by Robin Amster
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Mon September 4, 2017
Alex Sharpe, Signature Travel Network's president and CEO, received ASTA's Paul M. Ruden Industry Ambassador Award for 2017.
The award is inspired by ASTA's former executive vice president of legal and industry affairs, Paul Ruden, who retired in 2015 after more than 25 years with ASTA. Ruden presented the award to Sharpe during the Advocacy Dinner at the recent ASTA Global Convention in San Diego.
The award honors Sharpe for his enduring commitment to supporting ASTA's mission, organizational growth and policy work.
"It's a real honor to be recognized in the same breath as Paul Ruden who is a true visionary within the travel industry," said Sharpe. "I was thrilled to accept this award on behalf of Signature Travel Network, since it's really the support of our entire network of members and staff that makes my efforts possible.
"ASTA is critical to our industry's success, so while I enjoy giving my time and energy, I see this as simply helping to protect and serve the industry that has given me so much."
"ASTA is honored to present the second annual Paul Ruden Industry Ambassador Award to Alex Sharpe," said Zane Kerby, ASTA President and CEO.
"From supporting the growth of ASTA's membership base, to enlisting his network's resources in critical federal and state policy fights, to supporting ASTA's political action committee, to his service on our national Board of Directors, Alex has shown himself to be a visionary who understands intuitively the need for a strong national trade association for our industry. In short, there is no one more deserving of this award than Alex."
Sharpe has served on ASTA's national board of directors, as well as on its consortia advisory committee.
This past June he took part in ASTA's Legislative Day and Premium Business Summit in Washington D.C. The event brought travel industry representatives to Capitol Hill to discuss policy issues impacting travel agencies.
Under the leadership of Signature's board of directors, Sharpe announced in 2015 that Signature would be the first consortium to mandate ASTA membership. Since then, it continues to promote ASTA participation among its roster of preferred supplier partners.
"The Advocacy Dinner was a wonderful culmination of the ASTA Global Conference," Sharpe said. "This event has been elevated back to its prominence of the glory days because of the support of key consortia and supplier partners. I encourage our peers and suppliers who aren't members to re-engage with ASTA in support of this amazing industry."
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