RENO, Nev. -- When the annual convention of the National Tour Association opens here in two weeks, it will have a new format.

The NTA says it developed the revamped format for its Nov. 14-18 convention in response to member feedback, to better suit how members do business, and to give them more value with a streamlined schedule.

One key change was to adapt the signature Tour & Travel Exchange model to the conventions Destination Pavilion, where tour operators are able to buy the way they package - by destination.

The result is a retooled Destination Pavilion where destinations are arranged geographically, so tour operators can more easily develop product. The prescheduled business appointments between the operators and DMOs will be conducted in this regional format.

There also is open shopping time in the Destination Pavilion where the suppliers are encouraged to work with their destinations so operators can leave with complete itineraries.

For the prescheduled business appointments between operators and suppliers, delegates will have the familiarity of NTAs traditional Tour & Travel Exchange where the suppliers visit the tour operators in their booths for the appointments.

The current economic environment also has been considered in creating the convention schedule. NTA says tour operators requested more flexibility in their convention scheduling. The revised format enables them to meet with NTA partners that align best with their product development needs, while still having time to attend seminars and sightseeing tours.

The customizable and more streamlined format also gives members the option to attend fewer days. In addition, co-locating with the World Religious Travel Association gives members access to an additional market at the same convention, including hundreds of buyers and sellers of faith-based product from around the world.

For more information, go to http://www.NTAonline.com/.