Do you know how to increase your competitive edge? Enroll in CTIS!

CTIS certification represents a widely-respected stamp of approval for the highest-quality skill levels. It helps to define career paths and helps identify the most desirable in the industry to build business relationships. In today’s economy it is critical to increase your edge over the competition.

Now in its 20th year, the American Bus Association and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) are once again pleased to offer the Certified Travel Industry Specialist program as an ABA member benefit. The CTIS program is the first university-administered program in the group travel industry. All industry categories, operators, DMOs, hoteliers, attractions and associates have joined the CTIS Program to differentiate themselves from their competition.

Travel Industry Specialist certification is an avenue for enhancing members' professionalism and boosting confidence in their businesses by motorcoach travelers and the industry.

These correspondence courses, available via mail and the Internet, plus the required American Bus Marketplace seminars (available via cassette) are designed to increase members' competitive edge. Providing a solid foundation for building relationships to grow your business, ABA's CTIS Program allows you to differentiate yourself from the field. CTIS has become a desired designation in our industry because it represents a commitment to the industry and up-to-date knowledge of trends and tools to conduct business. Much of our industry is the one-on-one business relationships that are developed between the operators and the suppliers. Branding yourself can make all of the difference in the success of your business and your career.

Program Details

Certification requires successful completion of two components:

• Five IUPUI Correspondence Courses. As an enrollee, you will complete three required courses and your choice of two electives. All IUPUI registration materials, enrollment forms, and course assignments (including books) will be sent to you from IUPUI. All of the IUPUI courses in the CTIS program are correspondence courses and will be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to the address on the application form.
• Eight Marketplace Education Seminars may be attended during ABA's annual Marketplace or listened to on purchased CDs of the seminars. You will receive credit for any recorded educational seminars from 1989 through the present Marketplace. If you have not previously completed educational seminars and wish to listen to seminars on CD, CDs are available on ABA's web site or at Marketplace each year for approximately $10 each. Credit will be given when seminar evaluations are received by ABA.

Enroll Today

Complete the enrollment form below and return it to ABA with your enrollment fee After ABA receives your enrollment you will receive a welcome email from ABA. Additionally, IUPUI will send a welcome packet that will include the IUPUI course enrollment form. Each enrollee will also be match with a mentor to offer advice, encouragement, and share any tips and pointers for the successful completion of the CTIS Program.

Enrollment in the Certified Travel Industry Specialist Program includes:

• University administered courses - the first in the industry
• Up-to-date knowledge of trends and tools of group travel
• Flexible scheduling can be completed at home, in the office or on the road
• ABA Member Discounts: the most cost-effective program in the industry
• Mentoring Program
• Record Keeping: we will track your progress for you so you don't have to maintain your own records
• Your enrollment does not expire until you graduate - our commitment to you.

One time ABA Enrollment Fee:

• $125 ABA Member
• $175 Non-ABA Member

The IUPUI Course Registration Fee includes all of the materials for the IUPUI courses.

• $252 ABA Member per course
• $267.75 Non ABA Member per course

Registration Discounts:

• 20% discount when you register in five 2009 courses by Feb. 15, 2009.
• 10% discount when you register 30 days prior to the course start date.

CTIS is non-transferable to another representative in a company but may transfer with the enrollee to a new employer.

You may enroll in the program at any time during the year. The CTIS program is designed to be completed within 12 months. However, you may take longer with no additional ABA enrollment fees. CTIS Graduation is celebrated each year at the American Bus Marketplace.

Required Courses

Elective Courses

CTIS Graduation

Graduate List