The National Tour Association’s (NTA) President Lisa Simon announced she is stepping away from her role at the end of the year.

Simon, who has been with NTA for 28 years, seven in the position of president, said she reached this decision in the spirit of mutual benefit.

“I have been with NTA for most of my professional career, and during that time, we have seen an incredible amount of growth and change. I believe this is the right time for me to find new challenges and the right time for new leadership to take the association into its next phase of growth,” she said.

During Simon's tenure with NTA, she led the association in its first co-located annual convention with the United Motorcoach Association at Travel Exchange, guided the association in developing a strategic business focus on growth travel markets including China inbound travel and faith-based travel, led the initiative to expand NTA’s international presence and helped with the organization's move from a management firm to a self-managed association.

“I have worked with NTA for nearly half of its 62-year existence and have loved every minute of it,” said Simon. “But I have always believed that change brings growth and excitement, and I know this change will bring that to me and to NTA.”

The NTA board of directors will take steps immediately to conduct a national executive search. Beginning in the new year, Catherine Prather, NTA sr. VP, will serve the association as its interim president.