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Show Ten Q'Clcck Whistle by David Fleisher . ASTA!!! Much of the city this week has been thrown into a frenzy as a result of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) convention. About 700 or so travel agents from all over the country arrived Sunday for a three day get-together to see. what Park City has to offer in the wayof tourism. Weeks and even months prior to their arrival, various segments of the community (Chamber of Commerce, merchants. City Hall, local newspapers) have been bus preparing. At one point, we at the Park Record considered installing an ASTA Hotline in our office to get the latest developments. We threw out the Hotline idea and decided instead to go with a simple wine and cheese party Sunday, the day the agents arrived, as a way of saying, "Hi, ASTA!" The party, to say the least, was a huge success. A steady stream of ASTA people visited the Record, enjoying our wine which we served graciously in Dixie Cups (we went through four bottles), as well as taking part in our modest cheese buffet (enthusiastically prepared by Record Reporter Teri Poison). I wasn't sure at first what .to expect from the ASTA convention; my biggest worry was that it mav iead to more horrible traffic jams on Park Avenue, but it really didn't do that; As a matter of fact. I enjoyed the convention, especially the cocktail parties. Sunday night, I figured I went to at least six parties, sponsored by various airlines. As I skipped merrily from one party to the next. 1 realized there was a lot going on in the world that wasn't going on in Park City. Obviously, these travel agents have been around a lot. I met one nice lady from Lima, Peru who spoke mostly in Spanish; 1 spoke mostly in English; and we mostly didn't understand each other, but it was fun anyway staring into each other's eyes wondering what we would say next. She made me want to immediately hop on a plane and go to Peru. Late Sunday night I found myself eating Steak far Tar at another cocktail party, this one sponsored by Mexicana Airlines. The ambience here was typically Mexican: very festive with much musica and margaritas. The condominium was packed with ASTA people and city officials, all dancing and having a good time. . Of course, there was a lot more-to the ASTA Convention than just cocktail parties. The organizational efforts by many local people was simply incredible. If the. people from ASTA don't like Park City. I can't figure out why. As one Park City official told me this week, commenting on preparing for the big convention. "We done good!" And I think the many travel agents who visited us KNOW "we done good" (never mind the gram'mer; with ASTA. there are more critical things to think about). Hopefully, the travel agents left Park City carrying with them a T-Shirt which reads: "You bet vour sweet ASTA I was in Park City." Til second that, t f As I stroll, up Main Street, wishing I was in Lima, Peru for a vacation. I hear the Ten O'Clock Whistle. |
