The Big Island of Hawai’i is the site of next year’s Contact, NTA’s tour operator-exclusive event, slated for August 15-17, 2013. The announcement was made at this year’s Contact by Jim Reddekopp Jr., NTA Board Chairman and CEO, who lives in Hawai’i and operates Earth Bound Tours and the Hawaiian Vanilla Co.

“You may have seen Hawai’i before, but you’ve never see the Big Island like you’ll see it next year,” Reddekopp told the gathering of travel professionals here, “You can look forward to this as a barefoot native adventure.”

Last year, NTA rejuvenated its Tour Operator Spring Meet by switching to a late-summer date and incorporating an education program with three tracks: CEO/owner, sales/marketing, or operations/product development. Contact allows tour operators to connect in an intimate setting where they can explore business opportunities, discuss challenges, and continue their professional development.

Along with conducting business appointments, Contact attendees engage in sightseeing and familiarization trips. Reddekopp, a lifelong resident of Hawai’i, is eager to showcase his home state. “We have been working with our local suppliers to provide a fantastic Hawaiian event,” he said.

The conference will take place at Hilton Waikoloa Village, a 62-acre resort on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawai’i, where conferees can swim, golf, dine, dolphin-watch, and participate in a 5-K run.

NTA is the leading business-building association for travel professionals interested in the North American market—inbound, outbound and within the continent. For more information, visit NTA online at www.ntaonline.com.