Stock Mickelson is the first two-time winner of the Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award; also honored in 2013.

New York, NY (September 11, 2017) – Travel Leaders Network – the travel industry’s largest travel agency organization – is proud to announce that Gloria Stock Mickelson, the company’s director of educational services, was awarded the 2017 Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award during the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Annual Advocacy Dinner in San Diego, California. Stock Mickelson was honored for her advocacy in Minnesota regarding the state’s non-compliance with the REAL ID Act, which would keep travelers from boarding commercial flights with standard, state-issued driver’s licenses. This is the second time Stock Mickelson has been named the recipient of the Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award – she was also honored in 2013 for her work in defeating a proposed sales tax on travel agency services in Minnesota.

“Gloria put in countless hours, all while forming alliances with the local Global Business Travel Association Chapter, the Chamber of Commerce, the airport commission and Delta Air Lines. She’s testified numerous times in committee hearings and sent more than 665 messages to Minnesota State Legislators by Minnesota travel agents,” said Michael Hanson, Senior Director, Government & External Affairs for Sabre. “As a member of ASTA since 1995, she is the first two-time winner of this award, and we all owe her a debt of gratitude.”

The Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award is presented to the ASTA members who have made the most significant contributions in advocating for interests of the travel agency community before federal, state and/or local governmental authorities.

“Gloria represents not only the best of Travel Leaders Network, but the best of the travel industry. Her deep knowledge and passion for teaching has helped countless travel agents achieve success,” said Roger E. Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Network. “One of the most admirable things about Gloria is the way she puts that knowledge to use to effect change, as with her efforts on behalf of Minnesota travelers and travel agents, to educate government officials on the need for immediate action related to the REAL ID Act. We are tremendously proud of Gloria on winning this prestigious award for the second time. The work that led to the Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award is something that will continue to benefit travelers and travel agents.”

For travel agencies interested in learning more about the award-winning programs and diverse offerings that Travel Leaders Network offers agencies in leisure and luxury travel, business travel, honeymoon and destination weddings – as well as active and adventure travel – visit TravelLeadersNetwork.com. Led by the flagship Travel Leaders-branded Associates, the 6,800 travel agencies of Travel Leaders Network combined enjoy more than $17 billion in annual sales volume.

About Travel Leaders Network

Travel Leaders Network assists millions of leisure and business travelers, annually, and is the largest seller of luxury travel, cruises, river cruises and tours in the travel agency industry. Led by flagship Travel Leaders-branded travel agencies (www.travelleaders.com), the network includes 6,800 Associates and Member travel agencies locations in the United States and Canada and represents more than $17 billion in annual sales volume. Travel Leaders Network’s award-winning Agent Profiler agent-locator, marketing, technology, supplier partnerships and educational programs are designed around our travel agents’ commitment to our vacation and business travel clients in providing a progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Travel Leaders Network is a Travel Leaders Group LLC company.