Brand USA Named Official Tourism Partner for World Routes 2013

Deploys Air Team USA to reach key aviation stakeholders

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Brand USA, the nation's public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts, today announced an agreement to serve as official tourism partner for World Routes Development Forum, the world's largest airline conference, October 5-8.

Through this exclusive sponsorship, Brand USA will reach airlines, airports and tourism authorities from 125 countries, increasing visibility and awareness through branding and networking opportunities, editorial coverage, speaking engagements and digital media outreach.

"With the exception of our border countries - Mexico and Canada - all international travelers to the U.S. fly. Routes provides Brand USA a platform for Air Team USA to engage with key influencers and stakeholders in the aviation industry," noted Chris Thompson, President and CEO for Brand USA. "Brand USA's new initiative, Air Team USA, was created to give U.S. suppliers the ability to reach the airline industry through cooperative partnerships. As a result of these collective efforts, U.S. suppliers have the opportunity to participate in international aviation events like World Routes Development Forum, which may have otherwise been cost prohibitive."

Air Team USA will develop cooperative opportunities to engage tour operators, travel agents and consumers with programs that will increase seat sales and ultimately visitation to the US. Air Team USA will work directly with domestic and international airports as well as their local tourism authorities to maximize airline efficiency for flights to and from the USA.

Alfredo Gonzalez, vice president, global partnership development for Brand USA, added, "I've participated in Routes since 2002 and I found it to be the best opportunity to engage with airlines. It is one of the few platforms today where you have the chance to sit one-on-one with carriers all over the world and discuss route development."

"UBM Routes is especially delighted to welcome Brand USA as the Official Tourism Partner of this year's event in Las Vegas. It is especially fitting as this is the first World Routes to be held in the United States," said Gerard Brown, International Tourism Development Director for UBM Routes. "The airports, airlines, tourism authorities and CVBs of the United States have used Routes events to drive new air services for many years and this new partnership with Brand USA will only serve to increase the positioning of the US globally within the air service development community."

Notes to Editors

About Routes

• Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking events through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year, there is one global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and CIS respectively. http://www.routesonline.com
• Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester UK-based ASM Ltd., a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports. http://www.asm-global.com
• Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August 2010.  From 1^st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.
• UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of events, Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

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SOURCE: UBM Live Routes Ltd

Victoria Jones, PR Executive, Routes: T: [phone], E: [email protected]