USAEXtra WELCOME MPI/WEC
V O L U M E 4 | ISSUE 7
JUNE 16, 2025
Explore St. Louis staff members gather at one of the entrances to the halls at America’s Center, ready to welcome MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) to town from June 18–20.
Cruz-Led Senate Committee Seeks to Slash Brand USA Funding Would Reduce Amount by 80%
By Todd McElwee The Senate Commerce Committee, led by Chairman Ted Cruz, earlier this month proposed substantially cutting Brand USA’s funding from $100 million to $20 million. U.S. Travel Association is once again rushing to the aid of the nation’s DMO, urging industry members to champion Brand USA’s cause via a variety of channels including contacting legislators, signing on to a sector-wide letter and social media messaging. “This funding reduction will significantly impact our entire industry, no matter what sector you serve,” Nicole Porter, Vice President, Political Affairs, U.S. Travel Association, said in a letter. “While we know we have asked for your engagement on this issue before, your continued action is now more critical than ever.” U.S. Travel noted President Trump included $100 million for Brand USA
in his budget and that “Congress must visitors and leading to a loss of nearly do the same to keep the U.S. competi- $2 billion in visitor spending each year, tive on the global stage.” It went on to $538 million in federal and local taxes, and impacting more than state the travel industry generates $2.9 trillion “While we know we 25,000 jobs,” the leader and supports more than have asked for your reads. The correspondence 15 million American jobs. An industry sign-on engagement on this highlights how the Unitletter stressed Brand issue before, your ed States is preparing to a series of major USA’s economic value, continued action is host global events over the including that it uses now more critical next decade, including no taxpayer dollars, the Ryder Cup, 2026 only ESTA fees paid by than ever.” FIFA World Cup, Amerinternational visitors ica250, and the 2028 from Visa Waiver Program countries plus matching con- Olympic and Paralympic Games and tributions from the private sector. It the damage detrimental policies could noted a return of more $24 for every have. “With the right policies in place, $1 invested. “Unfortunately, the Commerce these events present an economic opCommittee provision would reduce portunity that could attract 40 million the amount of ESTA fee collections visitors and drive nearly $100 billion in provided to Brand USA from up to international visitor spending, helping $100 million annually to only $20 mil- to rebalance our travel trade deficit lion, undermining its ability to attract Please turn to page 4
Inside Page 3 San Francisco Neighborhood Museum to Commemorate Indo-American Hoteliers Page 4 VisitPITTSBURGH Celebrates 90th Anniversary Page 9 Conversation with Brad Dean, President & CEO, Explore St. Louis Page 12 Visit Orlando’s Casandra Matej Sees Every Opportunity as a Doorway Page 16 Meetings Industry Luminary Jo Ann Hoffman Dies Page 22 The ROI of In-Person Meetings: Why Such Gatherings Are a Smart Marketing Strategy