Ed McMahon to Speak at ASTA’s World Travel Congress

Television host and announcer Ed McMahon is to address delegates during the American Society of Travel Agents' (ASTA) general session on 8 November 2005 at its 75th World Travel Congress in Montréal. McMahon will appear courtesy of American Express Travel Related Services and will speak on his career and remembrances of 30 years on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

“We are thrilled to have Ed McMahon speak at ASTA’s Congress this year,” said Deb Mangas, CTC, chair of ASTA’s 2005 World Travel Congress. “He is a well-known and much-trusted public figure for many Americans, and we are privileged that he will be sharing his life experiences and personal outlook with us. ASTA sincerely thanks American Express for bringing Mr. McMahon to Congress.” 

“American Express is proud to once again sponsor a keynote speaker at the ASTA World Congress. We are certain that Mr. McMahon will present ASTA delegates with relevant insights and anecdotes on his experiences in life and career in the entertainment industry,” commented Donna Flora, CTC, CTIE, vice-president, travel industry relations, American Express.

For 30 years he was the announcer on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and appeared numerous times as host on specials and telethons. For 12 years, McMahon hosted the popular syndicated show, Ed McMahon’s STAR SEARCH. He is also known as the man who says, “You may already be a winner” for the sweepstakes company American Family Publishers. Moreover, McMahon is a commercial spokesman for several major corporations including Anheuser Busch and has appeared in commercials for Mercedes Benz, Nabisco, Choice Hotels, Peoples Benefit Life, Wickes Furniture, Colonial Penn Life Insurance and as a spokesman for the new Neighborhood Watch Program.

In recent years, McMahon has revitalized the Players Club that Telly Savalas had made popular, and The Ed McMahon “You’re a Winner” slot machines should hit the casinos in the fall of this year. Now McMahon has a syndicated radio show “Ed McMahon’s Lifestyles Live” which airs on Cable Radio Network as well as USA Radio Network. His show explores everything that relates to modern day living and deals with an array of issues that inspire our lifestyle.

In 1981, McMahon was nominated for a Grammy for his rendition of Twas’ the Night Before Christmas. He has authored four books: Here’s Ed, an autobiography, The Art Of Public Speaking, Superselling and For Laughing Out Loud...My Life And Good Times, his recent autobiography, co-written with best- selling author, David Fisher.

McMahon has put his popularity to work for good causes, such as the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, which he has hosted for 36 years, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, where he serves as a Board Member and Vice-President. He is also on the board of The Marine Corps Scholarship Fund and was named honorary chairman of the Flying Leatherneck Marine Museum at MCAS Mira Mar. He was President of the Catholic University Alumni Association for four years. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Horatio Alger Association. He received their award in 1984, and each year he produces and emcees all of their activities in Washington, D.C.

McMahon resides in Beverly Hills, Calif., with his wife, Pam and his niece Amanda. The McMahons have five children and six grandchildren.

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