
19941995
Carol Morse
Travel Is Fun
19931994
Dulce Rosado
Aero Peru
19921993
Ed Gitlitz
Air France
19911992
Ed Pitman
Travel Leaders
19901991
Frank Weiss
The Journey Shop
19891990
Jan Hammod
Travel Planners
19881989
Doris Green
Travel Lure
19871988
Ruth Feigenbaum
Kendall Travel
19861987
Pearl Nina
Nina Travel
19851986
Norm Koppen
Viking Travel
19841985
Wally Bithorn
Wally Bithorn Travel
19831984
Carol Morse
Marine Travel
19821983
Art Horwitz
Globe Travel
19801981
Buddy Jabara
All Ways Travel
19791980
Jim Pitts
Air Canada
19781979
Bill Lewis
AAA Worldwide Travel
19771978
Tony Staikos
Pan American Airlines
19761977
Larry Green
Eastern Airlines
19751976
Lysbeth Toro
New Frontiers
19741975
Frank Stokes
The Travel Shop
19731974
Jim Eraso
Key Biscayne Travel
19721973
Joe Vendi
Ambassador Travel
19711972
Rudy Urruela
Norwegian Cruise Line
19701971
Irene Bernabie
Ambassador Travel
19691970
Ben Atkins
Pan American Airlines
19681969
Bryan Workman
First National Travel
19671968
Willie Prestegaard
Greek Line
19661967
Ernie Lara
Founding PresidentTravel Wise
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A Legacy That Continues
The service of these volunteer leaders helped build TIA’s foundation, strengthen its industry relationships, and carry its mission forward through changing generations of travel.
Honoring the Past. Inspiring the Future.
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TIA remains grateful for the guidance, service, and leadership of its Former Presidents—leaders whose work helped build the association we proudly carry forward today.
TIA Archives • Preserving Our Story
TIA Through the Years
A living collection of original recordings from TIA’s past. These videos preserve the people, events, traditions, and professional community that helped shape the association across generations.
Living Archive
—
preserved recordings
Growing collection • and growing
Help preserve TIA history.
As more photographs and recordings are recovered, they can be added here in their proper year to expand the association’s permanent digital archive.
History worth keeping