Associate Board of Director: Dave Martinson

Dave Martinson

President & CEO, PhotoVision, Inc.
Watch candidate interview.

Please describe your experience as a volunteer within or outside the travel community.

I have been the photographer for NTA, ABA, and SYTA off and on since 1999. For SYTA, it has been every year since 1999. This makes it difficult to be able to personally volunteer, but I’ve served as a mentor at ABA and SYTA before.

Please describe your professional experience in the student travel industry.

Our first SYTA was in 1999. Haven’t miss one conference since then. I have personally visited over 50 tour operator offices throughout the US, and about a dozen in the UK. With hundreds of tour operators as customers, I have become good friends with many of them, and learned various aspects about the business from a variety of angles.

Please describe other professional or personal experience that would benefit you as a Board member.

Before becoming an entrepreneur in 1985, I joined the largest retail photography company after graduating with honors earning a BA in Business Administration at the University of NC at Charlotte in 1977. I worked as an advertising, marketing research, and marketing executive with this company for 8 years before starting my own business. I have served in our local chamber of commerce now for almost 6 years, and as a member the Executive Board there serving as the Treasurer for the past 3 years. This term ends Dec 31, 2020.

Please describe why you would like to serve as a Board of Director (Associate).

I have wanted to do this for a while now, but my commitments to a growing business and the chamber has not allowed it. We are in a changing environment now, and I think my technical, marketing, and creative skills will be helpful for SYTA during the upcoming years. Plus, I feel the need to give back to an industry that has given so much to me personally and professionally.

What do you see as the challenges facing the student travel industry? What can SYTA do to meet those challenges?

The biggest challenge will helping people overcome fear that has been propagated during the recent media and government hysteria over the Covid19 pandemic. Stressing safety, communication, and the benefits of student travel can help meet this overhanging challenge.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Nominating Committee?

SYTA is and always been my favorite travel organization. From our business vantage point we can clearly see through the photos and videos we receive by the thousands how student travel can change lives. I am 100% convinced of it, and I believe the opportunities for SYTA are still enormous. Hence, helping more students realize their hopes and dreams as they become adults.