The Travel Institute’s Diane Petras to Retire at Year’s End

Non-profit Well-Positioned for Continued Success with ‘Extraordinary’ Growth in Recent Years

 

A Message from the Ogg Family to Diane:

“Congratulations on your retirement, my friend! While I’m so happy for you, I have to admit, it’s a little bittersweet. You’ve been more than just a colleague; you’ve been a true friend, a steady presence, and someone I’ve always admired and enjoyed working with. You have given so much to our industry and have been such a positive force of growth for so many travel professionals.

 

As you step into this new chapter, I hope it brings you everything you’ve dreamed of, more time for the people you love, the places you’ve wanted to visit, and the things that bring you joy. You’ve more than earned it.

 

Wishing you a retirement full of peace, adventure, and happiness. You so deserve it my dear friend.”

 

FRAMINGHAM, MA, August 5, 2025 –Diane Petras, CTIE, president of The Travel Institute, is retiring at year’s end after a nearly 40-year career in the travel industry, including overseeing the non-profit education leader for the last seven years and after supporting it for multiple decades.

 

“I’m able to let go and leave because things are truly the best they’ve ever been for The Travel Institute,” Petras reflected, explaining her role was “never as much a job as it has been a passion and a calling.” With the timing right for the retirement that was always part of her plan, she looks forward to more time with family, supporting a few local, non-profit causes, and, of course, leisure travel—fully confident in The Travel Institute mission and that its impact will continue to grow.

 

“Diane’s contributions to The Travel Institute cannot be overstated. She’s taken both The Travel Institute—and our entire industry—to a higher level,” asserted Gary Pollard, CTC, chair of The Travel Institute Board of Directors; president and CEO, Ambassador Tours. “Her passion for quality education has inspired countless agents and organizations to prioritize education and become true travel professionals who embrace selling travel and offer greater value through a comprehensive business model. She’ll be missed both professionally and personally by her team and the board, as well as by leaders and advisors throughout the industry,” continued Pollard, a board member since 2008.

 

Petras first volunteered with The Travel Institute in the 1990s, managing its annual training conferences and serving on its national advisory board. In 2010, she signed on as chief operating officer, focused on integrating technology, and, in 2018 was named president. With a background in both training and technology, Petras is credited with leading pivotal milestones for the non-profit educator during the last 30+ years, including reinventing its operating model by moving from printed textbooks to a responsive e-commerce website; augmenting content with 3rd-party subject matter experts; providing $1M+ USD in scholarships; producing award-winning curriculum for new and experienced agents; launching a best-in-class, interactive learning platform as well as a digital credentials marketing tool targeting consumers; and more. 

 

Still, despite countless accomplishments under her leadership, Petras says just one stands out. “My biggest, best accomplishment has been hiring the team in place today. They have made the difference in what we deliver to this industry and I feel really good about leaving it in their capable hands.”

 

As the search for Petras’ successor gets underway, David Chait, CTIE, CEO and Founder, Travefy, Inc. and an executive committee board member for The Travel Institute, said the education leader is primed to further elevate its industry impact with affordable, accessible education that empowers new agents, sharpens seasoned professionals, and strengthens the industry as a whole. 

 

“The board has every confidence The Travel Institute’s 60+-year foundation of success and ongoing momentum will continue,” Chait said, citing an extraordinary 12.5% average growth rate in recent years while also emphasizing, “We’ve got an experienced, accomplished group with our collective sleeves rolled up on multiple initiatives already well underway. Together, we’ll continue to drive educational excellence at every level in support of individual professionalism and broader industry success.”

 

Along with Pollard and Chait, The Travel Institute Board’s Executive Committee also includes Evan 

McElligott, CTA, President, Longer Vacations. The full board includes:

• Rick Baron, CTC, former Managing Director, Global Sales, Tauck, Inc.
• Laurie Bohn-Isaure, CTIE, Senior Director, National Accounts, Silversea Cruises, Ltd.
• Drew Daly, CTIE, Senior Vice President & General Manager – WTH/Dream Vacations
• Jackie Friedman, CTIE, President, Nexion Travel Group
• Rick Meadows, CTC, former President, Seabourn Cruise Line
• Alex Pinelo, CTC, Chief Sales Officer for AmaWaterways
• Jill Romano, CTIE candidate, Owner, Dimensions in Travel

 

To further ensure a smooth leadership transition, Petras will be available to The Travel Institute as needed in a consulting capacity into 2026.

 

Petras started in the retail travel industry in 1986 as an agent. Her career also includes corporate travel and agency ownership experience in addition to being a producer for travel industry training events and a developer and marketer of travel software with TRAMS and Sabre. Petras has also served on the Ritz-Carlton Advisory Board and various community association boards.

 

About The Travel Institute

A collaborative industry effort created in 1964, The Travel Institute has continuously evolved to maintain its role as the global leader and industry’s recognized gold standard in travel industry education and certification. Dedicated solely to advancing the professionalism of both agents and industry leaders in support of individual and industry success, The Travel Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, independent organization operating exclusively for educational purposes to meet the ever-changing needs of travel agents. Working with leaders throughout the industry to create and deliver relevant and rigorous coursework and proctored, closed-book testing to ensure graduates demonstrate the highest standards of expertise and service, The Travel Institute has more than 31,000 Certified Travel Associate, CTA®; Certified Travel Counselor, CTC®; and Certified Travel Industry Executive, CTIE® graduates. It also administers the Travel Agent Proficiency, or TAP®, exam to confirm students new to the industry demonstrate a mastery of travel industry basics. Countless individuals, agency owners and managers, and educational institutions utilize The Travel Institute’s award-winning TRIPKITSM introductory program and CTA® as their learning tools of choice. A trusted partner to industry suppliers and educational institutions, The Travel Institute is also the approved provider of travel industry civilian occupation training for U.S. military and has trained hundreds of thousands through various courses, webinars, and Premium Access online library content. Throughout North America, many successful agents and high-profile leaders credit their success to The Travel Institute’s affordable and accessible educational resources. Learn more.