Select Traveler May June 2019

THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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FAYETTEVILLE FIRST | DEFINING TRAVEL EXPERIENCES | ON SITE IN EGYPT

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THE MAGAZINE FOR BANK, ALUMNI AND CHAMBER TRAVEL PLANNERS

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VOL.27 NO.3

MAY/JUNE 2019

CLEVELAND:

URBAN HARMONY

contents checking in:

toolbox:

KATHLEEN TRAVEL SCEGO CONFERENCES

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, courtesy Destination Cleveland

ON THE COVER: A statue in downtown Cleveland of Tom L. Johnson, the town’s 35th mayor, reminds visitors of the man who helped modernize the Rock and Roll Capital of the World in the early 1900s. Photo by Benedek.

loving marketing:

NEW YORK

PRICE PERFECT

career:

TRAINING TIPS

10 12 26 54 56

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MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL ELIZA MYERS HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS ASHLEY RICKS CHRISTINE CLOUGH KELLY TYNER DANIEL JEAN-LOUIS KYLE ANDERSON

DANIEL JEAN-LOUIS

888.253.0455

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER

DANIEL@ GROUP TR AVELLE ADER.COM

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

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14 experiences creative 36 BUCKET LIST

FA Y E T T E V I L L E

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midwest

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.

Columbus group tours are designed to be as fun as they are intriguing.

Choose from a variety of guided tours, hands-on tours and the grand opening

this year of the new National Veteran’s Memorial and Museum. For your group’s next memorable getaway, visit experiencecolumbus.com.

perspective P U B L I S H E R ’ S

A

t our buyer breakout session this year at the Select Traveler Conference, I decided to include a discussion of “intangibles” that we normally don’t discuss. Our model is to ask objective questions: things that have to do with destination preferences, how social media affects marketing, the optimal size for a group on a trip, etc.

I decided this year to include a couple of questions about job satisfaction, planners’

enjoyment levels during trips and other things more qualitative than quantitative. Here’s what we found out.

Most in the room said they enjoyed their travel time with their groups more today than five years ago. Many used the terms “family” and “together” in their responses, saying the more their groups travel together, the more everyone enjoys the experience. The familiarity that develops generates a comfort level that makes most planners’ jobs more enjoyable.

Most also answered they were now enjoying their day-to-day work activities more than five years ago. Several mentioned their job satisfaction increases as they learn more about travel and group dynamics. Several said the many details involved were stressful but most said they are enjoying their jobs more than they did five years ago.

Two other responses from this group of roughly 100 got my attention when we asked about succession planning and whether someone would step up when they retire. One replied, “Yes, our bank will take care of that. Our program is important.” Another wrote, “Yes, my co-workers have been coming along for a long time.”

It sounds like the management in many of these institutions continues to see the benefits of something that is intangible: Memorable travel experiences with other group members drive loyalty to an institution.

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

Mac Lacy 6

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GROUPS OFTEN HAVE THE SAME RESPONSE TO CLEVELAND. They come back.

Join in at This isCLEveland.com | #This isCLE Contact Cleveland’s Group Tour Team:

M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9 selecttraveler.com 7 Jane Tougouma | Tel: 216.875.6607 | Email: jtougouma@destinationcle.org + Denise Krauss | Tel: 216.875.6648 | Email: dkrauss@destinationcle.org

follow us @ gotripsinc

P L A N N E R S

T A L K

B A C K

what are some fun surprises you plan for your group?

NANCY JO NUNLEY

FIRST NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST

Travel ☼ Thoughtfully Designed ☼ Delightfully Executed

OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA “On international trips, I always keep in mind a simple surprise for my travelers. I will try to pick a day where we are having dinner on our own and will try to get as many members as possible together for dinner. Then I will pick up their tab. I keep track of those that couldn’t attend and pick up a meal for them some time during the trip. This is just a little way the bank and I can express thanks to our valued customers.”

ELLEN BORKENHAGEN PROFINIUM

FAIRMONT, MINNESOTA “When my guests have a birthday or anniversary during a trip, I like to treat them to drinks at dinner or have a bottle of champagne sent to their room.

They really appreciate the extra attention and personal treatment. I also will put all my photos on a flash drive for my travelers. Others on the trip will give me their photos so I can add them as well. People enjoy getting those.”

JANE MYERS

BANK OF MISSOURI PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI “On our motorcoach tours, we play a variety of games. These consist mostly of trivia and bingo, but we do have a horse race game as well. If you could just imagine the excitement of winning a horse race, all of the members are chanting for their chosen stick horses.”

ROBIN TORBRON WARDE BRYANT UNIVERSITY

SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND “I always plan a welcome reception and try to invite local alumni to join us, whether in London, Amsterdam or wherever the trip launches.”

JEFF WENDORF

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

888-55-TRIPS

www.gotripsinc.com 8 selecttraveler.com

MADISON, WISCONSIN “Serving as a group host on a large cruise has its challenges. Getting the group together can be like herding cats, and making connections is difficult to say the least. I make sure to bring along birthday, anniversary and get-well cards to recognize those special events. I also try to schedule some impromptu gatherings and add a few event enhancements. For example, a recent cruise I hosted coincided with our university’s founding anniversary. I scheduled a Founders Day event, ordered a cake and gave a brief lecture regarding the university’s history.

“At our farewell reception, I put together a trivia contest pertaining to our university with small gifts for the winners. Finally, we always try to invite our local alumni or students traveling abroad to join us for a reception.”

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checking in KATHLEEN SCEGO

W I T H

K A T H L E E N

S C E G O

MEMORY MAKERS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

MARIES COUNTY BANK OWENSVILLE, MISSOURI Maries County Bank opened its doors in 1900. The community bank has 11 locations in small towns across central Missouri with assets of over $466 million. Account holders over 50 years old can join the Memory Makers. There are now 600 people enrolled in the travel program.

Born: St. Louis Education: She has an associate’s degree in marketing and advertising from East Central College.

Employment: After 16 years as the religious education coordinator for her church, Scego went from organizing programs for children to travel planning for older adults. In 2001, she began work at the bank managing loan documentation. The travel program started two years later.

Family: Scego has been married to Bill for 45 years. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Hobbies: Scego enjoys scrapbooking, crocheting and spending time with family.

Kathy Scego, left, poses with other group members in Napier, New Zealand.

BY ELIZA MYERS

W

hy Kathleen Scego didn’t quit after her first international group tour is a lesson in perseverance.

“I look back at that and wonder why I didn’t quit then,” said Scego, program director for Maries County Bank’s Memory Makers.

Scego had already successfully run several shorter trips, so a cruise to Alaska and Canada seemed like an easy next step. But during the tour, a traveler became ill and was transported by ambulance to a Vancouver, British Columbia, hospital.

“This small-town girl had to find a way to get from our hotel to the hospital to check on this gentleman, which is a whole other funny

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story,” said Scego. “After learning that he had pneumonia and had not taken his diabetic medicine, we found out he would have to stay a few days. I had to contact his daughter and basically say, ‘I’m leaving your father in another country. Someone will pick him up. It’s going to be fine.’

“That trip taught me some valuable lessons, including the importance of travel insurance.”

Scego calls the trip her “baptism by fire” journey into group travel planning. Because she decided to learn from the experience and keep traveling, Scego has grown the program to more than 600 members over the course of 16 years.

A G OOD I DE A

After the loss of her son in a tragic accident, Scego began searching for a new life purpose and attended East Central College as a non-

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traditional student. After her graduation at age 50, she began working in the loan department of Maries County Bank.

Two years later, her husband, Bill, suggested she ask the bank if she could start a travel program. Though she had no prior travel planning experience, she suggested the idea to the bank’s board members, who reacted with enthusiasm.

“After I presented the program at the board meeting, I told the board members to contact their friends and tell them about it,” said Scego. “The bank president said, ‘I can’t believe you told those good old boys to go out and find you customers.’ I didn’t know any better. I had to learn a lot. Luckily, the bank has always been very supportive of the program.”

To launch the fledgling program, Scego advertised a Get the Scoop ice cream social.

“In a small community, 44 people showing up was pretty good,” said Scego. “After that travel show, the program was off and running.

Perhaps they just came for the free ice cream, but I was able to connect with a group of folks that loved to travel as much as I do.”

ONE S TEP AT A T I M E

Scego first realized the importance of a planner’s demeanor on a previous day trip to Cave Man Restaurant in Richland, Missouri.

“The elevator to get up into the cave decided to malfunction on our way out,” said Scego. “The only choice was to go down the spiral staircase on the outside of the restaurant. One lady froze and said she just could not do it. So, with Bill in front of her and me behind her, we coaxed her down that steep spiral staircase.

“I think it is vital to keep a positive attitude even if things are falling down all around you. You can’t let the customers see how stressed you are.”

Scego also incorporates surprises into each tour because she feels these unexpected moments make the members feel valued by the bank. Each tour includes an extra activity or gift, such as a free flower at a trip to a nursery.

WI ND O W TO T H E W O R L D

Not long after Scego began Memory Makers, she attended the Select Traveler Conference for a glimpse into the travel industry.

“I was so new that I did not even have business cards,” said Scego. “Fellow group leaders were so helpful to me with ideas and suggestions to make our travel program a success.”

The conference ended on a high note after she won a familiarization tour to Germany with Trips.

“I will never forget that adventure,” said Scego. “Bill and I had never traveled outside of the U.S., and our passports barely got to us in time for the trip. Spending that week networking with other bank club directors taught me so much, and I made some lasting friendships.”

To choose her travel destinations, she continues to mix conference suggestions with travelers’ expressed desires. The group travels 18 times a year, with tours ranging from day trips to longer international tours. Alaska remains a favorite destination; Scego offers trips there every two years or so.

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“Our members are very different groups of people,” she said.

“Some don’t want to leave their dog overnight. Some only want to be gone a couple of days. Some want to explore all over the world. I have tours to match each type of traveler.”

Although a hectic tour schedule can take the joy out of trips for some planners, Scego still cherishes each travel memory.

“I had not done a lot of traveling growing up,” said Scego. “My husband loves to travel, so I started to plan trips with him. It was his love of travel that led me to explore the world a little more.”

T R A V E L

tips

• Smile and spread kindness. Mr. or Mrs. Grouchy on your trip may have pains and heartaches that you know nothing about, so be kind.

• Strive to make each person you encounter feel special.

• Take time to make a great memory each day because none of us are promised tomorrow.

Spa

AT THE ALLUVIAN

325D Howa rd St reet G reenwood, MS 662- 4 51-670 0 t hea l luvian.com/t he-a l luvian-spa

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T R A V E L

T O O L B O X

treat conference attendance as an investment

BY BRIA N JE W E LL

I

f you’re going to invest time and money into attending a tourism conference, take some steps to make that investment worthwhile.

Conferences like the Select Traveler Conference are an essential part of the tourism planning landscape. They give you the chance to explore new destinations, meet new travel suppliers, build relationships with existing partners and grow professionally by learning from your peers. If you have a budget for professional development events and can afford the time out of the office, attending one or two tourism conferences each year can make a world of difference in the way you do your job as a travel planner.

The people who see the best results from conferences take strategic steps before, during and after the events to ensure that their investment pays dividends. So instead of showing up unfocused or unprepared, use these strategies to make the most of your next tourism conference.

K N O W W H AT YO U NEED One good travel conference can be enough to create trips to fill a year or more of your group’s travel program, but only if you come prepared. Before leaving for the conference, make a list of all the trips you have planned for the coming two to three years, then decide what’s missing from that list. Do you need an international adventure in 2021? A great domestic mystery trip next year? A new tour operator partner or a hotel for an upcoming overnight? Once you know what gaps you need to fill on your calendar, you can be focused and effective at the conference.

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B UI L D P E E R RE L ATIONSHIPS In addition to meeting with suppliers, building relationships with your peers should be a priority when you attend tourism conferences. Some of these events, like the Select Traveler Conference, have specific breakout sessions for travel planners to discuss issues, develop best practices and share ideas. You should definitely attend these sessions and look for other opportunities to make friends with your travel planner peers during other networking events at the conference. Many planners who have met at professional events end up sharing resources, collaborating on trips and forming long friendships.

SEE THE HOST CITY Many tourism conferences are so packed with scheduled activities that it can be difficult to see anything but the inside of a hotel or convention center. But for a travel planner, experiencing the destinations you visit for conferences can be a vital way to build your knowledge base and find new trip ideas. So don’t attend a conference without making time to see the city. You can take advantage of city sightseeing tours or pre- and post-conference FAMs offered by the host destination. Or if those aren’t available, arrange to stay an extra day or two before or after the conference to explore the area on your own.

MA KE A HIT LIST Conferences make great opportunities to have one-on-one conversations with people with whom you want to work. The conference’s scheduling system may set up formal appointments with some of them but probably not all of them. Before the event begins, look at a registry of the sponsors and vendors attending, then make a “hit list” of those with whom you want to talk. Reach out to them ahead of time to set up time to get together for coffee or cocktails to make sure your most important conversations take place. And don’t be afraid

F OL LO W UP Q UI C K LY The energetic environment of a conference can fill you with creativity

to approach someone you see at the conference and ask for a meeting.

and new ideas. Back home, though, the mundane realities of daily life and the pile of work you missed while traveling can quickly suck the enthusiasm right out of you. To capitalize on your connections and ideas from the conference, take action on them as soon as possible. Email the tour company representative you met to ask for a formal quote. Survey your group members to gauge their interest in visiting some of the new destinations you have in mind. And put together an action plan to implement some of the new ideas you learned.

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defining

MOMENTS

The idea of floating through Venice on a historic gondola enchants travelers from around the world.

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only travelers pull off these bucket list experiences

BY REBECCA TREON

T

he world is full of wonders natural and manmade, ancient and modern. Some people make it their mission to experience as many of these once-in-a-lifetime places as possible These five adventures are a sampling of top dream trips. If your group craves incredible experiences, read on to discover the highlights of dream destinations, learn what going on the trips involves and find some unexpected surprises that may be encountered along the way.

FLOAT IN THE DEAD SEA

Most visits to Israel will include a soak in the saline waters of the Dead Sea along with visiting the country’s historic sites. The Dead Sea is also accessible from Jordan and Egypt. At 1,388 feet below sea level, it’s the lowest point on earth. It has a salinity of 33.7%, and its high concentration of salt makes it inhospitable to almost every type of life but creates incredible buoyancy.

It’s been sought for its healing mineral-rich waters for thousands of years, even by King David and Herod the Great. The balms and asphalts from the Dead Sea were used in ancient Egyptian mummification, and its muds and salts continue to be packaged and sold today for their healing properties.

“The famous Dead Sea attracts thousands of international travelers each year eager to relax and indulge in its healing properties,” said Kylie Goldstein of tour company Tourist Israel. “Its minerals are known to heal skin ailments and are particularly good for those with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Dead Sea is the ultimate natural spa, both visually beautiful and deeply relaxing; it is an experience that can only be had by visiting Israel.”

Guests may want to visit the Dead Sea in cooler months, October through March, since in the summer, temperatures top 100 degrees.

Private beach access is available at any of the hotels lining the beach, where there may also be a wellness spa. Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek are the two main public beaches. Many people opt to let the salt dry on their skin or like to slather themselves in Dead Sea mud before showering off. It’s advisable to wear sunscreen and water shoes and avoid shaving before soaking.

RIDE A GONDOLA IN VENICE

Cruising the canals of Venice in a flat-bottomed boat is one of the most dreamed-about experiences for visitors. The gondola is easily one of the world’s most recognizable images representing the romance and history of Venice. There’s no better way for travelers to explore the city’s architecture than by gliding tranquilly along the waterways, guided by a gondolier. A gondola ride is not about getting from point A to point B quickly but soaking in all the magic of Venice.

Venice is an archipelago of man-made islands. Motorized vehicles and bicycles aren’t allowed on the pathways that crisscross the city, so the canals serve as its primary transportation routes. Gondolas came into use in the 11th century, and at one point there were as many as 10,000 of the flat-bottomed boats floating through the city.

Now, there are only about 400, but the role of the gondolier is still taken as a noble profession that requires years of training in boating, art, history and linguistics.

Many gondoliers line their boats with ornate pillows and blankets, letting passengers relax in timeless luxury. The image of a serenading gondolier is pure Hollywood fiction, but most speak some English and will offer historical anecdotes about landmarks along the way.

With a backdrop of Baroque palazzi, former convents and other unseen gems, a gondola ride will also hit the major sights, including the Bridge of Sighs, the Basilica della Salute and St. Mark’s, all bathed in the mystical pink light at sunset.

WWW.VENEZIAUNICA.IT

The Dead Sea

WWW.TOURISTISRAEL.COM

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Courtesy Tourist Israel

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An African safari

By Marc Mol, courtesy The Wild Source

The Elephant Orphanage

The elusive leopard

By Marc Mol, courtesy The Wild Source

Courtesy Maine Tours Courtesy TheFoodie Wild Source

CLIMB A MOUNTAIN

Summitting one of the world’s tallest peaks is on many a bucket list. For most, it is partly the reward of finishing the climb; but it is also about the physical and mental challenges that happen along the way.

Climbing peaks like these require a lot more preparation than a Sunday hike. These multiday climbs require both an experienced guide and staying with your group in a climbing camp at designated stops.

“It’s an irreplaceable euphoria that stays with you the rest of your life,” said Eddie Frank of Tusker Tours. “Every day of the climb, there’s an ethereal feeling of getting closer to your goal. There’s also the human connection made within the climbing group as you face challenges together; you have an unforgettable connection with a new lifetime friend.”

Being in great physical shape is a prerequisite to these types of treks, but its also important to give the body time to acclimatize over an altitude of 8,000 feet to prevent altitude sickness. A few days to adjust is something an experienced, quality guide will make sure is built into the trip. A good guide will coach climbers through being mentally prepared for some of the difficulties they’ll face on the journey, too.

A climber’s guide should make sure the behind-the-scenes essentials are taken care of, like having porters in place to carry gear. The guide will also know which route to take and how to diagnose climbing-related ailments and get climbers medical assistance if needed. A reputable guide will ensure that climbers get the most from their trip and enjoy the journey to the top.

WWW.TUSKER.COM

GO ON SAFARI

The Northern Lights in Iceland

Courtesy REI Adventures

A Tusker Tours group on Mount Kilimanjaro

Courtesy Tusker Tours

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Going on safari is a top bucket-list adventure. Travelers imagine their ideal trip staying in a tent camp in the African wilderness, mingling with locals whose culture is different from their own and seeing lions, elephants, zebras and giraffes in the wild. However romanticized the safari is through Hollywood, the appeal of being completely out of one’s comfort zone while on a safari is real — and once in a lifetime.

“A lot of people aren’t sure what to expect or what a safari should be like and are surprised by how comfortable the accommodations in a tent camp and the experiences are,” said Darcie Smith, director of safari planning at The Wild Source. “A good guide will be the bridge to view an abundance of wildlife interacting with each other and authentic cultural experiences.”

In Kenya, the capital city of Nairobi offers experiences with locals and wildlife. Outside the city is Nairobi National Park where endangered black rhinos are bred and visitors can see zebras, giraffes and lions. The popular Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre are nearby, and visitors can also explore the Karen Blixen Museum and the National Museum. Nairobi is a common departure point for safaris farther afield, where guests can expect to go on early-morning game drives, when big cats are most active and the light is spectacular, and an evening game drive. Free time in between allows for additional activities and leisure time.

In Tanzania, there are many game reserves and national parks, allowing for many wildlife experiences. Guests are drawn to watch the Great Migration across the Serengeti. At the Ngoronogoro Crater, visitors can see the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — as well as visit the local Masai community. Nearby Lake Manyara is home to pink flamingoes, hippos and monkeys. Visitors can

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combine their safari with a Kilimanjaro climb or a visit to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s pristine beach.

In South Africa, Kruger National Park is the place to see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos and is only an hour’s flight from Johannesburg. Its Sabi Sabi Private Game reserve offers four private lodges and great wildlife viewing without the crowds.

WWW.THEWILDSOURCE.COM

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

The natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis in the night sky near the Arctic Circle is a magical and unforgettable experience at the top of many travelers’ lists, but the northern lights are unpredictable and not always visible.

Common places to see the northern lights include Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and even Scotland. The lights are visible only in the winter months, when most of the day is dark. Travelers will want to keep in mind that even if viewing the northern lights is a significant reason for their trip, it’s best to plan plenty of other activities into the vacation, too. Travelers will want to pick a place where they can enjoy a multitude of experiences and that they are eager to explore.

“On our weeklong Iceland trip, we plan plenty of outdoor adventures,” said Janel Jensen, REI Adventures program coordinator. “Lunch near the top of a glacier, geothermal pools, frozen waterfalls, snowshoeing over frozen lava fields and soaking in the Blue Lagoon, for example. Of course, a highlight is seeing the otherworldly, ethereal northern lights. Guests will experience a true winter wonderland.”

Weather is a factor in determining whether the lights will be visible — the sky must be clear. It’s advisable for light seekers to get outside of the city and into the countryside, where there is no light pollution that would make it impossible to see the lights. This will also allow viewers to see the range of colors presented in the aurora borealis.

The Meeting for Bank, Alumni, & Chamber Travel Directors

Cheyenne, Wyoming March 22-24, 2020

WWW.REI.COM/ADVENTURES

Mount Kilimanjaro

selecttravelerconf.com

Call to Register Today: Courtesy Tusker Tours

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800.628.0993 selecttraveler.com

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EGYPT FAM

A camel at Giza

All photos by Mac Lacy except where noted

I do faith-based tours, and Egypt is the missing piece for most of my clients. I do feel like it is very safe now. Half my travelers on my last trip were millennials. This is immersion at its best, and that’s what millennials want.”

— GIGI INIGO STYLE YOUR TRIP LLC

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A vendor on boat in Philae Photo by Ashley Taylor

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ON SITE IN EGYPT TR AV E L PL AN N E RS E XPLO R E TH E AN CI E NT WO N D E RS O F EGYPT WITH AV E NTU R A WO R LD

Luxor Temple at dusk

Tombs of the Nobles, Aswan

Sixteen international travel planners gathered at JFK International Airport in March for an overnight flight to Cairo and weeklong trip through Egypt.

This familiarization trip designed by Aventura World had proven to be their best opportunity to see the remarkable Land of the Pharaohs for themselves.

As they met, they shared the collective interest of their groups back home in the culture they would enjoy and the splendor they would see. Egypt, they thought, was undergoing a renaissance for travelers and could take a leap forward as an exotic travel offering for their groups upon their return.

Day 1&2

• JFK TO CAIRO • OVERNIGHT AT THE CONRAD CAIRO HOTEL

Ian Scott, general manager of Aventura World and host for the trip, greeted the travel planners as they arrived at the EgyptAir departure desk. They cleared customs in Cairo 10 hours later and headed to their hotel, the Conrad Cairo, a downtown property just one street from the bustling Nile River. Scott introduced them to their tour director for the trip, Egyptologist Ihab Wagdy, who offered them a few tips about traveling in Egypt before they checked into the Conrad to get some rest.

Great Pyramids of Giza

Nubia for Alabaster demonstration Photo by Ashley Taylor

“It brings to life all the history and Bible stories from my childhood. To actually see the pyramids was mind-boggling. The fact that the Egyptians had the ingenuity to create them without any predecessors is amazing.”

— BILL HIGHSMITH TUSCULUM HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH

Day • GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA & SPHINX

3

The Sphinx

• PAPYRUS INSTITUTE • LECTURE

Excitement energized the group as its members readied for the short ride to the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt’s archaeological wonders known throughout the world. The Giza Plateau, where the three largest pyramids were constructed more than 4,000 years ago, is just a few miles from Cairo, the country’s massive capital of 22 million residents.

Wagdy handled ticketing procedures throughout the week, and the planners entered the grounds quickly through a group portal.

He briefed them on the history of these massive structures built by pharaohs to encounter the afterlife. Up to 10,000 workers toiled daily at Giza, and the granite used was quarried near Aswan, 500 miles away, and ferried up the Nile during the river’s flood season.

GREAT PYRAMID OF KHUFU The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and largest at Giza.

Completed about 2570 B.C., its inner passageway has been retrofitted for adventurous visitors, and several paid to clamber up its labyrinthian steps to an upper chamber. Most viewed it from outside, where vendors offered camel and carriage rides to hundreds of visitors. The Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure stand nearby.

Afterward, the group headed to a nearby vantage point for photographing the pyramids, where several mounted camels trotted off into the desert sands. Wagdy assisted in negotiating a final price before they mounted because riders are at the mercy of the handlers to dismount.

The group made its way to the Sphinx, where everyone jostled to get a photo with the mythological being built during Khafre’s reign.

Historians remain puzzled as to the symbolic nature of this lionlike creature, whose weathered countenance seems eternal.

Camel at Giza

Camel rides in Giza

THREE PYRAMIDS PAPYRUS INSTITUTE Egyptian papyrus is an ancient artform, and the group’s visit to the nearby Three Pyramids Papyrus Institute sparked a buying binge.

Purchases like this throughout Egypt proved to be a bargain. It’s a very inexpensive country for travelers.

INTRODUCTION TO EGYPT That evening, the planners gathered for an introductory lecture by noted Egyptologist Faraq Alsharabasy. He said that Egyptians were masters of civilization, and he illustrated how they created early judiciaries, burial systems and forms of artistic expression.

Photo by Ashley Taylor

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4

• CAIRO TO ASWAN • M/S MOJITO • TEMPLE OF ISIS

The intrepid travel planners left the hotel with bags in tow at 3:30 a.m. to catch their 90-minute flight to Aswan. Aswan means “market,” and this arid city was a crossroads for African commerce for centuries. Today, many know Aswan Dam as the product of years of international cooperation to stem the flooding of the Nile.

Numerous temples were moved to higher ground for preservation before completing this massive impoundment, which covers 2,000 square miles in Egypt and Sudan, in 1970.

M/S MOJITO The group visited a quarry where huge Egyptian obelisks were shaped from granite for use in temples before boarding the M/S Mojito for a four-day cruise on the Nile. Similar to European river cruise vessels, the ship offered comfortable accommodations, a dining room and bar, and a spacious top deck with a lounge and pool. After lunch on board, they boarded a small vessel and headed for nearby Philae.

Carriage rides in Edfu

TEMPLE OF ISIS Construction of the Temple of Isis in Philae was begun around 690 B.C. Isis was the protector of the dead and mother to Horus, a god represented as a falcon. Artwork in this temple, like others, was later defaced by Christians and Muslims. The elegant Kiosk of Trajan stands by itself facing the Nile and has been painted by artists for centuries.

FELUCCA CRUISE Day • • TOMBS OF THE NOBLES

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• CRUISE TO KOM OMBO • GALABEYA DINNER

Overlooking Aswan with young Egyptians

FELUCCA CRUISE The group left early for a cruise aboard a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, and enjoyed a sunlit morning on the Nile. Ancient tombs punctured the far hillside as the boat cruised by the Aswan Botanical Garden on Kitchener Island. They sailed as far as the Agha Khan Mausoleum, the prominent burial site of a wealthy imam who wintered there until his death in 1957.

TOMBS OF THE NOBLES Several travel planners went with Scott to catch a boat to the far shore to hike up to the Tombs of the Nobles. They walked to the base of the hill where Nubian rulers’ tombs remain from 2,000 years ago and climbed several hundred stone steps to the site. An impromptu guide joined them and took them into several tombs. Then they continued up to the summit, where young travelers from Luxor welcomed them to Egypt and took photos with them overlooking Aswan.

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The Nile at Aswan

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Kiosk of Trajan

CRUISE TO KOM OMBO The group walked through the market in Aswan to buy Egyptian garb for a party back on the Mojito that night. The ship cruised that afternoon, and everyone went to the top deck for some sun and relaxation.

The fertile delta of the Nile gleamed where crops and livestock flourished.

For planners who wondered about crocodiles, the Temple of Kom Ombo delivered. It celebrated Sobek, an ancient crocodile-headed Egyptian god, and Horus, the falcon god. Worshipping Sobek was intended to appease the Nile’s crocodiles. Here, the group saw its first nilometer, a deep sandstone well that measured flood levels for taxation purposes. The nearby Crocodile Museum features mummified remains of reptiles of up to 18 feet long.

I want to partner with another institution, a museum in Texas, and bring a group back. I’m fairly convinced we can do that in 2020. Meeting the other travel planners on this trip has been very valuable.”

GALABEYA PARTY That evening, the travelers gathered decked out in their galabeya evening wear. These traditional garments are available in any local market, and everyone donned the Egyptian finery for a festive evening event.

Day

— HENRY MOY MUSEUM OF THE RED RIVER

Galabeya evening, MS Mojito

Basel University at Valley of the Kings

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• CARRIAGES TO TEMPLE OF HORUS • AFTERNOON CRUISE • LUXOR TEMPLE

The next day brought an exploration of the Temple of Horus in Edfu, a relaxing day aboard the cruise vessel and an evening visit to the stunning Luxor Temple.

TEMPLE OF HORUS Wagdy stressed the importance of partnering up for the mad dash to the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Each day, hundreds of travelers make their way to the temple from the riverfront on two-person carriages.

This horse-drawn commute was the loudest, dustiest, most chaotic cultural event of the week. The clattering of hooves lasted several minutes until Wagdy could be seen at the temple arrival area waving wildly.

The Temple of Horus honors Egypt’s god of the sky. Horus was a favorite of pharaohs, and this temple is among the country’s best preserved. It dates to 257 B.C., and its massive outer courtyard leads to ornate inner chambers and worship sanctums.

AFTERNOON CRUISE TIME After lunch on board, Scott addressed the group concerning Aventura World’s trips to Egypt. He stressed the importance of the professional security detail that had accompanied the group in Cairo and the manned security stations along the river for riverboat passengers.

The Mojito headed for its last stop, the ancient city of Luxor.

During another gorgeous afternoon, high tea was served on the top deck, and everyone enjoyed a last day afternoon on the Nile.

LUXOR TEMPLE Upon arrival, the group went at dusk to Luxor Temple. Twilight and elaborate lighting made this the most photogenic temple of the trip. The Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor, now being restored, will be a world-class

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Tomb artwork at Valley of the Kings

promenade upon completion. It is highlighted by excavated stone sphinxes that stretch from this temple to Karnak Temple, almost two miles away.

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7

• VALLEY OF THE KINGS • TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT • KARNAK TEMPLE

The day started early as the group explored the Valley of the Kings, then went on to discover two more distinctive ancient temples.

VALLEY OF THE KINGS The group left very early to ferry across the Nile for its ride to the Valley of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features more than 60 excavated tombs of Egyptian rulers. As a result of this predawn start, it was the first group into the site, and when the planners left two hours later, hundreds of visitors were queued up to catch the incoming trams.

Wagdy briefed the group on Egyptian hieroglyphics found on the tombs’ passageways, as well as the Book of the Dead, the ancient funerary text created to illustrate the lives of the deceased. These hieroglyphics remain remarkably vibrant despite dating to 1400 B.C. The group entered the tombs of Ramses IV and Ramses IX, and several entered the tomb of Tutankhamun, the site’s most prominent because of the wealth of possessions discovered within. British archaeologist Howard Carter found the tomb in 1922 after searching for years, and parts of its vast contents, including the golden death mask of the young pharaoh, have become Egyptian icons.

Orientation at Valley of the Kings

TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT The group made its way to the imposing Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, which stands against a towering cliff face in nearby Deir al Bahri. This reconstructed temple, built in the 1400s B.C., was gloriously landscaped at its original site on the Nile delta, where it stood across the river from the Temple of Karnak.

KARNAK TEMPLE Karnak Temple, a series of ancient complexes occupying a prominent corner in the city, was the final stop in Luxor. By sheer volume alone, the temple lives up to its ancient title, “The Most Esteemed of Places.” Built and rebuilt for 1,500 years, its highlights include the Great Hypostyle Hall, known for its vast store of towering stone columns; the Obelisk of Hatshepsut, the largest in Egypt; and its sacred lake, the only such body of water on this tour of temples.

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8

• EGYPTIAN MUSEUM • FRANCISCAN JOINT SCHOOL • AL-AZHAR PARK

Temple of Hatshepsut

Luxor Temple at dusk

For its last day full day in Egypt, the group caught an early flight from Luxor to Cairo and some surprise visits to fascinating institutions that showcase Egypt’s multicultural society.

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EGYPTIAN MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES The day’s activities in Cairo started at the Egyptian Museum. The group toured the Tutankhamun galleries, which are highlighted by the pharaoh’s death mask, his ornate sarcophagi and myriad other contents from his tomb. Halls filled with Egyptian mummies are displayed, and the preservation of detail for some is astonishing.

Royal jewelry collections in the museum are stunning.

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

FRANCISCAN JOINT SCHOOL Scott surprised the group with a trip to the Franciscan Joint School in Cairo, where delightful schoolchildren of Muslim and Christian faiths entertained them with songs rehearsed for the occasion. School officials explained the school’s multifaith mission, and wide-eyed kids treated the planners like celebrities.

The group visited Old Cairo, a multicultural neighborhood that includes Coptic Christian influences dating to the third century and Islamic influences dating to the time of Mohammed in the 10th century. They visited Ben Ezra Synagogue and Al Moallaka Church, one of Cairo’s most influential Coptic churches. Old Cairo fascinated the group with its street-side vendors, marketplaces for sheep and goats, and suffocating traffic.

AL-AZHAR PARK Wagdy arranged a police escort to circumvent the standstill and got the group to the week’s best lunch stop at Cairo’s Al-Azhar Park. Hundreds of local families enjoyed its beautifully landscaped grounds, many with picnics. Gifted to the city in 1984 by Agha Khan IV, this $30 million urban park has earned worldwide acclaim. The group enjoyed a wonderful Egyptian lunch with pita bread, hummus, fresh salad, grilled chicken and beef kabobs, and vegetables, a fitting feast for its last meal as a group.

Cairo’s Franciscan Joint School

Now is the right place at the right time for Egypt.

The government is committed and the industry is organized. The way to do Egypt is with a group, not by yourself. Banks, chambers and universities trust their leaders and they’ll come.

— IAN SCOTT AVENTURA WORLD

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9

• DEPARTURE FROM CAIRO

These travel planners had become friends, and they recounted their collective experiences on their way to Cairo International Airport early the next morning for their flights home. From temples to tombs and from predawn starts to nightcaps on the Nile, it had been a week of shared astonishment. Many were already discussing their respective travel groups and who among their followers would return with them and Aventura World to see firsthand the remarkable sights of ancient, exotic Egypt.

AVENTURA WORLD IAN SCOTT INFO@AVENTURAWORLD.COM 760-212-0779 WWW.AVENTURAWORLD.COM If you are interested in hosting a FAM for readers of Select Traveler, call Kelly Tyner at 888.253.0455.

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Aventura World goes the extra mile!

TUTANKHAMUN, EGYPT

Our Partnerships include: • Fundraising/Affinity-Building Expertise • Easy Non-Dues Revenue Dollars • Frank Advice to Aid Large Group Production • Professional, Well-Traveled Business Development Team • Marketing Support • Accounting Assistance • Expert Program Operations • Dedicated Customer Care

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a crowded menu

BRING ALL YOUR APPETITES TO NEW YORK

BY ELIZABETH HEY

W

hen you travel to central New York, it’s best to come hungry and bring a taste for history.

Food and wine, arising from a rich agricultural heritage, remain the backbone of the Finger Lakes, but the area’s bounty includes abundant museums, theater and outdoor activities. Near the Pennsylvania border in Greater Binghamton, nostalgia awaits in the form of six historic carousels.

Situated along the Hudson River and steeped in more than 400 years of history as a Dutch settlement, the state capital, Albany, applauds the past while celebrating its modern vibe, especially evident as the city celebrates its ties with the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.” And groups can explore the history of the Erie Canal in Syracuse.

FINGER LAKES

A wine and food enthusiast’s dream on the shores of Canandaigua Lake, the New York Kitchen houses a restaurant, a sampling room and a cooking school with more than 240 annual classes. Opening in June, a second hands-on kitchen will accommodate 18 guests in addition to the current capacity of 24 participants. Demonstration classes for up to 45 guests take place in its state-of-the-art theater-style venue. In addition, the town of Canandaigua boasts historic architecture, a bustling main street and proximity to farms and wineries.

“Another must-see is beautiful Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park,” said Valerie Knoblauch, Finger Lakes Visitors Connection president and CEO. “On-site, the Finger Lakes Wine Center hosts wine tastings, and many special events can be tailored to your group.”

South of Seneca Lake, the Corning Museum of Glass add-

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CAN AN DAI G UA S YR ACUS E

ALB AN Y

B I N G H AM TO N

New York Kitchen in Canandaigua, New York, shows participants how to re-create delectable meals in their homes.

Courtesy Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council

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ed a contemporary and art design wing several years ago. Its daily schedule includes a “Hot Glass Show” by master glassmakers and Make Your Own Glass sessions. The GlassMarket sells original works by emerging and established artists. Within walking distance, the historic Gaffer District beckons with boutiques, galleries, studios and restaurants.

Exquisitely restored Aurora Inn on Cayuga Lake serves award-winning American cuisine in its Lakeside Room and has developed many group activities, from yoga classes to custom tea blending, cocktailmaking and more. Near the village of Aurora, the MacKenzieChilds design center, famous for its black-and-white check pattern, offers tours of its lavishly restored three-story farmhouse filled with table settings, accessories and whimsical, hand-

painted furniture. The gift shop features an artist demonstration and 15-minute film that takes visitors behind the scenes.

Twenty miles northeast of Aurora near Owasco Lake, the city of Auburn offers year-round entertainment in the Auburn Public Theater, plus Broadwayquality shows and start-up musicals during the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival from June through mid-October. History buffs will enjoy the Seward House, home of William H. Seward, who served as secretary of state during the Lincoln and Johnson presidencies. Other historic highlights include the Equal Rights Heritage Center, opened last November, and the Harriet Tubman House, where the abolitionist hero lived the last 50 years of her life. www.fingerlakestravelny.com

ALBANY

As the oldest continuously chartered city in the nation, Albany’s history is woven into its architecture, attractions and landmark businesses. Recently, the city’s ties to the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” have garnered attention. In 1780, Alexander Hamilton wed Elizabeth Schuyler at the Schuyler Mansion, which is now preserved as a State Historic Site. Groups can opt for the mansion tour, “When Alexander Hamilton Called Albany Home,” and the Albany Institute of History and Art exhibit, “The Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle,” which runs late-July through December.

“Although tickets will probably sell out for ‘Hamilton,’ which is coming to Schenectady, numerous events will tie into the musical,” said Jill Delaney, president

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rial Day to Labor Day. The 1923 and CEO of Discover Albany. “Beginning this summer, we’ve culticarousel in C. Fred Johnson A shop at Corning’s Gaffer District vated a self-guided walking tour Park features 72 figures shaped called Hamilton in Albany.” by elaborate carvings, original Albany’s walkable downscenic panels and beveled mirtown features the majestic New rors. Another carousel pays York State Capitol, which offers homage to “The Twilight Zone,” tours. The Empire State Plaza’s which was created by BinghamCorning Tower Observation ton local Rod Serling.

Deck affords a panoramic city “For many groups, the carouview. This year marks the 100th sels are the first place they want anniversary of the start of Proto visit,” said Cassie Green, Courtesy Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council hibition in Albany. A new walksales and social media manager ing tour tells the story of the for Visit Binghamton. “They’re city’s many historic sites during such a treasure right here in our Schuyler Mansion Prohibition; additional events own backyard, and they’re all State Historic Site are also planned. within a 15-mile radius of each The Erie Canal officially beother.” gan in Albany. Since 2017, AlThe city lies on central New bany has been celebrating the York’s craft beer route, Brew Erie Canal Bicentennial. At the Central, which stretches from New York State Museum, the Cooperstown to Syracuse and exhibit “Enterprising Waters: Utica to Binghamton. Not to be New York’s Erie Canal (Phase missed, Beer Tree Brew Co. is a Two),” showcases this historic brewery in a woodland setting. waterway. For further exploraMore good eats can be found tion, Erie Canal Bike Tours ofat the Lost Dog Café, located in fers cycling adventures for an a former cigar factory, sporting Courtesy Discover Albany active add-on to any itinerary. eclectic decor and a local vibe Craft beverages continue to and serving fresh cuisine. And thrive throughout the Capital no visit is complete without Albany’s Palace Theatre Region, and the culinary scene sampling a spiedie, marinated focuses on local ingredients cubes of meat cooked on a skewand innovative dishes. Historic er and typically served in a long homes offer guided tours, meals roll. Imported as a delicacy from and receptions. The FederalItaly and originally made from style Ten Broeck Mansion, comlamb, today’s spiedies feature a pleted in 1798, hosts garden revariety of meats. The ultimate ceptions and inside dining. The spiedie celebration takes place 1830s Pruyn House sits on five in August at the Spiedie Fest acres and hosts dinners in its and Balloon Rally, where more barn or manor. than 100,000 come for the hotReigning as the city’s grand air balloons, the live music and dame of entertainment, the the car show and, of course, to Courtesy Discover Albany Palace Performing Arts Center get their fill of spiedies.

Courtesy Talbot County Office of Tourism originally presented vaudeville Just outside of town, April acts. Today, it’s home to the Althe giraffe and her growing An Erie Canal historical marker bany Symphony Orchestra, worldfamily — Oliver, Tajiri, and Azizi class ballet, concerts, Broadway productions — live at the Animal Adventure Park. Groups and more. Extensive renovations replicated its can feed and have interactive experiences with 1931 design. many of the animals at the park. www.albany.org www.visitbinghamton.org

BINGHAMTON

It’s easy to take a spin in Binghamton, known as the Carousel Capital of the World. Since the 1920s, the city has supported six fully operational carousels. All are listed on the New York State Historic Register and National Register of Historic Places and are free to ride from Memo-

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SYRACUSE

Courtesy Visit Syracuse

An urban renaissance in Syracuse’s historic districts makes exploration a delight. In Franklin Square, the walking path borders picturesque Onondaga Creek. Armory Square’s historic buildings, constructed between 1860 and 1890 near the Erie Canal, are now a prime spot for

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shopping, dining and nightlife.

Hanover Square, the original center of downtown Syracuse, has connections to the Civil War and abolitionist movement. The square’s 1800s European-style buildings house specialty shops, restaurants and pubs. A unique water sculpture stands at the site of the original well and provides an inviting spot to enjoy summer entertainment.

Another popular part of town, Clinton Square began as a major checkpoint on the Erie Canal. The square, which acts as the city center, is within walking distance of numerous sites and serves as the city’s festival area.

In winter, an outdoor ice rink sports the city Christmas tree.

The remainder of the year, the farmers market, a stage for live performances and a picturesque water fountain grace the area.

Syracuse played a major role along the Erie Canal. This engineering marvel, built by hand from Albany to Buffalo,

A Mid-Lakes Navigation cruise Courtesy Visit Syracuse

Beer Tree Brew Co. Courtesy Visit Binghamton

Animal Adventure Park

connected New York City to the Great Lakes via the Hudson River. Housed in the 1850 Weighlock Building, the Erie Canal Museum exhibits artifacts, interactive displays and a replicated canal boat complete with crew quarters, cargo and passenger areas.

If groups want to explore the canal for themselves, the MidLakes Navigation Company offers several options. Cruises include Lockmaster Erie Canal Charters, cruises on the Erie Canal and Skaneateles Lake, and multiday journeys on the canal from May to October.

Back on land, Sampling Syracuse Food Tours offers three-hour walking tours May through October. With a wide range of dishes, from pasta to barbecue and chocolate, many eateries remain family-owned and -operated. Cultural and historic landmarks along the route are pointed out, too. www.visitsyracuse.org

Courtesy Visit Binghamton

visitbinghamton.org

READY. SET. STOP! When your group is ready to kick off its New York adventure, get set with TasteNY, an amazing collection of food, beverage, gift and agricultural products grown or made right here in New York State. There’s no better place to stop than the state-of-the-art Southern Tier Welcome Center near Binghamton.

• Fresh and locally grown/sourced food products: - Sandwiches, pastries and baked goods - Cold and hot beverages - Dairy products and snacks

• I LOVE NY tourism planning resources: - Tourism Ambassador - Interactive kiosks - World-class attractions gallery wall

There are call ahead options for your convenience. Please contact the Welcome Center staff at (607) 775-0156 with any questions.

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• Indoor and outdoor seating for 75 • Handicap accessible • Free wi-fi • Clean and spacious bathrooms • Themed playground for kids • Animal comfort station • Locally made gift items and I LOVE NY merchandise

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SAO MIGUEL, PORTUGAL

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCES EDWARDS KNOWS WHY GROUPS COME BACK TO COLLETTE

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

A

lmost every traveler who goes on a Collette tour travels with the company again.

Jim Edwards, Collette’s vice president, U.S. affinity development, relishes discussing with potential clients why Collette earns such raving reviews.

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR 100 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

Some tour operators come and go. Not Collette. “As many people know, Collette last year celebrated 100 years in business,” said Edwards. The American-owned, family-operated company has an unparalleled record of stability at the top. Three of its four presidents have been members of the Sullivan family, including current president

Jaclyn Leibl-Cote. Leibl-Cote’s father, Dan, and her grandfather, Dan Sr., led the company before her.

CANCELLATION? NO QUESTIONS ASKED

“Our travel protection is probably the No. 1 benefit group planners mention,” said Edwards. “It provides cancellation — with full refund — for any reason 24 hours before departure.” At a recent Select Traveler conference, a bank travel manager told Edwards about a traveler who had had to cancel their trip. Since they had booked with Collette, that traveler was allowed to cancel for a full refund less the cost of the insurance.

“The bank manager didn’t have to fight with an insurance company,” said Edwards.

“They just called Collette, explained what happened and we refunded with their method of payment. It doesn’t even require any paperwork to process.”

Travel protection can cost several hundred dollars, depending on the tour. Banks, chambers and other organizations realize the value, and some will add travel protection and its cost to any tours they offer, Edwards said.

FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ‘FDIC OF GROUP TRAVEL’

Collette is a founding member of USTOA, a nonprofit, professional organization representing the tour operator industry. To be a member, a tour operator must be vetted for financial stability and pay a significant mem-

A CUSTOM CONTENT SERIES FROM COLLETTE

ERG CHEBBI DUNES, MOROCCO

ALBERTA, CANADA

NORTHERN LIGHTS, FINLAND

“Our travel protection is probably the No. 1 benefit group planners mention.”

— JIM EDWARDS

JIM EDWARDS, SECOND RIGHT, AND FAMILY IN LONDON

bership fee. Among USTOA’s roles is travel protection: Should a USTOA travel company go out of business, other members work to assure that its customers don’t lose money or their travel plans. Edwards says group travel planners should make note of this protection, considering that people travel with bank, chamber and alumni groups because they assume those organizations have vetted their travel providers.

“In my opinion and the opinion of many others, USTOA offers the only consumer protection in the group travel industry,” said Edwards. “I wish every group leader would vet companies a little better and use only USTOA members — I think it would solve a lot of problems. I use this analogy: How many people would put their money in a bank that was not FDIC-funded, where deposits are not protected?”

$15 MILLION LIABILITY COVERAGE

Accidents and injuries do happen, but if a traveler is hurt on a Collette trip, the bank,

“Most planners appreciate that consultant approach and rely on our representative to make their job easier.”

— JIM EDWARDS

chamber, school or other Collette partner is covered by Collette’s $15 million liability policy. Edwards points out that the coverage could save an organization from the devastating legal costs of a lawsuit.

FACE-TO-FACE TOUR CONSULTING

Collette has representatives in the U.S. who work with bank, chamber and alumni groups. Many of these partnerships are more than 20 years old.

“They are there from start to finish. Everything is done in face-to-face presenta-

tions. Most companies only have three to a dozen reps; in the U.S. alone we have 43.

Not many people want to spend $4,000 per person [Collette’s average] on a trip and never meet someone from the tour company personally.”

Collette’s representatives act as consultants, offering ideas and advice. Because many planners juggle multiple jobs, they appreciate the personal assistance. For example, instead of a planner sorting through Collette’s 170 itineraries, a representative might suggest several that are currently popular and fit the particular group’s interests. “Most planners appreciate that consultant approach and rely on our representative to make their job easier in fulfilling their members’ travel dreams,” said Edwards.

ASSISTANCE WITH MARKETING

Collette prints four-color mail pieces and covers a portion of the cost, making it easy for group planners to do more than promote the trip in a club newsletter. It creates landing pages that include itineraries, photography, videos and other trip details. These pages can be added to a client’s website or posted to social media.

FULL-TIME TOUR MANAGERS TAKE OWNERSHIP

Collette employs many full-time tour managers around the world who have outstanding knowledge about their destinations, as well as local guides who know the ins and outs of the highlights and restaurant scene in the particular area.

In addition to the full-time tour managers taking ownership of the tours they lead, this approach gives Collette more control over the quality of its tour product.

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER, CANADA

LAKE PUKAKI, NEW ZEALAND

SANTORINI, GREECE

INNOVATIONS, LIKE CHOICE ON TOUR

In addition to adding new destinations, Collette has also expanded trip experiences.

Among its newest innovations is Choice On Tour. “Most organizations have an included sightseeing tour, but we decided, ‘Let’s have an included tour but give folks a choice,’” said Edwards. “For example, on our Canadian Rockies tour, you can ride a snow-coach on a glacier that is 1,000 feet thick or go up 7,000 feet and walk across a glass skywalk to look down on the mountains and glacier.”

All in all, Edwards said, Collette’s experience pays off for group travel leaders in many ways. “When you’ve been doing this such a long time, you have the trial and error behind you and it is just a matter of refining what you do and making it better.”

EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS

BUSINESS OR PERSONAL, EDWARDS GOES COLLETTE LONDON PARLIAMENT

CUSTOMERS MAKE GREAT TRAVEL COMPANIONS

I

t’s no surprise that Jim Edwards travels a lot. In 23 years with Collette, he’s visited six of the seven continents and about 60 countries.

What might surprise is how he and his family vacation. “I always travel with a Collette group, even on personal trips,” said Edwards, vice president, U.S. affinity development.

Among his all-time favorites is a tour he, his wife, their sons, then ages 23 and 11, and Edwards’ brother-in-law, took to London and Paris about three years ago. He and his wife had visited both cities, but like so many travelers, were happy to return.

“People go back to them again and again,” he said. “They both are easy to get in and out of and there is always so much to see and do.”

In London, they enjoyed the theater and historic sites. Edwards tamped down his fear of heights and rode the London Eye, a giant

Ferris wheel that affords wide views of the city. The group took the Chunnel to Paris, where, as in London, they stayed in city-center hotels and dined in restaurants that were all booked by Collette’s tour design teams.

Edwards overcame his aversion to heights again to have dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower, a treat only offered by Collette and a handful of other tour operators. Travelers on the trip included three generations of a family from Cleveland, the Edwards’ hometown. There were also a number of retirees.

“Our 11-year-old was the youngest on the trip and the older travelers thought of him as another grandchild,” Edwards said.

“We’re starting to see more diversity in the demographic as well as multigenerational groups. I always tell my fellow travelers I’m with Collette. I love talking to them, finding out why they booked Collette and how they heard about us.”

THROUGH THE YEARS

ABOUT COLLETTE Collette celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018. The family-owned business is the longest-operating tour company in the U.S., and offers 169 tours to 59 countries.

844-445-5663 www.gocollette.com

LONDON EYE

Downtown Cleveland

Courtesy Destination Cleveland

HEAR IT HERE

cleveland has your group’s music

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Courtesy Destination Cleveland

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Elvis exhibit

Courtesy Rock and Roll HOF

BY ELIZA MYERS

W

hen you travel to Cleveland, be prepared to get the goosebumps.

Groups will enjoy haunting melodies, thumping beats and perfectly pitched voices that ring out nightly at venues across the Ohio city.

Cleveland is known as the rock ‘n’ roll capital of the world; its love affair with music took off around the 1920s with the founding of Playhouse Square, the Cleveland Orchestra and other musical venues.

And rock music swept through the city in the 1960s when Cleveland became a key breakout market for national performers.

The city continues its strong ties to music, which groups can enjoy whether they prefer tunes from George Gershwin or George Harrison. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Orchestra, Music Box and Playhouse Square all strive for high-quality music interpretation while staying relevant to a wide range of music tastes.

Group leaders can plan trips to these Cleveland music attractions to give travelers an auditory treat.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Visitors inspired by the musical genius all around them will soon be able to pick up a guitar and rock out at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Interactive Garage” will open late this year as a permanent exhibit where guests can play real instruments with interactive screens aiding their journey to becoming the next rock star.

Guests to the museum usually first notice the double-pyramid architecture of the glass-enclosed, 150,000-square-foot building. The museum’s striking design reflects the innovative exhibits inside that immerse guests in music from a wide range of genres.

“Seniors might think they don’t want to go in if they don’t like rock ‘n’ roll,” said Jane Tougouma, group tour sales manager for Destination Cleveland. “But the music starts at the 1920s and goes on to modern day. All types of music are included. Docent-led tours are a great way for groups to experience the museum.”

The museum continually rotates exhibits, though a few standout permanent exhibits remain favorites among the site’s seven floors of galleries. The Elvis Presley exhibit features a 14-minute film on the life of the King. Other exhibits chronicle the impact of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix. At the “Power of Rock Experience,” groups can feel like they’ve stepped into a rock hall induction night event with video and audio recordings.

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA

Known around the world as one of America’s “Big Five” orchestras, the Cleveland Orchestra is considered both world-class and accessible.

“The Cleveland Orchestra just celebrated its centennial,” said Tougouma. “They are very group-friendly and affordable. They keep things innovative to reach many people while maintaining their quality. For example, they will host an Aretha Franklin tribute concert this summer that will be very popular.”

The orchestra hosts a Friday evening series for a themed, hourlong performance followed by a post-concert party. This laid-back event is an engaging way to introduce the classical music artform to new listeners.

Visitors marvel not only at the Cleveland Orchestra’s musical prowess but also its main venue: the gorgeous Severance Hall. The 1931 building’s exterior reflects the classical feel of the neighboring

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Cleveland Museum of Art. Inside, visitors find a mix of Art Deco, French Nouveau and Egyptian Revival architectural techniques.

Groups can tour the building while hearing stories from the Cleveland Orchestra’s illustrious past. Those venturing to Cleveland in the summer can attend the Blossom Festival at the Blossom Music Center’s amphitheater. The festival usually incorporates pop culture fare, such as recent shows based on music from “Star Wars” and “Tommy.”

MUSIC BOX

Concert-lovers know the difference between live music and recorded music can prove as stark as the difference between a picture with color and one without. Music Box allows groups to easily experience top-notch music in a venue suitable for groups.

The two-story concert venue sits along the Cuyahoga River with plenty of windows and open space for enjoyable vistas. Attendees regularly hear blues, jazz, soul and Americana musicians on the firstfloor Supper Club stage.

The Supper Club includes a fine-dining menu with local and sustainable cuisine offerings that pair well with toe-tapping tunes. Instead of staying out late after a long day of touring, guests can listen to a concert while enjoying a delicious meal.

The entertainment showplace opened in 2014. In 2015, Cleveland Magazine voted Music Box the city’s favorite live-music venue. Acts range from local favorites to nationally touring bands.

“They are happy to custom tailor the music to fit your group,” said Tougouma. “If they are Sinatra fans, Music Box can arrange a Sinatra tribute band to play that night. Or they can even play that music in the background. They are really flexible when working with groups.”

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

In the early 1970s, several of the theaters on Playhouse Square were slated for demolition to make room for a parking lot. Citizens raised an outcry and managed to save the theaters and reopen Playhouse Square.

Today, Playhouse Square’s 11 theaters host more than 1,000 annual events, including top-billed Broadway shows like “Hamilton.”

Groups can grab tickets to the latest Broadway production or check out what is currently playing, since several of the theaters regularly host concerts, comedy shows and dance performances.

“Cleveland has the largest season ticket holder subscriber database in the United States,” said Tougouma. “We are huge supporters of the arts. Because of this, Broadway shows run for three weeks here, whereas in most cities our size they only run for two weeks.

So when ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ comes here, there will be more chances for groups to go and see it.”

Visitors walking through Playhouse Square will marvel at sparkling marquees, a contemporary streetscape and the world’s largest outdoor chandelier.

Playhouse Square is the largest performing-arts center in the country outside of New York. Upcoming productions include “Mean Girls,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “My Fair Lady.”

Even if you don’t stay for a show, your group can see as many as five of Playhouse Square’s restored theater spaces on a behindthe-scenes tour. The theater company invites groups to go beyond a passive viewing of the performances with customizable experiences, such as after-show discussions, master classes and workshops.

www.thisiscleveland.com

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ARKANSAS

ARTISTRY

BY ELIZA MYERS Art Ventures showcases local and international art.

Courtesy Experience Fayetteville

CREATIVE PURSUITS FUEL FAYETTEVILLE

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BY ELIZA MYERS erforming in front of a crowd without a script could be the stuff of nightmares. But in Fayetteville, Arkansas, improvisation is part of the group travel fun.

Fayetteville’s TheatreSquared has removed the terror from the experience and replaced it with fun. The local production company hosts improv workshops for groups that end with a lot of laughs.

The hometown of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is the state’s third-largest city. Groups love visiting this northwest Arkansas gem for its welcoming locals, nature parks and Fayetteville Ale Trail.

Art has long been close to the heart of this college town. Fayetteville is only a few miles from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and holds several brag-worthy art attractions itself. The city offers groups Broadway productions, theater workshops, glassblowing demonstrations and interactive art galleries.

Fayetteville invites groups to admire and connect with art at these four attractions.

THEATRESQUARED

Groups can unleash their inner creativity with an improv workshop at TheatreSquared. The class works well for participants with no acting experience by explaining how scene building and conquering fears can lead to memorable improv scenes.

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The local production company also leads a beginners acting workshop for groups that would rather focus on theater games, body awareness and internal motivations. These workshops tie in with the production company’s focus on education and accessible theater.

Located in Fayetteville’s downtown and Dickson Street Entertainment District, TheatreSquared produces nationally acclaimed productions as northwest Arkansas’ only year-round professional theater. In 2011, the company received a National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards.

About 45,000 patrons attend productions at TheatreSquared annually. Performances range from well-known to emerging works. Recent shows have included “Once,” “Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberly” and “The Legend of Georgia McBride.”

The company recently broke ground on a permanent home for the professional theater. Estimated to open late this year, the 50,000-square-foot landmark will unite the company’s two intimate theaters, cafe and workshop space.

TERRA ARTS STUDIOS

From delicate light fixtures to troll-shaped trash cans, whimsy has seeped into every inch of Terra Arts Studios. The fanciful gallery building and surrounding gardens originated from the imaginative minds of 20 artists.

Terra Arts Studios owners Leo and Rita Ward designed the property to use art to spark joy. Visitors feel like they’ve entered a fairyland as they walk a garden path past garden gnomes, life-size clay dragons and a Wizard’s chair made of lighted colored glass.

The Wards founded Terra Arts Studios in 1975 with modest plans for a glass and pottery studio open to the public. When Leo created Terra’s signature piece, the “Bluebird of Happiness,” the demand

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outgrew the couple’s mail-order business. Eventually, the studio expanded to include more artists and galleries. The Wards retired in 2007, but their legacy lives on. Terra Arts Studios has produced 8 million glass bluebirds.

Many artists reside on the property while creating their art.

Groups can watch glass crafters create bluebirds in the gallery, shop for local artworks or enjoy the natural Ozarks beauty surrounding the studio.

WALTON ARTS CENTER

When Sam Walton saw the need for a performance space in Fayetteville in the 1980s, he sent a donation to the University of Arkansas. The initial donation from the founder of Walmart connected with funds from the city to create a multipurpose space for conferences and special events.

In 1992, officials decided to place the Walton Arts Center on Dickson Street, halfway between downtown and the university.

In 2016, the center underwent a $23 million renovation and expansion.

Today, the event center hosts artists and entertainers from around the globe for a diverse collection of programming that includes large-scale Broadway touring productions.

With recent productions of “Jersey Boys,” “School of Rock” and “Waitress,” the Walton Arts Center attracts some of the hottest Broadway shows. Arkansas’ largest and busiest center for the performing arts and entertainment also offers dance, theater, concerts, jazz and family programming in three main performance spaces. The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas also performs as a resident company of the center.

The center welcomes 140,000 theatergoers each year. Groups can receive special benefits, such as group discounts, bus parking and promotional materials.

ART VENTURES

Fayetteville has several art galleries, but Art Ventures has long proven a group favorite. Formerly known as the Fayetteville Underground, Art Ventures showcases visual arts from local, national and international artists.

Groups that work with the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau can arrange a studio visit to meet one of the artists and discuss the artist’s works. These meet-and-greet experiences give visitors insight into the artist’s inspiration, techniques and life.

Art Ventures opened in 2009 in the basement of a building in Fayetteville Square. The gallery’s rotating exhibits range in topic; recent shows have included “Clint Brannon’s Animal Kingdom and Chromacolor,” “Interiors in Context” and “Art for the Holidays.”

After their stop, groups can continue their Fayetteville art experience using a Fayetteville Art Walk map that takes groups from one public art installation to another. Sculptures and murals lie at key locations in town, such as the Fayetteville Public Library, the cross at Mount Sequoyah and the castle at Wilson Park.

Other murals brighten the city’s natural areas and parks, which encompass 3,000 acres and 40 miles of paved and natural trails. “Holding On and Letting Go: The Struggles and Strength of the Tsa La Gi” depicts the journey of the Cherokee people along the Trail of Tears.

www.experiencefayetteville.com

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Miss Laura’s Visitor Center | 2 N. B St.

Star of the Western Frontier

Fort Smith is a town rich in living history, immersive art and natural beauty, where groups will enjoy big city amenities packaged alongside a shared spirit of small town hospitality. Start your visit at Miss Laura’s and tour a former Old West bordello that now serves as the city’s visitor center. Then, relive a history that inspired True Grit and other iconic Western tales at Fort Smith National Historic Site. Nearby, explore the majesty of the Ozarks on the A & M Excursion Train, sit where Elvis got his first Army buzz cut at Chaffee Barbershop Museum, or discover The Unexpected gallery of world-renowned outdoor art downtown.

start planning your group tour at

www.tourfortsmith.com

Carolyn Joyce | cjoyce@tourfortsmith.com | (800) 637-1477 @ experiencefortsmith selecttraveler.com @ expfortsmith 37

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DESIGN

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

MIDWESTERN ARCHITECTURE DRAWS GROUPS

Courtesy Choose Chicago

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ot only is the midwestern United States chock full of stories about westward expansion, but the area is also home to many architectural wonders, from tall Art Deco skyscrapers in Chicago to the Usonian style of Frank Lloyd Wright and the midcentury modern designs of Eero Saarinen. Here is a handful of architectural experiences in the Midwest you won’t want to miss.

By Adam Alexander Photography, courtesy Choose Chicago

Top: Groups love the decadence of the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

Bottom: Boat rides on the Chicago River reveal much of the city’s acclaimed architecture.

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MILLER HOUSE AND GARDEN

COLUMBUS, INDIANA The Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana, is one of only a few midcentury modern homes designed by Saarinen. The famous architect designed only a handful of residences during his storied career. He is best known for designing the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Dan Kiley, one of the most iconic landscape architects at the time, designed the geometric landscape, and Alexander Girard did the interior design.

“They are considered the stars of midcentury modernism,” said Erin Hawkins, director of marketing for the Columbus Area Visitors Center.

“There are not a ton of projects they worked together on.”

The home was completed in 1957. It has two glass walls that completely retract to make it a seamless indoor/outdoor experience. The modular storage wall, with adjustable shelves, was a new concept when the home was built. The shelves are filled with folk art from around the world, as Girard was a great collector.

The Miller children donated the property to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, now called Newfields, after their parents passed away. It opened for public tours in 2011.

“People talk about the Miller House in the same way they talk about Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater or Philip Johnson’s Glass House or the Farnsworth House near Chicago,” said Hawkins.

The Miller House is different from these other houses in that it was designed to be lived in. The others were designed as retreat homes or summer homes, she said. Only 13 people are allowed in the house at one time, so groups must be split up.

WWW.CO LUMBUS.IN.US/MILLE R- H O USE -AND-GARDEN-TOUR

Miller House and Garden’s kitchen Courtesy Newfields

Miller House and Garden

Miller House and Garden’s library

Courtesy Newfields

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Courtesy Newfields

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CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER

Chicago Cultural Center

Courtesy Choose Chicago

CHICAGO The Chicago Architecture Center organizes many architectural tours around Chicago. One of its most popular is the Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age tour, which takes guests to 10 buildings in the downtown area, many of them along Michigan Avenue. Visitors see the Wrigley Building, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Palmer House Hotel and other notable buildings constructed between 1890 and 1930. The Carbide and Carbon Building is a 1920 Art Deco building that started its life as an office building. In the early 2000s, it was turned into the St. Jane Hotel. Many of the buildings on the tour have been repurposed.

“There is a lot of adaptive reuse,” said Leslie Clark Lewis, a volunteer docent who leads this and other tours for the Chicago Architecture Center. “It shows you that if you have a great building and you want to extend its life, what it can be used for.” The Chicago Cultural Center started its life as the main branch of the Chicago Public Library.

“The buildings are gorgeous and all different styles during this period of time. Architects designed a lot of historical revival-style buildings,” Clark Lewis said.

The tour is two hours and about a mile and a half of walking. Groups are invited in to see the interiors of four of the buildings.

WWW.ARCHITECTURE.ORG

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

Tourism Cares can help you see the world differently. By participating in our outreach, education and volunteering programs you’ll be able to more successfully connect needs to opportunities.

And, you’ll gain the direction, networking, tools and skills required to shape a more resilient and sustainable future for the destinations and communities we all sell and rely upon. Join us and unite with your industry colleagues to harness the transformative power of travel.

Visit TourismCares.org. See the possibilities.

Join these companies in seeing the possibilities.

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GUTHRIE THEATER

MINNEAPOLIS The Guthrie Theater is a magnificent blue glass structure perched on the Mississippi River. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the building opened in 2006.

“At night it makes the Guthrie mysterious,” said Kemi Ojelade, group sales and tour coordinator. “It disappears at sunset. As the sun lights up, it brings the Guthrie back to life. When you look at the building, it is visual arts on its own. It speaks to the mind and soul. It’s a beautiful building.”

The theater was designed with a cantilevered bridge that stretches 178 feet from the face of the building and overhangs the Mississippi River. It is called the Endless Bridge, and it connects visitors with the water of the river and St. Anthony Falls.

Nouvel loved to play with color; thus, each of the performance spaces in the building has a different color scheme. One has multicolored seating, and one theater is all red.

Groups of all sizes are invited to take tours of the building. Groups will get a history of the building as they visit the backstage area and 27,000-square-foot scene shop. There is also a costume shop, a prop shop, and rehearsal and classroom spaces. Groups will also have the chance to walk around the outside of the structure and take a walk on the Endless Bridge.

Guthrie Theater

By Roland Halbe, courtesy Guthrie Theater

Guthrie Theater’s Amber Box

By Lauren Mueller, courtesy Guthrie Theater

WWW.GUTHRIETHEATER.ORG

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THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOUSE IN EBSWORTH PARK

Still to come in 2019!

July 18 - Sept 1 Sept 5 - Oct 27 Oct 31 - Dec 22

Watch For Our 2019 Season Announcement Soon!

KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park, also known as the Kraus House, is a Wrightdesigned residence that is open to the public as a museum.

“It is a Usonian home, and what is remarkable about it is it has one of the most ambitious geometric designs, based on overlapping parallelograms,” said Kathryn Feldt, executive director of Ebsworth Park.

There are only two right angles in the house.

The furniture and fabrics are all Wright-designed.

“It is a really special experience to walk into the house and see the original intent,” Feldt said.

In many Wright-designed structures, many of the original furnishings were lost.

“To see everything in such beautiful shape is quite remarkable,” she said.

Russell Kraus, who owned the home with his wife, Ruth, was a mosaic and stained-glass artist.

He convinced Wright to install many of his own stained-glass panels in the house. The house itself was built into a grove of persimmon trees and positioned to catch the light just right. Persimmon trees are a “unique-looking tree,” and they “introduce color and real vibrancy to the overall experience of being in the house,” Feldt said.

The red-brick structure combined with concrete, stained glass and tidewater red cypress makes for a Usonian experience not seen elsewhere.

WWW.EBSWORTHPARK.ORG

Kraus House

By William B. Olexy, courtesy Ebsworth Park

Kraus House interior

Superb Musicals | Memorable Dining Family Hospitality | Spectacular Shops 1131 Janesville Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 800-477-9505 | www.firesidetheatre.com 42

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By William B. Olexy, courtesy Ebsworth Park

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Paramount Theatre

Courtesy Paramount Theatre

Paramount Theatre stage Courtesy Paramount Theatre

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA The Paramount Theatre opened its doors in 1928 as the Capitol Theatre. One of the great old movie palaces, the theater recently underwent a major restoration. Groups are welcome to take a guided tour of the building, beginning in the Hall of Mirrors, which is right inside the front door and gives visitors the opportunity to take in all of the little details of the building’s design. The theater has a harvest theme running throughout, with cornucopias, leaves, vines and faces that represent the goddess of harvest among the architectural details.

The ceiling of the theater is the highlight of the building, with gold, pink, blue and yellow standing out in sharp contrast to the deep-red seats below.

The colors are very vibrant, in large part because they have all been refreshed since a flood that damaged the theater in 2008.

“The flood was completely devastating to the building, but we are bigger and better than we could have ever imagined pre-2008,” said Jason Anderson, general manager of the Paramount.

The building got a complete refresh, including new lighting, a sound system and the addition of two new floors. The tour takes groups to the backstage area, and they also get to hear a recording of the theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

WWW.PARAMOUNTTHEATRECR.COM

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FRESH

IDEAS

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

DON’T STAY INDOORS TOO LONG IN THE MIDWEST

Courtesy River Point Resort and Outfitting Company

F

rom volcanic sandstone cliffs and scenic rivers to pine forests and plains, the Midwest is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Adventurous groups can canoe into one of the most pristine wildernesses in the country, relax on a guided riverboat cruise or hop on horses or mountain bikes to see what awaits on rugged backcountry trails.

Courtesy River Point Resort and Outfitting Company

Top: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness features breathtaking scenery.

Bottom: Groups can enjoy a peaceful canoe trip on the South Kawishiwi River.

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RIVER POINT RESORT AND OUTFITTING COMPANY

ELY, MINNESOTA The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota is one of the most-visited natural areas of its kind in the U.S., with 150,000 annual visitors. What makes the area special is it is made up of numerous lakes and rivers connected by short trails. No mechanized vehicles are allowed.

River Point Resort and Outfitting Company is primely situated on a mile of coastline on the South Kawishiwi River. The serene water and breathtaking views allow groups to quickly get away from it all and still get pampered along the way.

“People need to get away to these places that are special so they can decompress and get their balance back in place,” said Jane Koschak, owner of the company.

The River Point Resort is the jumping-off point for all guided canoe trips. Groups can book rooms in the resort’s bunkhouses or chalets before their scheduled canoe trips and meet with their guides to map out a preferred route through the Boundary Waters. They also can take advantage of the resort’s amenities, like fishing, paddleboating, kayaking and canoeing. If visitors have never paddled a canoe, the resort’s staff will take them out in the protected bay area to teach them.

Visitors of all ages and experience levels can canoe the boundary waters. All meals are included in the trip, and River Point Resort and Outfitting Company provides all the necessary gear.

ELYOUTFITTERS.COM

KEWEENAW ADVENTURE COMPANY

Sea kayaking on Lake Superior

By Chris Miller Photography, courtesy Keweenaw Adventure Company

A guided bike ride in Copper Harbor, Michigan

COPPER HARBOR, MICHIGAN Keweenaw Adventure Company is a small guided outfitting company that offers both sea kayaking and world-class mountain biking tours in Copper Harbor, Michigan, a small town on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Lake Superior. The peninsula was formed by ancient volcanoes, so everything in the area is rocky and rugged, said Sam Raymond, president of the company.

Group adventures can include a combination of sea kayaking, hiking or mountain biking. Mountain biking trails in the area are moderate to difficult, but Raymond and his staff offer a 2.5-hour introduction to mountain biking tour that includes basic instruction and time to ride some easier trails.

The sea kayaking is a little more laid-back for people who want to enjoy the scenery without exerting themselves too much. They get a front row seat to the rocky and rugged shorelines and the remnants of ancient volcanoes that can be seen beneath the boat through crystal-clear water.

The tours point out arches, sea caves and sea stacks as groups paddle in the area. The town can accommodate 1,000 visitors, and there are several great trails, nature sanctuaries and preserves in the area.

WWW.KEWEENAWADVENTURE.COM

Courtesy Keweenaw Adventure Company

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Dells Boat Tours

DELLS BOAT TOURS

WISCONSIN DELLS, WISCONSIN The Dells of the Wisconsin River are glacially formed sandstone gorges and rock formations that are a major tourist attraction. The best way to see the Dells is by boat, and Dells Boat Tours offers tours for groups of 35 to 175 people.

In the Upper Dells portion of the river, all the land is protected. There are no hotels or big resorts on the water. It is beautiful, pristine wilderness, said Stephanie Gunderson, group sales manager for Dells Boat Tours.

“We traverse that part of the river and tell you the history of tourism in the Wisconsin Dells,” she said.

The tour allows guests to make two shore stops along the way: one at Witches Gulch canyon and the other at Stand Rock, a large pillar of sandstone that looks like a tall cocktail table. Both locations are accessible only through Dells Boat Tours. The canyon takes visitors on winding walkways through narrow rock canyons.

WWW.DELLSBOATS.COM

RIVER CITY STAR

Courtesy Dells Boat Tours

OMAHA, NEBRASKA The River City Star, a 1940s-era paddle-wheel-style riverboat based in Omaha, Nebraska, plies the Missouri River.

“It looks like a paddle wheeler, but the Missouri River has the fastest current of any river its size, so ours is a look-alike paddle wheeler with jet engines,” said Tami Bader, director of fun and general manager for the company.

The riverboat has two levels. The lower level is fully enclosed with seating, a bar and restrooms.

The upper level is where the captain’s pilot house is located, and guests can take advantage of the openair seating. The riverboat holds up to 145 people.

The River City Star offers one-hour scenic river cruises as well as lunch, dinner and party cruises.

The party cruises include a happy hour with a band.

Private groups can book the entire riverboat. The ride takes guests north past Freedom Park, a U.S. Naval Museum that is home to the USS Marlin SST2 Submarine and the USS Hazard AM-240 Minesweeper, to the old Illinois Central Missouri River Bridge, which was once the longest-working double-swing railway bridge in the world. The cruise also goes under the Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, which allows people to walk between the Nebraska and Iowa border, and then travels past the Omaha and Council Bluffs riverfronts.

Sightseeing cruises include a running narration from the captain. On the lunch cruises, the River City Star offers passengers a deli buffet, and the dinner cruises offer a two-entree dinner buffet with live entertainment.

WWW.RIVERCITYSTAR.COM

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MILLBROOK TRAIL RIDES

River City Star

MILLBROOK, ILLINOIS Millbrook Trail Rides is on a farm that shares borders with a local forest preserve. It offers guided horseback-riding trips and hayrides, as well as a petting zoo with goats, potbelly pigs and miniature horses.

Visitors Sea kayaking on Lake Superior can also learn how to groom horses and how to tack up horses.

The two-hour rides start out on the farm and take riders through the farm’s pasture and fields to the forest preserve, which has a rugged trail.

The trail ends up paralleling the Fox River before it heads back to the farm. The tractor-pulled hayride lets its 15 passengers sit in hayracks instead of enclosed carts. The hayride takes guests through the water and even through a cattle herd.

Close to Yorkville, Aurora and Joliet, Illinois, Millbrook Trail Rides gets a lot of visitors from Chicago. Guests don’t need riding experience, but they do need to be physically healthy and have no problem with balance, said Meredith Sleezer, manager at Millbrook Trail Rides.

“We’re close to the suburbs but rural enough that people do feel like they are getting a really authentic experience,” she said.

The farm is close to Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area and a Jellystone Park campground, and many group travelers will coordinate A group horseback trip with a full day’s tour of the area with a trail or hayride at Millbrook as part of Millbrook Trail Rides their itinerary.

WWW.MILLBROOKTRAILRIDES.COM

Courtesy River City Star

Millbrook Trail Rides

Courtesy Millbrook Trail Rides

Courtesy Millbrook Trail Rides

GO ANYWHERE, DO ANYTHING AND SEE IT ALL! Customize your next road trip with Be Native Tours and create a personalized experience for any group. From iconic landmarks and local attractions to Native American and Western culture, let Be Native Tours create a special itinerary of your choice. Whether it’s across the country or down the road, your group travel adventure will be anything but ordinary.

For information, contact:

MORGAN PRIM 405-642-4082 | morgan.prim@chickasaw.net M A Y / J U N E

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PACKED

HOUSES

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

MIDWEST STADIUMS OFFER GREAT TOURS

Courtesy Kansas City Chiefs

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ou might think that once you’ve seen one stadium, you’ve seen them all.

But every stadium has its own history and highlights special places that make fans swoon.

Here is a selection of Midwest stadiums that offer behind-the-scenes group tours.

Courtesy Kansas City Chiefs

Top: The Kansas City Chiefs draw a packed stadium.

Bottom: Groups can marvel at Arrowhead Stadium’s grand entrance.

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ARROWHEAD STADIUM

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI The Kansas City Chiefs played their first game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 12, 1972, against the St. Louis Cardinals (before they became the Arizona Cardinals). The stadium made headlines when it was built because of its amazing sightlines and because it was not built as a multipurpose stadium as many built in the 1970s were. It originally could hold 79,491 fans.

The stadium was built right next door to Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals baseball team, and the two stadiums share one of the biggest parking lots in professional sports. Arrowhead Stadium underwent a $375 million renovation, modernization and expansion project in 2006 that increased the footprint of the stadium to 1.25 million square feet and added numerous event spaces.

The new additions reduced the number of seats in the stadium to 76,416. A Founders Plaza was added on the north side of the building to honor the former owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Hunt. Visitors to the stadium can take a 90-minute tour that includes the press box, the club level, the locker room, the field and the Chiefs’ Hall of Honor, a 26,000-square-foot museum that pays homage to Hunt and the American Football League he founded. It houses many artifacts from the eight AFL teams and includes a players Hall of Fame. Private guided tours are available anytime.

WWW.CHIEFS.COM

MEMORIAL STADIUM

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA Memorial Stadium, home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, is an intimidating sight for visiting teams. On game day, the stands turn into a sea of red, with fans decked out in Nebraska colors. Memorial Stadium was first built in 1923 with stands on the east and west sides of the playing field. At that time, the stadium, on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, could hold only 31,080 people. It was named Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium to honor those Nebraskans who fought and died for their country during wartime.

Over the years, the stadium has seen its share of additions, including a field house, additional stands, luxury suites and club seats. The Osborne Athletic Complex was built in the mid-2000s. Today, the stadium houses 92,000 screaming fans at a time, making Memorial Stadium the third-largest city in Nebraska on game days.

The stadium gives tours throughout the year.

Groups start in the lobby of the north entrance of the Osborne Athletic Complex, where they can see the team’s national and bowl game trophies. They then watch a video of a tunnel walk out onto the field before they get to make the same trek themselves. Tours are about an hour long and include a look at the Hawks Championship Center, the Huskers’ indoor practice facility that features a 120-yard field.

WWW.HUSKERS.COM

Courtesy Memorial Stadium

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BUSCH STADIUM

Busch Stadium

Courtesy Explore St. Louis

ST. LOUIS The most recent incarnation of Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, opened in 2006. It is the third stadium in St. Louis to carry the name. The current stadium overlaps the site of the former Busch Memorial Stadium and includes a major ballpark district called Ballpark Village, with restaurants, sports bars and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum. The site will also have a reproduction of the former stadium’s baseball diamond, built on the exact spot where the previous stadium’s diamond was situated.

“The infield of the previous stadium is a construction zone now, but it will be rebuilt and put back in so fans will have a chance to run the bases again of the previous ballpark where so many of their heroes played,” said Brian Finch, manager of stadium tours and museum operations for Busch Stadium. “It will be a unique place for Cardinals fans to congregate.”

Stadium tours are offered year-round. Public tours include a ticket to the Hall of Fame Museum. Private tours can include both the stadium and the museum as well. Visitors get to tour the radio broadcast booth, see the team’s World Series trophies in the Champions Club and step inside the Cardinals dugout. The Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, the last one in 2011. There have been two World Series wins in Busch Stadium since it opened in 2006. Busch Stadium likes to keep its group tours to 40 people or less. Larger tour groups must be broken into smaller groups to maximize everyone’s enjoyment.

WWW.MLB.COM/CARDINALS

OHIO STADIUM

your Adventure Begins at visitkansasCitykS.com 800.264.1563

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COLUMBUS, OHIO Ohio Stadium is approaching its 100th anniversary. Built in 1921, the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team is one of the few stadiums in the country that is on the National Register of Historic Places. When it was first built, it could handle a crowd of 66,210 people. The largest crowd it ever had was 110,000 people at the Michigan game in 2016.

Typically, the stadium seats about 102,000 people.

The Buckeyes have the largest alumni association of any public university, making Ohio State football games a big draw. Groups are welcome to take a 90-minute walking tour of the stadium, including the Huntington Club level and one of the largest collegiate press boxes in the country. They will also tour the Steinbrenner Band Center, the Yassenoff Recruit Center and the field.

“The field is the big draw,” said Cassie Bernard, assistant director of event management for the stadium. “Everyone wants to be in the middle of Block O [the student section of the stadium] taking selfies there and doing snow angels there.”

The suites are on the highest level of the stadium where visitors get a bird’s-eye view of the field and campus. The recruit room is a highlight of the tour, decorated with Ohio State-specific decor, including big helmet couches and chairs. The walls are decorated with photos of Heisman trophy winners and OSU players who have gone on to play in the NFL. WWW.OHIOSTATEBUCKEYES.COM

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LUCAS OIL STADIUM

IN DIANAPOLIS Lucas Oil Stadium is the home of the Indianapolis Colts football team.

The state-of-the-art stadium was built in 2005 at a cost of $720 million.

It replaced the RCA Dome, which was one of the smallest stadiums in professional football. The first game played at Lucas Oil Stadium was in 2008 against the Chicago Bears. The stadium has a retractable roof and movable glass windows on the north side, giving fans an unobstructed view of the Indianapolis skyline. The roof can open and close in under 11 minutes. The stadium seats 63,000 people but can seat 70,000 people during larger events.

The stadium has two of the largest high-definition videoboards in the NFL, with three screens each that are 97 feet wide by 53 feet high.

It also has 139 luxury suites. The field’s surface is Fieldturf, and it sits 25 feet below street level, allowing the stadium to blend in better with its surrounding neighborhood. The stadium is connected to the Indiana Convention Center by a climate-controlled walkway.

Both public and private guided tours of the stadium are available. The tours last about 90 minutes and include visits to the playing field, the press box, a locker room and other areas, depending on time and availability.

Ohio Stadium

Courtesy Ohio State University

Lucas Oil Stadium’s Peyton Manning statue

WWW.LUCASOILSTADIUM.COM

By Matt Carlson

A WEEK’S WORTH OF SIGHTS. ALL IN A DAY TRIP.

CIRCLEWISCONSIN.COM M A Y / J U N E

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|

414-545-1100

GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDEN

HORICON MARSH VISITOR CENTER

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known

F O R

GIRLFRIEND MAGNOLIA MARKET AT T H E S I LO S

A KEITH URBAN CONCERT

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

WACO, TEXAS Courtesy Nashville CVC

NASHVILLE IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S most popular destinations for girlfriend getaways and bachelorette parties. Women’s groups often head to iconic eatery Hattie B’s for a plate of its famed Nashville hot chicken before visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the evening, groups can go to Honky Tonk Central at Robert’s Western Wear, where they can order a burger, listen to live music and buy a pair of cowboy boots in the same place and have a nightcap at Black Rabbit, a 1920s-style speakeasy.

On day two, groups can have a hearty Southern breakfast at Biscuit Love and spend the morning exploring the shops of the Hillsboro neighborhood. They can have lunch at Martin’s Bar-Be-Que Joint before exploring the quaint historic Germantown neighborhood and enjoy a group spa treatment at Renew Wellness Spa along with a sweet treat from the Cupcake Connection. Groups will love local favorite Acme Feed and Seed for dinner before catching a show at the Grand Ole Opry.

On day three, groups can explore the Parthenon in Centennial Park to learn why Nashville was nicknamed “the Athens of the South.” They can finish the day with any last-minute shopping to end the Nashville weekend..

WWW.VISITMUSICCITY.COM

Courtesy Waco CVB

THE POPULARITY OF CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES’ HGTV show “Fixer Upper” may have put Waco on the map, but the city offers plenty to do. Groups can start their trip with a photo at the #MilesToMagnolia sign before visiting one of several homes featured on the show that are available to tour.

“People want to experience Waco because they value a welcoming home, comfort and personal relationships,” said Carla Pendergraft, director of marketing at the Waco Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “We have the Magnolia Trail for ‘Fixer Upper’ fans, but we have so much more. People don’t just visit once, they come again and again to keep discovering.”

Groups can spend their first day exploring the shops featured on the HGTV series, among them the Cedar Chest Antique Mall, the Black Oak Art Studio and Harp Design Co. Lunch at the Gaines’ Magnolia Table is a must. Beyond Magnolia Market at the Silos and the Magnolia Warehouse Shop, decor shops in Waco abound. For dinner, diners can try the Gut Pak at Vitek’s BBQ, a local riff on Frito pie.

On day two, groups can enjoy breakfast at Lula Jane’s, known locally for its pastries, then spend the afternoon with Waco Wine Tours tasting wine and exploring how it’s made. After lunch at local farm-to-table Café Homestead, they can spend the afternoon exploring the Homestead Heritage Traditional Crafts Village, which includes shopping for handicrafts, touring the workshops and exploring the farm.

WWW.WACOHEARTOFTEXAS.COM

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GETAWAYS SHOPPING IN NEWPORT

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

By Erin McGinn, courtesy Discover Newport

THE CITY-BY-THE-SEA has long been a favorite escape for the aristocracy. Today, it’s a laid-back place to relax. Groups can start with a stroll on the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile path with crashing waves on one side and historic mansions and museums on the other.

Among the most famous is the Breakers and Rosecliff. For dinner, visit America’s oldest tavern, the White Horse Tavern, built in 1673, a favorite of Jackie O’s.

“Newport is an ideal destination for a girlfriends’ getaway because whether traveling with a group of your greatest gal pals or simply your bestie by your side, you can choose your own adventure,” said Andrea McHugh, senior communications manager at Discover Newport.

On day two, groups can spend the morning on the luxurious Water Journey at the Bodhi Spa. In the afternoon, they can explore Newport’s unique eateries on a food tour with Rhode Island Red Food Tours, where they’ll also explore local history. Groups won’t want to miss the sunset from the rooftop bar at the Vanderbilt hotel with views of the boat-studded sea.

Day three, groups can start with breakfast at Belle’s Cafe, where the pancakes come with a view of the harbor. Groups can explore the boutiques and galleries along the cobblestone paths of Bowen’s and Bannister’s Wharves to work up an appetite for a cup of clam chowder at the Black Pearl, a Newport classic, or local oysters on the half shell at the Clarke Cooke House, another staple.

BY REBECCA TREON

H YAT T R E G E N C Y S C O T T S D A L E R E S O R T

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA Courtesy Experience Scottsdale

SCOTTSDALE IS FAMOUS for its resorts, and girlfriend groups will find plenty of luxurious experiences at a variety of properties in the area. Groups should be sure to take the expression “Treat yourself!” to heart with a service at the Joya Spa, which features a Morocco-inspired hammam. In the evening, they’ll want to head outdoors for a bespoke dinner under the desert stars with Cloth and Flame.

“Scottsdale is an ideal destination for a getaway, with first-rate accommodations and amenities in a lush desert setting,” said Rachel Sacco, CEO of Experience Scottsdale. “From hiking and horseback riding to hot-air-balloon rides, the opportunities are endless and just minutes from Scottsdale’s vibrant downtown.”

Scottsdale is a popular hiking destination, so on day two, groups can challenge themselves to one of the area’s popular hikes, like the 4.5-mile Gateway Loop. For a taste of Native American culture, they can pay a visit to the Heard Museum in neighboring Phoenix and, afterward, head back to Scottsdale’s Old Town district and have lunch on the patio at Olive and Ivy. The afternoon can be spent sipping their way through the six wine-tasting rooms on the Wine Trail.

On day three, groups can enjoy poolside yoga or spin at the resort before heading to brunch at the Breakfast Club. The day can be spent shopping in town at local boutiques like Leela Market and Carmen while indulging in some sweet treats at Super Chunk or Diego Pops, the perfect end to a Scottsdale vacation.

WWW.EXPERIENCESCOTTSDALE.COM

WWW.DISCOVERNEWPORT.ORG

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P R O G R A M

THERE’S MORE TO PRICING THAN PRICE

BY ELIZA MYERS

M

ost people who walk into a wine store unsure of what to buy will know how much they want to pay. They will most likely select a bottle within that price range even if a cheaper brand would delight their taste buds just as much.

Price is tied up with people’s identity, whether consciously or not. This makes pricing loyalty program group travel tours more complex than just packaging the cheapest tour offering. Instead, when considering the tour’s tab, you should continually examine and reexamine several factors that determine that final price.

Price is one of the Seven P’s of Marketing. Travel planners know that a good price can help a trip sell out and a bad one can ensure that nobody signs up.

In the past two issues, we examined the marketing techniques of product and place. Both techniques rely on research gathered by the travel planner to determine what type of tour their customers want. With this information in hand, you can also price your tours in such a way that your potential travelers will be happy to pay for them.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

Instead of starting with a dollar amount and then choosing a tour, the first step toward cost estimation involves determining the type of tour that reflects the interests of your potential travelers and that represents your organization’s perceived values.

For example, alumni organizations often choose tours based on both educational potential and demand from members.

Knowing your ideal travel product will help you know what tour extras to include and what to leave out. For example, accommodations often determine the largest portion of the bill. If you already know your travelers value hotels close to downtown, the price will rise. If they value a good deal, you can take the cost down by choosing a hotel outside of town.

Dining also greatly affects prices. Budget tours don’t include as many meals and offer mainly buffets. Upscale tours opt for included meals at high-end restaurants. Many tours lie somewhere in between with a focus on local restaurants but a more casual atmosphere.

Other factors that can affect the cost include length of tour, timing, attractions and exclusive experiences. Again, look to the group’s preferences for guidance on each of these items. If a bank planner knows their members value free time, that planner can include more free time in the tour to placate independent travelers as well as drive the costs down.

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CREATIVE COSTS

You can zero in on the ideal pricing for your trips by weighing the preferences of your group members with the expenses involved in delivering those experiences. Whether you build the tour from scratch or simply select an itinerary from an operator, this information is useful for knowing what types of tours and amounts to look for.

Even when partnering with a tour operator, many travel planners customize the tour further. For example, many alumni planners will create events for other alumni living in the area.

Chamber of commerce planners will build behind-the-scenes or experiential activities to add more exclusivity to the tour. This customization costs extra but can provide the extra value that your members crave.

If you believe that a tour operator’s trip seems perfect except for the price, don’t give up. Many companies can work with you to bring down their price through various changes, such as time of year, more free time or less expensive hotels. Don’t assume the itinerary presented is set in stone.

Most group travel planners fall somewhere between the cheapest option and the most expensive. If your travelers express a high concern about expenses, then try various cost-cutting methods to see which ones work the best for your members.

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WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?

Even cookie-cutters tour will vary greatly in price depending on the location. A trip to New Zealand will almost certainly come with a greater sticker shock than a trip to Ireland because of the unavoidable transportation costs.

Groups leaders handle this in a variety of different ways. Some only travel to places that fall under a certain price point. Others will sell a set amount of bargain travel options mixed with more costly exotic trips. This way they reach members with a range of travel budgets. These decisions often reflect the results from member surveys revealing the destinations they most want to see. Travelers that refuse to pay for a trip to Great Britain might shell out a fortune to walk on the Great Wall of China if that ex-

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perience ranks high on their bucket lists.

If you’re smart, you’ll never be finished calculating prices.

Tour prices need to be constantly reevaluated. Compare the tour costs at organizations with similar tours to see if your rate is still competitive.

Even if you have the ideal tour with a well-calculated price, you might still have trouble finding members willing to commit.

Price promotions and discounts can create a sense of urgency for travelers on the fence to go ahead and sign up.

Test out early-bird deals, bring-a-friend discounts or special rates for repeat customers. These sales encourage travel planners to grab their credit cards so they don’t miss out on your next exciting tour.

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C A R E E R

C O R N E R

STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP

give new associates a chance to succeed

BY BRIAN JEWELL

T

raining new team members can be one of the most important things you do for your organization. It’s worth taking some time to do it right.

If your affinity program is growing, you will eventually need to bring new team members on board to help you develop member relationships, plan and market tours, manage pretrip logistics and even go out on the road with groups. You may also need to replace existing team members who move on to other things or even prepare someone to take your role in the organization when you retire.

Whatever the context, the training period is crucial in any new employee’s development. If you cut corners on training employees, you will limit their effectiveness, fall short of your organization’s objectives and, ultimately, create more trouble for yourself.

Here are 10 tips to help you ensure that your new team members become a valuable part of your travel program.

1) HIRE FOR CULTURE.

The most successful employee training starts long before their first day on the job. To ensure that new team members will thrive in your organization, you need to make sure they’re a cultural fit. If you’re able to have any input in interviewing outside candidates for a position or selecting existing employees to take on a new responsibility, look for people whose personalities and attitudes fit well with yours. It’s also helpful to consider the culture of your club because the way new team members interact with customers will have a big impact on the effectiveness of your program.

2) COMMUNICATE WITH CLARITY.

The training phase of a new employees’ time on the

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job is critical because many of the habits, practices and precedents that will drive those team members throughout their time with you will be established early on. It’s important for you to communicate clearly from the beginning. Make sure your new teammates understand exactly what is expected of them, and spend some time defining success for their roles. If there are any cardinal rules of your organization, make sure to explain them early in your relationships.

3) TEACH THEM YOUR ‘WHY.’

When you start working with new employees, you’ll likely have a lot of practical things to teach them. But while you work through their task lists with them, don’t forget to take some time to make sure they understand the greater purpose of their work. Whether it’s increasing customer deposits, engendering good will toward your university or growing relationships in your business community, a sense of purpose should drive everything your team does. If your team members grasp the “why” behind the “what,” they’ll be well equipped to deal with all sorts of challenges.

4) MAKE TIME FOR TRAINING.

One of the most common mistakes people make when on-boarding new team members is not dedicating enough time to train them. If you have so much work that you have to bring in another person just to get it all done, you may feel like you don’t have time to stop and teach them what to do. But dedicating a few days or even weeks to getting someone up to speed can be a worthwhile investment. Welltrained team members work much more quickly and effectively than those who are left to figure things out for themselves.

Top: Travel planners should hire team members able to interact well with customers.

Bottom: A group admires the Roman city of Jerash in Jordan.

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5) PREPARE A CHEAT SHEET.

Your new team members are going to come to work on their first day prepared to learn, so if you’re in charge of training them, you should come that day prepared to teach. A good way to do that is to spend some time before they arrive putting together a cheat sheet, a handbook, a reference guide or some other documentation that will help them. This can include specific procedures, lists of helpful information or answers to frequently asked questions. Giving your new team members resources like this at the beginning can make the training more efficient.

6) TAKE THEM ON TRIPS.

If your new team members’ duties will include escorting customers on trips, it’s vital that you take them on the road as part of their training. When you’re on tour together, your trainees will see how you interact with customers, how you manage trip logistics and what procedures you have in place in case of emergencies. And even if the new employees’ jobs won’t require them to travel with the group, joining in on at least short trips will help them have a more thorough understanding of your organization’s goals.

7) TAKE THEM TO CONFERENCES.

If you regularly attend conferences, like the Select Traveler Conference, you should make a habit of bringing new team members along with you. Attending professional events together is a great way to carve out a dedicated chunk of time with new team members, and you’ll have lots of opportunities to talk about the ins and outs of your work while at the conference. And having them at the event may enable you to take more appointments and attend more educational sessions.

Tour

SOUTHEAST INDIANA

Bees, Birds &

Butterflies Explore the natural world in Southeast Indiana – where our garden centers, artists, farms, wetlands area, brewery and feed mill offer one-of-akind group experiences and hands-on fun.

8) GIVE THEM BIG ASSIGNMENTS.

Some lessons can only be learned through experience. Once new teammates have a general understanding of what they’re supposed to be doing, it’s time to give them an assignment and let them try things for themselves. You might be tempted to limit the scope of their work or micromanage them along the way, but this is counterproductive. Your new employees will be eager to demonstrate their ability, so you should give them significant assignments and then make yourself available to help as they work through them.

Experience the Oxbow Wetlands

9) GIVE MEANINGFUL FEEDBACK.

Once your trainees start tackling significant assignments for themselves, your role shifts from giving them instruction to giving them feedback. Unfortunately, many supervisors fall short in this area. They either share only positive feedback because they don’t want to risk hurting the new team members, or they give feedback only when they find something to criticize. Avoid both these traps. Your teammates need positive feedback when they do something well, especially if they are young. And sharing constructive criticism with kindness will help them grow much more than avoiding difficult conversations.

Build a birdhouse OHIO Indianapolis

10) ASK FOR THEIR INSIGHTS.

Once you have taught employees the basics of their new responsibilities, given them the resources they need and helped guide them through a few projects, you have an opportunity to ask them for their insights. There may be things you have done for a long time that don’t make sense to a newcomer. Perhaps they have ideas for making your operations more efficient or increasing interactions with customers.

These new points of view can be helpful, so make sure your new team members know that you want feedback from them, too.

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

w e ’ v e

B E E N

Willamette University SALEM, OREGON TRIP: Antarctica, The Falklands and Cape Horn TOUR OPERATOR: Vantage Deluxe Travel CRUISE COMPANY: Hurtigruten DATE: February and March 2018 A group of 16 Willamette alumni and friends spent 20 days exploring the Chilean Fjords, the Drake Passage, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and Montevideo, Uruguay. They especially enjoyed viewing different species of penguins and the sheer beauty of the Chilean Fjords and Antarctic landscapes.

“This trip, of all the ones we have offered, was truly an adventure that created many special memories. We highly recommend it.”

— JIM BOOTH, BEARCAT EXPLORERS TRAVEL LIAISON

Unity National Bank PIQUA, OHIO TRIP: An Irish Adventure TOUR OPERATOR: World of Travel DATE: May 2018 For 11 days, a group from Unity National Bank’s Freedom Years travel program discovered the highlights of Ireland. Stops included Mallow, Dublin, the Ring of Kerry, the Lakes of Killarney and other picturesque towns across the country.

“We enjoyed some small-group activities, such as lunch at Longueville House in Mallow, a day trip to the Dingle Peninsula and pony cart rides through the Gap of Dunloe. We also loved the 5,000-year-old tombs of Newgrange in the Boyne Valley.”

— MELISSA LEINGANG, FREEDOM YEARS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

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GOOD TIMES ARE INEVITABLE

BRING YOUR GROUP TOUR TO LIFE. Hands-on experiences and uncommon access offered exclusively for groups.

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

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