The NCAA has changed its travel-services provider, selecting Short's Travel Management to provide travel, meeting and convention services for NCAA championships, meetings and events. The Association previously contracted with WorldTek Travel for those services.

The multiyear agreement will be effective September 1, 2003.

Short's was one of eight companies that responded to a request for proposal in January 2003. The NCAA considered the top 50 travel management firms in the country based upon levels of service and technology, and experience with corporate, group and convention planning and collegiate travel.

Short's Travel, a women-owned corporation, was founded in 1946 and has offices in Waterloo, Iowa, and Overland Park, Kansas. Short's has had extensive experience in collegiate and sports travel and is committed to providing superior service by leveraging technology. Short's recently achieved the top supplier award from John Deere & Company, the world's leading supplier of tractors, construction and consumer equipment.

"Short's was chosen due to the company's superior service, its creativity, and the teamwork, energy and innovation its team demonstrated during the selection process," said Keith Martin, NCAA managing director of finance and operations.

"We are extremely excited to be chosen to partner with the NCAA and are invigorated by this opportunity," said Short's CEO Camille Hogan. "Our entire organization looks forward to providing exceptional service in helping the NCAA and its member colleges and universities with their varied travel needs."

Short's plans to add about 25 staff members due to the NCAA contract and will maintain an office and staff in the NCAA national office in Indianapolis.

Martin said the final selection process between Short's Travel Management and incumbent WorldTek Travel of New Haven, Connecticut, was difficult, since WorldTek has provided 22 years of service to the NCAA. WorldTek will continue to manage NCAA travel through August 31.

During the transition, Short's, in concert with NCAA national office staff, will be in contact with NCAA member institutions to determine their travel needs.

The NCAA and its member institutions spend about $32 million in travel business annually.