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American Businesses Advocate for Work & Travel in DC

February 4, 2019

3 -min read

Each year, seasonal businesses around the country host international students participating in our Work & Travel USA program. Our host employers understand the importance of these students to their businesses, their communities, and our country. The Work & Travel program both strengthens the U.S. economy and supports U.S. national security and diplomacy.

To deliver this message, a group of our host employers went up to Capitol Hill during InterExchange’s inaugural Host Advocacy Forum. On January 16 and 17, host employers from six states participated in 18 meetings with Members of Congress and their staff. They delivered a strong message that the Work & Travel program is good for Americans and great for America.

Work & Travel in Virginia – Meave Treacy from InterExchange meets with a staff member for Sen. Tim Kaine (VA).
Work & Travel in VA Beach – InterExchange staff Meave Treacy and Mark Overmann meet with the chief of staff to newly-elected Rep. Elaine Luria (VA).
Work & Travel in Tennessee – Meave Treacy from InterExchange meets with staffers for Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN).
Jackie Adragna (St. Regis in Park City) with Senator Mike Lee of Utah.
Tom Rapp being interviewed by a local Montana TV station, explaining why the Work & Travel program is so important to his community and the state.
Host employer Tom Rapp (Roosevelt Hotel in Gardiner, MT) and InterExchange staffer Kevin McGowan meeting with the Montana Congressional delegation: Sen. Jon Tester (l), Rep. Greg Gianforte (center), and Sen. Steve Daines (r).
Senator Mitt Romney of Utah with our Park City host employers, Jackie Adragna (St. Regis Deer Valley), Michelle O’Brien (Stein Eriksen Lodge), and Leslie Garringer (Waldorf Astoria)
Hitting the Hill! – Host employers Leslie Garringer (Waldorf Astoria in Utah) and Sheri Gemelli (Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado) on their way to their Hill meetings.
A picture of the Host Advocacy Forum group in the Capitol Rotunda during our private tour.
Our Advocacy Group – The Host Advocacy Forum group in the Capitol Rotunda during our private tour.
Our Cape May County, NJ host employer, Tania Hamaneyeva (c) and Denise Beckson (r) of Morey’s Piers, and InterExchange staffer Mark Overmann (l) with newly-elected Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey.

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NewsFor HostsFor International ParticipantsTravel Experiences US Residents

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Picture of Mark Overmann

Mark Overmann

After studying in France and teaching in China, Mark was hooked on cultural exchange. He's worked in the field of international education and exchange for 15 years, and is the former Vice President of External Affairs for InterExchange.
After studying in France and teaching in China, Mark was hooked on cultural exchange. He’s worked in the field of international education and exchange for 15 years, and is the former Vice President of External Affairs for InterExchange.

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NewsFor HostsFor International ParticipantsTravel Experiences US Residents

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