Frances Figart, editor-in-chief
Frances Figart used to be the editor-in-chief of Courier Magazine, the official publication of the National Tour Association (NTA), which has members in forty countries. Under Frances' direction, Courier underwent a widely celebrated redesign, of both content and graphics. As a result, Courier is now rated the most valued magazine in the industry over all other trade publications by NTA tour operators and is read monthly by 96 percent of NTA tour operators. Along with providing mainstream travel industry articles, she used Courier as a vehicle for educating readers about responsible travel, helping tour operators, tour suppliers and destination marketing organizations develop sustainable business strategies. She is a member of Sustainable Travel International, The International Ecotourism Society and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Kentucky's Berea College. After a year in advertising, she was a writer and editor at Knight-Ridder's Lexington Herald-Leader, before becoming chief writer at a graphic design firm. She came to NTA after five years as a freelance writer and director of the non-profit organization GO Women (Greater Opportunities for Women), which she founded to help low-income women in Appalachia become more economically viable.
Frances Figart used to be the editor-in-chief of Courier Magazine, the official publication of the National Tour Association (NTA), which has members in forty countries. Under Frances' direction, Courier underwent a widely celebrated redesign, of both content and graphics. As a result, Courier is now rated the most valued magazine in the industry over all other trade publications by NTA tour operators and is read monthly by 96 percent of NTA tour operators. Along with providing mainstream travel industry articles, she used Courier as a vehicle for educating readers about responsible travel, helping tour operators, tour suppliers and destination marketing organizations develop sustainable business strategies. She is a member of Sustainable Travel International, The International Ecotourism Society and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Kentucky's Berea College. After a year in advertising, she was a writer and editor at Knight-Ridder's Lexington Herald-Leader, before becoming chief writer at a graphic design firm. She came to NTA after five years as a freelance writer and director of the non-profit organization GO Women (Greater Opportunities for Women), which she founded to help low-income women in Appalachia become more economically viable.
Bob McElwee, publisher
Former publisher of the Daily Beacon in Knoxville, Tenn., Bob McElwee was a member of the journalism faculty at Eastern Illinois University and a member of the communications faculty at the University of Tennessee, where he was also director of student publications. After receiving his B.A. in Journalism and M.S. in Technology from Eastern Illinois University, Bob went on to be the director of marketing for two software companies, and then to be CEO and founder of a $20 million web development and software company. The author of numerous travel books, and an advocate for small business and freedom of the press, Bob is a frequent seminar and meeting speaker, often sharing the platform with other sales and marketing authors. "Inside the Box" and "929" are two business concepts he advocates in seminars, and has used successfully for clients and his own enterprises. Currently he is working on a business book called Inside the Box, which highlights why businesses are successful and why integrity is such an important part of this formula. Bob is also the managing partner of Phoenix Investments, a commercial real estate firm that invests in business incubator buildings. He is currently developing a new sustainable tourism resort in the Midwest.
Former publisher of the Daily Beacon in Knoxville, Tenn., Bob McElwee was a member of the journalism faculty at Eastern Illinois University and a member of the communications faculty at the University of Tennessee, where he was also director of student publications. After receiving his B.A. in Journalism and M.S. in Technology from Eastern Illinois University, Bob went on to be the director of marketing for two software companies, and then to be CEO and founder of a $20 million web development and software company. The author of numerous travel books, and an advocate for small business and freedom of the press, Bob is a frequent seminar and meeting speaker, often sharing the platform with other sales and marketing authors. "Inside the Box" and "929" are two business concepts he advocates in seminars, and has used successfully for clients and his own enterprises. Currently he is working on a business book called Inside the Box, which highlights why businesses are successful and why integrity is such an important part of this formula. Bob is also the managing partner of Phoenix Investments, a commercial real estate firm that invests in business incubator buildings. He is currently developing a new sustainable tourism resort in the Midwest.
