PRESS RELEASE
“The #1 Name in Airport Customer Assistance”
Contacts:
Raymond M. Flynt, President Bruce N. Freeman, Executive Director
Travelers Aid International Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth
(202) 546-1127 (972) 574-4420
info@travelersaid.org bfreeman@travelersaiddfw.org
NORTH AMERICAN AIRPORT CUSTOMER SERVICE VIPS TO MEET IN FORT WORTH FOR LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Washington DC and Dallas/Fort Worth, June 2, 2009 — Forty-one representatives of the Travelers Aid International network will be attending the organization’s Annual Leadership Conference, hosted by Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth, Wednesday June 10 through Friday June 12, at the Hilton Fort Worth Hotel, 815 Main Street, Fort Worth. The conference theme is “Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times.”
Notable individuals who will address the conferees at Hilton Fort Worth include:
· Kenneth Barr, former Mayor of the City of Fort Worth – Keynote Speaker
(Thursday June 11, 12:30 pm) [PHOTO ATTACHED]
· Chuck Sloan, Customer Service Manager, Transportation Security Administration at DFW Airport (Thursday June 11, 10:30 am)
· Gary Graley, Vice President, Greyhound Lines, Inc. (Friday June 12, 8:30 am)
Executives of the Travelers Aid network represent a variety of nonprofit social service agencies from Boston to Honolulu. 26 of the agencies operate volunteer-run help desks in the nation’s largest airports, including DFW, the nation’s fourth-busiest after Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson, and LAX.
In 2008, Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth responded to requests for help from 50,095 individuals – 23,467 clients in its intervention social service program and 26,628 passengers at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. In 2008, Travelers Aid D/FW volunteers, working under professional management, donated 2,214 hours of service.
In 2008, the Travelers Aid network of 51 agencies helped 6.5 million passengers nationwide who needed information or directions or were delayed, stressed or stranded. Travelers Aid helps passengers rebook flights, book a hotel, find their luggage, reconnect with family members, make a long distance call, recover lost items, page missing parties, wire funds, obtain wheelchairs, get medical attention, connect with ground transportation, and much more.
An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:00pm at La Buena Vida Vineyards in Grapevine, TX, sponsored by Airport Accommodations.
Attending the conference will be executives of Travelers Aid programs that provide service at the following airports (in order of passenger volume):
A special track for the Airport Services Network will comprise four sessions:
- TSA issues: Thursday June 11, 10:30am–noon
- Volunteer stories: Thursday June 11, 2:30-4:00 pm
- The TAI Airport Network : Friday June 12, 8:30-10:00 am
- Airline Industry Update: Friday June 12, 10:30am–noon
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Travelers Aid International
Travelers Aid, the oldest, non-sectarian social welfare organization in the United States, has become known as the “Number One name in airport customer assistance.” In 2008, Travelers Aid assisted 6.5 million individuals at transportation centers and provided casework services to an additional 200,000 individuals in crisis. While each of its 51 member agency shares the core service of helping stranded travelers, many Travelers Aid agencies provide shelter for the homeless, transitional housing, job training, counseling, local transportation assistance and other programs to help people in their communities who encounter crises as they journey through life.
Travelers Aid International
1612 K Street NW, Suite 206
Washington DC 20006
P (202) 546-1127 F (202) 546-9112
www.travelersaid.org
Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth
Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth has served individuals and families in need at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and in the DFW Metroplex area since the airport opened in 1974. Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth provides more than 50,000 people a year with information, emergency travel assistance, case management services, foreign language translations, protective travel assistance, runaway supervision and other services. The agency also provides assistance to military personnel and victims of disaster. Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth provides services from two offices at DFW International Airport, and will soon open a booth at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown Fort Worth.
Travelers Aid of Dallas/Forth Worth
P.O. Box 610042
DFW Airport, TX 75261
P (972) 574-4420 F (972) 574-0545
www.travelersaiddfw.org