ASTA announced today that Joe Scarborough will be the guest speaker at ASTA’s first-ever Retail Travel Leadership Summit at the 2008 THETRADESHOW in Orlando, courtesy of Auto Europe/Destination Europe. The former congressman and host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” will address the audience during lunch.

The Retail Travel Leadership Summit will take place on Monday, Sept. 8, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center.

“Because of Auto Europe’s generosity, Retail Travel Leadership Summit attendees will get to hear an outstanding, experienced political speaker,” said William Maloney, CTC, ASTA executive vice president and COO. “Joe Scarborough will offer insight into this year’s historic election and how it may affect the economy and ultimately businesses of all sizes; such information will be relevant to every attendee and something they are sure to appreciate.”

“Auto Europe is proud to be a part of this year’s Retail Travel Leadership Summit,” said Imad Khalidi, Auto Europe’s CEO. “From the featured debaters and discussion leaders, to Joe Scarborough’s attendance and the topics slated for debate, this will be an exciting event.”

Scarborough was elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. In 2001, after a successful tenure, he announced his retirement from Congress. Scarborough is the author of the popular book “Rome Wasn’t Burnt in a Day,” which analyzes the many personas of today’s politician and the astronomical spending that has jeopardized the future financial security of America. Scarborough can currently be seen on MSNBC’s weekday morning show, “Morning Joe.”

ASTA’s summit is designed to bring together travel executives from top-tier travel companies for the purpose of debating and discussing the pressing issues facing today’s industry. The three scheduled debates are: “The Financial Future of the Cruise Line Industry,” “The Future of GDS Systems – Who Will Pay?” and “The Economics of Going Green.”