Even in a year fixated on collapses and downturns -- airline bankruptcies, bank failures and a tumbling stock market led the news -- ASTA had more than a few successes, not the least of which was its victory against ARC's annual fee increase. Thanks to ASTA and its Corporate Advisory Council, travel agents were spared paying fees that could have totaled thousands of dollars. Throughout the year, ASTA also claimed victory in defeating legislation detrimental to travel agents in Florida, Michigan, California, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts.

Always with an eye to helping its members, ASTA developed numerous tools, programs and educational opportunities to better assist agents in weathering the economic downturn. This year saw ASTA members heading to Lyon, France, to become France Destination Specialists and attending THETRADESHOW to learn about the latest travel products and trends and how to incorporate Web 2.0 into their agency. In 2008 alone, ASTA rolled out more than 50 online tools. Among them: a suite of financial benchmarking tools designed help members assess their sales and revenue mix, operating expenses, agent productivity and constructing a profit-and-loss statement; a guide to recession-proofing their business; a legislative action center; sample performance reviews; and a Green Member program to educate members on the benefits of green travel and selling it to interested clients.

It was a year full of challenges, and forecasts show 2009 being just as trying. Rest assured, no matter the challenge, ASTA will be there to ensure for its members that the industry is a profitable and rewarding place to work.