Travel trade non-profit the U.S. Travel Association has hired government consulting firm Eris Group to advocate on Capitol Hill on behalf of issues affecting the travel and tourism industry.
According to lobbying registration documents filed in June, USTA has retained Eris Group in support of U.S. Open Skies policies, the bilateral agreements that establish a free-market environment for the airline industry, allowing international passenger and cargo flights to move between the U.S. and foreign nations without government interference.
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The United States currently maintains Open Skies agreements with about 115 countries.
The travel industry’s top trade association, the USTA — formerly known as the Travel Industry Association of America — represents the destinations, service providers and travel groups that comprise the U.S.’s $2.1 trillion travel, hospitality and tourism industry.
The USTA account will be led by Chris McCannell, an APCO and Ameriprise alum who was previously chief of staff to former Brooklyn/Staten Island Congressman Mike McMahon (D-NY) and Democratic Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY), as well as a press secretary to Democratic whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Paul Kanjorkski (D-PA).
Eris Group, formerly known as Bartlett & Bendall, counts Western Union, Nike, PayPal, TransUnion and PCI as clients.
Carlsbad, a north San Diego County city of 115K people, is looking for a firm to provide government relations and Sacramento lobbying services.
Gordon Sondland, who was US ambassador to the European Union under Donald Trump, has registered as a representative of Ukraine’s cabinet and ministers.
The Daschle Group is representing Santa Monica-based Stand with Hong Kong Action, an advocacy group that fights to end Chinese repression in Hong Kong.
McKinsey & Co. has reached out to Republican shop Harbinger Strategies to educate policymakers about the activities of the embattled management consultancy.
Scotland’s SaxaVord Spaceport, which is the UK’s only facility for vertical rocket launches, has hired Alexandria’s Brian Glackin & Assocs. for Washington representation on aerospace and defense matters.
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