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.
 |
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.
Anne Kierig, who was senior manager of public policy at Amazon, has joined the American Advertising Federation as VP-government affairs. She takes over for Clark Rector, who is retiring after a 37-year run at AAF.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which was established in compliance with the executive order signed by President Trump, has hired Valcour LLC, which has close ties with his administration.
Ballard Partners has signed on gunmaker Sturm, Ruger & Co to advocate on behalf of Second Amendment issues.
Sakura Conservation Strategies has registered Japanese American Confinement Sites Consortium as a client.
Sachs Media has signed on to represent the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund to advocate for public policies proven to reduce tobacco use, which is the No. 1 cause of preventable deaths in the US and the rest of the world.
