LAS VEGAS -- In its first visit to Sin City, the National Tour Association saw an 18 percent increase in registration for its 2011 convention here last month.

Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino hosted the meeting that attracted nearly 2,000 tour professionals from more than 31 countries, employed by tour operators, hotels, transportation companies and destinations.

Destination participants included Travel Portland, which offered free beer tastings, and Temple Square in Salt Lake City, which offered free genealogical searches for attendees.

Chip Smith, chairman of the visitor activities coordinating committee for Temple Square, said the convention was a success for his group.

National Tour Association President Lisa Simon agreed.

"We're thrilled with the attendance this year and I credit Las Vegas a lot with that," Simon said. "The economy is still so volatile and you don't know what to expect."

Besides suppliers and destinations, industry partners, including the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, the U.S. Commercial Service, and the United Motorcoach Association, also exhibited.

"I think we definitely were successful in meeting a lot of companies," said Janis Kalnins, senior international trade specialist for the U.S. Commercial Service. "This type of show is a great opportunity for us to let companies know that we exist and how we can help them."

During the convention, the U.S. Commercial Service met with attendees who were interested in reaching out to their counterparts in foreign countries. For example, Chicago's Essex Inn expressed interest in attracting tourists from Japan. Representatives from the Commercial Service can help connect the property with people overseas to conduct business.

"We're matchmakers," Kalnins said.

Besides exhibiting, the U.S. Commercial Service presented an export achievement certificate to the NTA for its work in easing the ability of Chinese travel to America.

In 2010, the number of Chinese group leisure travelers totaled 46,000. In 2011, that number surged to more than 200,000 visitors.

"Thats probably a greatly underestimated number, too," Simon said.

In educational forums, the convention focused on two revenue streams for tour operators: faith-based groups and the U.S. Hispanic market. Both, Simon said, can be highly lucrative.

"It really is a way to open the door to new business," Simon said.

During the show, the NTA celebrated its 60th anniversary.

New chairman, CEO

At the conclusion of the show, the NTA announced that Jim Reddekopp Jr., of Earth Bound Tours in Hawaii had been elected chairman and CEO.

Besides Reddekopp, NTAs executive committee is composed of:

Vice chairman: Mark Hoffmann, CTP, Sports Leisure Vacations

Secretary/treasurer: Anne Davis, CTP, Cruises and Tours Worldwide

DMO director: Jennifer Sutcliffe, Arizona Office of Tourism

Tour supplier director: Paul Nakamoto, Roaring Camp Railroads

Immediate past chairman: Cathy Greteman, Star Destinations