Mr. Cooke joined PATA as Director of Marketing in early 1997, when he was hired to oversee PATA's international events, including the Annual Conference and Travel Mart in Beijing, as well as the Chapters World Congress in Shanghai. All three events were deemed highly successful, attracting more than 4,000 international delegates to the People's Republic of China.

In May 1997, Mr. Cooke added Director-The Americas to his title as he took on responsibility for both marketing and the Americas Division. In the Americas, he developed PATA Pavilions in major North American trade shows and launched 'Discovery Tours"--a series of educational training trips to PATA destinations.

PATA will move its operational headquarters to Bangkok next month, and the Association's major marketing activities and events will be directed from there. In choosing to stay in San Francisco, Mr. Cooke said, "It's been a wonderful experience to work with PATA members worldwide, and I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Association on a project basis, where I can make the greatest contribution."

Mr. Cooke, a 40-year veteran of the travel industry, plans to focus his expertise on the area of emerging technologies n tourism and special-interest travel.