HEARTLAND BEAT Summer 2013 Join The d n a l t r Hea e c n e i r Expe
Destinations: Graceland
Buffalo/Niagara, New York Greater Cleveland Aquarium Laurel Highlands, PA
Whitewater Rafting in the Laurel Highlands
Welcome to our first edition of the Heartland Beat. We are so pleased to be adding this new electronic publication to our Heartland Travel Showcase experience.
In This Issue:
4 The Heartland Experience State Travel Focus
5 Illinois
Explore Lake County
6 Indiana/Iowa
Visit Lafayette-Weste Lafayette CVB
7 Kentucky 8 Michigan/Minnesota
In it, we will highlight our exhibitors’ new products and services, creative itineraries and FAM opportunities. It will also afford us the ability to keep up with contact changes for both our exhibitors and buyers. Most importantly, it will be filled with information about the Heartland Travel Showcase experience itself and offer you opportunities to register for our 2014 Show. With so many new and wonderful experiences waiting for you, don’t delay! Debbie Robinson Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB
9 New York
Beautiful Buffalo/ Niagara
10 Ohio
from s g n i t e e r G and l t r a e H s ’ America
So, much to discover!
Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ohio Storytelling Festival
12 Kentucky 13 Pennsylvania
Big Mac Museum
14 Tennesee/West Virginia/Wisconsin See Beautiful Graceland!
Announcing the Newly Redesigned HeartlandTravelShowcase.com! http://www.heartlandtravelshowcase.com
Heartland Travel Showcase has launched a newly redesigned website full of features to ensure you get the most out of your Heartland Experience! From the new site, you will be able to: Register For Heartland 2014! Become a Heartland Sponsor View photos form Heartland 2013 Interact with other Heartland Attendees
Heartland Travel Showcase Announces Partnership with American Bus Association 5/24/2014 - Columbus, Ohio Heartland Travel Showcase, one of the largest North American regional motorcoach showcases announces a strategic partnership with American Bus Association. ABA will provide educational seminars for Tour Operators and Destination Exhibitors attending the 2014 Heartland Travel Showcase in Toledo, Ohio. Additionally, registrants for Heartland Travel Showcase will have unlimited free access to monthly ABA webinars as well as additional perks for Tour Operators and Exhibitors attending both shows.e
Summer Fun in the Land of Lincoln (Clockwise from right)
War Horses & War Heroes features the Tempel Lipizzan Stallions & Historic Fort Sheridan John Hancock Observatory Strolling in beautiful Lake County, Il
Magnificent Illinois Beyond the Windy City! FAM Tour President Obama’s Chicago October 17-19, 2013 Ongoing Experience Place de le Musique, The Village Tavern, The Citadel Theatre and dine at “The Shanty” from Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives” Contact Jayne Nordstrom, CTIS at Lake County CVB. Jayne@lakecounty.org / (847) 662-2702
Barack Obama’s remarkable story comes alive through the experiences of the day. See where he and Michelle met, the Obama family home, and University of Chicago. Contact Leah Joy Axelrod at My Kind of Town Tours. tourtimeinc@att.net (847) 432-7003
IOWA
SO UNEXPECTED! For Tour Information: Pella CVB (888) 746-3882
EXPERIENCE INDIANA RDM Aquaculture Shrimp Fam http://www.rdmshrimp.com/ (765)583-0052 Learn how Salt Water Shrimp are raised right here in Indiana! You will have an opportunity to talk to the owners, tour the facility, learn the shrimp farming process and then have an opportunity to purchase some shrimp if you would like (be sure to bring a cooler with ice).
TIPPCO Fish (765) 538-3195 See how Tilapia are raised right here in Central Indiana! You will have an opportunity to talk to the owner, tour the facility and learn the tilapia farming process!
Pella has received many acknowledgments. A few of the awards Pella has been honored with include: “Tourism Community of the Year”; “Attraction of the Year”, Pella Corporation as well as our county (Marion County) has been awarded “County of the Year”, by the State of Iowa, five times! If you’re looking for an educational and cultural experience, we’ve got it! Outdoor recreation yearround, we’ve got that! Maybe it’s walking the trails around Lake Red Rock or enjoying the many shops around the square. It all happens in Pella!
In 2013.... 302 Suppliers Exhibited at Heartland 6072 Appointments were available 100 Tour Operators Attended
UNIQUELY KENTUCKY
For Tour Information, contact: Berea Tourism Commission info@berea.com/ (800)598-5263
Berea is home to a thriving population of weavers, instrument makers, furniture artisans, jewelry designers, glass workers, potters, painters, sculptors, and musicians. The story of Berea’s artisan community is interwoven with the historic Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. Berea has a longstanding tradition of diversity, social justice, environmental responsibility, and community service. Both college and town are committed to the practice of sustainability and conservation.
Memorable M
3 can’t miss places
Don’t Miss!
Majestic Minnesota For Group Tour Information, contact: Meet Minneapolis Group Sales caseyk@minneapolis.org/ 800.445.7412, ext. 8106 World-class attractions. A multitude of group travel services. The country’s friendliest residents ready to serve you once you’re here. Find it all in Minneapolis. Through valuable services such as itinerary building, hotel referrals, promotional materials, easy access to member businesses and more, we make planning a group tour easy.
Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay R
September 17-20, 2013 Call (800) 444-9979 to reserve your Personal FAM Tours and Site Visi
Your Niagara Falls We are your ONE-STOP Travel & Tour Destination, a tourism and sightseeing haven perched at the entrance to one of the most spectacular wonders in the world, Niagara Falls.
Call for a quote tailored to meet your unique or specific needs. Kari Ann Bullman- Administrative Director 1-866-678-3974 ext. 2 niagarafallswelcomecenter.com
Step-On-Guide Tour Packages
All American Adv
FULL Day Package (Total t
Michigan
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 the USS Edson arrived at her permanent mooring site in Bangor Township, Michigan. Tours will be daily from 9 am to 6 pm. ussedson.org Frankemuth, Michigan Oktoberfest September 19-22,2013 A German festival with a large wooden dance floor. Good food, drinks, and souvenirs. (800) FUN-FEST Model A Ford Museum now open at the Gilmore Car Museum. The all-new Model A Ford Museum is a 13,000-square-foot re-creation of a vintage Ford dealership, complete with service bay and gas pumps. It is the largest public museum dedicated to the Model A Ford in existence.
Region FAM Tour
r spot. www.visitgreatlakesbay.org/ its are ALWAYS Welcome
New York
For Group Tour Information, contact: Leah Mueller mueller@visitbuffaloniagara.com/(888) 228-3369
Canalside Buffalo continues the $295 million development of its historic Canalside district, where the Erie Canal once had its western terminus. More than 600 events will be held there this year! www.eriecanalharbor.com Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House is approaching the completion of a $50 million restoration. This stunning Prairie-style complex remains open for tours during construction. www.darwinmartinhouse.org
experience STARTS HERE!
venture Tour
time approximately 7 hours)
Smokin Joes Native Center www.sjnativecenter.com Featuring Native dancing and storytelling for up to 500 guests! Niagara Falls Culinary Institute www.nfculinary.org Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises http://www.lockportlocks.com/ Group Travel Accommodations
Discover Ohio
For additional information contact: Gallia County CVB, www.visitgallia.com, (800) 765-6482
Gallia County CVB hosts the Southeast Ohio Tourism Expo, showcasing all the wonders that are available to tour groups in a 13 county region of Ohio and West Virginia. Tour Operators are welcome and will be treated to the delights of outdoor recreation, genealogy, shipping, dining, arts and theatre and more. The Expo is open to the general public free of charge along with pre-registered tour bus operators. Ross-Chillicothe CVB, (800) 413-4118, www.visitchillicotheohio.com From historical sites to architecture, and the Chillicothe Paints baseball team, to over 30 miles of biking and walking trails, “Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama,� and exceptional shopping and dining - every moment is one to remember! Souther Ohio Storytelling Festival, September 5-7, 2013 The Majestic Theatre plays host to seven nationally and regionally acclaimed professional storytellers. The Festival features a variety format of entertainment for visitors of all ages. For additional Ohio Travel Itineraries Ohio Travel Treasures. c/o Diane Sphare 5270 Day Road Cincinnati, OH 45252
Greater Cleveland Aquarium Kari Sendarek, 855-602-3040 Your Group’s Next Destination is the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, the only free standing aquarium in Ohio. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium features 70,000 square feet of aquarium exhibits and related uses, including approximately 1,000,000 gallons of water and the SeaTube®, an exciting underwater walk-through experience. Greater Cleveland Aquarium will add a new and exciting dimension to tourism and educational outreach in Cleveland, Ohio. The Aquarium is conveniently located in the First Energy Powerhouse located on the West Bank of the Flats in downtown Cleveland.
Canton Stark County CVB Allyson Bussey, (800) 552.6051 allyb@visitcantonstark.com Canton/Stark County, Ohio is the perfect location for your group’s next tour! Come experience the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the National First Ladies Library and the Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum and National Memorial. Canton · Stark County also offers groups fantastic shopping, an impressive arts and entertainment district, unique dining experiences, quaint historic towns and a vast array of hotels that cater to any size group! Location & affordability are also key factors that entice groups to discover Canton/Stark County! Contact us and let us help you set up an experience that your groups will remember for a lifetime. You will see that we are truly “America’s Playing Field!”
Perfectly Pennsylvania For group tour information: Linda Mauzy lmauzy@laurelhighlands.org (800) 333-5661 ext. 108
The PA Laurel Highlands has much to make your trip exciting and memorable. Our breathtaking scenery provides an awe-inspiring backdrop for our spectacular attractions. More so, the incredible mountains, rivers, and gorges provide a four-season outdoor playground for sports, recreation, and activities including skiing, white water rafting, canoeing, hiking, biking and golf...just to name a few.
Dont’ Miss! The Big Mac Museum
For information: Adrienne Eichenlaub (800) 458-3433 aeichenlaub@sapdc.org It’s cycling a quiet country road. Mountain biking a winding wooded singletrack. Taking in endless views across long ridges and deep valleys after a great day of hiking. Kayaking the waters of Pennsylvania’s largest inland lake. Fishing for elusive trout in a classic spring-fed stream. Catching a rare glimpse of another species from your birding life list. It’s adventure in Pennsylvania’s great outdoors. And it’s just waiting to be discovered, explored and enjoyed in The Alleghenies.
9061 Route 30 - North Huntingdon, PA 15642 For Group Tour Information, contact: Brenda Stoughbstough@mandjmanagement.com Say Cheese! in front of the world’s largest Big Mac Replica. Pull up a seat to enjoy a Big Mac with its inventor. Sink your teeth into fascinating high-tech displays. Get a big bite of fun in the state-of-the-art Playplace. Whether it’s Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner or Snack Time, enjoy all your McDonald’s favorites at this on-of-a-kind museum and restaurant!
Tennessee
Elvis Presley/Graceland For Group Tour Information Contact: Groupsales@Elvis.com/ (800) 238-2000
Graceland was Elvis’ escape and refuge, and most important, a place where he was proud to call home. Graceland became an instant mecca for fans, and every year, people from all over the world still make the pilgrimage to Memphis. At Graceland, the rooms where Elvis spent his time with family and friends are open for the public to see. From the iconic Jungle Room to the three-televisioned TV Room, you are able to follow in the same steps as Elvis himself as you enjoy an audio-guided tour featuring commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie. Additionally, you will be able to experience the other great parts of the 14-acre estate as you tour Vernon Presley’s business office and Elvis’ racquetball building.
Wonderful West Virginia
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, 71 Asylum Drive • Weston, WV 26452 For Tour Information: (304) 269-5070/info@trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com Formerly known as the Weston State Hospital, this West Virginia facility served as a sanctuary for the mentally ill in the mid-1800’s. The history of the building holds fascinating stories of Civil War raids, a gold robbery, the “curative” effects of architecture, and the efforts of determined individuals to help better the lives of the mentally ill. Tour this nationally recognized landmark and see how it left a lasting impression on local and national history. Daily heritage tours are available.
Wisconsin
For Group Tour Information, contact: Visit Milwaukee, Group Tours, (800) 554-1448 Millions of people visit the greater Milwaukee area every year. They come from around the world for all kinds of reasons: attending a business conference; visiting family and friends; taking in the world’s biggest music festival; or simply enjoying the area’s natural beauty and central Midwestern location. Once they’ve been here—and experienced the excitement of our culture, the warmth of our people and beauty of our city—they’re sold.
Toledo. www.doToledo.org.
Ohio’s largest and oldest ethnic festival, magination Station n-stop music, food and entertainment. characters come to life at the ANIMATION interactive exhibit.
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Toledo Mud Hens Opening Day: Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field Join the celebration downtown as Toledo’s beloved Mud Hens hit the field for the season opener.
May 2010
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garden, kitchen garden with nearly 100 varieties of ornamental hot peppers, a bonsai collection, water gardens, perennial gardens, and continues with dingoes, cassowaries largest saltwater 12 Juneand 11the- September crocodile in North America. The Psychedelic ´60s: Posters from the Rock Era and flower gardens featuring 12,000 annuals. Open Tues. – Sat. 10a.m. to 4p.m. and Sun. noon to 4p.m., April – October. at Toledo Museum of Art
e 28 - July 4
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at Highland Meadows Golf Club Watch as 2009 LPGA champions and runners-up tee off in the 26th Annual tournament.
October 2
The planet’s No. 1 park boasts 17 coasters, four kid’s areas and the new “Shoot the Rapids” ride.
www.doToledo.org.
Northwest Ohio’s largest and oldest ethnic festival, featuring non-stop music, food and entertainment.
May 2010
Opening Month! at Cedar Point Amusement Park
productions, concerts, festivals and more. Stroll along
Great hotel rates make this a prefect time visit. new restaurant. our waterfront. Tryto a tempting Great hotel make this Call for or see a complete list rates of events ata prefect time to visit. August 27 -details 29 German-American Festival Call for details or see a complete list of events at www.doToledo.org. at Oak Shade Grove
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November 19 - December 31
22611 St. Rt. 2 • Archbold, OH 43502
August 27 - 29
800-590-9755 19 - December 31 • www.saudervillage.org German-American Festival at Oak Shade Grove Northwest Ohio’s largest and oldest ethnic festival, featuring non-stop music, food and entertainment.
Lights Before Christmas 25th Anniversary at the Toledo Zoo
Make merry with one million lights, 200 lighted images, ice-carving, holiday treats, Santa, shopping and more.
800-243-4667 | www.doToledo.org
A premier glass studio, gallery & glass supply. Owner/Artistic Director: Matthew Paskiet Visit Us & Experience Glass “Hot Glass makes Cool Gifts” Open Tues.-Saturday 11 am – 5 pm
419-866-6288 800-243-4667 | www.doToledo.org firenation@sbcglobal.net • www.firenation.com
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