ASTA - New York City Chapter

07/11/2024

TONIGHT! On July 11th - join us for our next YPS event (Young Professionals Society / 40ish years old and under) sponsored by our friends at the Bahamas Tourism Board. We have three spots left. Please RSVP to [email protected] or in the comments below if you would like to attend.

Thursday, July 11th @ 6pm
Sponsor: Bahamas Tourism Board (Advisors-Only Event)
Location: Frames Bowling Lounge / 2nd Floor of Port Authority (550 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018)

05/23/2024

Our next two YPS (Young Professionals Society) events are set. Please save the date and RSVP here in this post or confirm your attendance by emailing [email protected]. Please note these are advisor-only events.

Wednesday, June 5th @ 6pm
Sponsor: Spain Tourism Board (Turespana) and the Malaga / Costa del Sol Tourist Board.
Location: La Nacional Restaurant (239 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011)

Thursday, July 11th @ 6pm
Sponsor: Bahamas Tourism Board
Location: FRAMES Bowling Lounge – Private Room w/ Lanes are Reserved (550 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018)

07/03/2023

06/23/2023

June 23, 2023
Washington Heights, NYC
809 Restaurant

This afternoon at Restaurant 809, the 3rd annual Dominican Taste Festival kicked off in a very exciting and festive atmosphere! NYASTA President Jim Killen and Vice President Ruby Chadha attended to show ASTA’s support to our travel supplier friends and the DR’s Ministry of Tourism.

Jamie & Damian/Lifestyles; Monica/Palladium Resorts; Ciso/Iberostar and Lucien/Majestic Resorts all supported the event as well!

It was great to receive very warm support to NYASTA members from Karina Ramos, the Director of NY / Northeast of the DR’s Ministry of Tourism.

The Dominican Taste Festival runs all weekend, for additional information, please click this link:

HERE: https://dominicantoday.com/amp/news?id=189930&title=dominican-taste-festival-in-new-york-will-be-dedicated-to-san-juan-de-la-maguana
JK

06/17/2023

NYASTA wishes our members who are Dads, a very Happy Father’s Day!

This is also a day to celebrate and remember our Dads who are no longer with us, but remain in our hearts every day.

05/14/2023

Happy Mother’s Day to all our NYASTA Moms, Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers!

“The most essential role in life is motherhood”.

Moms are our everything, here’s wishing them a Happy Mother’s Day!

NYASTA Board

05/13/2023

May 11, 2023
NYASTA’s YPS Educational Luncheon, sponsored by Las Vegas CVA
ZUMA New York

On Thursday, May 11th NYC ASTA’s Young Professional Society (YPS) held an educational luncheon sponsored by Kelly Messina of the Las Vegas CVA. Spearheaded by NYASTA’s Brandi McBride ( recently named the “YPS Person of the Year” earlier this month at the ASTA Global Convention in San Juan, PR), 19 YPS members enjoyed an excellent lunch at Manhattan’s very trendy Zuma New York. Brandi discussed how ASTA and ASTAPAC work diligently every day for the advisor community, and protects their interests.

Kelly Messina executed a fast pace, fun and vey informative presentation about what’s happening in Las Vegas ( hotels, attractions, residency’s, restaurants, sports, etc.).

This was an excellent luncheon, bravo to Brandi and Kelly and to all who attended.
JK

05/12/2023

NYASTA May 2023 Chapter Meeting @ NYC’s Hard Rock Cafe, sponsored by Kelly Messina of Las Vegas CVA.

NYASTA members enjoyed a “rockin’ “ chapter meeting this month at the iconic Paramount Building, home of the Hard Rock Cafe. Kelly Messina of Las Vegas CVA was our sponsor, and gave quite an impressive presentation (shown on 10 high-def screens around the HRC’s New York room). There is so many new attractions, restaurants and hotels happening in this beautiful and exciting desert city! It’s a must destination for your clients (and yourselves)!

NYASTA members really came out to support Kelly, we had a truly packed room! Here are some photos from the meeting.

Please mark your calendars for the next NYASTA event - the annual Summer Gala @ Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester, NY (Westchester County) on Thursday July 27th!

05/03/2023

ASTA Global Convention 2023
San Juan, Puerto Rico
02MAY - Special Award Presentation

At a special awards ceremony this afternoon, NYASTA Secretary and Young Professional Society (YPS) Liaison, Brandi McBride was recognized by ASTA senior executives and was awarded as the YPS Person of the Year!

Brandi’s dedication and hard work to grow NYASTA’s YPS is extremely appreciated, as we continue to be relevant as a travel industry organization in the greater-NYC area with new and cutting edge ideas to grow our membership.

As Chapter President, I couldn’t be more proud that Brandi and NYASTA was recognized this year.
JK

Congratulations Brandi!

05/03/2023

ASTA Global Convention 2023
San Juan, Puerto Rico
02MAY - Chapter Connections

NYASTA tried our best to win “ Best Table” at the annual Chapter Connections event ( that award went to the South Florida chapter). The NYASTA booth was manned by President Jim Killen, CTC; Vice President Ruby Chadha & Secretary/ YPS Liaison Brandi McBride, where we made excellent new contacts with ASTA supplier partners and new advisors who will affiliate with NYASTA.

05/03/2023

ASTA Global Convention 2023
San Juan, Puerto Rico
01MAY, CPC Meeting

Greetings from San Juan, where the ASTA Global Convention kicked off with the Chapter President’s Council (CPC) meeting. From 8:30am - 5pm, all ASTA chapters nationwide discussed various topics, and had spirited dialogue. ASTA HQ’s provided detail and content on subjects such as mentoring, ASTAPAC, events, trade shows, etc.

NYASTA was represented at the CPC meeting by Chapter President, Jim Killen, CTC, and Chapter Secretary and YPS Liaison, Brandi McBride.

04/21/2023

MAY 2023 MEETING NOTICE

Dear NYASTA Members;
On behalf of the NYASTA Board, we hope you had a blessed, peaceful, and enjoyable Ramadan, Passover, and Easter! Spring has spung in New York City, the birds are singing, the skies are blue, and the flowers are blooming! Although our New York winter wasn’t terrible, the changing season with warmer weather is surely welcomed!

Also welcome is our sponsor for our May 2023 chapter meeting! Our dear friend, Kelly Messina from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is making a special journey from the Las Vegas desert to the Big Apple just to engage with NYASTA and educate us on what’s happening and what will be happening in always exciting Las Vegas with some Prize Give-A-Ways at the end of the evening!

Our meeting will be held at the iconic “Paramount Building” at 1501 Broadway in the heart of Times Square. This building built in 1927 was the world headquarters of Paramount Pictures. It also had a 3,664 seat Paramount Theater where the likes of Frank Sinatra & Buddy Holly performed! Today, it’s the world-famous NYC Hard Rock Café! WE MUST give total attendance in advance and seating for our meeting is extremely limited, please RSVP ASAP!

Please join Kelly and NYASTA:

Hard Rock Café
1501 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-343-3355

Wednesday, May 10th @ 6:00pm

$55 Members
$65 Guests
(RSVP, please email to [email protected])

Registration and Cocktails start at 6pm featuring an open bar with Wine, Beer, Cocktails, and Non Alcoholic options with dinner starting at 6:30pm. What a great way to network with your fellow NYASTA members and enjoy a wonderful evening as we learn about Las Vegas.

On behalf of the NYASTA Board, we look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you,

Jim Killen, CTC
NYASTA President

04/11/2023

Our next NYASTA YPS event will be on Thursday, May 11th with our friend Kelly Messina, Senior Director of Leisure Sales, for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. We will meet at Zuma in midtown Manhattan with arrivals and networking at 11:30am, and our presentation, Q&A, and prize raffle from 12pm – 1pm. Kelly will give a lively, well-rounded presentation on the destination, new and luxury hotels, and things to do in the area for both gamblers and not. The private dining room only holds 20 people, and we keep our daytime YPS events small to facilitate better connections and allow for more questions of our incredible sponsor. Please RSVP to Brandi Brister McBride at [email protected], and contact her if you have a YPS friend (~40ish or younger) in the industry you would like to introduce to our fun YPS group at NYASTA.

04/07/2023

For those who are celebrating today, Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday; the NYASTA Board wishes you and your families a peaceful, reflective and holy next few days ahead.

04/06/2023

NYASTA wishes all who are celebrating, a Happy Passover!

03/17/2023

March 17, 2023:
The NYASTA Board wishes our advisor and supplier members and their families, an Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
Slainte!
JK

03/10/2023

March 8, 2023 ☘️

The Saint Patrick’s season officially arrived in Manhattan at Connolly’s Restaurant! On Wednesday, March 8th NYASTA held their monthly chapter meeting, sponsored by our good friend and staunch ASTA supporter - Katie Daly’s Ireland 🇮🇪.

It was a full-house with high-energy and lots of fun at Connolly’s. We started with our usual networking, then we were entertained by John Henderson of Babylon, Long Island’s Saffron United Pipe Band. John played the sweet sounds on his bagpipes with traditional Irish tunes, as well as playing a special wedding song for Ralph & Lucia Vasami who we’re celebrating their wedding anniversary that very day!

Katie Daly educated NYASTA members on her company, and how she specializes in 4 and 5 star itineraries. Katie’s company is surely a must when sending your clients to the Emerald Isle!

Please be on the lookout for details for our next meeting, we look forward to seeing you there!

☘️ Happy St. Patrick’s Day!☘️
JK

03/07/2023

LAST CALL!

MARCH MEETING NOTICE

Dear NYASTA Members;

It’s time to be “wearing the green” as NYASTA welcomes Katie Daly’s Ireland as our sponsor during this St. Patrick’s season!

You won’t want to miss this highly educational and fun evening of Irish food, drink and music, while Katie Daly educates you on her private customized travel experiences to the Emerald Isle!

Our dinner presentation will include a 3 course Irish dinner (with 5 entrees to choose from), dessert, coffee and FULL OPEN BAR with premium liquors, wine, Guinness and more!

PLUS, we'll have some festive entertainment with a Bagpiper playing and 50/50 Drawing!

Please join us on Wednesday, 08 March at 6pm at:

Connolly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
14 East 47th Street
New York, NY
Tel: 212-867-3767

Connolly’s is conveniently located just off 5th Avenue, close to Grand Central Terminal.
5th Avenue buses and plenty of Spot Hero parking too!

$60 Members
$70 Guests

Our meeting will begin with our usual, but extra festive social hour, followed by a dinner presentation.. What a great way to network with your fellow NYASTA members and enjoy a wonderful evening as we learn about Ireland.

On behalf of the NYASTA Board, we look forward to seeing you there!

SLAINTE!

Jim Killen, CTC
President