Select Traveler March April 2020

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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WISCONSIN WANDERLUST | SOUTHERN SOJOURNS | CHEYENNE WILL BE A SHOW

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LAKE GENEVA

MARCH/APRIL 2020

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THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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VOL.28 NO.2

MARCH/APRIL 2020

GENEVA AND EVIAN:

PLACES FOR PANORAMAS & PAMPERING

contents checking in: SCOTT ALEVY

toolbox: conference

TOUR OPERATORS

PREVIEW

Evian, France, courtesy Atout France

ON THE COVER: Located on the banks of Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle is one of Switzerland’s most visited castles. Photo by Vladacanon.

columbus marketing:

MUSEUMS

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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 Sales and Marketing Assistant

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18 selections 26 wisconsin SEASONAL

WISHING FOR

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southern

TRAVEL GUIDE

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.

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

BRING YOUR GROUP TOUR TO LIFE. Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay, our coastal city offers uncommon access to nature’s wonders and hands-on experiences for your group to share.

Plan your group’s Live the Life Adventure at VisitVirginiaBeach.com/GroupTour.

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

O

ur publishing company is a member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) and attends its annual conference each December. We have numerous tour operator members of USTOA coming to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the Select Traveler Conference. The organization currently represents more than 50 tour companies that

collectively own more than 150 travel brands across the globe.

For its annual meeting each December, USTOA publishes an insightful snapshot of the year ahead for worldwide group travel based on a survey of its members. For instance, these members identified Egypt, Croatia and Colombia as their top emerging “off the beaten path” destinations this year. They also confirmed three current trends for group travel that our readers reference often in this magazine: travelers’ desire for local immersion; their desire for smaller, more intimate groups; and their interest in uncharted destinations.

However, it was something else in this year’s document that caught my eye: Almost half these international tour operators (44%) reported that multigenerational family travel was their top growing passenger category for 2019. We devote a lot of time and ink here to the fact that group travel constantly regenerates itself as a travel segment. It’s an industry that is often unfairly described as staid or even archaic.

Many youthful travelers, including millennials and younger generations, are returning to travel packages and travel advisers that assist them with planning their trips. For these USTOA members to cite family groups consisting of grandparents, parents and travelaged children as a growing part of their businesses is great to see. I believe traveling with friends and family will remain one of the best reasons to go with a group.

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

Mac Lacy 6

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follow us @ gotripsinc

P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

what is a destination on your bucket list?

ERICA PERKINS

WOODSVILLE GUARANTY SAVINGS BANK WOODSVILLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE “For me, the Scottish Highlands has a mystical pull. I’m drawn by the raw, rugged beauty and solitude. I love the romantic notion of exploring the landscape in hiking boots during the day. Then in the evening, I’d settle by a peat fire with a wee dram.”

LARRY WILBURN

AVERETT UNIVERSITY

Travel ☼ Thoughtfully Designed ☼ ☼ Delightfully Executed ☼

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA “Australia is on my bucket list. To begin with, it is halfway around the globe and would be the farthest I have ever traveled. I am most interested in the Australian outback and all the mystery it holds.”

MARTHA MORSE

FIRST MIDAMERICA CREDIT UNION BETHALTO, ILLINOIS “Peru has been on my bucket list since I did a report on the country in the sixth grade. The country is rich in culture, history and natural beauty. I would love to see Machu Picchu and Cuzco firsthand to walk in the footsteps of the Incas and see the ancient ruins.”

CHRISTA LEEVAN

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME NOTRE DAME, INDIANA “We send many Notre Dame travelers to the Galapagos Islands each year.

I’ve enjoyed seeing the amazing photos our travelers take. It is one of our highest rated destinations. It would give me a chance to visit my sixth continent, since the trips we offer usually start in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I hope to lead a group there in 2021.”

ROB FURE

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY

888-55-TRIPS

www.gotripsinc.com 8 selecttraveler.com

LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA “Bhutan is at the top of my bucket list. I’ve been most everywhere else in 34 years of travel program management for Washington and Lee University.”

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W.C. Handy Festival, The Shoals Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores

U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville

Selma Interpretive Center, Selma

Whether it’s Muscle Shoals music or learning about the natural world in Gulf Shores, the past and future of space exploration in Huntsville, or the Civil Rights Movement in Selma, we can supply you with itineraries for several Group Tours. Trouble is...deciding which tour to take first. We’ll keep adding to the list, you just keep coming for new adventures. www.alabama.travel To learn how your group can experience Alabama, contact Rosemary Judkins at rosemary.judkins@tourism.alabama.gov or 334-242-4493.

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checking in SCOTT ALEVY

W I T H

S C O T T

A L E V Y

P R E S I D E N T / C E O LAGUNA NIGUEL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA Located in a suburban city in Orange County, California, the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce has more than 320 members. The chamber’s travel program usually offers four trips a year to its members and the general public.

The Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce poses in front of the Great Wall of China.

Born: Long Beach, California Education: B.A. from the University of Southern California Employment: Alevy spent 13 years at Pacific Southwest Airlines in the passenger service and public relations departments. He also served in the U.S. Air Force and worked with AT&T. Prior to joining the Laguna Niguel chamber, he served as president and CEO of another chamber in San Diego County.

Family: Alevy and his wife, Joanne, have two children and two grandchildren. The couple also takes care of about two dozen rescued animals at their home.

Hobbies: In his spare time, Alevy golfs and spends time with his family.

BY ELIZA MYERS

A

fter spending 13 years in passenger service and public relations for Pacific Southwest Airlines, Scott Alevy felt like he had seen it all.

“When you’ve been in passenger service, you hear about every passenger problem imaginable,” said Alevy, president and CEO of the Laguna Nigel Chamber of Commerce.

“I know how important it is to be able to solve those problems.”

From emergency sickness to lost valuables, Alevy has an encyclopedic knowledge on what could go wrong while traveling. He used his insights to improve and grow the chamber’s travel program.

E XP L O RER’S U P B R I N G I N G

From an early age, Alevy’s parents taught him to embrace his curiosity about the world. Every time his dad traveled to a work con-

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ference, the family would turn the conference into a chance for the family to explore a new area of the country.

“Our family always traveled together,” said Alevy. “Every two years, we would get in the car and drive across the country to wherever the convention was. They would use travel to educate my sister and me about the history of the place we were visiting.”

It was on his first flight across the country in 1957 when he fell in love with flying. His wanderlust grew during his childhood, so he eventually took a job with Pacific Southwest Airlines for a chance to explore the world.

“I traveled a lot,” said Alevy. “I went to Europe several times and all over. I became very comfortable with traveling. It helped me later to ask the right kinds of questions and ask the right demands of our travel companies. I knew what to look for because I had helped people with those problems over the years.”

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B UIL D IN G BU S I N E S S A C U M E N

After serving in the U.S. Air Force and working with a land use and zoning company, Alevy spent 10 years as director of external relations for AT&T. During his time with the phone company, he interacted frequently with the local chambers of commerce.

“That’s when I first learned about chambers,” said Alevy. “I fell in love with them. I spent time on the board of directors of different ones. After that, most of my time exposed to chambers was when I was a city councilman in Southern California. During my time in the council, I was a very business-friendly thinker. I had a lot of interaction with the chambers of commerce.”

When a chamber in San Diego County offered him a job as president and CEO, he felt excited about the challenge. He expanded the chamber’s travel program before transferring to the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce.

When he reviewed Laguna Niguel’s program, he thought it needed revisions. He sent out a request for proposals (RFP) to find a tour operator that would match the level of service he was looking for.

“You have to look carefully at those RFPs because some companies will tell you what they think you want to hear and some will tell you answers to what you were actually asking,” said Alevy. “Different travel companies will do more work for you. That was important to me.”

Alevy looked for companies willing to pick up his travelers in Laguna Nigel and drop them off at the Los Angeles airport.

“There have to be conveniences and advantages that come with group travel,” said Alevy. “If people are just price shopping, they might be able to find a cheaper trip. But if we have a company that will handle extra hassles like pickups and drop-offs, that gives us an edge. We tried to find a company that would take the worry out of travel.”

Since the trips are open for members and the local community, Alevy doesn’t just market to his members; he also markets to a local affluent community of retirees.

“The fastest growing demographic in our city is 65 and older,” said Alevy. “You don’t fight that.

You market to them.”

Alevy uses this demographic to craft tours that combine comfort with exciting, bucket-list destinations. The program mostly travels to international destinations, with trips planned for this year to northern Italy, Egypt, Costa Rica and China.

be that person for us,” said Alevy. “With a small staff, you have to find partnerships to help with the workload.”

Alevy continues to think of ways to expand the travel program despite the challenges of a limited staff because he thinks the payoff is more than worth it.

“The travel program is a great benefit for our members,” said Alevy. “It is also a way for people who aren’t members to learn about the chamber. Most importantly, it becomes a source of income that can help the chamber’s mission.”

T R A V E L

tips

• Sometimes you get what you pay for. Find travel partners that can give you peace of mind.

• Ask questions instead of guessing. Decisions based on real experience are always smarter.

• Arrive far earlier than you think you need to be anywhere. It’s far better to arrive at the airport or to a tour ahead of time than to be late and panicked.

SM AL L S TAFF, B I G D R E A M S

Because of Alevy’s long list of job demands, he hasn’t yet been able to attend a trip with the chamber’s travel program.

“Chambers of commerce don’t always have a big staff,” said Alevy. “I will generally give my spot on a tour to a member or auction it off as a fundraiser.

As much as I would like to, I don’t have the time.”

Alevy is considering hiring a separate person to book the tours, with compensation tied to the number of people who travel with his organization. At Alevy’s previous chamber, this system worked, and the planner was able to attend some of the trips. This provided a liaison person from the chamber to go on the tour.

“Right now, I choose certain tour operators, knowing they have people on hand who can help

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

choosing a tour operator

T

BY B R IA N JE W E LL

here are hundreds of tour companies in the United States, and they would all love to have your business. How should you go about choosing the ones to work with?

The choice of a tour operator could be the most important decision you can make in planning trips for your organization.

Since tour operators influence almost every aspect of a group trip — and hire the allimportant tour director who will host the experience — a tour company can make or break your group’s travel experience.

If you have strong relationships with tour providers that have served you well in the past, by all means, keep working with them. But if you’re new to travel planning or are undertaking a different type of trip than what you have done before, you should spend some time carefully researching and vetting tour operators before you commit to doing business with any of them.

Here are five key areas you should consider when choosing a tour company for your organization’s next trip.

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S P E C I A LT I E S A N D E XPERTISE Just like individuals, every company has its own core competencies — things it does very well — as well as areas of weakness. Very few tour companies have the resources to plan and execute excellent trips anywhere in the world. Instead, most have developed expertise in a handful of destinations, travel styles or customer experiences. To ensure that your clients always have the best trip possible, it’s important to select travel partners that specialize in the kind of travel you want to do. This applies to cruise lines, too, as well as operators that package cruises along with land tours.

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E XC LUS I V I T Y A N D C US T O MIZ ATION Some tour companies are built on a retail model: Most of their revenue comes from individuals, couples or families that buy trips through travel agents or directly on the company’s website. Those companies will be happy to book a trip for your group, but unless you’re careful, your people may end up on a trip with others they don’t know. If you want a private tour for your group that is tailored to fit their interests, make sure to look for tour operators that offer group-exclusive trips and customizable itineraries.

P R I C E A N D I N C LUS I O N S Price isn’t necessarily the most important consideration when choosing a tour operator for your group, but it is a major factor. Shopping on price can be tricky, though, because the quantity and quality of inclusions in a tour package can have a dramatic effect on the cost. As you price out tour options, make sure you ask what kind of hotels the tour operator uses, how many meals are included each day and what key attractions and experiences are built into the package. Sometimes the more expensive trip delivers the greater value.

CREDENTIALS A N D COV ERAG E When you’re asking customers or members to trust you with thousands of dollars, you can’t be too careful. Some travel companies — even large ones — have gone out of business and absconded with customer deposits, leaving groups high and dry. When you vet a tour company, look for information about any professional organizations they’re a part of. You should also ask for proof of liability insurance and traveler protection programs that would protect

R E F E R ENC E S A N D RE V I E W S Any company can create a website and sales materials that make it

your customers should the company fail to operate the trip.

look great. So when you’re dealing with a potential travel vendor, go beyond their marketing channels to find out what customers have to say. You should ask the company to provide references from organizations similar to yours that they have served, then call those people to get their honest feedback. Larger companies may have reviews listed on sites such as TripAdvisor or Cruise Critic, and you should check those to make sure consumer experiences have been largely positive.

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection

JOE CAPPUZZELLO

PEERS AND PRACTICES EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS ENLIGHTEN ATTENDEES Bring your boots for fun in Cheyenne.

Courtesy Visit Cheyenne

BY DAN DICKSON

T

he main purpose of the annual Select Traveler Conference is for travel planners for banks, educational institutions, chambers of commerce and other organizations to meet with representatives of the travel industry and learn about new destinations and ideas for group travel. This will be deftly accomplished in three jam-packed marketplace sessions at the next conference, scheduled for March 22-24 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

“Cheyenne will be a unique experience for many of our delegates who have not been out there before, and the city will roll out the red carpet for us,” said Joe Cappuzzello, CEO of The Group Travel Family, which organizes and runs the Select Traveler Conference. The meeting will take place inside the official conference hotel: the Little America Hotel and Resort.

RELEVANT SPEAKERS

One of the hallmarks of the Select Traveler Conference is a lineup of professional speakers that deliver content that can motivate, educate, entertain or even make delegates shed a

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tear. This year’s docket of speakers will no doubt keep the theater lively. “We bring in cutting-edge speakers, for sure,” said Cappuzzello.

Vincent Phipps from Chattanooga, Tennessee, likes to call himself an “attitude-amplifying speaker and communications coach.” He has been addressing audiences nationwide for 24 years. Phipps will deliver the keynote address. His interactive presentation style will capture everyone’s attention.

“He is younger, dynamic, exciting and high-energy, and he really gets people fired up,” said Cappuzzello. “Believe me, no one will be falling asleep when Vincent is around.”

In an interview with Select Traveler magazine, Phipps said he is going to offer important suggestions to the assembled group travel directors and destination providers.

“I am going to tell them how to improve their attitude so they can give better customer service,” said Phipps. “There are three dynamics that encapsulate how to amplify customer service.”

One of these dynamics, Phipps said, is for people to become better listeners. Another is for them to adapt to whomever

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CONFERENCE

SPEAKERS “Your customers put their lives in your hands based on decisions that you alone make.”

Nahmens said most motorcoach operators take safety very seriously, but a few of them are willing to take chances with passenger safety and run unsafe vehicles. Researching the carrier’s safety record before booking can save travel planners and their guests a lot of grief.

VINCENT PHIPPS

JIM SPELLOS

they are talking with. The third tip is for everyone to find a way to focus on solutions.

Phipps added another thought about language. “We can avoid complications when we practice communication without confrontation. Vocabulary is located in the same part of the brain that shuts down during high emotion. So, the madder we get, the dumber we get.”

Jim Spellos, president of Meeting U, is a technology expert that can show delegates what tech tools they need to be more comfortable and productive in their work and personal lives. His keynote and conference training sessions are always informative, interesting and fun, guiding people into understanding how to use tomorrow’s technologies today. This may include productivity shortcuts or insight about hot new apps.

“A hundred years ago, they called that era the Roaring ’20s,” said Spellos in one of his online video chats. “Our next decade is going to be the Non-Stop ’20s. What will be going on is so cool.

I want all of the delegates to be able to keep up with changes.

I’ll talk about hot technologies like virtual reality, augmented realty, artificial intelligence and other things that people might not know can help change how they do business.”

Another speaker who will address delegates stresses safety when it is time for group travel planners to book ground transportation for their local trips. The slogan “Look Before You Book” is becoming a familiar refrain, thanks to Greg Nahmens of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

“We ask that in your due diligence, you come to our website — fmcsa.dot.gov — and inspect the safety records for transportation companies you might want to hire,” Nahmens said.

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GREG NAHMENS

TRAVEL IDEAS SHARED

The Select Traveler Conference has set aside time for travel buyers to get their heads around all the vital issues that shape their businesses.

“We do peer-to-peer education through buyer breakout sessions, which is the first thing our members will do after the conference begins,” said Cappuzzello. “They hold roundtable discussions where they talk about the important travel industry issues that seem to affect everybody. They also share their best practices, like what’s hot and what’s not, or how you could handle different travel challenges.”

STELLAR EVENING EVENTS ON TAP

The Select Traveler host city always presents a great evening of food and entertainment, and Cheyenne has a special one planned.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun and get Western,” said Jim Walter of Visit Cheyenne, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. The first night of the conference will feature an exciting rodeo. It will include cowboys and cowgirls roping, bull riding and barrel racing inside Cheyenne’s fairgrounds events center.

Delegates can also learn a few rodeo skills like the ones exhibited by the professionals. Other delegates might try to learn a little Western line dancing. “It’s a night of Western entertainment, so bring your boots,” said Walter.

The second night of the conference will feature a dinner sponsored by the host city for the 2021 Select Traveler Conference: Panama City Beach, Florida. Delegates will hear all about the beaches, waterways and entertainment options available in this Florida Panhandle region.

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C O N F E R E N C E

connection BUYER BREAKOUT THANKS, ASHLEY AND DIANE!

T

he buyer breakout session at the upcoming Select Traveler Conference, March 22-24 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, will explore emerging destinations for travel planners that represent upscale groups from banks, chambers of commerce, alumni groups and other similar organizations. This year’s session will be led by volunteer moderators Ashley Taylor of First State Bank in Barboursville, West Virginia, and Diane Zuccarini of Prosperity Bank in Houston.

“Our goal with this session is to have peer groups sharing about destinations

ASHLEY TAYLOR that are trending for the next couple of years,” said conference partner Mac Lacy.

“There is so much movement right now in terms of how trips are designed and which destinations are coming to the forefront that we feel this is a good year to do this session.”

The breakout session occurs on the first day of the conference and is always moderated by volunteer delegates. The results are aggregated and shared with all

DIANE ZUCCARINI

attendees as a tangible benefit of attending the Select Traveler Conference.

“We’ll look at both domestic and international destinations,” said Lacy. “We’ll explore the trends that favor those destinations, like trips that feature only one hotel and explore an area in-depth; trips that favor smaller groups and more personal experiences; and other trends driving the market. We thank Ashley and Diane for volunteering to lead this year’s session.”

AUCTION

Located in New York's Hudson Valley!

ACTION

COMING UP THIS SUMMER AT CLOVE CREEK!

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JUNE 4 - 21, 2020 JUL -26, 2020 AUGUST 6-23, 2020

Matinees, group rates, and more!

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he Know Your Sponsors Auction at the Select Traveler Conference is one of the entertainment highlights of the three-day event. Travel planners earn “conference cash” in meetings with sponsors over the course of the conference and use their accumulated wealth to bid on high-tech gadgets for personal and business use back home. Auctioneer Jennifer Ferguson and her assistants lead the fun as delegates pool their cash to try and bring home a prize.

This year’s auction is sponsored by Branson’s Best Restaurants in Branson, Missouri.

Anthony Stacy with auction item winner

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SPONSOR POWER!

These companies and destinations bring excitement to the Select Traveler Conference!

AMERICAN QUEEN STEAMBOAT COMPANY Destination Spotlight AVENTURA WORLD Marketplace III Kickoff

BRANSON’S BEST RESTAURANTS Know Your Sponsors Auction

INTERTRAV CORP Opening Ceremonies

LOUISVILLE TOURISM Delegate Orientation

MAYFLOWER CRUISES & TOURS Icebreaker Reception | Keynote Address

BRILLIANT EDVENTURES Conference Registration

MIDDLETON TOURISM COMMISSION Marketplace Booth Drop

CHEROKEE NATION CULTURAL TOURISM Stepping Stones

MSC CRUISES (USA) Marketplace II Kickoff

COLLETTE Official Luncheon Delegate Registry Ad

SELECT TRAVELER MAGAZINE Delegate Registry Ad

DIAMOND TOURS Vendor Spotlight

DUTTON FAMILY THEATER COMPLEX Sponsor Booth

EF/GO AHEAD TOURS Marketplace I Kickoff

EXPERIENCE SOUTHERN IN Name Badges

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Seminar Delegate Registry Ad

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL OFFICE/LVCVA Super Session

THE TRAVEL CORPORATION Destination Showcase

TRIPS Breakfast Day Two

US TOURS Breakfast Day One | Marketplace Sponsor

VISIT CHEYENNE Opening Dinner & Entertainment Delegate Registry Ad | Travel Industry Report

VISIT MCKINNEY Phone Charging Stations FRENCH LICK RESORT Conference Padfolio

GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS Closing Luncheon

GO NEXT Vendor Showcase

VISIT PANAMA BEACH Dinner & Entertainment

VOLGA DREAM CRUISES Buyer Breakout Session

WYOMING OFFICE OF TOURISM Airport Transportation

Windmill Island Gardens

Kayaks on Alaska’s Eklutna Lake

WELL seasoned Courtesy Holland Area VB

Courtesy Travel Alaska

Winter skiing in Jackson Hole

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Courtesy Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board

Courtesy White Mountains Visitors Center

Here are four ideas for year-round winners

BY REBECCA TREON

T

hese days it seems there’s almost no bad time to travel; the number of people taking trips for leisure has reached an all-time high. Still, certain destinations really shine at a particular season of the year.

These places embrace what’s quintessential about a season: bright, colorful flowers to usher in the spring; breathtaking wilderness adventures in the summer; colorful fall foliage ranging the spectrum of yellows, oranges and reds; and mountains of fresh, white snow in the winter.

In Holland, Michigan, groups can take a tour with a docent in traditional Dutch dress or attend one of the largest Dutch festivals in the country.

Alaska’s pristine summer beckons visitors with museums and opera, and every outdoor adventure imaginable, from hiking to wildlife viewing. Whether you want to sleep under the stars in a glamping tent or stay in a boutique hotel amid the downtown brew pubs and shops of Anchorage, your groups will find plenty of options.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire is one of the country’s most beloved places for groups to see fall foliage. Blazing shades of warm colors grace trees changing before the winter months, and groups can experience the colors by train, bike, horseback or hiking.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a winter wonderland that makes the perfect snow-capped playground for skiers and nonskiers alike.

Groups can go snowmobiling, take a wildlife tour, go to a food and wine festival or soak in natural hot springs.

SUMMER

SP R I N G

SPRING: HOLLAND, MI CHIG AN

It’s not surprising that Holland was founded by a group of Dutch settlers. In 1929, a local teacher named Lida Rogers started a tradition that put the town on the map. She convinced city leaders to plant a thousand colorful tulip bulbs, drawing visitors from around the country to see the flowers in bloom.

“In 2019, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of Tulip Time, which is now the longest continuously run flower festival in the country,” said Sally Hallan Laukitis, executive director of the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have 5 million early-, middle- and lateblooming varieties of tulips in bloom, bringing half a million visitors to the town from around the world.”

The connection to the homeland doesn’t stop there. Holland has a working windmill, imported from the Netherlands. The De Zwaan windmill, which dates from 1791, was shipped over piece by piece. Alisa Crawford, the only Dutch-certified master miller in North America, grinds between 12,000 and 14,000 pounds of winter wheat and locally sourced corn there each year. Windmill Island Gardens also features canals, gardens, picnic areas and an antique Dutch carousel, among other attractions appealing to groups.

Another popular group attraction, Nelis’ Dutch Village, is a theme park where visitors can experience a historical re-enactment of a Dutch village with costumed interpreters; rides the whole family will enjoy; demonstrations such as wooden-shoe carving and Delftware painting; cheese tasting; and a turn-of-the-20th-century schoolhouse.

W I NTER

FA L L

Above, left to right: DeKlomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory; An Alaskan moose; New Hampshire’s White Mountains; Grand Teton National Park

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Holland offers wonderful outdoor recreation options as well.

“We have miles of beautiful Lake Michigan beach, a magnificent Mount Pisgah dune climb and ridge trails, the Lake Macatawa Heinz Waterfront Walkway, plus lots of water sports,” said Laukitis. “Our downtown area has a Taste of Holland walking tour, hotels, restaurants and shops all within walking distance of the Hope College campus.”

HOLLAND.ORG

SUMMER: ALASKA

The 49th state is high on many a traveler’s bucket list for its infinite variety of outdoor adventures.

“Summer is when people traditionally visit Alaska — everything is firing on all cylinders,” said Jack Bonney, community engagement director for Visit Anchorage. “We have great restaurants, good civic attractions, a great urban scene; but we’re also next door to one of the largest state parks in the country. And obviously, we’ve got access to five national parks in Alaska. So it’s a little bit of both worlds.”

Alaska’s Native heritage offers unique cultural and historical opportunities for groups, whether through exploring totem carving, dancing, crafts, festivals or art workshops. Cities like Fairbanks, Juneau and Anchorage have ample museums for visitors to explore.

Groups may want to view Alaska’s sprawling natural landscape and wildlife by boat with companies like Alaskan Dream Cruises, owned by the Allan family, members of the Tlingit tribe. On small boats, groups can visit wildlife areas and fjords, small towns and remote villages that can be explored by kayak. Onboard, chef-prepared meals focus on Alaskan cuisine, and evenings include cultural and naturalist presentations and beach bonfires.

Anchorage is the hub of Alaska Railroad, one of the most popular ways to tour the state, but Alaska can be explored by small plane, helicopter, all-terrain vehicle, bike and kayak, and on foot with either a guide or independently. According to Bonney, the state’s national parks are worth visiting, but the great outdoors is just steps away and easily reached.

“For us in Anchorage, having a city experience or a natural outdoor experience aren’t opposites; they’re both parts of visitation,” said Bonney. “My favorite days are when I’m looking out at a view and don’t see another person on a hike or bike ride — we have that kind of scale — and a few hours later, I can be sitting in a brewery having a beer and a slice of pizza. The fact that I can have that in one day is amazing.”

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FALL: NEW HAMPSHIRE’S WHITE MOUNTAINS

Fall in the White Mountains is all about seeing the spectacular changing leaves and taking in the sprawling vistas for which the area is so well known. The region is peppered with all sorts of accommodations that range from luxurious hotels with spas to quaint bed-andbreakfasts.

“The White Mountains see visitors from all over the world during the foliage season,” said Colleen Eliason, communications and sales coordinator for the White Mountains Attractions Association. “We offer a lot of scenic drives, which is nice for those in their own cars or by bus. All of the scenic overlooks can be accessed by these routes; they give people the opportunity to stop and take pictures and take in the view.”

Zip lining is a popular activity — especially during the fall months, as the lines go directly through the mountains and forest — and provides a different point of view of the foliage. There are train rides that run during the fall, such as the Mount Washington Cog Railway, which goes to the pinnacle of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast; the Conway Scenic Railroad; and the Hobo Railroad, all

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of which are popular ways to tour the area.

Clark’s Trading Post, which has been in operation since the 1920s, rehabilitates black bears and trains them for performances, and many families have been coming to see the shows for generations.

“Loon Mountain Resorts, Cannon Mountain and Wildcat Mountain each have a gondola that runs up to the top of the mountain,” said Eliason. “It’s a great option to explore the mountain and get some great photos of the foliage. We have so many things going on that make us a oneof-a-kind destination.”

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WINTER:

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING

Jackson Hole is a gateway to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and two wilderness areas, Jedediah Smith and Gros Ventre, providing lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation. In wintertime, the main draw to the town is its three downhill ski areas, accessible for all levels of ability. Nearby Grand Teton National Park offers guided ranger tours and ample cross-country, Nordic skiing and snowshoe trails. Snowmobiling tours are also a popular activity for those who want to explore Wyoming’s rugged backcountry, ending with a soak in Granite Hot Springs.

“The town of Jackson borders the National Elk Refuge, home to one of the largest elk herds in the state of Wyoming,” said Kate Sollitt, executive director of the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board. “One really fun activity to do is to visit the elk herd on a horse-drawn sleigh, where you can see thousands of elk that are wintering on the refuge.” Nearby, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is a renowned museum with one of the largest collections of wildlife art in the world — and it’s possible to do both of those activities in a day.

Jackson Hole is naturally a great place to get a dose of Western culture, too. All four corners of the town square have these iconic arches made out of elk antlers that are shed in the spring, a great Instagrammable photo op, and one has to experience an authentic Western saloon.

“Of course, there’s the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, on the town square, which is famous, and they have live music nightly, and people go to swing dance,” Sollitt said. “Another historic bar is the Silver Dollar Bar in the Ward Hotel. It offers swing dancing and local bands that have a great Western feel.”

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The Meeting for Bank, Alumni, & Chamber Travel Directors

Cheyenne, Wyoming March 22-24, 2020

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GENEVA AND EVIAN ILLUMINATE LAKE GENEVA

M

BY PATTI NICKELL

ost of us would agree that trying to cram in 10 countries in 13 days is not the best way to see Europe. However, it is possible to get a two-for-one experience and do justice to both countries — Switzerland and France — in a pair of cities that are so close it would be a shame to visit one and not the other.

If your group enjoys Europe and would like to get to know these countries more intimately, a week spent exploring Geneva and Evian will prove delightful.

GETTING TO KNOW GENEVA

Geneva’s Jet d’Eau, a fountain in the middle of its namesake lake, is as much a symbol of the city as Big Ben is of London, the Eiffel Tower is of Paris and the Colosseum is of Rome.

The single column of water shoots 460 feet in the air and erupts with the force of 132 gallons of water every second, frequently spraying those standing on the side of the lake with misty droplets. On sunny days, it’s often colored by rainbows.

Unfortunately, my first sight of the Jet d’Eau came with rain rather than a rainbow and fog as thick as cotton. I had to squint to see anything at all. Not a very auspicious introduction to Geneva, frequently referred to as the Capital of Peace.

As the headquarters of 200 international organizations, including the International Red Cross and the European United Nations, it’s easy to see why. The city is cosmopolitan in the real sense of the word, and one can often hear conversations in 25 languages on a stroll along the lake or in the city’s business district.

But as famous as it is for its humanitarianism, it’s equally known for a luxurious lifestyle that includes the world’s best banks and watches and, even more to my liking, its best chocolates.

Lake Geneva divides the city into new and old sections. Most visitors start with the latter, on the south side of the lake. A good place to begin exploring is St. Peter’s Cathedral, which became the center of the city’s Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. John Calvin preached here, and his seat can be seen in the north aisle.

Climb the 157 steps leading to the cathedral for a panoramic view across Geneva and the mountains of the Jura and foothills of the Alps. After your cathedral visit, check out the nearby Museum of the Reformation. The museum, in the 18th-century Maison Mallet, traces the history of the Protestant Reformation not only in a religious sense but socially and culturally as well.

Wander through Place du Bourg, one of the oldest squares in the city, and Grand Rue, Old Town’s main street with its smart shops, cafes and bakeries.

WELL-EARNED REPUTATION

When it comes to food, Geneva — being in a French canton of Switzerland — has a reputation for culinary excellence that rivals Paris. On my first night, I popped into the Café du Centre, a typical bistro on Place du Molard. One of the oldest brasseries in Geneva, it had a menu of comfort food just perfect for a rainy, damp evening.

Starting with a platter of French and Swiss cheeses, I moved on to cod with olive oil, mashed potatoes and spinach — tasty without being overly fussy. Even the white-coated waiters are devoid of attitude, welcoming the opportunity to explain menu items.

My second day in Geneva proved to be better weatherwise, so I set out on foot to explore more of the area surrounding the lake. Lake Geneva — or Lac Leman as it is known in French — is something of an oddity, being both glacially fed and with the Rhone River flowing out of it.

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alpine shores Dining in Geneva

By Anouchka

View of Geneva from the Alps

Evian’s Palais Lumiere hotel

Courtesy Geneva Tourism

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Courtesy Atout France

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Geneva

Hotel D’Angleterre in Geneva

Courtesy Switzerland Tourism

Take a water taxi or a boat cruise to get a glimpse of both shores, or head out the pier to Bains des Paquis, an urban beach where city dwellers meet to swim, take a sauna or eat fondue in the restaurant.

In the summer, you can swim in the pools or, if you are adventurous, in the lake, although you will have to share it with the ducks and swans. In the winter, everyone flocks here for the city’s best fondue served in the warmth of a rustic cabin.

The famous Flower Clock leads to the Rue du Rhone and the display windows of the world’s greatest watchmakers, including Rolex and Patek Philippe, which even has its own museum showcasing Swiss and European watches from the 16th to the 20th centuries.

If it’s true that every great city deserves a great hotel, Geneva has one in the lakeside Hotel d’Angleterre. Prominently situated on the Quai du Mont-Blanc, it’s a boutique hotel catering to a global clientele.

From the glass walls of its elegant Windows Restaurant, guests get a bird’s-eye view of the Jet d’Eau while feasting on such delicacies as duck foie gras with red apple compote, mulled wine jelly and brioche, lobster and scallop carpaccio with salmon caviar, and wild boar stew with traditional garnish.

Have a predinner drink in Hotel d’Angleterre’s legendary Leopard Room Bar, with its cozy fireplace, dark paneled wood and impressive

Courtesy Hotel D’Angleterre

list of whiskeys and cognacs. The sophisticated bar crowd includes diplomats and international titans of industry with, it is hoped, hefty expense accounts‚ especially if they want to avail themselves of the bar’s star attraction, an 1848 Armagnac that costs $520 a shot.

If my first day in Geneva was one of rain and fog, my last day began with bright sunshine. I took a stroll down to the lake for a final look at the Jet d’Eau. As the plume of water rose skyward, I could swear I saw a rainbow.

A chess game in Geneva

Courtesy Switzerland Tourism

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FALLING FOR EVIAN

I think I love Evian. That thought sprang to mind during a morning walk on the sun-dappled, cobblestoned streets of this charming town on the south side of Lake Geneva — or Lac Leman on the French side.

It started out as lust after getting a whiff of the tantalizing aromas wafting from bakeries and brasseries. It quickly deepened into something more as I admired the colorful floral murals painted on many buildings, and lust turned to love during a stroll along the flower-bedecked lakeside promenade.

By the time I stopped to admire the neoclassical Villa Lumiere, once the home of two brothers credited with the invention of cinematogra-

Geneva’s waterfront

Courtesy Hotel D’Angleterre

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Hotel Royal in Evian

Courtesy Hotel Royal

A swan in Lake Geneva

Courtesy Switzerland Tourism

phy and now the city’s Town Hall, I was completely smitten.

Evian, with a year-round population of only 8,000, though it swells to 40,000 in the summer, was founded in 1789 and has been a noted spa town since 1824. European aristocrats afflicted with gout, arthritis or merely the overindulgences associated with a life of privilege flocked here to take the healing waters.

Architectural remnants of that glittering era remain. While the lakeside casino would seem more at home on the Las Vegas Strip, other buildings are jaw-dropping in their splendor. In addition to the Villa Lumiere, there’s the Cachat Pump Room, once the center of spa-based social life. Still used for public events such as concerts and art exhibitions, its Art Nouveau architecture features a large semicircular glass window and a cupola made of glazed tiles.

Also in the Nouveau style is the Source Cachat, a colorful fountain of mosaic tiles, where a continuous thin trickle of water marks the spot where world-famous Evian water ends its journey from its source in the mountains, a journey that takes an unbelievable 15 years to complete.

FAMOUS FOR WATER

Rare is the soul who leaves Evian without filling a bottle from the fountain, giving him or her bragging rights once back home. I arrived bearing my single bottle just behind a gentleman who was in the process of filling two cases of bottles. Since it’s free, many people like to stock up.

The mountains where the water begins its journey are, of course, the French range of the Alps, dominated by Mont Blanc, the tallest in the Alps, with its majestic snow-covered peak and wrapped in its necklace of glaciers.

On a lovely sunny day I hiked to the Plateau de Gavot, the catchment area where rain and melting snow soaks into the ground.

Here, at a site known as the impluvium, the water begins its 15year journey down the mountain. The process may be lengthy, but it’s worth the wait, as Evian water is known for its clarity and healthy properties; it’s used for medical treatments and to fill the pool at Les Thermes, the Evian Thermal Spa. It’s not possible to tour the Evian plant, which produces 7 million bottles of water per day; but as a brand, Evian is ubiquitous in the town. The company owns the casino, a golf academy and two popular

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Buvette Cachat in Evian

Courtesy Evian Tourisme et Congres

hotels — the palatial five-star Hotel Royal and the chaletlike four-star Hotel Ermitage — with the two connected by a lush park and surrounded by 47 acres of wooded grounds.

I spent a lovely evening at Hotel Ermitage’s La Table Restaurant but stayed at the Hotel Royal. To say that it’s royal is no overstatement, having opened in 1909 to provide Britain’s King Edward VII, a frequent visitor to the town, with a suitable place to stay. Sadly, he died before ever having a chance to check in.

One of the pleasures of staying here is dining here. La Veranda, the brasserie, overlooks the lake, and Les Fresques, the gourmet restaurant, has a spectacular decor that features Sistine Chapel-like ceiling frescoes and a live tree in the center of the room.

For golfers, the hotel’s Golf Academy is a must, and for those who love pampering, the Hotel Royal’s spa, with its range of treatments and La Prairie products, is the ultimate haven.

The hotel’s Sports and Culture Department can also arrange for any of 80 different activities, from the sublime — dog sledding in winter and hiking in the Alps the rest of the year — to the ridiculous — scooting, a combination of biking and snowboarding. Since Evian and its environs offer year-round delights, you can take your pick from land-, lake- and mountain-based activities.

On an absolutely picture-perfect fall day, I chose to sample the lake on a 44-foot sailboat. Strains of music from Evian’s fountain of dancing waters could be heard as I set sail, a gentle breeze and a warm sun my traveling companions. Oh, yes — and a bottle of Evian water to remind me where I was.

As I sipped a digestif made of local botanicals found in the Alpine Region and surrendered to the absolute serenity, I amended the first thought I had had upon seeing this charming town. I know I love Evian.

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S T A T E

o f

M I N D

windows open IT’S TIME TO GO BACK TO WISCONSIN

BY ELIZA MYERS

F

eeling stressed? Wisconsin can help.

The state knows how to serve up comfort food and relax the senses with stunning natural vistas. Groups can embrace Wisconsin’s friendly locals and love of fun at destinations across the Badger State.

Wisconsin prioritized the local food movement long before it became trendy. Groups can enjoy the state’s highquality cheese, brats, beer and other dining options at modern cities and quaint towns alike.

Visitors can see some of the highlights of America’s Dairyland in these destinations that welcome groups.

MILWAUKEE

Motorcycles, museums and diverse cultural attractions make Milwaukee an exciting first stop in Wisconsin. The city honors its roots with revitalized architecture and events celebrating the various ethnicities that help shape the city.

Groups can see much of Milwaukee on the three-mile Riverwalk, which takes a shortcut through downtown. Boat tours, like those with the Milwaukee Boat Line, allow guests to see the skyline from the water for a laid-back experience.

The Harley-Davidson Museum showcases the city’s cool factor by featuring some of the company’s most creative custom motorcycles. Highlights include Elvis Presley’s motorcycle and other historic bikes that reveal how the brand influenced modern culture. Interactive exhibits allow guests to design their own motorcycles, learn how engines work and sit on one of 10 available motorcycles.

Along the riverfront, giant wings spread out to the span of a Boeing 747 each morning at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the modern building features movable parts that open in the morning, appear to flap at noon and then close in the evening. Inside the unusual building, groups can see the state’s largest art collection.

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Boat tours on Lake Michigan soak up Milwaukee’s laid-back vibe.

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D OOR C OU NTY

WI S CO NS I N DELLS

NEW GLARUS

M ADI S O N

M I LWAUK EE N EW GLAR US

Courtesy Visit Milwaukee

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Other trademark Milwaukee experiences include browsing the historic Milwaukee Public Market for a taste of local artisan foods, touring the Pabst Mansion for a peek at Gilded Age splendor and visiting the 1929 Basilica of St. Josaphat to admire the ornate interior.

This summer, the city will reopen America’s Black Holocaust Museum in a new building. The museum will feature a major expansion and interactive exhibits that explore the harmful legacies of slavery.

One hour west, groups can plan an evening at the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson. The dinner theater offers year-round shows, award-winning cuisine, four gift shops and Broadway musicals in the round. For 56 years, the family-owned venue has welcomed and entertained groups to high acclaim. visitmilwaukee.org

Moving west, guests can feel like they have suddenly left Wisconsin for Switzerland. Yodeling and alphorn blowing highlight the Swiss heritage of New Glarus and the surrounding Green County.

Known as America’s Little Switzerland, New Glarus has retained ties to its early settlers.

At the Swiss Village, 19th-century buildings such as a church, a general store and a one-room schoolhouse show how these settlers brought their Swiss customs to Wisconsin. Many of the personable guides are descendants of the original settlers.

The Swiss experiences can continue from there with fondue appetizers at the New Glarus Hotel Restaurant or the Chalet Landhaus. With help from Green County Tourism, groups can arrange an exclusive performance with Swiss entertainers.

Green County’s motto is “eat, drink and yodel.” The county offers plenty of chances to sample local beer and cheese. The agricultural area is accessible to groups, with popular tours that include the area’s barn quilts, its dairy farms and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe, which showcases cheesemaking traditions of the past. Groups can contrast the cheesemaking center’s historic methods with modern cheese production at the Alp and Dell

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Door County’s Dana Island

Courtesy Destination Door County

Cherry blossoms in Door County

Original Cheesehead Factory in Milwaukee

Courtesy Destination Door County

MADISON

Courtesy Visit Milwaukee

Madison’s Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Courtesy Destination Madison

New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm

North of Green County, the state’s capital city offers engaging attractions and scenic panoramas with five local lakes and more than 260 parks.

“Madison is teeming with the youthful energy of a university town,” said Anna Shircel, public relations and communication manager for Destination Madison. “It is a city of makers and boasts an independent, quirky spirit.”

The Wisconsin State Capitol provides a great spot to see how Madison is on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Free tours also highlight the building’s intricate mosaics and rich history.

Betty Lou Cruises take advantage of Madison’s lakes for group charters and public cruises with buffet food and beverage service. Madison Boats also offers kayak, canoe and pontoon floats.

Culinary experiences abound in this foodie town, such as tastings at the National Mustard Museum, cocktail lessons at the Bitters Boot Camp and educational cheese tours with Fromagination. Fromagination’s informational tour and tastings teach guests how to tell the difference between cow, goat and sheep cheese.

Groups can sip cocktails with ingredients chosen from the 16-acre Olbrich Botanical Gardens during a Garden to Glass program. The sensory tour explores either the indoor tropical flora in the Bolz Conservatory or the outdoor gardens. Tours feature stories about the gardens’ history, people and plants, along with the specialty cocktail.

Not far from Madison in Spring Green, groups can explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s sprawling Taliesin campus.

The UNESCO World Heritage site preserves Wright’s home and school. Groups can choose among five tours that delve into the enigmatic architect’s life and ideas.

For groups looking for the unusual, the House of Rock channels children’s imaginations to create a carnival-inspired attraction. The world’s largest carousel, enormous music machines and a 200-foot sea creature make this 1960 site an entertaining stop. visitmadison.com

WISCONSIN DELLS

Farther north, Wisconsin Dells is an area full of contrasts. Groups can admire the colors of a sunset on a boat

Dells Lumberjack Show

Courtesy Wisconsin Dells VCB

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Cheese Store. The store’s manager not only leads tours for groups but can also show off his yodeling skills, for a memorable experience.

Since the beer industry grew with the cheese industry, groups like to sample both in Monroe.

“Downtown Monroe tends to be a delightful surprise,” said Noreen Rueckert, director of Green County Tourism. “It is reminiscent of a European downtown with the castlelike Historic Green County Courthouse at the center with shops and restaurants all around.”

Historic brewery tours at the Minhas Craft Brewery show off a microbrewery that has consistently served artisanal brews since 1845. Planners can also organize a dine-around experience with free time for shopping. greencounty.org

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Courtesy Wisconsin Dells VCB

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tour or scream in delight on a waterslide. Known as the Waterpark Capital of the World, the family-friendly destination offers attractions for both adrenaline seekers and those preferring peaceful outings.

Despite its youthful vibe, the town draws many adult groups.

Nearly 40% of visitors come to the Wisconsin Dells without children.

Wisconsin Dells offers 19.5 square miles of scenic waterways.

The breathtaking sandstone cliffs and rock formations along the Wisconsin River surprise visitors regularly.

Groups can indulge themselves with golf courses, world-class spas and shopping at the city’s vibrant downtown. Entertainment options run the gamut, from the action-packed Dells Lumberjack Show to the state-of-the-art musicals at the Palace Theater.

The haunting bugling call of cranes can be heard on a tour of the International Crane Foundation. Set amid acres of restored tall grass prairie, the site offers exhibits, interpretive walking trails and an education center. The only place in the world to see all 15 species of cranes will reopen this summer after a $10 million renovation.

Fields of lavender, cherry trees and rocky bluffs create colorful views and ambrosial fragrances at the New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm. From June to September, groups can tour the 40-acre farm on an hourlong wagon ride. The farm also has a wildflower sanctuary for bees, manicured gardens and samples of the farm’s signature lavender cherry pie. wisdells.com

Our season of favorites continues!

Feb 27 - Apr 12

Apr 16 - May 31

June 4 - July 19

July 23 - Sept 6

Sept 10 - Oct 25

Oct 29 - Dec 27

DOOR COUNTY

Natural wonders exceed expectations across northern Wisconsin. One place to enjoy lake views in the state’s pristine scenery is Door County.

Located on a 70-mile-long peninsula jutting out into Lake Michigan, the county preserves its majestic 300-mile shoreline with green spaces, five state parks and more than 50 public beaches.

The county’s natural beauty and culture complement one another at history, art and local culinary attractions. Guests can tour lighthouses dotting the county’s waterfront to hear stories about the keepers and explore the grounds. The 150-year-old Cana Island Lighthouse will open a new welcome center in the coming year.

Many groups come to admire Door County’s 2,000 acres of cherry orchards, which bedeck the countryside in blooms each spring. In July, groups can pick their own pails of cherries to enjoy the fruit at peak ripeness.

Groups also enjoy the area’s water on scenic boat cruises that sail past the shoreline’s bluffs, islands, caves and beaches. Many of the area’s businesses offer behind-the-scenes tours. The Door Artisan Cheese Company provides cheesemaking insights and a walk through the site’s cheese-aging caves.

The Northern Sky Theater opened an indoor theater space in the fall of 2019. Groups can watch a performance at this new indoor stage or choose the company’s outdoor space in Peninsula State Park for a musical under the stars.

Less than an hour south, groups can explore Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Green Bay also offers plenty of non-sports-related attractions, such as the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, the Green Bay Botanical Garden and the Oneida Casino. doorcounty.com greenbay.com

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columbus

favorites Groups can watch butterflies take flight at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Adopt a Butterfly program.

All photos courtesy Experience Columbus

OHIO’S CAPITAL EDUCATES & ENTERTAINS

S

BY ELIZA MYERS

nacking on tapas while sipping sangria and breathing in the scent of exotic blooms is all in a day’s work for groups visiting Columbus, Ohio. The exclusive group experience attracts many groups looking to unwind at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

The conservatory not only houses plants from around the world, it also hosts exclusive group programs, such as the Tapas and Sangria Experience. Other cultural attractions abound in Columbus. Known as the Discovery City, the Ohio capital boasts a thriving downtown, a burgeoning culinary scene and several outstanding museums.

Pique your group’s curiosity with these captivating Columbus museums.

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COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART

Pablo Picasso, Mary Cassatt and Claude Monet are among the numerous art legends whose works are on display at the Columbus Museum of Art. The museum boasts an impressive international collection that spans the centuries.

Groups can learn about the museum’s Americana and European modern art, impressionism, cubism, folk art and more on a guided tour. The accessible museum offers 50-minute docent-led tours or more independent cellphone tours for an interactive experience that matches the pace of each visitor.

The museum customizes tours for each group, so planners can choose between generalized tours, in-depth topics or a discussion about special exhibits.

“It is a beautiful art museum with a wonderful collection,” said Roger Dudley, director, tourism sales for Experience Columbus. “The museum is free on Sundays, so I will sometimes include the museum on an itinerary that day. They also have extended hours Thursdays, so if a group wants an evening activity that day, I will suggest the museum.”

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action with a combination of galleries and workshops. In 2015, the Margaret M. Walter wing opened, adding 50,000 square feet of new museum space.

Groups can add a coffee, a snack or a lunch break at the museum’s contemporary Schokko Café.

NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM

At the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, groups slow down. Travelers frequently choose self-guided tours so no one feels rushed through the emotionally powerful museum.

“We recommend a self-guided tour, but groups can have someone meet with them when they first get to the museum,” said Kaela Krise, tourism sales manager for Experience Columbus. “Then they let the group stroll through the museum on their own. It leaves more time for self-reflection.”

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum is the only museum in the country dedicated to veterans from all branches of the military.

It opened in 2018 in an $82 million facility acclaimed for its inventive architecture.

The museum’s exhibits encourage reflection on the sacrifices of the men and women who joined the armed forces. The round building features a grassy roof for views of the skyline. Outside, the museum features a 2.5-acre outdoor memorial grove with a reflecting pool.

The veterans’ firsthand accounts are woven throughout the museum, with video interviews, audio recordings, touch screens and handwritten letters. Groups hear individuals’ stories of signing up for service, the rigors of training, the horrors of combat and the journey home.

Visitors often find the Remembrance Gallery especially impactive.

The exhibit creates a colorful, floor-to-ceiling glow through a stainedglass installation. The focal point is the “infinity flag” display honoring those who have died in service to the country.

FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens could merit a visit based solely on its exotic horticulture collection of more than 400 plant species. However, the attraction’s plants are only the beginning.

Groups can attend a hands-on cooking class making wood-fired pizza, pasta sauces or tapas before enjoying the fruit of their labor in a col-

Columbus Museum of Art

National Veterans Memorial and Museum

orful garden setting. Other exclusive experiences allow groups to create a glassblowing project, design their own ornament or adopt a butterfly.

The Franklin Park Conservatory debuted the first seasonal butterfly exhibit in the nation in 1994. Since then, the annual exhibit has continued to prove successful, with thousands of tropical butterflies released each year.

“Each season offers completely different experiences,” said Dudley. “In January and February, it’s all about the orchids. Then it’s on to spring flowers. Summer is their major season, with all the summer blooms. Then, in the fall, they have mums and pumpkins. In November and December, everything lights up for the Conservatory Aglow. Poinsettias, Christmas trees and lights make that experience a popular time to go.”

No matter the season, groups can tour the conservatory’s biomes to view flora from the Himalayan Mountains, a tropical rainforest, a desert and a Pacific Island water garden. The historic Palm House also showcases more than 40 species of palms.

The site’s extensive glass artwork by Dale Chihuly also dazzles visitors. The gorgeous collection originated from a blockbuster exhibit of Chihuly’s work in 2003, which increased attendance by 182%. The nonprofit group supporting the conservatory bought the $7 million collection of over 3,000 pieces of glass that visitors can now enjoy year-round.

OHIO HISTORY CENTER

Instead of seeing history through glass, the Ohio History Center lets guests handle important items from the state’s past. On the center’s Hands-On History tour, participants don gloves and learn how to handle historic objects. This interactive experience is one way the Ohio History Center personalizes the past to make it feel more real.

Other exclusive group experiences include a look at archaeological artifacts from the first Ohioans, famous Ohio women and Ohio sports. Groups can also explore the museum’s main exhibits, which reach back 15,000 years and extend through the modern era.

“One of the exhibits that has resonated the most with people is the 1950s exhibit,” said Dudley. “Grandparent-and-grandkid trips really enjoy that experience. The grandparents will really remember that time period, and the grandkids will pick up a rotary phone and not know what it is.”

“The 1950s: Building an American Dream” exhibit contains an entire Lustron home as the frame to experience the decade. Groups step back in time as they view Roy Rogers toys, a bomb shelter hatch and 1950s television programs.

Another popular exhibit showcases battle flags from history.

Guides can tell the stories behind missing chunks and other damage done to these important historic flags.

Admission to the Ohio History Center also includes the Ohio Village. The re-created 19th-century community allows guests to interact with costumed interpreters reliving the traditions of the period.

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et on sprawling, spectacular grounds, the plantations of the South personify luxury and elegance. But more important than their grandeur are the links they provide to the past.

These five homes tell the tales of America’s first leaders, the

war that turned brother against brother and how agriculture drove the development of the entire region.

Courtesy Houmas House

The Houmas House offers a range of experiences from architectural tours to cooking demonstrations.

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SOUTHERN HOMES DEPICT LIFE AS IT HAPPENED

LANSDOWNE PLANTATION NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI

Built in 1853, the Greek Revival mansion at Lansdowne Plantation is a rarity among historic homes not just in Mississippi but the entire South. Still occupied and owned by the descendants of George Marshall and Charlotte Hunt, the newly married couple who received the house and 600 acres surrounding it as a wedding present, Lansdowne has never been renovated. Instead, meticulous care has preserved most of the original furnishings and architecture, including marble mantels from Carrera and Egypt, and faux bois painting on the woodwork. The property features historic outbuildings, like a kitchen and a school room, too.

“Between the things that we have in our house,” said owner Marsha Colson, “and what happened in it — it was broken into by Union

soldiers, for example — Lansdowne really tells the history of this area, which is one reason we opened it to the public in 1932. If you have a place like this and stories like these, you have to let people come in and see it and hear about it. Because experience and location really are the best history teachers.”

Once a working cotton plantation, Lansdowne now hosts groups year-round for tours, usually led by Colson herself.

“I talk about the house as it relates to the history of my family and the area, and the Civil War and what that was like for Natchez,” Colson said.

“I’ve also portrayed my great-great grandmother, who stood up to the Union soldiers and got knocked down because she wouldn’t turn over the keys. If I know groups have certain interests, like the furnishings, I can talk more about that. I try to make it really meaningful for them.”

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“LANSDOWNE REALLY TELLS THE HISTORY OF THIS AREA, WHICH IS ONE REASON WE OPENED IT TO THE PUBLIC IN 1932. IF YOU HAVE A PLACE LIKE THIS AND STORIES LIKE THESE, YOU HAVE TO LET PEOPLE COME IN AND SEE IT AND HEAR ABOUT IT. BECAUSE EXPERIENCE AND LOCATION REALLY ARE THE BEST HISTORY TEACHERS” — MARSHA COLSON, LANSDOWNE PLANTATION

Lansdowne Plantation

Lansdowne Plantation’s parlor Photos by G. Douglas Adams, courtesy Lansdowne Plantation

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HOUMAS HOUSE HISTORIC ESTATE AND GARDENS DARROW, LOUISIANA

Houmas House

By Maggie Bowles, courtesy Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Houmas House’s dining room Courtesy Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Perched on high ground overlooking the Mississippi River, the Houmas House offers groups the opportunity to explore an intoxicating melange of architectural styles dating back to the mid-18th century, when two New Orleans businessmen built the original French- and Spanish-influenced home on the site.

The current mansion was completed in 1840 in the grand Greek Revival style, featuring a stunning, three-story curved staircase. By the 1880s, the property had evolved into the largest sugarcane plantation in the South, comprising 300,000 acres. A half-century later, new owners redesigned the structure as a Williamsburg Federal style estate.

Purchased by preservationist Kevin Kelly in 2003, the Houmas House was renovated and opened to the public later that year. Because the home is privately owned, “we do not treat it like a museum,” said spokesperson Jesse Lambert. “Guests can sit on the furniture, play the piano and interact with our guides. The restaurants offer different experiences, whether it’s atmospheres, cuisine or price points. The inn consists of 21 cottages, each furnished and decorated with different furniture and artwork. The gardens are self-guided and replanted two times each year to offer full color year-round. Visiting Houmas House is not just a house tour; it really is an experience.”

Lambert said the staff “can almost always accommodate any group’s request. Houmas House can handle groups from 10 to 1,000 and offers a wide range of experiences, from cooking demonstrations and teambuilding exercises to formal teas, outdoor parties, galas and more.”

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“GUESTS CAN SIT ON THE FURNITURE, PLAY THE PIANO AND INTERACT WITH OUR — JESSE LAMBERT, GUIDES.” HOUMAS HOUSE

The gardens at Houmas House Courtesy Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

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CHARLESTON TEA PLANTATION

WADMALAW ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA

Groups don’t have to be tea drinkers to enjoy a visit to the Charleston Tea Plantation, especially when they take the Bill Hall Exclusive Tour with the company’s charming founder. The tours, which take up to 90 minutes, include a stop at the greenhouse and factory, a ride around the farm and plenty of history about not only the plantation itself, but tea as well. Hall’s team will order box lunches for groups, too, which they can eat under the property’s magnificent live oaks, with a view toward the plantation’s 60 acres of tea plants.

Hall purchased the property he would turn into the country’s only large-scale commercial tea operation in 1987 from Lipton Tea. Lipton had been conducting research and development on the farm, using cuttings from plants dating back to 1915, the last time a commercial tea operation had been attempted in the United States. In 2003, Hall, who learned tea tasting during a four-year apprenticeship in London, partnered with Bigelow Tea, although all the tea grown on the plantation is used exclusively in Charleston Tea Plantation’s nine flavors of tea.

Groups can count on plenty of fascinating facts about tea from Hall, who said one of the tidbits he most likes to share is “that there are only three types of tea in the world. There’s green tea, black tea and oolong tea, and they all come from the exact same plant. It’s how you make it that determines what of those three basic teas it’s going to be.

Anything anyone asks about tea, I’ll know the answer to.”

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Harvesting tea leaves at the Charleston Tea Plantation

Charleston Tea Plantation’s gift shop Photos by Waynes View Photography

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ANDREW JACKSON’S HERMITAGE

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Andrew Jackson’s tomb

Courtesy Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Nashville is about more than music, and groups visiting the city would do well to take time for a visit to the Hermitage, which provides an experience unlike any other, said Ann Dee Jones, the attraction’s vice president of marketing and communications.

“We’re the home of the seventh president,” she said. “And we’re the third-most-visited presidential site in the country. About 90% of the home and the artifacts in the home are authentic to Jackson and his time, so we’re one of the most well-preserved presidential homes as well.”

Jackson purchased the Hermitage site in 1804, though it wasn’t until a devastating fire 30 years later that the home was remade into the Greek Revival-style structure group visitors see today. In 1856, the state of Tennessee bought the Hermitage from Jackson’s heirs, eventually turning it over to a foundation to run as a museum. Along with Jackson’s tomb, the 1,120-acre property, home to 30 historic structures and a garden, hosts 230,000 visitors annually, including plenty of groups.

“Something I’m really proud of that we do is cater our tours to the groups’ needs,” Jones said. “If we have a group that’s particularly interested in horticulture and gardens, we can customize tours through our historic gardens with our gardeners. If we have a group that’s interested in a certain aspect of Jackson’s life, we can pull some of our interpreters to talk to them about that. I always love working with groups to find out what their niche is so that we can customize their experience.”

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“SOMETHING I’M REALLY PROUD OF THAT WE DO IS CATER OUR TOURS TO THE GROUPS’ NEEDS.” — ANN DEE JONES, ANDREW JACKSON’S HERMITAGE

Hermitage’s Fireworks Extravaganza

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Courtesy Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

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GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA

There’s more to see at George Washington’s Mount Vernon than the home the first president’s father built in 1735, which Washington spent 50 years turning into an elegant 21-room mansion. Restored to its full glory, the building boasts historical interpreters in each room, but the rest of the estate beckons groups as well, offering more than a dozen outbuildings, including a blacksmith shop with daily demonstrations. Four gardens that total some six acres are also spread over the grounds, along with a four-acre farm and a Potomac River wharf.

In addition to farming and fishing, Washington was a superb whiskey maker. Groups can visit his grist mill and distillery, located three miles from the mansion. Washington, who died in his Mount Vernon bedroom in 1799, is interred along with his wife, Martha, in a tomb on the grounds. After groups pay their respects, they’ll want to head over to the museum and education center, which boasts an interactive theater and 23 galleries with numerous historical artifacts.

There are a number of exciting special programs available to groups at Mount Vernon, like opportunities to raise the flag at the main gate or attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s Tomb. Themed walking tours can be booked as well, or groups can break bread with folks like “Martha Washington; Washington’s granddaughter, Nelly Custis; Washington’s friend and personal physician, Dr. Craik; Washington’s farm manager, James Anderson; or another character from Washington’s world,” said reservations supervisor Argery Cooke. “Invite one of our talented character interpreters to greet your group at the Mount Vernon Inn. They can really liven up your dining experience.”

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Mount Vernon’s gardens

Interior of Mount Vernon Photos courtesy George Washington’s Mount Vernon

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George Washington’s family vault

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he South has many faces. Trying to piece together a complete picture of the region can seem impossible.

Museum tours can illustrate the cultural range of the South from acclaimed art collections to engaging tours

about coal mining. These five intriguing museums reveal the history, heritage and heart of the South.

Courtesy Equal Justice Initiative

The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum features emotionally powerful exhibits on the history of slavery and segregation.

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MUSEUMS

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CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS

The brainchild of Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the stunning Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is not only about offering visitors the chance to see works from American artists like Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock for free. Instead, said public relations director Beth Bobbitt, “I think what makes it so special is the intersection of art, nature and architecture. The architecture is really what embodies the mission to connect our visitors with art and nature. The architect, Moshe Safdie, was inspired by the natural landscape, and so the museum is actually built into a ravine, the walls are curved to mimic the Ozark hills, and Arkansas pine is used on the vaulted beams. It’s all meant to create this

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welcoming place that is also very respectful of the surroundings.”

Visitor favorites in the museum, which opened November, 11, 2011, and features a collection of 3,330 objects, include Norman Rockwell’s “Rosie the Riveter” and Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed.” But there’s more than visual art to experience on the 120-acre campus. Groups are welcome to wander the five miles of trails dotted with sculptures and visit the Frank Lloyd Wright house, opened on the grounds in 2015.

“We do some guided group experiences,” Bobbitt said. “If you have a group of more than 10 and up to 60 guests, we can include a seated lunch in Eleven — our restaurant — or a box lunch. We offer tours themed around subjects like architecture and women in art, and there are some tours that happen outside on our trails.”

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“I THINK WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL IS THE INTERSECTION OF ART, NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE. THE ARCHITECTURE IS REALLY WHAT EMBODIES THE MISSION TO CONNECT OUR VISITORS WITH ART AND NATURE. — BETH BOBBITT, CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

“Fly’s Eye Dome” sculpture at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Photos courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

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National Memorial for Peace and Justice

EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE LEGACY MUSEUM AND NATIONAL MEMORIAL FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum

In downtown Montgomery, the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice give groups a powerful look at the history of slavery, lynching and segregation perpetrated against black people in this country. Both the museum and memorial opened in April 2018, and since that time, some 650,000 people have visited them.

The museum is in an 11,000-square-foot facility on the footprint of a building that warehoused enslaved black people and near historic sites where they were trafficked. It contains state-of-the-art exhibits, including a re-creation of slave pens, using video, art and animation to tell the story of racial injustice in the United States, often using the victims’ own words.

“The National Memorial for Peace and Justice,” said a spokesperson for the Equal Justice Initiative, “is the nation’s first memorial dedicated to the legacy of enslaved black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.”

The outdoor memorial features a central square, sculptures that are dedicated to the women heroes of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and that explore criminal justice system discrimination, and exhibits of writing from authors like Toni Morrison. The memorial is a little more than a 15-minute walk from the museum. Tours are self-guided.

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Photos courtesy Equal Justice Initiative

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BECKLEY EXHIBITION COAL MINE

BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA

Although there are only a few coal mines in the United States that offer tours, according to Leslie Baker, director of operations for the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, the attraction’s mission is what really makes it special.

“Our country’s back was built on the efforts of its miners,” Baker said. “Without the coal that was extracted, we wouldn’t have the steel that built our skyscrapers, roads and battleships. And I don’t think most people know that. It’s just not explained in our history classes. So that’s what we do: We let people know that coal fueled our economic development.”

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine educates and enlightens by offering a variety of singular experiences to visitors, showcasing what life was like for miners in the early 20th century. Groups can visit a coal camp with historical buildings, including a school, a miner’s shanty, a superintendent’s house and more, interpreted by women who grew up in similar camps. The attraction also features a museum with coal mining artifacts from the region. But the biggest crowd-pleaser is the punch mine, which operated as a small-scale family-owned enterprise until about 1910.

Today, groups are ferried some 1,500 feet into the mine in a “man car,” escorted by retired miners who provide firsthand perspective about working underground. Topics include mining equipment, dinner buckets and how canaries were used to warn workers of dangerous gas buildup in the tunnels.

“Each miner brings different stories to his interpretation, so that’s really what people love,” Baker said.

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Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

An underground tour at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

Photos courtesy Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

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HIGH MUSEUM OF ART

High Museum of Art

ATLANTA

Founded in 1905 as the Atlanta Art Association, the High Museum of Art has endured more triumphs and tragedies than a Shakespearean drama. In 1962, 122 members and friends of the association perished while returning home from a tour of European art capitals when their plane went down near Paris. Just 20 years later, the institution had rebounded, opening a stunning new structure designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier, which tripled the High’s space.

In 2005, in response to the museum’s ever-expanding acquisitions, the High debuted three new buildings by Renzo Piano, upping its size to 312,000 square feet.

Today, the museum boasts an encyclopedic collection of more than 17,000 objects, including major holdings of 19th- and 20th-century American fine and decorative art; photography; work from folk and self-taught artists, including the legendary Southern painter Howard Finster; and modern and contemporary art. In 2019, the museum acquired the stunning Doris and Shouky Shaheen Collection of 24 works from impressionist and postimpressionist artists, including Monet, Matisse and Renoir.

According to Marci Tate Davis, manager of public relations for the High Museum of Art, the institution is distinguished not only by this new collection but also by its very home.

“The buildings are works of art in and of themselves,” Davis said.

“Groups can take a tour called Adventures in Architecture that looks at our building architecture. We also have what we call our Highlights Tour, which is sort of an overview of the collection galleries, our Discover African Art tour, as well as a Women in Art tour and also a tour that celebrates black history.”

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High Museum of Art painting by Sol LeWitt

EXPERIENCE ~ Exterior of High Museum of Art

Explore a 3,000-acre D es t i na t i o n SHAKER VILLAGE OF PLEASANT HILL

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Courtesy Belle Grove Plantation

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Photos courtesy High Museum of Art

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NATIONAL BLUES MUSEUM ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

National Blues Museum

Seminal blues musician Willie Dixon once said of his chosen genre: “The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits. It’s better keeping the roots alive, because it means better fruits.”

Since its 2016 opening, the National Blues Museum has been doing just that through an engaging combination of interactive exhibits — including the chance to play in a jug band — entertaining short films and fascinating artifacts like a red, sparkly Chuck Berry stage costume with a threadbare spot worn down by the performer’s guitar strap.

The National Blues Museum highlights the history of the blues, including the piano-intensive St. Louis style, and traces its influence on other genres of music, like rock ’n’ roll, funk and soul. It even hosts concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday that are open to the public.

“A lot of people come to the museum,” said Erin Mahony, the institution’s deputy director. “They have a great time looking at the exhibits, and then they stay for the music.

“If you bring a group tour to the museum but it’s not possible for you to stay for a concert, we can book musicians to play. We’re right next door to a very popular barbecue restaurant called Sugarfire, so a lot of times groups will bring in lunch from it, and I’ll book some live music for them. Then they get to have the whole St. Louis blues and barbecue experience.”

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Courtesy Explore St. Louis

Family Space Camp is an all-inclusive

weekend camp program for families with children ages 7 and up. This exhilarating world-renowned adventure allows parents and children to train like astronauts and take part in simulated missions to space.

Call 1-800-637-7223 today to plan your journey!

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roups that want to encounter friends furry and feathered — and scaled and shelled — would do well to take a tour through the South.

With an array of unspoiled habitat capable of support-

ing a diversity of critters, the South offers a variety of exciting ways for groups to experience wildlife. Come face to face with some incredible creatures at these five wildlife-friendly destinations.

By Carol Grant, courtesy Crystal River Manatees

Groups can swim next to some of the 1,000 manatees that gather each winter in Crystal River, Florida.

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WILDLIFE ENDURES IN THESE SOUTHERN HABITATS

OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA

There is something undeniably rousing, even inspiring, about the sight of a wild horse on a beach, the wind whipping its mane, the sun shining across its back. In North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the equines might seem especially noble. They’re classified as Colonial Spanish mustangs, with a lineage that spans the centuries, descended from animals that Spanish and English settlers brought with them in the 1500s and early 1600s. Today, there are two populations of about 125 horses each on the Outer Banks, one on Shackleford Banks, the other farther north, ranging from the end of Route 12 up to the Virginia border.

Jay Bender, co-owner and operator of Corolla Outback Adventures, offers tours that take groups on a 20-mile, two-hour trip from Route 12 on to the state line.

“Typically, when we go out, we see what we call harems, which are a stallion and a few mares,” he said. “We tend to see them in the backcountry. But generally in May, when the deer flies hatch, is the best time to catch up with them on the sand dunes, which is pretty, and occasionally walking out on the beach.”

Groups can get about 100 feet from the horses, which Bender said “don’t spook and don’t run — they’re very used to people.” In addition to providing opportunities for sublime photographs, Bender can tailor group experiences to include visits to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club, a rambling Art Nouveau-style mansion built in the 1920s on Currituck Sound.

“And then, if they want lunch, we can accommodate that as well,” Bender said. “We can also arrange for our tour groups to go to the Wild Horse Museum and meet up with an interpreter.”

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DES ALLEMANDS, LOUISIANA

Just as Louisiana is filled stem to stern with boat rides that take groups deep into its famed wetlands, Airboat Tours by Arthur in Des Allemands offers visitors a chance to see an incredible array of wildlife in their natural habitat. Typically, beasties spotted can include more than 50 species of birds, such as hawks, herons, egrets and, in wintertime, bald eagles. Spring and autumn bring brilliantly colored songbirds through the area as they make their way up and down the Mississippi Flyway. In February, when the weather warms, the gators begin to emerge; they stay active until November.

“You might think of a swamp as dark and creepy, but it’s actually pristine and beautiful,” said Timothy Bush, president and CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “It’s like going to a primitive place where time stands still. Everyone wants to go to the swamps to see alligators, and they won’t be disappointed. It’s not ever a guarantee, but every time I go on a swamp tour, I always see at least one — usually way more. They’re fascinating creatures that have some interesting adaptations. For example, the gender of a baby alligator is dictated by the temperature at which the eggs incubate. And you get to learn all about them and get a really close look at them on a tour like this.”

Airboat Tours by Arthur can accommodate motorcoaches of up to about 40 people by dividing the group over three airboats. Tours last from 60 to 90 minutes and offer the opportunity to learn about the Cajun culture from the company’s local guides.

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Wild horses in Outer Banks

Airboat Tours by Arthur Courtesy Currituck Outer Banks Travel and Tourism

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Courtesy Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism

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A sea turtle at Jekyll Island

A wildlife demonstration at Jekyll Island

JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA

Perhaps one of the world’s most treasured marine creatures, sea turtles have nonetheless long been under threat from human activities. But sea turtle species such as loggerhead, green, leatherback and Kemp’s Ridley can all be found around and on Jekyll Island, particularly in the summer months, when adult nesting females come to lay eggs, juveniles are more plentiful and babies hatch from their shells.

“Sea turtles have been deeply embedded in the culture of Jekyll Island and coastal Georgia since the days of the Jekyll Island Club and likely for centuries before,” said Breanna Ondich, research specialist at the island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center. “Adult nesting female loggerhead sea turtles have been studied on Jekyll Island since the mid-1950s, making it one of the oldest-studied sea turtle nesting rookeries in the world. Loggerhead sea turtles that nest on Jekyll Island are part of the Northern Recovery Unit, and although it was experiencing a long-term decline from 1989 to 2008, it is now a population in hope of recovery and has experienced an increase in annual nest counts over the past decade.”

That doesn’t mean visitors can plan on romping in the sea with the turtles — it remains unlawful to approach the endangered reptiles without a permit. However, groups can get educator-led, hourlong tours of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and its hospital for injured or ailing turtles. Groups of 25 or fewer can also book sunrise ecology walks, evening turtle walks and more.

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Photos courtesy Jekyll Island Authority

CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA

For groups that want to swim with manatees, there are few locations in the world better than the city of Crystal River. It’s home to as many as 1,000 manatees in the winter months, when the animals flock to Kings Bay and the eponymous waterway, which are kept warm by the area’s 70 natural springs.

“We have manatees here year-round,” said Miles Saunders, media and content manager for Discover Crystal River Florida, “but peak season is between November and March. I was actually just over at Three Sisters Springs, and there were around 120 manatees in that one spring alone.”

A relative of the elephant, manatees don’t see well but are covered in sensitive hairs that relay information about their environment. Naturally curious, they will gently investigate humans floating near them, sometimes nuzzling lucky visitors. While other manatee habitats do not allow this kind of encounter, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge swimming tourism program predates environmental regulations and was allowed to continue after the Endangered Species Act passed. There are some 30 companies in the area that offer guided manatee tours, including outfits like Fun 2 Dive, which can handle large groups.

“My wife is a manatee biologist,” Saunders said. “So I’ve talked to some of the top researchers, and they’ve concluded that people in the same environment with manatees has no adverse impact on the manatees, but it appears to have a positive impact on the people. Because after they’ve had this encounter, people come out of the water committed to being advocates for the protection of manatees. This experience will change your life.”

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Snorkeling with a manatee

A manatee in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Photos by Carol Grant, courtesy Crystal River Manatees

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PRESTONSBURG, KENTUCKY

Hunted to extinction in Kentucky in the 19th century, the elk of Prestonsburg aren’t locals — at least they weren’t in 1997, when the state Department of Fish and Wildlife began reintroducing the animal to the area. Over the course of the next six years, more than 1,500 elk were transported to Kentucky from Colorado, resulting in a population of some 10,000 today spread over 16 counties.

Groups can get — relatively — close to the spectacular animals, which can weigh 700 pounds and stand five feet tall at the shoulder, by booking a tour through Prestonsburg Tourism or Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Park naturalists take groups in vans or motorcoaches to the areas where the elk congregate, which is mostly on the flat terrain found atop reclaimed surface mines. The best times of the year to see the herd are in the cooler months, including early spring and late fall.

Group travelers, who might be able to get within 25 yards of the elk, should be sure to bring cameras and binoculars and be prepared for the experience of a lifetime, according to Prestonsburg Tourism Commission spokesperson Brooke LeMonds.

“The elk are these majestic, graceful animals, and to hear them bugle, which is how they communicate with each other, is just beautiful,” she said. “It’s one of the most melodic things I’ve ever heard in my life. Being around them is a very peaceful experience. I love it.”

PRESTONSBURGKY.ORG An elk in Prestonsburg Courtesy Prestonsburg Tourism

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marketing Y O U R

P R O G R A M

USE EFFECTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA

BY ELIZA MYERS

D

id you try promoting your travel program on social media 10 years ago only to find it unhelpful?

It might be time to try again.

Use of these online platforms continues to climb, with current projections at 3.1 billion people expected to use social media in 2021. Social media and travel work well together, since the platforms encourage users to share highlights from their personal lives. As a result, many people active on Facebook or Instagram can’t resist posting a tempting pasta dish from their Italy trip or a selfie in front of the Grand Canyon.

These platforms are not just for the young. According to a 2019 PEW Research Center survey, 68% of people ages 50 to 64 years in the U.S. use Facebook, and nearly half of those 65 and older use the services. Planners can now reach these age groups on social media like never before.

To ensure that enviable photos from your tours end up in someone’s social media feed, make sure you know the best ways to engage with today’s social media users.

PICK A PLATFORM

The three main social media platforms are Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Some travel planners use all three to try to reach the most viewers. Most planners mainly post on Facebook for the broadest appeal, since it has the most users.

Instagram now has a large reach with the younger crowd.

Statista reports that 57% of its users are between the ages of 18 and 34. Some planners trying to branch out to a younger audience keep a presence on this platform.

You can decide which of the platforms work for you with trial and error.

If dealing with Facebook, you will have to contend with the site’s mysterious algorithms that can either help you reach more viewers or hide your posts like they never happened. Some companies try to avoid this problem by asking followers to set their notifications to always see posts from their company.

One sure way to improve your algorithms is to choose engaging posts that people respond to. The more people that click “like” on your post, the more eyes Facebook will allow to see it.

LIKABLE POSTS

Planners who report the greatest success with social media don’t uses posts to sell individual trips. Instead, they use social media as a brand awareness tool.

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To do this, planners think of fun, personal and interactive posts. During a trip, planners can post photos and videos from the destination in real time and tag members. Facebook even has a tool called Facebook Live to broadcast videos from your trip as you go.

Even after a trip, you can use these posts to keep your program on potential travelers’ minds. Facebook’s Memories link allows you to view posts from years ago. You can repost these on your page and help members feel nostalgia for their past travels.

Other posts not related to specific trips can include inspirational travel quotes and incorporating stories into posts, such as the backstory behind a memorable travel photo. Instead of posting a photo of a herd of elk with no caption, for instance, post with a story about the adventure leading up to finding the herd of elk. Stories are a strong way to connect with viewers that might already feel inundated with marketing messages.

Facebook prioritizes video content, so take any opportunity to post promotional videos, trip videos and videos sent from a tour operator whenever possible.

Another way to interact with followers is by posing a question.

You could ask an open-ended question or narrow the results with a poll. In Facebook, you can choose a Poll option anytime you post on your page.

Loyalty travel programs can also post nontravel items that relate to the larger organization. For example, bank travel social media pages sometimes post financial tips; alumni pages frequently share news about the school.

To avoid periods of inactivity on your company’s social media page, plan a schedule for posts. Tuesday’s posts could center around upcoming trips, and Thursday’s posts could pose interesting questions.

COMMUNITY AFFAIR

Any successful travel planner will tell you that word of mouth is the most effective way to sell group travel. You can use social media to facilitate this golden marketing strategy.

These types of posts require some up-front thought to make them a regular occurrence. You can gather quotes from travelers and ask to use them as testimonials on your social media pages.

Another way to plan these types of posts is to feature a member every month with a photo, a tag and a short snippet of information about the member and group trips the member has taken.

You increase your chances of members individually posting about your tours if you ask them. During the final group meal,

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Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

TO YOUR

ADVANTAGE

Dine With History

Twilight Tour Progressive Mansions Dinner

Costumed Guides; Catered Dinner, Delicious Desse

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Dinner at Heritage Farms at Willow Creek ask them to post a few photos and tag your program’s social media page. If you arrange for the dining venue to provide free Wi-Fi for your members, that makes it even easier for them to make a quick post that reaches all their followers instantly.

AD TARGETING

If you already budget money for advertising your loyalty group travel program, consider spending some of those funds on social media. Facebook and other social media sites have ad-targeting capabilities so you can make sure the money is directing your ads towards your target demographic.

One way to do this is to create ads only for your followers. That would ensure that people who have already expressed an interest in your program would see your latest travel deal.

Another way to is to attempt to gain new potential travelers based on where they live. Known as geotargeting, this type of ad uses online information to show your ad only to a specific ZIP code. That way, a bank travel program can send out an ad to people who live close enough to the bank that they could sign up for an account and join the travel program.

Social media platforms can also frequently target users based on gender, age, interests, estimated incomes and other demographics. Planners who know what type of potential travelers they want to attract can use these filters to engage the people best suited for their tours.

Whether you opt to pay for advertising or attract viewers with interesting posts, social media offers a wide variety of options to try. In the end, staying savvy on social media depends less on picking the perfect strategy and more on continually trying different approaches to see what happens.

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1853 Hay Press Barn; All American Meal OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY

Louisville

Lexington

South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

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W H E R E

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B E E N

First MidAmerica Credit Union BETHALTO, ILLINOIS TRIP: Exploring the Alpine Countries TOUR OPERATOR: Collette DATE: September 2019 For 12 days, First MidAmerica Credit Union’s Platinum Club discovered the stunning mountains and distinctive heritage of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The itinerary showcased each country’s music, art and food.

“The rich history and culture in the Alpine region is only surpassed by its beauty. Everyone in our group had a favorite experience. For some it was a castle. Others liked the Mozart concert. Still others preferred Zermatt or the Black Forest. Many of our travelers were returning to areas that they had visited or lived in during their time in school or the military.”

— MARTHA MORSE, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE

American Nation Bank ARDMORE, OKLAHOMA TRIP: Incredible Iceland TOUR OPERATOR: Cruises and Tours Worldwide DATE: June 2019 American Nation Bank’s Eagle Travel Club explored the dramatic panoramas of Iceland in June. The group visited Reykjavik, rode Icelandic horses, took a whale watching cruise and soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

“Our Iceland trip enabled us to truly experience the beauty and wonders of this unique island. Some tours of Iceland just include the area known as the Golden Circle. We included the entire Ring of Fire encompassing this land of fire and ice.”

— KEVIN BUTLER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

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