Select Traveler July August 2021 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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SITES THAT INSPIRE

TERRIFIC SMALL TOWNS |

ALL-AMERICAN APPETITES

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from SEA to shining

SEA

JULY/AUGUST 2021

Columbus delivers experiences uniquely tailored to your groups. From traditional sites such as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Franklin Park Conservatory and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to far-from-ordinary experiences like pouring your own candle or taking a tour with your taste buds, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Citywide, our partners have taken the Live Forward Pledge to ensure health and safety protocols remain a priority for your group. For guidance, visit experiencecolumbus.com/groups.

KENTUCKY

SCOTT

COUNTY

Horseplay is Okay in Horse Country! • Get up close and personal with stars of the turf at Horse Racing’s living history museum, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. • Share Kentucky’s love of horses at the Kentucky Horse Park, an over 1,200 acre world famous equine attraction. • Evans Orchard & Cider Mill is home to the only cider mill in Central KY & offers some of the best cider and fried apple pie. • Take a step back in time in Historic Downtown Georgetown with dozens of unique boutique shops, restaurants, galleries, antiques & Bourbon tastings. • Explore Ward Hall, one of the finest Greek Revival-style mansions in the United States. • Travel 30 miles north to the Ark Encounter, a one-of-akind themed attraction built to resemble Noah’s Ark.

16 hotels + over 80 Restaurants Right Off

INTERSTATE

Don’t forget to stop by to see me and my big friends at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm.

www.georgetownky.com/groups • 844.863.8600

– LITTLE SILVER CHARM

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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VOL.29 NO.3

JULY/AUGUST 2021

Spirit of America: PATRIOTIC PLACES

contents publisher’s COLUMN

MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL ELIZA MYERS HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS ASHLEY RICKS CHRISTINE CLOUGH RENA BAER KELLY TYNER KYLE ANDERSON SARAH SECHRIST

planners checking in:

TALK BACK

PEGGY FULLER

Courtesy Fredericksburg CVB

ON THE COVER: Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills region of South Dakota is one of the most iconic vistas in America. Photo by Jorge Villalba.

toolbox: marketing:

FINDING FOLLOWING SOLUTIONS TRENDS

7 8 10 40 KYLE ANDERSON

888.253.0455

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING SALES

K YLE@ GROUPTR AVELLE ADER.COM

Founder and Publisher Partner VP & Executive Editor Associate Editor Senior Writer Creative Director Graphic Designer/Circulation Manager Copy Editor Proofreader VP, Sales and Marketing Director of Advertising Sales Controller

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12 america 34 listings SPIRIT OF

SPIRIT OF AMERICA

where

WE’VE BEEN

Select Traveler, the Magazine for Bank, Alumni and Chamber Travel Planners, is published bimonthly by The Group Travel Leader, Inc., 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507 and is distributed free of charge to qualified travel program directors throughout the United States. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and other travel-related companies, may subscribe to Select Traveler by sending a check for $49 for one year to: Select Traveler, Circulation Department, 301 East High Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507. Copyright The Group Travel Leader, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited. NAME OR ADDRESS CHANGES: If your copy of Select Traveler should be mailed to another manager in your organization, or if you personally know another travel director who is not receiving Select Traveler, please send your correction to: Select Traveler, 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, or call (859) 253-0455.

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

f you’ve seen the crowds at America’s western national parks, you know how resilient American travelers have proven to be. Though we all prefer to enjoy those hallowed places when they’re less crowded, it’s invigorating to see the American spirit that has welled up in so many of our citizens and so many of your travelers.

We recognized several months ago that America would see a travel resurgence this summer that would reaffirm everything about enjoying our own country. So we pivoted at midyear and created a new concept for this summer issue of Select Traveler. That’s a huge undertaking for a magazine, but we believed that doing so made perfect sense. This Spirit of America issue will drop as we celebrate the Fourth of July, family reunions, summer vacations and the long, languid days that follow the end of the school year. And this year, it makes more sense than ever before because the global travel industry is still recovering from the effects of COVID-19 and reestablishing its worldwide vigor. American destinations are as sought after as ever. This issue will also help address the commonly held notion that Select Traveler readers only travel internationally. We have worked hard to dispel that myth, but it’s been difficult. We know how many of your groups enjoy places like New England, New Mexico, Nashville and Natchez, but it’s hard to convince our American advertisers of that. So our new Spirit of America issue each summer will be a star-spangled reminder of how coveted our national destinations are. We hope you enjoy it!

Email me anytime with your thoughts at maclacy@grouptravelleader.com.

Mac Lacy 6

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P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

what is a hotel or accommodation that proved an important part of a tour? MARLENE SHIRLEY

SHAWNEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SHAWNEE, KANSAS “When our group went to Ireland, they were able to stay at Ashford Castle. They had a formal dinner, and the experience was the highlight of the trip for many. Having an opportunity to sleep in a setting that is beautiful and has a rich history is an experience no one forgets.”

CHRIS HARRIS

CENTRAL BANK CLASSIC JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI “The White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, New Hampshire, is a destination unto itself. Over the last five years, we’ve literally brought hundreds of travelers there to take part in the fall foliage, local history and great scenery of the area. The hotel itself is a destination because of the great service and cozy feel of a locally owned property. It has relative seclusion while still being in a tourist area. I think the thing that really sets it apart is how they handle groups. They take care of every aspect of the tour from accommodations and transportation to day trips and food. Groups get to order off the menu in their on-site restaurant. I always joke that travelers will come for the leaves but remember the food.”

DESIREE OZBURN FIRST STATE BANK

SHANNON, ILLINOIS “We stayed at the Parkhotel Valkenburg in Valkenburg, Netherlands. Valkenburg is a charming village that offers many dining options, where the owners and servers not only serve excellent cuisine but they also take an interest in getting to know you. Many shops and activities await you after returning from your day away. Valkenburg was an excellent choice for a place to lay our head down after returning from tours in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and various other destinations in the Netherlands.”

RONNI HANNAMAN

CARSON CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CARSON CITY, NEVADA “Thus far, the Jekyll Island Hotel in Jekyll Island, Georgia, has been a highlight of our Southern packages. We have much interest in the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. We have a large group booked there for 2021.”

ROSIE MOSTELLER

DALTON WHITFIELD SENIOR CENTER DALTON, GEORGIA “Some of our favorites are any Disney resort in Orlando; Dolly’s DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; and Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. We have made many trips to these resorts, and the group loves everything offered there.”

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checking in W I T H

PEGGY FULLER

P E G G Y

F U L L E R

SENIOR TRAVEL DIRECTOR

CITIZENS PROGRESSIVE BANK R AY V I L L E , L O U I S I A N A

The CPB Travel Club explored the Grand Canyon in 2020.

Formed in 1918, Citizens Progressive Bank holds assets of $195 million. Though the home office is in Columbia, Louisiana, the bank has other Louisiana branches in Winnsboro, Grayson, Rayville and a new branch opening soon in North Monroe. The bank’s travel club, known as the CPB Travel Club, has about 300 members. Born: Monroe, Louisiana Employment: Peggy Fuller has worked in the banking industry for 44 years. She started working at Citizens Progressive Bank four years ago as senior travel director. Family: Fuller is married to Jack, her husband of 31 years. The couple has three children and eight grandchildren. Hobbies: Fuller enjoys crocheting, knitting, embroidery and shopping estate sales.

BY ELIZA MYERS

eggy Fuller has never shied away from adventure. She grew up taking camping trips in a pop-up trailer. She has ridden a motorcycle across the country. So when a bank representative from Citizens Progressive Bank asked her to take on creating and running a group travel program, she had only one question. “I looked at him and said, ‘Are you really going to pay me for this?’” said Fuller, senior travel director for Citizens Progressive Bank. “And he said, ‘Yeah, and you’ll go on the trips.’ So for me, that was a nobrainer.” Fuller dove into planning trips for the bank’s CPB Travel Club without hesitation. Along the way, she learned how to advertise trips, craft itineraries and grow membership. One thing she didn’t have to learn: a positive outlook.

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E A R LY E X P LOR E R

When Fuller’s family planned a vacation, they would always opt for a rustic getaway. “My dad liked to hunt and fish,” said Fuller. “So that’s what we did. We would go to the mountains or somewhere in nature. We always went, and we always met new people. We were taught not to be shy. We were taught to enjoy whatever we had.” Fuller’s childhood trips in the wilderness helped her feel at ease making new friends on the road. She continued to cultivate this skill into adulthood. “I’m a people person,” said Fuller. “I like to see new things. I like to have fun every day that I get up.” She first started working at a local bank as a teller, then quickly moved up. During her banking career, she wore many hats, including

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loan officer, secretary to the board, executive secretary and, eventually, vice president. When she transitioned to Citizens Progressive Bank to start a travel program, she used her accumulated skills of organization, planning and customer service to help her figure out group travel. “I had traveled some on my own,” said Fuller. “My husband and I rode motorcycles. We would make long trips up the East Coast and out West. But as far as taking groups, that was all new territory.” Not wanting to wait, she took her first trip two weeks after arriving at the bank. She settled on Natchitoches, Louisiana, a day trip away from Rayville. She called a motorcoach company for a cost estimate, then cold-called people on the phone to see if they wanted to come. The response surprised her. “That first trip showed me there was a lot of interest in group travel,” said Fuller. “We didn’t have a definite plan on that trip. Natchitoches is a French-influenced city like New Orleans, with wrought iron and brick streets. We sat on the riverbanks and watched a fireworks show on the other side of the river. It was a lovely trip.”

F ULL S TEAM

Shortly after joining Citizens Progressive Bank, Fuller delved deep into the world of group travel at the Select Traveler Conference. “My eyes were opened to all the possibilities,” said Fuller. “It gave me a lot of information. I networked with different people. I haven’t missed it since.” Feeling more confident, Fuller focused on growing the fledgling travel club. She called the bank’s list of customers, mailed information on the program and eventually launched a Facebook page. “I grew up here in a small town and already knew everybody,” said Fuller. “I was amazed that it took off so quickly. Since there isn’t a lot to do in this small town, people were ready to travel.” Since then, the travel program has also explored Cincinnati; Nashville, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; and Natchez, Mississippi. The club accepts anyone age 55 and older, but exceptions are made if a member would like a younger family member to accompany them. Over time, Fuller has developed ways to make her travelers feel special. “I always have some free meals included because people love to eat and travel,” said Fuller. “I also have little goodie bags with snacks and other items. I bring games they can play with. They like to play bingo. I have a big bag of games and fun prizes.” Her style, not overly regimented, is loose enough to occasionally follow travelers’ whims. Once on a trip to Nashville, two group members wanted to diverge from the plans and visit the Grand Ole Opry. Fuller let the two members go, asking only that they stay in touch to let her know they made it back to their hotel. “I don’t make the trip so jam-packed that you can’t rest and you can’t deviate,” said Fuller. “We sometimes stop places they want to stop at just on the spur of the moment.”

D E S T I N AT I O N

faves

1. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee — “I love the mountains. There is a variety of things to do there. It is not an expensive trip, but it is a pretty place. It has a lot of childhood memories for me.” 2. Rocky Mountains — “We rode motorcycles out there on a trip once. I loved the scenery and the weather. We were there on the last day in June. It was warm in the valley, and at the top of Pikes Peak, it was 18 degrees. It is just beautiful.” 3. Niagara Falls — “You hear about it all the time, but the experience is incredible. You feel the vibration of the falls. You can even go behind the falls. It is an awesome and beautiful place.”

erator reps to ensure that everything would go smoothly. The group of 10 bonded on the trip and asked Fuller if they could share contact information with each other to stay in touch. In May, Fuller also took a group of 29 people to Branson, with fewer restrictions. The group saw six shows and celebrated being back on the road again. “I visited Branson in December, and it was like night and day,” said Fuller. “They’ve lifted the mask mandates and many of the other restrictions. It is a friendly town.” The bank’s travel club is looking forward to more experiences, including an October trip to New England and international trips to Ireland and Iceland in 2022. Just as she once explored the unknown on family camping trips, Fuller anticipates the travel program’s future with optimism and good cheer.

SPE ED BU M P

Though COVID-19 slowed Citizens Progressive Bank’s travel program, it didn’t stop it. Fuller accompanied a group on a trip to the Grand Canyon in September 2020 with protocols in place and excited travelers in tow. “The Grand Canyon is beautiful,” said Fuller. “Every time you see it, it just takes your breath away. We were the only bus at the Grand Canyon. I was so glad it worked out.” The trip was originally scheduled for March 2020 but was canceled mere days before leaving. Instead of wanting a refund, her travelers were keen to go in September. Fuller kept in touch with her tour op-

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The CPB Travel Club in Branson, Missouri

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

answering travel’s new questions

BY BRIA N JE W E LL

t’s finally possible to travel again. But the pandemic and subsequent economic conditions have caused a lot of upheaval in the tourism industry, so the process of planning and promoting trips for your organization is probably going to be different than you remember it. Travel planners who have already begun restarting their programs have reported numerous unanticipated challenges that are affecting their ability to do business. From hotel room inventory restrictions to service industry labor shortages and staff turnover at tour companies and convention and visitors bureaus, many issues are complicating the group travel business in 2021. Fortunately, these problems all have solutions, especially if you’re willing to employ a little creativity. Here are some ideas for overcoming the obstacles facing your travel program in the post-pandemic era.

KNOWING WHEN TO GO Many people have been conditioned to believe COVID-19 lurks around every corner. But thanks to the marvel of modern vaccines, you don’t have to worry about that danger anymore. With a mountain of evidence showing that vaccinated individuals are unlikely to contract or spread COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has cleared vaccinated individuals to return to normal in most facets of everyday life. Many states and municipalities have dropped their mask mandates and capacity restrictions. If you and your travelers are vaccinated, there’s no threat.

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KNOWING WHO TO CALL Many professionals at tour companies, hotels, destinations and attractions were furloughed or laid off at the beginning of the pandemic, which made it difficult for travel planners to know who to call for information. Thankfully, though, many of those workers are back at their desks, having been rehired as tourism organizations prepared to rebound. Other companies have assigned other team members to fill those rolls. So there should be people in place to assist you — it may just take some asking around before you find the right person.

KNOWING WHERE TO STAY In many popular destinations, hotels have gone

KNOWING WHAT TO EAT

from nearly empty to nearly full, it seems overnight.

Restaurants are feeling the effects of

A flood of pent-up demand has hit the market, and

the labor shortage more than almost any

ongoing labor shortages have left some hoteliers

other businesses, which means that some

unable to hire workers, leading them to hold back

people are hesitant to book group reserva-

a portion of their rooms because they can’t service

tions. Fortunately, though, there are numer-

them. For the time being, groups should get creative

ous ways to feed people well on tour. Some

about their accommodations, looking for rooms far-

restaurants that can’t seat a group right now

ther away from the places they visit. Trendy hotels in

can provide boxed meals to go, especially

popular tourism hot spots and city centers may be

if travelers place their orders ahead of time.

booked, but there’s a good chance that midmarket

Others might be willing to serve groups dur-

properties in nearby towns will be available.

ing off-peak hours. Consider taking your group to a public market where they can buy their own meals from the vendors of their choice. Or book a food truck to come to your hotel or an attraction you’re visiting.

KNOWING HOW TO PRICE Some of your travelers are anxious to hit the road; others aren’t ready yet. Under these circumstances, you may have a hard time finding enough passengers to fill a motorcoach, which will affect your trip pricing and profit margins. But customers that are ready to travel now might be willing to pay more than normal, especially since they’ve been at home for a year; so you could perhaps still afford a full coach with a fair number of empty seats. If that’s not an option, consider working with another organization or travel company in your area to combine trips.

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Courtesy Clarksdale Tourism

Delta Blues Museum

AMERICAN

VOICES MUSIC GENRES HAVE RISEN FROM THE SOUTH

BY TOM ADKINSON

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here’s nothing more American than the sounds of the South. In a country where much of our culture, cuisine and even founding principles were imported from Europe, music stands out as a unique expression of the American spirit. Born out of our national struggles and bred in places like Mississippi, Tennessee and Appalachia, the music we enjoy today was shaped by the American story. For music lovers, a road trip through the Southern states is a great way to connect with American heritage through music, especially after a stretch of time devoid of any meaningful live performances. Focusing only on Mississippi, Alabama, Ken-

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tucky, Tennessee and Virginia, this musical road trip lets you explore places where entire musical genres were born, walk in the footsteps of entertainment legends, and experience — not just see — how the great American music you love is made. DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI Blues music and the Mississippi Delta are synonymous. The sweat and tears of slaves and sharecroppers watered the seeds of a musical genre that may be a bit difficult to define but is recognized, respected and revered. The Delta is a region of small towns, flat fields and numerous group attractions. Cleveland’s 95-room Cotton House works well as home base for Delta explorations.

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By David Meany, courtesy Memphis Tourism

Groups can enjoy the music atmosphere of Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.

Visit the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland to begin understanding Mississippi’s overarching impact on many musical styles. Asked why there’s a GRAMMY museum here, a Recording Academy exec in Los Angeles said, “Because without Mississippi . . . there would be no American music.” The 28,000-square-foot museum is on campus at Delta State University. A tip: When considering dates, check DeepDeltaRoots.com for information about Delta musicians and their performances. An example is a series of solo performances at a summer farmers market in Cleveland. Up U.S. 61, known as the Blues Highway, is Clarksdale, itself known as Ground Zero for the blues. Spend some quality museum time at the Delta Blues Museum, Mississippi’s oldest music museum, and then soak in some blues music and enjoy a beer at the Ground Zero Blues Club. Festivals to consider include the Birthplace of American Music Festival in June at 10 venues throughout downtown and the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in August. South of Cleveland in Indianola is another cultural landmark, the B.B. King Museum, which opened a major expansion in June. The addition focuses on King’s last decade — he died in 2015 — and includes a life-size bronze statue of the blues legend with his beloved Gibson guitar, Lucille. If you travel east leaving the Delta on the way to Alabama’s musical mecca, swing by Tupelo to see the Elvis Presley Birthplace. The museum is solid, and photographers adore the downtown statue of Elvis in performance. VISITMISSISSIPPI.ORG

Courtesy Visit Clarksdale

Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club

Courtesy Visit Clarksdale

By Tom Adkinson

Tupelo’s Elvis statue

Live music in Clarksdale

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THAT MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND Two northwest Alabama recording studios, neither an architectural gem, are legends in American music. Appearances don’t matter. What’s important is what happened and continues to happen inside the FAME Studios and the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (MSSS). Both welcome groups. FAME opened in 1961, and music royalty came calling: Clarence Carter, Wilson Pickett, Gregg Allman, Etta James and more. Aretha Franklin recorded her first top-10 hit here. The entrance sign became famous: “Through these doors walk the finest Musicians, Songwriters, Artists and Producers in the World.” The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, the Swampers, opened MSSS in 1969 after working together at FAME. The four musicians were widely respected for their distinctive and funky rhythm-and-blues sound. Cher’s debut album was among their first projects. The Rolling Stones stopped in for three nights. The results: “Brown Sugar,” “You Got To Move” and “Wild Horses.” The hits kept coming. The Swampers played on more than 200 albums with artists such as Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Bob Seger, the Staple Singers, Rod Stewart, Leon Russell and Willie Nelson and scores more. “These two studios and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame are the fabric of the Muscle Shoals music experience,” said Debbie Wilson, executive director of MSSS, adding that she delights in seeing international visitors show up in her out-of-the-way corner of Alabama purely out of their love of music. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame opened in 1990, and it always amazes visitors how many diverse artists have Alabama roots. The list starts with Hank Williams, Nat “King” Cole, W.C. Handy, the Louvin Brothers, Dinah Washington, Tammy Wynette, Percy Sledge, Jimmie Rodgers, the Commodores and Martha Reeves and keeps on rolling. And, yes, it includes the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. The area’s showcase lodging is the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa, where there is live music nightly at the Swampers Bar and Grille. A completely different group dining and entertainment experience is one county away at the Rattlesnake Saloon, a rustic watering hole and event venue tucked under a gigantic rock outcropping in the countryside outside Tuscumbia. ALABAMA.TRAVEL

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FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals

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By Craig Thompson, courtesy Memphis Tourism

Live music at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Memphis

By Justin Fox Burks, courtesy Memphis Tourism

Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis

By Chris Granger, courtesy Alabama Tourism Department

UP TO MEMPHIS If you had head north from the Delta instead of east, U.S. 61 leads you to Memphis. That’s the route sharecroppers, musicians and others took to seek better lives, Elvis Presley among them. The vibrant Memphis music scene — attractions by day, clubs by night — draws people from around the world, according to Kevin Kane, vice president of public relations at Memphis Tourism. The Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, which began as a Smithsonian Institution project, is a great place to start. The museum weaves together the many styles of music that evolved, grew and fed off each other in Memphis. It is intriguing to learn how country, gospel, soul and rock coalesced during the region’s 20th-century rural-to-urban migration. Nearby is the more light-hearted Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum. How else could you describe a museum that features a wallmounted Jerry Lee Lewis Cadillac and a pink “Funky Chicken” stage costume from Rufus Thomas? Sun Studio, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Blues Hall of Fame compete for group tour time, as does the city’s best-known destination: Graceland. On one campus are the Graceland mansion, Presley’s grave, a career museum, an automobile museum, two airplanes and the 300-room Guest House at Graceland. Of course, Graceland offers live music. Check who’s playing the 1,600seat Graceland Soundstage and the 464-seat Guest House Theater. B.B. King’s Blues Club — live entertainment and a full-service restaurant — is the gateway to the high-energy Beale Street Entertainment District. You can turn your group loose to flow in and out of numerous clubs, but make sure they know the time to reassemble, unless you are staying right downtown at hotels such as the legendary Peabody Hotel. Away from downtown, check out Lafayette’s Music Room in Overton Square. Its first incarnation in the 1970s featured acts such as Billy Joel, KISS, Barry Manilow and Styx, and it’s hopping again. MEMPHISTRAVEL.COM

B.B. KING’S BLUES CLUB IS THE GATEWAY TO THE HIGH-ENERGY BEALE STREET ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. YOU CAN TURN YOUR GROUP LOOSE TO FLOW IN AND OUT OF NUMEROUS CLUBS, BUT MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THE TIME TO REASSEMBLE.

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Courtesy Visit Music City

By Neil Staples, courtesy Bristol CVB

MUSIC CITY — THAT’S NASHVILLE Nashville boosters make a strong case that “Music City” goes far A live performance at the Birthplace of Country Music beyond country music. That’s one reason the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) opened here early this year, adjacent to the city’s honky-tonk district. NMAAM’s message about the impact of Black music on many musical forms reinforces Nashville’s nickname. The new museum’s neighbors include the historic Ryman Auditorium, the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, making it easy to let your group explore. They can reunite at Assembly Hall, Nashville’s first food hall, in the same development as NMAAM. The Grand Ole Opry House, primary home to the longest-running radio show in the world, is in the nearby suburbs. Seeing the Opry at the Opry House or occasionally at the Ryman Auditorium should be on everyone’s bucket list. The Opry, which features a dozen or more IN BLUEGRASS COUNTRY artists every show, turns 100 years old in 2025. Bluegrass music, now internationally popular, traces its roots to Live music is abundant in Nashville. Check out group-friendly one man in rural Ohio County, Kentucky, 100 miles north of Nashclubs such as the Listening Room or 3rd and Lindsley that pay speville. Bill Monroe defined the composition of a bluegrass band and cial attention to showcasing talented musicians and singers. 3rd and popularized its sound. The music even took its name from his band, Lindsley has a daytime songwriters’ show, too. Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Another special Nashville twist is learning how records are made. Several stops in Ohio County and nearby Owensboro deliver quite The Nashville Studio Experience lets your group lay down tracks; the bluegrass education. Ohio County Tourism works with groups to Imagine Recordings puts you right in the middle of the process; and show off Monroe’s childhood home, a tribute museum and the RosRCA Studio B offers a history lesson in the hits of stars such as the ine Barn, where your group can enjoy a barbecue lunch or a FridayEverly Brothers, Roy Orbison and Dolly Parton, plus that Elvis guy night jamboree. A live performance the Birthplace of from Memphis who recorded “It’s Now or Never,” “Are YouatLonesome “Our tours are extremely personal and memorable,” said Jody FleCountry Music Tonight” and “Devil in Disguise” among many other songs there. ner, director of Ohio County Tourism. VISITMUSICCITY.COM A flashy bluegrass experience is at the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro. The Hall of Fame and museum was established in 1991 and operated modestly for years, but a gleaming $15 million showplace opened in 2018. An Imagine Recording Studio session “Bluegrass is an experience — seeing it, hearing it,” said Carly Smith, the museum’s director of marketing. “That’s important, and performances are a highlight for a group tour.” Live performances are guaranteed because the museum’s executive director is an accomplished banjo and dobro player, and its education director is a former Kentucky fiddle champion. A third-floor balcony overlooks the Ohio River and works well for a catered group meal. OHIOCOUNTY.COM

Fans with instruments at the International Bluegrass HOF and Museum

Courtesy International Bluegrass HOF

“BLUEGRASS IS AN EXPERIENCE – SEEING IT, HEARING IT. THAT’S IMPORTANT, AND PERFORMANCES ARE A HIGHLIGHT FOR A GROUP TOUR.” — CARLY SMITH, INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS HOF AND MUSEUM

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By Billie Wheeler, courtesy Bristol CVB

A music exhibit at the Birthplace of Country Music

UP TO APPALACHIA Anyone who watched the Ken Burns PBS “Country Music” series knows about the Bristol Sessions, the “big bang” that launched commercial country music. Bristol, where the Tennessee-Virginia state line splits the main downtown street, is one more place to revel in music. The big bang was a 10-day recording session in 1927 when New York producer Ralph Peer enticed singers from the Appalachian hills and hollers to sing into a microphone. He found people who became legends — Jimmie Rodgers, the “Father of Country Music,” and the Carter Family, the “First Family of Country Music,” among them. The Birthplace of Country Music, a museum on the Virginia side of town, explains the importance of the Bristol Sessions with a video called “Bristol Bound.” As narrator John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter, says, “This sound, our sound, influences people around the world.” After Bristol, you could launch an extended musical exploration of southwest Virginia by building an itinerary on the Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail. Take the Crooked Road in small bites because it winds more than 300 miles through 19 counties and has scores of reasons to stop. Among them are the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, which preserves the traditions of the Carter Family; the Floyd Country Store in the town of Floyd, where weekly music jams feature gospel, bluegrass and old-time music; and the Rex Theater in Galax, home of a Friday-night bluegrass frolic staged for a live audience and for listeners who can reach it on the 100,000-watt signal of WBRF-FM. DISCOVERBRISTOL.ORG

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USS Bowfin

PLACES

Courtesy Visit Rapid City

Courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority

Courtesy Visit Rapid City

A military ceremony at Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

THA T

MATTER NOW’S THE TIME TO VISIT AN AMERICAN ICON

BY PAT HENDERSON

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o hear Julie Schmitz Jensen tell it, when it comes to American history, seeing is believing. “Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the shrine of democracy, and people come here time and time again,” said Schmitz Jensen, the president and CEO of Visit Rapid City. “Once they see it, they want to share it with their kids and grandkids or bring their neighbors.” It doesn’t get much more America and apple pie than that. Well, actually, it just might. Turns out there are additional spots — from sea to shining sea — where it is possible to get a close look at the places and people who helped shape the country. Try this recipe for a patriotic serving of five quint-

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essentially American destinations. Start with the first English settlement in the United States: Jamestown, Virginia. Add an extra-large dose of historic Boston. Mix in a couple of famous battle sites: Gettysburg and Pearl Harbor. And finally, top it off with the aforementioned magnificent monument that features four U.S. presidents. Here is more information on those influential places, which provide groups with a main course of history and a heaping helping of experiences. MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL

Courtesy Hawaii Tourism Authority

Pearl Harbor National Memorial remembers a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

Tucked away in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, the mountain carving that features the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham

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VIRGINIA’S HISTORIC TRIANGLE

WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA

The tale of European settlement in the United States dates back to 1607, when English explorers first set up camp in Jamestown, Virginia. Today, the city, along with Yorktown and Williamsburg, form Virginia’s Historic Triangle, and the three places within 20 miles of each other combine to form one formidable and fascinating destination. Groups get a strong sense of those early traditions at the area’s big five attractions: Historic Jamestowne, the Yorktown Battlefield,

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Courtesy Visit Williamsburg

Costumed interpreters at Boston’s Freedom Trail

Courtesy Freedom Trail Foundation

Located in south-central Pennsylvania, Gettysburg is a must-visit destination for history lovers. The city was the site of the crucial and bloody three-day battle in 1963 during the U.S. Civil War and was where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous address months later. “The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center obviously is a great starting point,” said Donna White, senior director for Destination Gettysburg. “It includes the Cyclorama, the 360-degree painting that depicts the three-day battle. They offer some experiences where you can go beneath the Cyclorama and see what the canvas really looks like.” Another option for groups is hiring a licensed battlefield guide, who can lead a walking tour or step on the motorcoach to provide a customized and personalized experience. “Say you had a distant relative that fought in the battle,” she said. “If you let them know that in advance, they will research it, in hopes of taking you to the monument that may have the name on it.” In addition to those more traditional tours, visitors can wheel around the battlefield on a bicycle, on a Segway or in a Scoop Coupe, a small, electric-powered car. White said there are plenty of other attractions in the city that offer glimpses of Gettysburg’s history. She suggests visiting the Gettysburg Heritage Center and the Shriver House to get a civilian’s perspective on the battle. She also recommends going to the Eisenhower National Historic Site, a working farm that is the only home U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower ever owned. DESTINATIONGETTYSBURG.COM

Horseback ride at Gettysburg National Military Park

A marker on the Freedom Trail Courtesy Freedom Trail Foundation

GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Jamestown Settlement

Courtesy Destination Gettysburg

Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt welcomes more than 3 million visitors a year. “I love taking people to Mount Rushmore to see the faces but also seeing their faces when they take in the monument for the first time; they are just awestruck,” Schmitz Jensen said. One of the main spots where that awe strikes is Grand View Terrace, a large space where travelers can enjoy sweeping views of the faces and the surrounding mountains. The viewpoint can be reached via a short stroll along the Avenue of Flags, which is a paved path flanked by flags that represent all 56 American states, districts and territories. “My favorite thing at Mount Rushmore is the evening lighting ceremony,” she said. “They light up the faces nightly, all year, when it gets dark, and there is a program in the amphitheater from Memorial Day to Labor Day. One neat thing they do is ask any veteran who attends the program to come down to the stage to be acknowledged.” The visitor center is the hub for the many group activities at the memorial. Visitors can see exhibits and watch an introductory film there, and it is where many of the ranger-led activities begin. One of the programs takes guests to Gutzon Borglum’s studio, where they learn more about what the sculptor and his team faced as they developed the iconic carving. NPS.GOV/MORU GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK

Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. These places feature a wide-ranging A-list of engaging activities, among them visiting the museum and seeing a re-created Continental Army encampment, learning about daily life for soldiers at Yorktown and walking in the footsteps of Capt. John Smith and Pocahontas at Jamestown Settlement with a staff archaeologist. The five sites also offer re-enactor talks, docent-led tours, educational exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and other interactive programs. “All of the attractions we have here meticulously research everything and then expertly present it, which means you can experience so much more when you visit,” said Miranda Jarrell, communications director for Visit Williamsburg. Jarrell is quick to note that the stories being told aren’t the same ones visitors have heard year in and year out, which is welcome news to travel planners who regularly bring groups to the Historic Triangle and need something new each time. “I love that our history here is a living, ever-evolving story,” she said. “There is a big move to not just tell the stories in a familiar, palatable way but also to tell a truer story of what life was like for all people who lived here without candy-coating as much.” VISITWILLIAMSBURG.COM

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FREEDOM TRAIL

PEARL HARBOR NATIONAL MEMORIAL

Similar to Virginia’s Historic Triangle, the Freedom Trail in Boston is an amalgam of different museums and attractions that combine to form one of the most history-rich spots in America. The Freedom Trail starts on the Boston Commons, goes through downtown to the North End and ends in Charlestown. As groups follow the 2.5-mile trail, they are treated to centuries of traditions at well-known sites such as Faneuil Hall, the King’s Chapel and Burying Ground, Paul Revere’s House, the Old North Church and the Bunker Hill Monument. “Since the Freedom Trail is a collective, there are many special programs offered by individual sites, many of which are museums,” said Emily Kovatch, experience manager for the Freedom Trail Foundation. “They frequently have behind-the-scenes tours; for instance, the Old North Church does a tour where they take you down into the crypt and to the bell tower where the famous lanterns hung.” The heart of historic Boston is a pretty dense area, which means the best way to take on the Freedom Trail is on foot. If visitors aren’t up for doing the entire route at one time — many aren’t — it can be done in sections. That is what Kovatch recommends, noting, “there is so much to take in that you need a lot of time if you really want to see everything in any depth.” Groups seeking unique experiences can check with Kovatch about two of the foundation’s newer offerings: the Revolutionary Women Tour and the evening Lantern Tour. Another only-in-Boston option is the Huzzah! Tavern Nights private group dinner experience that takes place at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. THEFREEDOMTRAIL.ORG

When you approach the serene, bayside setting of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial today, it is hard to imagine the chaos that unfolded December 7, 1941, during the bombing that led to the United States’ entry into World War II. The site stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives on that day and over the ensuing four years as the war played out. “Pearl Harbor is very much a part of American history but also global history,” said Karishma Chowfin, director of sales for the Oahu Visitors Bureau. “You have the starting event for the U.S. in World War II right here on Oahu — the attack of the USS Arizona — and the ending of the war with the signing of the peace treaty on the Battleship Missouri.” The site, which is managed by the U.S. National Park Service, includes four independent memorials and museums: the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the new Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, which opened early this year. After a day of touring the campus, Chowfin said, groups can add one final piece to their Pearl Harbor puzzle: a private dinner on the deck of the Battleship Missouri. “What an experience to have your event on the deck where a historic peace treaty was signed,” she said. “And at the Aviation Museum, you can enjoy VIP receptions out on the runways or in the hangars, which also is special.” NPS.GOV/PERL

HONOLULU, HAWAII

BOSTON

PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

One of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations! Ask about our docent-led group tours - Two restaurants available with tour group options For information on “FBI: From Al Capone to Al Qaeda” & “Vikings: Beyond The Legend,” visit ReaganLibrary.com

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View a Full Scale Replica of the Oval Office

Touch an Authentic Piece of the Berlin Wall

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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Courtesy Visit Pasadena

Rose Parade

Courtesy Macy’s, Inc.

Courtesy CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show

Dayton Air Show

CROWD PLEASERS

AMERICA’S EVENTS ARE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER

BY PAT HENDERSON

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Barrel racing is one of many exciting events at Cheyenne Frontier Days’ rodeo event.

love the excitement of the Rose Parade.” Christine Susa of Visit Pasadena gets animated when she talks about her city’s signature celebration. “There is a growing buzz when parade time is coming and everyone across the city is preparing to welcome the thousands and thousands of people who descend on Pasadena,” she said. That sentiment is echoed by destinations across the United States that host bucket list events, among them the Kentucky Derby, Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Dayton Air Show. Travel planners have been designing itineraries

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based on these and other calling card events for decades. Such celebrations not only offer an itinerary anchor but also allow groups to experience a significant part of a city’s heritage and learn more about local culture. Read on to learn more about what makes these five signature American events special for groups year after year. ROSE PARADE

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

Planning a tour in the U.S. based around an outdoor parade in January might seem like a bit of a stretch, but it works well if that parade takes place in sunny Southern California. “People have been drawn to the Rose Parade for

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By Judy Myers, courtesy Cheyenne Frontier Days

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

Dating back to 1875, the Kentucky Derby, known as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” is the longest continually held sporting event in the United States. The Derby has routinely averaged more than 150,000 spectators over the past decade, which also makes the race on the first Saturday in May North America’s largest sporting event. “There is a general excitement that the Derby provides around the city,” said Jordan Skora, marketing communications manager for Louisville Tourism. “It signals the coming of spring, and it creates an energy that makes Louisville such a special place to visit during that time.” Skora said there are different levels of ticketing and services available for groups heading to Churchill Downs on Derby Day, ranging from the infield experience to Millionaire’s Row. “Groups can book tables in all-inclusive areas such as Millionaire’s Row that include all your food and beverage and your own server,” he said. “It is a covered area with access to your own private balcony overlooking the track.” The Kentucky Derby Festival offers a range of activities leading up to race day. The two-week-long event kicks off with Thunder of Louisville, a day of music and food along the waterfront that culminates with a major fireworks show. Other festival components include a steamboat race dubbed the “Slowest Two Hours in Sports,” the Chow Wagon wine and beer fests, and the Pegasus Parade. Groups can also head over to Churchill Downs and tour the Kentucky Derby Museum. They can enjoy an introductory movie, “The Greatest Race”; check out two floors of interactive exhibits; and go on a 30-minute guided tour of the racetrack. The museum offers VIP experiences that include the Backside Breakfast and the Bourbon and Bridles Package. KENTUCKYDERBY.COM CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS

CHEYENNE, WYOMING

Each year, nearly 200,000 people head to Wyoming’s capital city to enjoy Cheyenne Frontier Days. The nine-day event kicks off in late July and pays tribute to the city’s many Western traditions. “You’ve got the best summer rodeo in America — it includes the

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Courtesy Visit Pasadena

Selfie at the Dayton Air Show

Courtesy Kentucky Derby Museum

KENTUCKY DERBY

Rose Parade float

Courtesy CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show

more than 130 years, and it doesn’t hurt for those in attendance or people tuning in around the world to see sunshine and roses on New Year’s Day,” said Susa, director of marketing and communications for Visit Pasadena. The parade follows a 5.5-mile route through the streets of Pasadena, which is 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The iconic event includes marching bands from the U.S. and other countries, equestrian units and, of course, the floral-themed floats. “The floats are so fantastic,” said Susa. “Hundreds of people come together to create them using flowers and other raw and organic materials. They design and create them all year long so that we can experience them on January 1.” There are a number of other things taking place across the city on New Year’s Day that visitors can enjoy. After watching the parade, Susa said, “you can experience the marching bands and the equestrian units and walk alongside the floats.” Groups also can attend the Rose Bowl football game that annually brings together two of the top college football teams in the country. TOURNAMENTOFROSES.COM

Churchill Downs Racetrack

biggest prize money and has the best cowboys and offers great entertainment,” said Jim Walter, vice president/director of sales marketing for Visit Cheyenne. “You combine that with Western shopping, a modern-day carnival and an Indian village with members of the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes telling their stories and sharing their dances, and you get a range of Western history all in one place.” This year marks 125 years of the popular event, and the music lineup, which features Garth Brooks, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Blake Shelton and Eric Church, is worthy of the anniversary. “For groups seeking a VIP experience, there is a rooftop patio overlooking the arena that they can book for an event night,” said Walter. “It is best to do that a year in advance.” There are a number of programs geared for groups that take place in conjunction with Frontier Days. Participants on the behind-thechutes tour head down to the arena floor and get to stand close — but not too close — to bucking bulls and horses. Groups can also charter a trolley and go on a Wild West history tour around Cheyenne. Walter wants travel planners to contact the staff at Visit Cheyenne about those and other specialized options. “We love to create customized things that they wouldn’t know about,” he said. “For instance, we can do a catered chuck wagon dinner for a group at sunset out on the high plains for a cool Western experience.” CFDRODEO.COM MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

NEW YORK

There are a lot of traditions associated with the American Thanksgiving holiday, but perhaps none set the tone for the day quite like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “It has become this cultural tradition since starting in 1924,” said

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Rick Pomer, creative director of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “It grew fast and took on a life of its own. Then, when broadcast came into the picture — both radio and TV — it kept growing and became this event that is part of family traditions in virtually every home in America and around the world. Over the course of three hours on every Thanksgiving since then, attendees lining the streets of New York City and the global viewing audience are treated to a feast for the senses. They see the artistry of the elaborate floats and the live musical performances from well-known entertainers and marching bands. The parade, Pomer said, in addition to offering all that pageantry, often reflects what’s happening in the entertainment industry that year. “I believe it is a pop culture moment more than anything,” he said. “The parade has always been a snapshot in time of what’s happening in pop culture and the world, from the characters in the sky — showing who or what’s relevant — to the entertainers, including Broadway performers, or the celebrities that are releasing albums that year.” He urges people to check out the event in person rather than taking it in on the small screen. “There is so much energy at the live parade, completely different versus the televised parade,” he said. “It’s just an incredible event to be here for, one to put on the bucket list.” MACYS.COM/SOCIAL/PARADE DAYTON AIR SHOW DAYTON, OHIO

Known as the Birthplace of Aviation, Dayton, Ohio, is a city that knows how to take things to new heights. And that is certainly true when it comes to the southwestern Ohio destination’s signature festival: the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show. This summer event, which takes place in late June or early July, brings a variety of aviation-themed activities to the grounds at the Dayton International Airport that would make Dayton pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright proud. “The thing I really enjoy the most is that the action never stops,” said Jacquelyn Powell, president and CEO of the Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau. “From the moment the fourand-a-half to five-hour show starts to the last performance, there is constant action and energy.” In addition to the featured jet team performance, which alternates annually between the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds, other aerial acts — the AeroShell Acrobatic Team, the Army Golden Nights and a group of World War II Tora! Tora! Tora! re-enactors — take to the skies. On the ground, travelers can check out the extensive group of displays and activities, which include exhibits covering different eras of flight and commercial and military aircraft they can board and tour. Groups can round out an aviation-themed tour of Dayton by visiting the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, which includes a museum with an original 1905 Wright Flyer that Orville and Wilbur used during early flight testing. DAYTONAIRSHOW.COM

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HUNTSVILLE IS A GO FOR RE-ENTRY Our Mission Is Living Life to the Fullest. Home to the world’s largest space museum and U.S. Space Camp, “Rocket City” reignites America’s ingenuity and lively spirit. Featuring a vibrant arts and entertainment district, plus a vast number of natural attractions and cuisine offerings, Huntsville, Alabama, is the perfect destination for those who want to see and do it all. (800) 843-0468 | HU NT S VIL L E.O R G

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Courtesy Visit KC

Courtesy MarbleStreetStudio.com

Rail Yards Market Courtesy Maryland Office of Tourism

Crab dish from Baltimore

Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue in Kansas City

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or many group travelers, the most appealing part of travel is the opportunity to savor new flavors. Every destination offers its own fare, made distinctive by regionally procured ingredients and the local cultures that use them in unique ways. That’s certainly true of five of the country’s best foodie cities: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Baltimore; New Orleans; Kansas City, Missouri; and Savannah, Georgia. In each, talented chefs are serving cuisine traditional to their areas in inventive ways, to the delight of residents and motorcoach visitors alike. To sample the flavors of America, take your group to explore these culinary destinations.

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ALBUQUERQUE If group visitors want to order food in Albuquerque like a local, they should be prepared to answer one question: “Red or green?” The query is in reference to chili, which is made from either green or red chile peppers, the star ingredient in New Mexican cuisine. “We put chili on pretty much everything we eat, from traditional dishes like enchiladas to fudge and pie to wine and beer,” said Brenna Moore, public relations and communications manager for Visit Albuquerque. “If you want both red and green chili on your plate, a good response is ‘Christmas.’ That’s what locals say if they want both.” But fare in Albuquerque is unique for reasons beyond the beloved chili, according to Moore.

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Courtesy Indian Pueblo Kitchen

Guests can try Native-inspired and New Mexico fare at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen.

“Another reason New Mexican cuisine differs from others is due to the Spanish and Latino cultures, as well as Native American cultures, that have called the state home. They have the Three Sisters — that’s corn, beans and squash — and they call them that because of the way the crops are planted. They help one another out to grow, so they are very intertwined. You’ll see corn, beans and squash in almost every traditional New Mexican dish.” Groups that want to sample classic Albuquerque cookery can head to El Pinto. The largest restaurant in the Southwest, it was founded in 1962 by twin brothers and is still going strong. The Church Street Cafe, in one of the oldest buildings in the city, offers a large patio that groups will love, and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center just opened an innovative teaching kitchen focused on what Moore called “the exploration of indigenous cuisine.” VISITALBUQUERQUE.ORG

By Joyce Bracey, courtesy New Orleans and Company

Seafood gumbo from New Orleans

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Courtesy Maryland Office of Tourism

Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque Restaurant in Kansas City

NEW ORLEANS Ask any native of New Orleans what the term Creole means, and you could well get a different answer from person to person. The definition of Cajun is less complicated: It is an ethnic group descended from Acadian French settlers exiled from northeastern Canada who sought refuge in Louisiana in the 1600s. “Creole,” however, can be used to describe anyone with European, Caribbean, African or Hispanic ancestry, or simply people born in southern Louisiana with Spanish or French heritage. To muddle matters, Cajun and Creole cuisine is similar. Both cultures serve famed Louisianian fare like gumbo and jambalaya and liberally employ chopped onions, green peppers and celery in cooking. Cajun fare, however, tends toward heartier, more meatcentric dishes — the spicy pork sausage boudin is a favorite. Creole food centers around rich sauces, with locally caught seafood as primary ingredients. But, according to Thu Tran, senior account executive for New Orleans and Company, “the best way to explain the difference between the two is that Creole cuisine uses tomatoes, and Cajun does not.” Both cooking styles feature prominently in New Orleans’ foodscape. Groups can fill their bellies on Cajun or Creole dishes at celebrated French Quarter restaurants like the Court of Two Sisters, which boasts a beautiful courtyard with live music during the week; Cornet, which offers balconies overlooking Bourbon Street; and the Palace Café, where favorites are served with a modern flair. Tour planners might also want to schedule a stop at the New Orleans School of Cooking. “They have a full schedule with many options — demonstrations, classes, tastings,” said Tran. “The chefs are local historians with so many stories to tell. You feel like you’re in Grandma’s kitchen.” NEWORLEANS.COM

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Courtesy Visit KC

A shrimp dish from Savannah

Courtesy Visit Savannah

BALTIMORE Baltimore is synonymous with great seafood, and for good reason. Its location on the Patapsco River, mere miles from the Chesapeake Bay, means that the city has easy access to the freshest, finest crabs and oysters anywhere. Among the most famed restaurants that serve up the Bay’s bounty to groups are Phillips Seafood and the Rusty Scupper, both with locations in the Inner Harbor. “What I suggest for groups a lot of times is a crab experience,” said Rich Gilbert, travel trade sales manager for Visit Maryland. “Each person gets two or three crabs, and somebody shows them how they open them. Then they give them a platter with a crab cake and corn on the cob, maybe a piece of chicken and coleslaw, so they kind of vary it a little bit.” Other Baltimore restaurants that welcome groups include McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood and Steaks, also on the Inner Harbor; Bo Brooks Crabhouse, a casual fine dining eatery at Lighthouse Point in Camden; Captain James Seafood Palace; and Nick’s Fish House. All are part of Maryland’s Crab and Oyster Trail, which ranges throughout the state. Baltimore coddies, a sandwich made of mashed and salted codfish, should be sampled at Faidley’s Seafood in Lexington Market, with a cold Natty Boh beer, which originated in Baltimore. Speaking of beer, the Waverly Brewing Company produces a local oyster stout, dosed with shells and real meat from Maryland oysters. The company welcomes groups to its brewing production or galley spaces, with brewery tours upon request. And should group visitors not get enough of celebrated Old Bay seasoning with their seafood, Gilbert suggests a stop at one of Charmery’s two Baltimore locations for a taste of Old Bay Caramel ice cream. VISITMARYLAND.ORG

Seafood restaurant in Baltimore

KANSAS CITY If there’s a barbecue capital of the world, Kansas City, Missouri, just might be it. The midwestern burg boasts more than 100 restaurants that are dedicated to perfecting the special K.C. style of barbecue, which is smothered in sweet and spicy molasses-based sauce and cooked on low heat, slowly. Beef brisket is extremely popular in Kansas City, as are burnt ends. “They are the crispy and juicy pieces of meat from the end of a slab of meat,” said Derek Klaus, director of communications for Visit KC. “They originated as a free giveaway item over the counter at Arthur Bryant’s decades ago, but now they’re a staple at most barbecue joints here. Burnt ends are the quintessential Kansas City barbecue item.” Kansas City barbecue got its start around a century ago when Henry Perry, the man who would come to be known as the godfather of the city’s barbecuing scene, began selling smoked meat out of a boxcar. According to Klaus, he went on to mentor Arthur Bryant and George Gates, who became barbecuing legends in their own right. Today, Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque and Gates Bar-B-Q remain two of the most popular barbecue purveyors in the city, with Gates featuring large banquet areas that work well for group dining. Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue, a local favorite as well, is also a good bet for groups. For groups that prefer to sample fare at several iconic barbecue eateries, Klaus suggests booking a jaunt through KC Barbecue Tours. “We’ve had them service motorcoaches of up to 60,” he said. “You’ll stop at three or four places, get a small bite at each one and learn about the history of barbecue here. It’s great.” VISITKC.COM

Cook

SAVANNAH Like New Orleans, where Creole and Cajun fare meet, Savannah offers foodies two similar but distinct cuisines to relish: coastal and Southern. Coastal, according to Erica Backus, director of public relations for Visit Savannah, is “anything that is plenty and bountiful for our region.” “A lot of foods that are very water dependent — like corn, tomatoes and rice — were grown in abundance in the area, and now they make up the base of many of the popular dishes we see today,” she said. “And that is accompanied with everything that comes from the sea.” Meanwhile, Southern food has its roots in the vegetables, including collard greens and okra, and preparation methods — frying — that enslaved Africans brought with them to this country. “Frying was typically done outdoors, so you weren’t heating up a house, and it could be done quickly to feed a multitude,” Backus said. “To me, the idea of a good Southern dinner or lunch is fried chicken, cornbread or biscuits, collard greens, rice, okra, tomatoes, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese and, of course, peach cobbler or banana cream pudding for dessert.” Groups looking to nosh on everything from seafood to fried chicken might want to pay a visit to the Pirate’s House, which is in one of Georgia’s oldest buildings. The Good Times Jazz Bar and Restaurant is a Black-owned, chef-driven eatery that dishes up Southern and soul food dishes; Savannah Riverboat Cruises, which sails up and down the Savannah River, serves a Southern buffet that Backus called “fantastic.” “There’s also the Savannah Taste Experience,” she said. “They’re good for groups; it gives you an opportunity to try seven or eight different restaurants as you walk through the city.” VISITSAVANNAH.COM

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Costumed interpreters in Hannibal

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Courtesy Vicksburg CVB

Courtesy DMC for Otsego County

Courtesy Hannibal CVB

National Baseball HOF

Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum

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AMERICA SMALL TOWNS HAVE HUGE FOLLOWINGS

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ith baseball roots, railroad hubs and legendary authors, small towns can make some of the best places for travelers to experience authentic Americana. Factor in residents who are happy to welcome visitors and attractions that are generally less crowded than those found in big cities, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a great group tour. That’s especially true of the following five burgs, which all feature populations under 25,000 but still boast enough compelling history and natural splendor that leaders just might schedule a little extra time in them. Don’t leave these classic American towns off your group’s travel calendar.

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VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI Vicksburg, which sits snug against the Mississippi’s east bank, is known as much for its legendary history as its fabled locale. Established in 1825 by Newitt Vick, the town was the site of one of the Civil War’s most decisive and hard-fought battles, according to Laura Beth Strickland, executive director of the Vicksburg CVB. “Taking Vicksburg — securing the Mississippi River and that western border — was a huge Union victory for Ulysses S. Grant,” she said. “It was fought the same day as Gettysburg, so those two victories really secured the Union win. That’s why we have a halfmillion visitors annually who come to our National Military Park to study that history and also observe the beautiful sculpture within it.”

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Courtesy DMC for Otsego County

Cooperstown offers both charm and captivating attractions like the National Baseball HOF.

Leaders can arrange for a licensed battlefield guide to step on their motorcoaches, but there are other ways for groups to explore Vicksburg history. The community’s downtown is home to six stellar institutions, including the Old Court House Museum, which focuses on telling the tale of Vicksburg itself; the Old Depot Museum, which spotlights transportation along the Mighty Miss; and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, in the restored building where Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894. There are also some dozen historical homes for groups to tour, like the lovely McRaven House, said to be the most haunted in Mississippi. For group visitors who prefer not to “ghostbust,” Vicksburg boasts an array of breweries and galleries. “It’s great to see the mix of the modern attractions with the historical attractions,” Strickland said, “and I feel that that makes us unique as a river city and just as a destination.” VISITVICKSBURG.COM

HANNIBAL, MISSOURI Of all the great American authors, perhaps none is remembered quite as fondly as humorist Mark Twain. And of all the places he called home, perhaps none is as strongly connected with him as Hannibal, Missouri. “Twain lived here from the time he was 4 until he was 17,” said Megan Rapp, assistant director and group sales manager of the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau. “And his life in Hannibal inspired most of the novels he is most well known for today, like ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ and ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’” The town gives groups a number of ways they can follow in the former Samuel Clemens’ footsteps, like visiting the Mark Twain Boy-

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Courtesy Fredericksburg CVB

Sandhill cranes in North Platte

Courtesy Vicksburg CVB

Courtesy North Platte/Lincoln County VB

NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA Buffalo Bill Cody loved North Platte, Nebraska. The Wild West Show hero lived in the town for some four decades, establishing Scout’s Rest Ranch there, now also known as the Buffalo Bill State Historical Park. But that’s not all North Platte has to share with groups. “We’re also famous for the Union Pacific Railroad,” said Amanda Connick, group sales specialist at the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau. “North Platte is home to the largest classification rail yard in the world, and it’s still fully functioning.” Groups can experience the massive rail yard from the bird’s-eye view of the Golden Spike Tower, which rises eight stories above it and includes plenty of railroad artifacts. After the train aficionados in the group get their fix, leaders will want to take their groups straight to Cody’s former digs, recently made a National Historic Landmark. Encompassing 16 acres that contain his 1886 mansion, the ranch is where Cody developed his beloved Wild West Show. If possible, groups will want to visit North Platte in mid- to late March, when a quarter of a million sandhill cranes fly into the area as part of their annual migration. Dusty Trails Outfitters offers three separate guided tours to see the majestic birds as they eat, dance and mate, including a 2.5-hour afternoon bus excursion. Travel planners should also keep in mind that Connick’s office has developed a number of special group tours. “One is our Ride With the Wild Bunch tour,” she said. “It combines a tour of Buffalo Bill’s ranch, our Lincoln County Historical Museum, Dusty Trails Outfitters, our cowboy cook and a local Buffalo Bill impersonator. It’s just a great way to combine a lot of things into one tour, and that’s only offered to groups.” VISITNORTHPLATTE.COM

Vereins Kirche Museum

Vicksburg National Military Park

hood Home and Museum. It features eight buildings, from the residence Twain grew up in to the house of Laura Hawkins, whom Twain would immortalize as Becky Thatcher. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour of the properties or take advantage of special curator lectures. Other can’t-miss experiences in Hannibal include a stop at the Mark Twain Cave, where Samuel Clemons’ signature was recently discovered, and a one-hour Mississippi River cruise aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat. For added fun, group leaders might also want to book a visit from Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher — eighth-grade students from Hannibal specially selected to act as city ambassadors. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum is nestled in the town’s historic center, and though the Hannibal CVB is happy to arrange a step-on guide for a city tour, Rapp said, “it’s a perfect opportunity to give your folks several hours to explore Main Street with our locally owned businesses or walk along our beautiful, newly renovated riverfront” after a visit to the attraction. VISITHANNIBAL.COM FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS Now during its yearlong 175th anniversary celebration, which will go on through next May, Fredericksburg, Texas, was founded by German pioneers who brought their country’s culture intact with them to their new home. Today, the cuisine they loved and the structures they built in the heart of bucolic Texas Hill Country remain, part of one of the country’s most unusual National Historic Districts. “The 175th anniversary is really about highlighting that our German heritage is still going strong,” said Sean Doerre, communications and digital content manager for the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have about 10 German restaurants. We have the Pioneer Museum, which looks at the life of the early German settlers, how they lived, how they raised families, how they farmed and sur-

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NEED A QUICK GROUP GETAWAY?

vived, and architecture — the town has done a great job with historic preservation.” Whether groups would like a step-on guide to escort them around Fredericksburg or take a self-guided tour of 30 spots crucial to its history, there are plenty of ways to explore the town’s traditions. That includes indulging in some tasty beverages at the Fredericksburg Brewing Company, which offers a beer hall behind its main restaurant that is great for groups, or sampling German-Bavarian fare at The Ausländer. Once visitors have explored the town’s history, they might want to widen the lens with a trip to the world-class National Museum of the Pacific War, a Smithsonian affiliate. Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch is about 15 minutes outside of Fredericksburg. “That’s a great motorcoach tour as well,” Doerre said. “As we say, ‘We have history from the pioneers to the Pacific and on to the presidents.’” VISITFREDERICKSBURGTX.COM COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK Whether your group loves great American books or the great American pastime, they’re going to find Cooperstown, New York, a fascinating getaway. A rural village of less than 2,000 on the southern tip of Otsego Lake, Cooperstown was established in 1786 by the father of novelist James Fenimore Cooper. The younger Cooper, who grew up in the town, would go on to pen legendary novels including “Last of the Mohicans.” But, as Cassandra Harrington, executive director of the Destination Marketing Corporation for Otsego County, said, for most people, Cooperstown is synonymous with baseball. “We’re home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum because the sport is fabled to have been invented on an old cattle field here on Main Street,” she said. Harrington suggests groups coming into town opt for Triple Play passes good for discounted admission to the Hall of Fame, where they can set up a private, “white-glove” tour; the Farmer’s Museum, which is on land once owned by famous author Fenimore Cooper and offers a historical village with interpreters like blacksmiths and rug-makers; and the Fenimore Art Museum, boasting a veritable treasure trove of Native American folk art and artifacts from local tribes including the Iroquois, Mohawk and Oneida. Should groups want to get out and enjoy the stunning scenery, the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad, which departs from Milford, offers beautifully restored vintage cars and can be chartered for private trips. Or visitors can step aboard the Glimmerglass Queen tour boat. “It’s about a one-hour ride, very low-stress and a great way for groups to get out on the water,” Harrington said. THISISCOOPERSTOWN.COM

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Courtesy North Platte/Lincoln County VB

Scout’s Rest Ranch in North Platte

Ridgeland is ready when you are with safe, accessible outdoor shopping venues, two boutique theaters, brand hotels and more than 140 restaurants. Our location just outside of Jackson, Miss., off the Natchez Trace Parkway (National Park) offers you a convenient escape. Save the Date for Oct 1-2, 2021 Renaissance Euro Fest Automobile & Motorcycle Show

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Cook

AT THE VIKING COOKING SCHOOL From the novice to the experienced cook, an array of students including kids, moms and dads, business professionals, and friends come to attend our classes each year. If you appreciate the pleasure of great food, Viking Cooking School is the place to indulge your passion. Our culinary spirit keeps us on the cuttingedge of all things food and inspires us to constantly evolve with seasons and cooking trends. Select from classes such as ethnic cuisine, basic techniques, baking, vegetarian, and cocktail and dinner parties. Teambui ld ing • Faci l i t y rentals • Suppe r clubs B r idal showe rs • Boa rd meet ings • Bi r t hday pa r t ies Hol iday pa r t ies • Luncheons • Date n ight s

866. 4 51.675 0 o r 662 . 4 51.675 0 t heal luvian.com/vcs

5 DAYS OF ADVENTURE IN ROCKET CITY 5

Marvel at 120+ acres of stunning floral collections and aquatic areas at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens.

Shop the nation’s largest privately owned arts facility at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment.

Hear stories of spies, lies & ghosts while touring our Historic Districts, Historic Huntsville Depot, and The Weeden House.

Travel back in time and witness the birthplace of Alabama’s statehood at Alabama Constitution Hall Park.

Celebrate the U.S. space program where it all began and the journey back to the moon at U.S. Space & Rocket Center... and more!

(800) 843-0468 | HUNTSVILLE.ORG

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HOLIDAYS IN COLUMBUS Columbus is a delightful place to visit during the holidays. From millions of lights sparkling throughout the city to fulfilling all of your holiday shopping needs, Columbus is a must-stop to get in the holiday spirit. Ideal for groups of 25+, subject to holiday availability

DAY ONE EVENING

DAY THREE Join Columbus City Adventures on the Holiday Lights Tour and immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with a jaunt through Central Ohio’s twinkling winter landscape. Downtown will be alive with festive energy of hundreds of thousands of lights.

MORNING

LUNCH

DAY TWO MORNING

LUNCH

AFTERNOON

EVENING

Begin your day glass blowing and make your own ornament at Glass Axis. Then, head to the Ohio Craft Museum to view fine arts and crafts, art exhibitions and more. Enjoy one of the best views of Columbus’ skyline at The Boat House at Confluence Park. After lunch, head to Grandview Heights and stop into the many stores located on Grandview Avenue. Then, make your own holiday-scented candle at The Candle Lab. Or, discover the intricacies of vodka, gin and bourbon making at Watershed Distillery and sample their holiday specialty Nocino.

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EVENING

Stroll brick streets lined with one-of-a-kind shops in German Village. Shop for gifts at The Book Loft, one of the nation’s largest independent book stores. Head to Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus, for lunch and don’t leave until you have one of their famous cream puffs. Enjoy dinner in downtown Columbus at M Restaurant, overlooking the illuminated Scioto Mile riverfront. End your evening at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for Conservatory Aglow, decorated for the holidays with thousands of poinsettias, gingerbread houses and twinkling lights.

DAY FOUR MORNING

Enjoy dinner at Mozart’s then head to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for Wildlights and see millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows and other holiday festivities.

Finish up your holiday shopping at Easton — Columbus’ premier destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in a unique village setting. Or, on the way out of Columbus, stop in Cambridge to celebrate the holidays 19th centurystyle. The popular Dickens Victorian Village brings to life Victorian society in 80 holiday scenes with 186 lifelike figures.

Roger Dudley, CTA 614-222-6136, 800-354-2657 rdudley@experiencecolumbus.com

Learn how chocolates are made at world-famous, family-owned Anthony-Thomas Candy Company. Everyone receives a freshly made chocolate.

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KENTUCKY

SCOTT

COUNTY

- - KENTUCKY’S HORSE HEADQUARTERS Where horseplay is more than okay! - Themed Tours Brewgrass, Horses & Horsepower See Japanese innovation at work at the largest Toyota manufacturing plant in the world, then see Japanese influence at play at the largest production brewery in the state at Country Boy Brewing. Horse around outdoors with equine celebrities at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, Kentucky Horse Park and Keeneland Race Course.

Little Silver Charm & Big Victorian Charm Meet Georgetown’s equine treasure Little Silver Charm, a miniature horse at Old Friends named after his big Thoroughbred brother, Silver Charm. Find local treasures in dozens of locally-owned shops, boutiques and art galleries lining the Victorian streetscape of Downtown Georgetown. Explore Ward Hall one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States.

From the Garden of “Eden” to Noah’s Ark Give into temptation: Take a bite of the apple on a pick your-own visit to Evan’s Orchard & Cider Mill a local Kentucky Proud Farm. Then board the Ark Encounter, an encounter of biblical proportions.

16 hotels + over 80 Restaurants Right Off 64 + 75 INTERSTATE

INTERSTATE

www.georgetownky.com/groups • 844.863.8600 J U LY / A U G U S T

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PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

Spend the day at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, The most unique travel destination in Southern California!

Tour Through Air Force One 27000

View a Full Scale Replica of the Oval Office

Touch an Authentic Piece of the Berlin Wall

40 Presidential Drive • Simi Valley, CA 93065 • ReaganLibrary.com

SOME PEOPLE SEE A PILE OF TOOLS. WE SEE A WAY TO HELP IMPROVE A DESTINATION IN NEED.

Tourism Cares can help you see the world differently. By participating in our outreach, education and volunteering programs you’ll be able to more successfully connect needs to opportunities. And, you’ll gain the direction, networking, tools and skills required to shape a more resilient and sustainable future for the destinations and communities we all sell and rely upon. Join us and unite with your industry colleagues to harness the transformative power of travel.

Visit TourismCares.org. See the possibilities. Join these companies in seeing the possibilities.

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O K L A H O M A’ S

PARTY PRAIRIE ON THE

P R E S E N T E D B Y M A R S H E A R T L A N D.

This 8-day Party on the Prairie itinerary features some of the Best of Oklahoma; with over 25 stops from Tulsa to Ponca City, Route 66 to Oklahoma City, see the sights and party like a cowboy!

Day 1 — Tulsa

Philbrook Museum of Art Woody Guthrie Center

Day 2 — Route 66

Cyrus Avery Plaza the East Meets West Symbolic “Midpoint” The Route 66 Historic Village Mother Road Market Will Rogers Memorial Museum Nut House on Route 66

Day 3 — Bartlesville

Bartlesville Indian Women’s Club Style Show Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve Price Tower Frank Phillips Home

Day 4 — Pawhuska The Pioneer Woman Mercantile Osage Tribal Museum

Day 5 — Ponca City

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Oklahoma History Center Stockyards City

Day 6 — OKC

Historic Bricktown Harn Homestead Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion

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Day 8 — OKC

American Banjo Museum First Americans Museum National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

For more information on this tour contact: Todd Stallbaumer • Todd.Stallbaumer@travelok.com Kate Scopetti • mars@takeafuntrip.com J U LY / A U G U S T

Day 7 — OKC

Standing Bear Park & National America Foundation Pioneer Woman Museum E.W. Marland Mansion Marland Grand Home

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marketing Y O U R

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PLAN A GROUP TRIP TO GET BY ELIZA MYERS

t’s halfway through 2021, and all eyes are focused on the horizon. The travel floodgates have opened, and demand to explore the world continues to increase exponentially as people yearn to make up for lost time. A recent study by TripAdvisor found that 51% of U.S. respondents plan to take a domestic summer trip, and 22% plan to take a trip abroad. Now the question becomes: How do travel providers give people the type of trip that they want? While the world continues to change so rapidly, creating a marketing plan that anticipates travel trends can seem fruitless. However, there are some ways you can think ahead to build and market trips just right for your members.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Before you can start to capitalize on people’s pent-up desire to travel, you must know what types of trips to offer. That starts with knowing your members: You need to find out how far they want to travel, the ideal length of the trip, how much they are willing to spend and what matters to them on a trip. Some travel planners ask only where their members want to go. That is an important question, but discovering more about their preferences is also crucial. You can’t plan a trip to every place your members name. But if you notice trends in the types of trips they want, you can use that information to create enticing trips to destinations they may not have previously considered. For example, if you see trends toward more luxurious destinations or culturally important places, you can note those commonalities rather than just adding up pins on a map. You can gather this type of detailed information in two ways. First, survey all your members regularly. If your loyalty program gathers for non-travel-related events, hand out a survey sometime during the meeting. Send out surveys in emails to members as well so you can reach clients who don’t usually come to events. Even better, send personal emails or call members to discuss their preferences. This personal interaction will not only strengthen the loyalty those members feel toward your travel program but also help you gather important information about your members. Some travel planners create a group of top clients to meet and discuss their ideas about future trips. This loyalty-driven subgroup not only rewards the travelers who spend the most with you, it also delivers research on future trip ideas directly to you. Keep all information you gather about travel preferences in an Excel file or other document so that you have reliable infor-

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mation on your members. Look for the trends. Once you have enough information, create three to four common traveler personas. Then build your marketing strategy around those personas and the types of trips they might like. This will appeal to your members on a more personal level than a one-size-fits-all approach.

KNOW WHEN TO SELL

Researchers already know some common travel buying trends that you can use in your marketing strategies. For example, the online search volume for beach trips is highest from winter to spring. Travel planners can take advantage of this by promoting beach itineraries during the cold of winter when people are most likely to think the beach sounds too tempting to pass up. Market cruises in January when the demand for cruises hits its yearly peak. June is the best time to market trips to national and state parks. Though many group leaders release a year’s worth of tours all at once, knowing these trends can still aid your marketing efforts through targeted promotions. Members may be aware of all your trips, but reminding travelers in June of an upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon will make them more likely to book it. To know when to market various other destinations, use research from Google to determine the search volume patterns of particular destinations. In that way, you can seasonally target your marketing messages to when members are mostly likely to respond. These seasonal marketing strategies can work with social media posts or email marketing. Specific, time-limited offers often pair well with these promotions by giving members a sense of urgency to book a trip.

KNOW THE TRENDS

You can always go on the same few trips you know your members like. But to grow your group, add a few experimental trips to your offerings. Even if you try just one outside-the-box trip a year, you will gain a lot of information about what types of trips work and which don’t work for your group. You shouldn’t choose these trips based on where you want to go. Start with the traveler surveys but also consult experts like tour operators. These travel professionals spend a lot of time monitoring which destinations are popular now and which will be popular in a couple of years. Other places to closely consider are destinations that are part

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BACK INTO THE GAME of the current pop culture. When “Downton Abbey” aired, those destinations received a lot of travel enthusiasm not just from those who watched the show, but also from those who were influenced by its effect on society. Magazines such as this one can also help you stay abreast of hot travel destinations that cater to groups instead of the more mainstream magazines that target individual travelers. Even today, while everything is changing around the world, there are travel trends you can take advantage of, such as escapethemed getaways, outdoor destinations and exclusive resorts. Market these types of trips to your travelers and watch your travel group grow.

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W H E R E

w e ’ v e

B E E N

Tumbleweed Tours SPRING, TEXAS TRIP: The Sooner Than Later Road Trip DATE: October 2020 Tumbleweed Tours took a group of members age 55 and older on a five-day trip through Oklahoma. The tour divided travelers into three groups of 10 with two trips going in August and one in October for a total of 31 travelers. The Oklahoma road trip stopped in Oklahoma City, Pawhuska and Tishomingo. The group explored Drummond Ranch, where the creator of “The Pioneer Woman” blog and television show gives tours. “Our third stop was to the famed Drummond Ranch near Pawhuska. We went to the Mercantile restaurant there to enjoy some delicious food. Our final stop was in Tishomingo, where Blake Shelton’s cafe and bar Ole Red is located. This was the perfect country trip to lift up our spirits. We have several more small-numbered group trips planned for 2021.”

— PAMELA COX PREVITE, OWNER

National Exchange Bank and Trust FOND DU LAC, WISCONSIN TRIP: Jewels of Lake Superior DATE: August 2019 The Golden Years Club explored Bayfield and Ashland, Wisconsin, on a four-day tour of the state’s Northwoods area. The tour included Madelyn Island, the Apostle Islands, the Great Northern Dinner Train and Copper Falls State Park. “The beauty of Wisconsin’s Northwoods is unsurpassed. Our travelers experienced the blue waters crashing against majestic red cliffs as we traveled on our road trip to Wisconsin’s most northern location. We are still in awe of the clarity of Lake Superior, which allowed us to view sunken ships in depths of hundreds of feet. It felt like we could almost touch them.”

— JANET JOHNSON, PROGRAM AND EVENTS MANAGER 42

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APPLY TODAY FOR THE FAMS YOU’D LIKE TO ATTEND!

Are you looking for new ideas in your old favorites or a new destination for your group to enjoy? Register for one of our 2021 FAMs to learn about these great destinations from the local experts. To apply for a chance to attend any of these complimentary FAMs, go to www.grouptravelleader.com/FAMs.

ALABAMA SEPTEMBER 13-17 We are working with Alabama Tourism Department to host a FAM showcasing Alabama’s Natural, Historic and Exciting Group Tour Wonders. Explore Birmingham, Huntsville, Muscle Shoals and DeSoto State Park and learn what Sweet Home Alabama has to offer your groups. grouptravelleader.com/alabama-fam

WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

LOUISIANA’S NO MAN’S LAND OCTOBER 6-10 We are partnering with Louisiana Tourism to showcase the best of Louisiana’s No Man’s Land region that includes Lake Charles, Natchitoches and DeRidder. You’ll tour the Creole Nature Trail, Melrose Plantation, Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu for a King Cake Demo & Tasting, casino resorts and much more. grouptravelleader.com/nomansland-fam

GROUP THE

TRAVEL LEADER

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Tyner at:

888-253-0455 KELLY@GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

Big things are happening in Oklahoma City, AKA the “Big Friendly.” Start at the First Americans Museum, opening in September 2021. Discover how 39 distinctive tribes shaped Oklahoma in big ways. Next up? Comb through a big collection of Western art and artifacts at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Then spend day 3 at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, a modern art museum with a big mission: to awaken each guest’s creative potential. Bid the city adieu with a big steak from Cattlemen’s Steakhouse. Its reputation precedes it — George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan both ate there! OKC? It is a big deal.

Browse the biggest selection of iconic Oklahoma itineraries at TravelOK.com/Group.