In August 1989, a group interested in the promotion of tourism in East Texas gathered in Gilmer. The meeting was attended by representatives from area chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, Main Street programs, tourist attractions and individuals involved in the tourism industry.

The objective was to develop a promotional program that was market-specific to the area of North and East Texas. North East Texas Tourism Council originally covered 25 counties in the “right corner” of Texas. In 1995, 5 counties to the south were added for a total of 30. This expansion improved representation of a more true North/East Texas.

The heart and soul of North East Texas Tourism Council are its cooperative programs. Program ideas are developed by and presented to the membership. All members have the opportunity to participate**. Cost of each adopted programs is shared equally by the members participating in that program*. Members who choose not to take part in a specific program are not accessed any fees.

Highlights of NETTC and the evolution of its programs include:

• Incorporation status received—1990
• Not-for-profit status received—1990
• Produced the first edition of An Invitation to North East Texas NETTC visitors map* —1990
• Print media writers tour—1991
• Cooperative Travel Show booth—1991
• Expanded Travel Show cooperative program to a block of booths at travel shows—1996
• First "Welcome to North East Texas" Blitz—1996
• First Regional Festival Guide*published on one legal sized sheet—1996
• First Educational Workshop—1998
• Internet web site published www.nettc.net—1998
• Fifth edition of NETTC map—1999
• Regional Festival Guide expanded to include attractions, accommodations and visitor information centers—2000
• NETTC celebrates its 10th Anniversary
• Sixth edition of NETTC map—2001
• Texas Travel Information Center display co-op program with Texas Department of Highways**— 2001
• Eighth edition of the Regional Fextival Guide reaches 54 pages and uses it first four-color cover—2003
• WWW.TEXAS-LAKE-COUNTRY.COM and WWW.NETTC.NET redesigned—2003
• Ninth edition of the Regional Fextival Guide with its first four color cover printed by Complete Printing in Carthage, Texas—2004
• 10th edition of the Regional Festival Guide—2005
• Seventh edition of NETTC map—2004
• WWW.TEXAS-LAKE-COUNTRY.COM and WWW.NETTC.NET redesigned—2005
• 11th Edition of the Regional Festival Guide becomes a full color publication published by Richardson Advertising in Palestine Texas. —2006
• Regional Festival and Visitors Guide available on-line—2006

*The Regional Festival Guide began as a benefit paid from membership dues. Due to the growth of it’s success and popularity it now requires other sources of funding through paid advertisements. Ad space is reserved for members only.

** Due to the nature of these programs, the NETTC visitors map and the Texas Travel Information Center displays are supported by participating municipality level member

The NETTC map, An Open Invitation to North East Texas, provides participating communities special recognition by highlighting their city on the map and including focused promotional information.

The annual Regional Festival Guide includes a special event listing for participating cities, a chronological listing as well as a listing of lodging, restaurants, attractions and other businesses.

A cooperative effort at selected travel shows in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth allow for block purchasing of show booths which establish participating NETTC cities in one area aiding in cross promotion.

Each year programs are considered and proposed to membership.

All NETTC programs are supported and funded cooperatively through membership participation. Members pay only for those programs they choose allowing for cost efficiency in programs otherwise unaffordable.

Your participation along with that of other members, makes possible the accomplishment of NETTC’s goals and objectives—bringing more visitors to the “Texas Lake Country” and increasing our region’s visibility in Texas tourism.

Benefits include the opportunity to participate in NETTC programs which include but are not limited to:

• Discounted/special advertising programs
• Program speakers
• Affordable travel shows
• Regional visitors map
• Regional festival, attractions, and accommodations guide
• Networking opportunities
• Internet website with contact information, promotional information, events listing and free links to member’s site—www.nettc.net

To promote a 30 county area of Northeast Texas through a cooperative promotional effort of chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and others in the tourism industry. Through this effort, members network ideas, pool resources and cross sell communities within the region.

The objective of NETTC is to generate growth of tourist travel; increase the flow of tourism dollars; expand visibility in Texas tourism for our region and membership.

As a partner in the third largest business in Texas, NETTC is listed in Texas Department of Economic Development travel publications and the US Travel board. NETTC is funded through membership investment and participation in cooperative programs.

NETTC assures accountability for every dollar to each member. The not-for-profit status of NETTC insures that no member city, organization or individual has an unequal “edge.”

For the purpose of facilitating billing and banking, in 1992, NETTC Membership restructured the treasure’s office as Executive Director/Treasurer. This position is the only part-time office with NETTC. Otherwise NETTC is a volunteer and cooperative group.

Increased mail inquires received from throughout the United States and other countries at a permanent post office address, has been a benefit to the organization.

NETTC’s various programs are sponsored by members who participate in the programs. NETTC is as strong as the involvement of its membership

Meetings currently are held in Gladewater, a central location. Meetings generally began at 11:00 and end at 1:00. Lunch is served at 12:00 noon and is an excellent opportunity to network with others.

Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureaus, City Tourism Departments, Main Street Programs, Convention/Civic Center and Business with 26 or more full-time employees. This level includes general membership benefits with up to 6 events listed in the Regional Festival and Attractions Guide at members discretion. Only municipal level memberships have the option of participating in NETTC Map which allows participating cities to be highlighted on the NETTC Visitors map along with a short feature on their city.

Municipality members in good standing hold one (1) vote in the Council.

Tourism-related business with 11-25 full-time employees. Includes general membership benefits with a listing in the Regional Festival and Attractions Guide at members discretion.

Mid-size business members in good standing hold one (1) vote in the Council.

Individual or tourism-related business with 10 or fewer employees. Includes general membership benefits with a listing in the Regional Festival and Attractions Guide at members discretion.

Individual/Small Business members in good standing hold one (1) vote in the Council.

Entity in a city where there is a municipality member. Includes general membership benefits with a listing in the Regional Festival and Attractions Guide at members discretion.

Affiliate members are not eligible to vote or hold office in the Council.