Destination Reunions Prototype

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VIEW

2020 EDITION

THEME PARK REUNIONS

YOUR GROUP WILL HAVE A ROLLICKING GOOD TIME, EVEN GRANDPA!

SOCIAL MEDIA ROADMAP

REUNION PLANNING LIKE A DAY AT THE BEACH

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STEPS TO SUCCESS IN CRAFTING YOUR SOCIAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

WHAT IS GLAMPING?

ADD GLAMOUR TO CAMPING AND YOU GET A RISING TRAVEL TREND THAT MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOUR GROUP

CHECK OUT THESE RANCHES, DUDE UNPLUG AND REWIND AT THESE ALTERNATIVE REUNION DESTINATIONS

DestinationReunions.com

PREVIEW

Welcome Time for a Change I

’m excited to present the prototype of the ALL-NEW Destination Reunions!

When we started publishing Reunions Workbook ten years ago, the travel industry landscape and state of reunion planning was a lot different than it is today. For example: •S ocial media juggernaut Facebook had 400 million users; today it eclipses 2.23 billion.

• Home sharing site Airbnb had 15 employees; today it employs 3,100.

• Since 2010, domestic hotel revenue has grown by over $70 billion.

Over the last decade, seismic shifts in consumer demographics and population disbursement have changed the way reunions are planned, where they are held and how they are orchestrated. We’ve adapted by updating our content and design, but one thing always remained constant – our name.

Initially, Reunions Workbook was a worksheet-style guide that included checklists of various do’s and don’ts that reunion planners tackled when orchestrating their big event.

While helpful, this information became dated over time. While our content evolved, our name was reflective of a prior era.

We thought about this long and hard when envisioning the future and ultimately felt that “workbook” no longer served our audience or our intentions. With this, we launch a new chapter – Destination Reunions.

What’s Changing?

“Over the last decade, seismic shifts in consumer demographics and population disbursement have changed the way reunions are planned, where they are held and how they are orchestrated.”

Derek Wolff, our new editor, brings with him a journalism acumen and social media intuition that will be a major boon for reunion planners. The new print and digital guides will debut in March 2020 with exciting destination suggestions. You’ll discover beach resorts, mountain getaways, dude ranches, city retreats and countless other ways for you and your family to create new memories.

Our new website launches in September. Designed with a “mobile first” attitude, it’s packed with hundreds of best practice articles and fresh downloadable how-to guides covering essential elements of reunion planning.

Readers will also get a virtual encyclopedia of time-tested advice that’s being reshaped into handy guides and downloadable forms. Plus, content from previous editions will always be readily available for you to reference.

One thing that will never change is our commitment to connecting reunions with destinations, hotels and resorts that are eager to accommodate this business.

We’re delighted to be at the forefront of an ever-expanding marketplace and I can assure you that Destination Reunions is here to help you build your reunion business well into the next decade.

To the future,

Jeff Gayduk Publisher

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DESTINATION REUNIONS

DestinationReunions.com

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE AREN’T THINGS—

they’re the people we call family and the memories we create with them.

Encore Resort at Reunion knows this, which is why our hospitality team is dedicated to making sure every detail of your reunion is perfect so your focus can be on your family.

Encore Resort at Reunion is more than just renting a home, it’s an unforgettable experience for every member of your reunion. The resort is located within proximity to Orlando’s premier attractions and provides the perfect home base for an adventure-packed reunion. Reunion groups at Encore Resort can take advantage of world class amenities including our 10-acre water park, multiple onsite dining options, catering, unique entertainment options and activities for every age group and more.

Encore Resort at Reunion • GroupSales@EncoreReunion.net 407-845-9183 • EncoreReunion.com

PREVIEW

Contents

Universal Studios

2020 EDITION

COLUMN

02 WELCOME

Gather Your Family and Friends for a Fabulous Reunion

FEATURES 19 Steps to Success in Crafting Your Social Communication Strategy

10 THEME PARK REUNIONS

Your Group Will Have a Rollicking Good Time, Even Grandpa!

14 CHECK OUT THESE RANCHES, DUDE

Unplug and Rewind at These Alternative Reunion Destinations

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16 WHAT IS GLAMPING?

Add Glamour to Camping and You Get a Rising Travel Trend that Might Be Right for Your Group

SITE INSPECTIONS

19 BRANSON, MISSOURI 20 ST. AUGUSTINE | PONTE VEDRA 22 COLUMBUS, OHIO

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DESTINATION REUNIONS

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Cover photo:

iStock.com/Robert Daly

DestinationReunions.com

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch and Dude Rancher’s Association

06 SOCIAL MEDIA ROADMAP

memorable moments define your

o f g e n e r at i o n s .

Columbus is full of festive energy that makes it the perfect destination for family reunions.

You can feel it in historic neighborhoods. Taste it in our incredible dining scene. And experience it in our array of distinctive Metro Parks that provide stunning backdrops for unforgettable gatherings. To plan yours, email tours@experiencecolumbus.com or call 800-354-2657.

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Social ia ed M ROADMAP 19 STE PS TO SUCCESS IN CRAF TING YOU R SOCIAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

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emember all the fun you had with your cousins as a kid? Playing softball, swimming and searching for frogs?

Whatever happened to your old high school friends? Your mates in the military?

Wouldn’t it be fun to see everyone again, catch up and share stories?

Reunions are the perfect answer. Planning them can be as simple as 1-2-3. Jumping onto social media can lighten the load every step of the way. Let’s run through a road map that

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takes you step-by-step through the social marketing piece of planning your next reunion. Whether you’re a professional planner or just really want to reconnect, social media can jumpstart your planning every step of the way.

CONNECT AND RECONNECT

Social media sites make it so easy to connect and start the snowball effect of reaching out to people who are relevant to your reunion.

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Zinkevych/Bigstock.com

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DESTINATION REUNIONS

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ROADMAP FOR YOUR REUNION

GENERATE IDEAS

Start a private or closed group on Facebook that’s just for people you plan to invite to the reunion. Start by adding your own Facebook friends and asking them to add others.

Once you have a core group of people to begin the planning process, getting input and feedback from them will increase interest and engagement.

2.

Start a group on LinkedIn. Add members from your own followers and also search out others and invite them into your group.

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3.

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Create a # (hashtag) and use it across all your social sites to attract people connected to your reunion. For example, maybe you want to start using #ClassOf1979. Use this # in postings on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Snapchat and Instagram.

4.

Join related groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. When looking for classmates, you may find an older sibling on a Facebook group for their class who would then share the news of your reunion to their younger sibling.

5.

Start gathering photos from people.

Photos are a great way to trigger memories and inspire that sense of nostalgia that drives reunion attendance.

Be sure to have permission from people in the photo to use their image. You may consider creating a form that gives you the right to use their image and have everyone sign it.

Gather ideas using polling features available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Or simply ask short questions that help in your planning process.

Go live. Live-streaming video is a great way to gather people together and gain some momentum in your planning process. During your live broadcast share ideas, invite comments and inspire listeners to invite others. Consider live broadcasting on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Instagram.

SPREAD THE WORD

Once you have a basic plan of details, here are steps to use social to gain more momentum and encourage registration.

8.

Create a Facebook Event once you have your date and location set. Be sure to include an image that represents your event along with the location and registration info. You may want to use one of the images you collected (and have permission to use) in step No. 5.

New Africa/Bigstock.com

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Share news of your event across every social platform using the # you’ve created. Keep people in the loop by providing updates and giving shoutouts to people. Encourage others to use it as well.

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Stories on Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram have a longer shelf live than regular posts. Create Stories to showcase your reunion planning process and inspire enthusiasm.

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A well-marketed live-stream video broadcast will give people the chance to help you share your reunion news. In advance of your livestream, send emails and post socially to let others know that day, date and time of your live stream. Invite them to share the invite with others whom they know that are part of your reunion audience.

You can schedule a live broadcast in advance and even give people a link.

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This makes joining in easy. Don’t forget to send them a reminder an hour before you go live.

12.

Building your list of attendees and potential attendees is crucial to keep the ball rolling. Using a spreadsheet is the starting point.

Then create an ad audience using your spreadsheet as the foundation. This Custom Ad Audience can be used to target social ads to just these people. It’s a quick and relatively inexpensive way to share event news.

13.

Create a Saved Audience on Facebook. This will help you reach those that are hard to find. You can target: • Specific schools and graduation years • Scottish clan names • Military service • Employers

DestinationReunions.com

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

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As the planning process evolves and you need to build your attendee list, add these tips to your to-do list.

Post your reunion agenda, itinerary and registration info into your Facebook Group.

15.

Consider social advertising to boost your reach. Use the Saved Audience you created above to advertise on both Facebook and Instagram.

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Invite attendees to reach out and invite others who may be missing from your lists or just haven’t responded yet.

IT’S PARTY TIME

Once the big day arrives, don’t leave social media on the doorstop.

Invite people to connect by setting up a Social Café where attendees can have a quiet space to friend and follow each other.

Create a photo-op area complete with lighting, props and a photographer. Remember the cardboard photo frame with your # emblazoned on the front.

19.

Extend the fun by posting photos onto the Group, creating Stories and continuing to use the power of the #. Remember to tag people using the @ symbol.

Imagine the stories you’ll share and the new memories you’ll help create.

Planning a reunion can be a fun but daunting task. Having a roadmap will keep you on track for an unforgettable reunion. Social media makes it more fun and a bit less daunting.

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THEME PARK REUNIONS YOUR GROUP WILL HAVE A ROLLICKING GOOD TIME, EVEN GRANDPA!

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DESTINATION REUNIONS

DestinationReunions.com

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A

summertime visit to a theme park is an American institution. Call them what you will – amusement parks, roller coaster resorts, adventure parks – theme parks and their closelyrelated cousins, water parks, are ideal for hosting any multi-generational gathering.

WHY HAVE MY REUNION AT A THEME PARK?

Amusement parks don’t need much in the way of an introduction. From Coney Island on the East Coast to Disneyland on the West Coast – and with Cedar Point, Kings Island, and a bunch of Six Flags in between, not to mention dozens of other venues – chances are there’s a park not too far from your crew. Plus, you’ll almost always find that the park’s

location (handy to an interstate highway) and the businesses that sprout up around it (lodging, stores, and restaurants) make it as near to a one-stop-reunion-shop as anything outside of an all-inclusive resort is likely to be.

But let’s talk about the attractions of the park itself. Of course, for most people, the premier attraction is going to be the rides. Nearly every theme park will have a water ride (or several) and some of the larger water parks will also have an indoor or outdoor roller coaster, ropes course, or zip lines. Outdoor theme parks may also feature semi-educational things like animal shows, science- or historythemed areas, and special exhibits.

However, not everyone is a fan of roller coasters. What if your group contains a good percentage of these folks? Are theme parks still a good option? Yes! Here’s why: •T hey’re designed for multiple interests. There are rides for entire families, for small children, for the average thrill-seeker, and for the hardcore enthusiast. Gentler rides like carousels and midway-style games cater to those looking for something a little less impactful, while shops, shows, and quieter spaces are ideal for attendees with less energy or stamina.

•G roup rates. Nearly all theme parks offer group rates, and most of the larger ones also offer specific packages for families or groups.

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• All-inclusive can be an option. Some, like Disney World, offer deals that include onsite lodging and food. If you’re looking to simplify your reunion planning, having the edibles and the rooming search taken off your hands is a major time-saver.

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• Freedom and Individuality are built in. While every reunion needs some allgroup activities, most guests will want some time to themselves as well. Hosting your reunion in or near a theme park means you don’t have to plan too many activities or worry about guests getting bored; they’ll have enough at the park to keep themselves occupied.

FOUR THINGS TO DO AT A THEME PARK

1. Go on rides. 2. Go on rides. 3. Go on rides …

Actually, there’s a lot more than just going on roller coasters and water slides available to theme park reunions.

Depending on your park of choice, possible non-ride activities could include: •T aking a virtual adventure.

Sometimes, you can have fun without leaving your seat. Several large parks offer visitors a chance to sample virtual reality by strapping on a headset and sitting in a moveable, interactive chair. Disneyland brings the Star Wars franchise to life; Busch Gardens Williamsburg takes you on an Irish fantasy adventure, and other parks offer their own twists on this genre.

• Traveling the world (sorta). Among the bigger parks, like Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Disney’s Epcot, you can often find areas that represent a small part of another country. For example, in Busch Gardens, you can stroll through micro-villages representing France, Italy, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland; at Epcot, Japan, Morocco, Canada, Mexico, and Norway are on the list as well. Each area is designed to evoke something of that country, with traditional architectures, streetscapes, and activities.

•S eeing a show. Most theme parks offer live music shows; the biggest ones also provide full-on stage shows and extravaganzas. Plus, if you stick around until after sunset, you’ve a pretty good chance of seeing a fireworks display.

•G oing on a foodie tour. If you’re going to one of the mega-parks mentioned above, visiting each “nation” and exploring its food is a recognized activity. Even in smaller parks, there’s usually a wide variety of eats available, including different restaurants and lots of food carts and trucks. Traditional American midway favorites like corn dogs and funnel cakes are now sharing space with tacos, seafood, sushi, barbeque, and other delicious options.

DestinationReunions.com

“ THEME PARK REUNIONS: TIPS & TRICKS

While planning a theme park reunion does lighten the load on the planning committee somewhat, there are still a few things to keep in mind: • Reserve a space big enough to hold the whole group. This may mean reserving a meeting room or event room at your lodging, or you may designate one suite as group HQ. Either way, make sure there’s a central place to meet and hang out.

Despite their size, it can be hard for theme parks to provide designated group space on the spur of the moment!

• Schedule group time. That long list of activities means that most guests are going to be busy. That’s awesome, but don’t forget that the whole point of a reunion is to reunite as a group.

So be sure to schedule in dinner, DestinationReunions.com

breakfast, or game night – whatever works to connect your whole group.

• Make group dining reservations in advance. Yes, amusement parks cater to large crowds. But there’s no guarantee that any one restaurant will have enough open tables to seat your whole group, or that your group will be seated together. Solve this problem by making reservations well in advance.

•H ave a key person. Instead of each family or person fending for themselves, have one person in the group designated as the liaison for all lodging and park-related issues; if you

Universal Studios

“Hosting your reunion in or near a theme park means you don’t have to plan too many activities or worry about guests getting bored; they’ll have enough at the park to keep themselves occupied.” have a large group, have additional people overseeing transportation and dining arrangements, too.

• Get rooms on the same floor. This makes impromptu gatherings much easier.

•P lan well in advance. Otherwise, you might find it hard to stay, eat, or gather in the same places.

•S plurge on reunion gear. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd at a theme park, so consider whether buying reunion t-shirts and/or hats is an option for your group. It’ll make spotting longlost friends a lot faster.

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CHECK OUT THESE RANCHES, DUDE

Unplug and rewind at these alternative reunion destinations DUDE RANCHES conjure up images of the open range, the bunkhouse and the chuck wagon – which is both fairly accurate and a long way from reality.

However you imagine a dude ranch, it’s a great place for a reunion.

What exactly is a dude ranch? Basically, they’re ranches that take in paying guests – that’s why some are called guest

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ranches. The term “dude ranch” was coined early in the last century, when dude meant “city person.”

Today’s dude ranch is a place where groups can get out into the wilderness, but it’s not a one-ranch-fits-all proposition. Like hotels, ranches exist on a continuum from basic accommodations – the stereotypical bunkhouse or tent

situation – to five-star luxury that just happens to be in a rather remote setting.

Some dude ranches are like resorts that focus exclusively on hosting guests, others provide a more agritourist-like experience (where guests help out with ranch activities), and others provide a mix of lodging, food and traditional activities (e.g. horseback riding, hiking).

DestinationReunions.com

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DUDE RANCH REUNIONS: TIPS & TRICKS

• Schedule well in advance. Experts While a memorable reunion can be had just about anywhere, a ranch reunion offers some very special advantages.

Your group can: •U nplug. Convenient as they are, our devices often get in the way of connecting with the very people we’ve come to see. At a ranch reunion, this problem can easily be remedied: Not only is the beautiful scenery apt to distract from screen time, many resorts only offer wi-fi (or get phone signals) at designated locations.

• Have the place to yourself.

Depending on the venue, groups as small as 10 people can book the entire property for themselves. Other ranches may be able to offer groups semi-secluded areas for their reunion.

•S implify planning. By hosting your reunion at a dude ranch, there’s less transportation and outside activities to organize. Plus, food is usually part of the package.

•E njoy the view. Dude ranches specialize in natural, unspoiled beauty.

• I nteract with animals. Dude ranches – even those that skew more toward resort and less toward working ranch – often provide animal-themed activities. Horseback riding is a popular draw, while others offer a chance to groom, feed, and care for a multitude of other species. Some even allow you to bring your own four-legged friends along.

•G et a feel for the past. Traditional dude ranches gave guests a taste of cowboy life – serving authentic grub, singing old folk songs, and even providing a samplesized portion of cattle herding. This is still very much available, and it’s a fun and manageable way of bringing family or group history to life.

Top Five Things to Do on a Dude Ranch With so many things to choose from, it can be hard to winnow down the list of dude ranch activities. Here are a few classics – and a few that might be a surprise: DestinationReunions.com

•L et the kids camp out. Sure, everyone can camp out all reunion long if they want to. But sometimes it’s more fun to send the younger ones off on a (safely supervised) adventure.

•G et horsey. Horses have always been an important part of ranch life.

Groups can watch exhibitions of team penning, gymkhana, and other horserelated skills, or they can have their own carriage or sleigh rides, riding lessons, and trail rides.

•G et outside. Sports like tennis, fishing, shooting, hiking and mountain biking are all pretty common offerings. Some ranches also have facilities for golf, skiing, rafting, and boating. Of course, simply relaxing in a comfy spot is also a great way to get outside.

•P amper yourself. Most ranches aren’t the strictly “life-on-the-range” type.

They also provide thoroughly modern and indulgent activities like massages, spas, yoga, and swimming.

•T ake a class. There’s more to a ranch reunion than horses! Some offer art, cooking, fitness, photography, and yoga classes. Many provide kids’ programs, too.

recommend a minimum of six to nine months out. A year is better for large or complicated reunions.

The larger your group, the more time you should give the ranch to prepare for your arrival.

• Summer is peak season,

but spring and fall can be lovely. Some ranches are nearly inaccessible once snow falls; others turn into winter wonderlands.

• Consider the available lodging

and activity options and how they’ll fit with your group’s needs.

It’s not unusual for one ranch to offer a large lodge, several cabins, and some other structures (yurts tents, tipis, etc). If your group wants to stay in the same building, make sure this is something the ranch can provide. Also, make sure your choice of ranch hosts (or can partner with local providers for) all the activities your group is most interested in.

• Dude ranches are usually all-

inclusive, but double-check before you book.

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch and Dude Rancher’s Association

Why Have My Reunion at a Dude Ranch?

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WHAT IS

p

ADD GLAMOUR TO CAMPING AND YOU GET A RISING TRAVEL TREND THAT MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOUR GROUP

repare yourself for a news flash: Some people just don’t like to camp. And yet, camping isn’t merely a popular reunion activity; it’s just plain popular. According to the 2017 North American Camping Report, 61 percent of U.S. households (that’s 75 million, if you’re counting) go camping at least occasionally.

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For years, there’s been an ongoing search for a way to make camping more palatable to those who hate “roughing it.”

Camping has evolved from a tent in the wilderness to a camper parked on a paved lot to an RV complete with kitchen, shower and bathroom facilities. Recently, a new trend has arisen: glamping.

WHAT IS GLAMPING?

Glamping is a fairly recent concoction, both as a trend and as a word. The word comes from “glamourous camping,” and that’s also a fair description of how glamping works. Whereas camping is done in basic tents or maybe a camper, glamping is done in style. Where camping cuisine DestinationReunions.com

Jay Ondreicka/Bigstock.com

rests on hot dogs and s’mores, glamping offers a fully-stocked kitchen. And where camping toilet and shower facilities can be pretty rustic—or at least a short hike away— glamping comes with a more civilized approach to life’s necessities.

Like camping, glamping is what you make of it: for some, it’s camping in a tent with luxury linens and a basket full of gourmet goodies; for others, the only difference between glamping and a fourstar hotel is the location. At the higher end, the line between glamping and renting a vacation home is pretty blurry, and at the lower end, glamping is camping with a cashmere sweater and Ugg boots. For the sake of argument, let’s say you choose a middle route—perhaps signing up with a glamping provider. What might you expect?

Accommodations: While camping tends to have about five basic kinds of accommodation— basic tent, nicer tent, camper, RV and maybe cabin—glamping accommodations tend to be a lot more imaginative. Glamping Hub lists these varieties on their international glamping site (https:// glampinghub.com/types-ofglamping/): tree houses, yurts, safari tents, tipis, RVs, domes, eco-pods, lodges, caves, barns, huts, igloos, cabins, cabooses, villas, tiny houses, towers, cottages, tented cabins and caravans. Clearly, the accommodation part of glamping is very much down to personal choice.

Setup: One of the big pluses of camping is that you can select exactly what accommodation suits you, and you can put it up wherever you want to (within reason).

For some, though, this DIY-ness is the big minus of camping: who wants to go on vacation and start by building their shelter?

Once again, there’s a duality about glamping: you can do the setup yourself, or you can hire a glamping company to do it for you. In that case, expect your accommodation to be clean and the fittings to be more hotel-like than camperlike.

Glamping company Under Canvas provides a king-sized bed, plush mattress and full furnishings with all their tents; some tents go a little more glam, with full bathrooms, outside wood decking and indoor stargazing platforms.

Locations: Depending on the company you choose, your glamping experience could be anywhere you choose to set up (Under Canvas will go anywhere in the U.S. DestinationReunions.com

or Canada, for example); it could be in a luxury campground, near major landmarks like Yellowstone, near tourist areas like San Diego or Mendocino, or on a private ranch.

For glamping destinations worldwide—as well as more general information—check out Glamping.com.

Amenities: In addition to the amenities provided inside your tent, yurt or treehouse, some glamping resorts and campgrounds offer additional, decidedly non-camping-

“FOR YEARS, THERE’S BEEN AN ONGOING SEARCH FOR A WAY TO MAKE

TO THOSE WHO HATE ‘ROUGHING IT.’”

like perks. For example, the glamping company Collective Retreats offers a range of amenities, including complimentary breakfast and snacks, s’mores round the evening campfire, a gourmet selection of hot beverages in-room, daily housekeeping, games, community Wi-Fi spaces, heating and air conditioning, and a concierge service. Other glamping resorts include activities like hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing and yoga. Still others offer onsite dining pavilions with chefprepared meals and a camp butler.

SOME REUNION-FRIENDLY GLAMPING IDEAS

Clearly, glamping provides an important service to reunion groups: it offers a chance to get back to nature, but in a way that doesn’t involve taking a bath in the nearest lake. If your reunion group has a core of diehard campers, is it possible to include glamping in your camping plans?

Absolutely, especially if you’re handling the

setup yourselves. Glampers might not get the same level of pampering, and they’ll almost certainly have to do without a butler, but adopting the simpler form of glamping with an RV, actual bed with actual mattress, luxury sheets and a gourmet goodie basket will go a long way towards making camping more comfortable.

However, what if everyone in the reunion group is on board with the idea of glamping? We’ve provided quite a few resources to help you get started; how much glam going into your glamp will depend on your group’s location and budget. For groups with a special celebration in mind, there are a lot of options. Here are just three to get your imagination all fired up: • Go glamping in the Adirondacks.

Stay in a log-and-canvas tent in one of America’s best-known playgrounds.

Under the aegis of Posh Primitive, the focus here is on the outdoors; hire a guide to take you through this portion of Adirondack Park, go caving, or head out to local lakes and rivers to go paddling or white-water rafting. In the evening, hang out around the campfire or stoke the wood stove in your tent for a cozy night in.

• Glamp it up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stay at a treehouse (or two) or keep your feet on the ground at Virginia’s Primland resort. Great for families and large groups—and hosting an onsite spa— this resort gets you out in the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but keeps things civilized with golf, cooking classes, a worldclass spa and all the amenities of any good hotel.

• Visit a Montana dude ranch in style. At The Ranch at Rock Creek, families can stay in a converted barn, complete with porch, TV, full bathroom, game table and space for socializing. Adventurous guests can spend the night in glammedup covered wagons, while those craving luxury and solitude can reserve the 1,300-squarefoot Sweet Grass canvas cabin.

As you can see from just these three examples, you can glamp any way you want to. That makes it a perfect choice for natureand luxury-loving reunion groups.

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?

d i D now K u o Y

An effective Content Marketing strategy helps increase engagement and conversions by up to 72% while boosting your SEO juice up to 43%.

Content Marketing is the most effective way to promote your destination or property to reunion planners.

Content Marketing is the centerpiece of all Destination Reunion packages. Your Site InSpection content marketing feature includes all the reasons reunion groups need to put you on their radar. Secure your spot in the 2020 Destination Reunions Guide today! Call 630-794-0696, email advertising@ptmgroups.com for a media kit.

Each Site InSpection includes: Feature articles written by our professional editorial team Photo gallery Embedded video Tracking and CTA links SEO, email and social media marketing

ARRIVAL MARCH 2020

Join such companies as:

Branding ad (select packages)

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Wolfe Mountain - Snowflex

Branson, Missouri

Looking for your next reunion destination? Create fond memories in Branson, Missouri, where nonstop adventure and entertainment will impress you in Southern style.

S

urrounded by the Ozark Mountains, Branson is spectacularly scenic and packs a host of things to see and do for both young and old. You can have an adventure outdoors or indoors and be entertained endlessly with world-class shows and performances. Fun, festivities and food … Branson makes it extra special and memorable.

For an adrenaline pumping adventure for the entire family, soar to great heights at Aerodium Outdoor Flying Adventure.

Experience the thrill of skydiving under the guidance of trained instructors in a controlled environment where an outdoor vertical wind tunnel will launch you in the air. Another exciting and energizing activity is at The Track Family Fun Parks Track 3 where on the Skyscraper, riders can experience the G-force effect at 60 miles per hour, similar to what a pilot feels flying a fighter jet. At WonderWorks, you can let your imagination run wild at this sciencefocused indoor amusement park with over 100 hands-on interactive exhibits.

The show always goes on in Branson, where summer concerts, festivals and shows offer plenty of entertainment. The city will be headlining a variety of national

DestinationReunions.com

Branson Jet Boats

tours this year. Laugh out loud and shake a leg when great entertainers like Howie Mandel, Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show, Johnny Mathis, Oak Ridge Boys, Dailey & Vincent and more come to theatres and venues in Branson. Don’t miss the premiere of Illusionist Rick Thomas’ Mansion of Dreams at the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Shrek: The Musical at the Welk Resort Theatre. Both productions promise to wow audiences of all ages with music, humor and elaborate stage sets. Another much-anticipated production is the awardwinning, Broadway-style musical, Reuben’s Swashbuckling Adventure at Silver Dollar City where Pumpkin Nights in the Fall will see the streets lined with glowing gourds in the spirit of the season.

CONTACT: Julie Peters, Leisure Group Sales Manager jpeters@bransoncvb.com 417.243.2117 www.explorebranson.com

Silver Dollar City - Pumpkin Nights

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ST. AUGUSTINE | PONTE VEDRA: WHY REUNITE HERE • Florida’s Historic Coast spans more than 42 miles and is home to the PGA Tour’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass • Nearly 6,500 guest rooms and 50 parks • Over a dozen boat ramps • More than 60 historic sites and attractions • World-class culinary delights • Nearly 50 art galleries and antique shops • Two factory outlet malls • We will assist you with collecting hotel, service, and venue proposals as well as site inspection and itinerary planning assistance

Family dining on the Tolomato River

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St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra

With 450 years of history, beautiful beaches and world-class dining and entertainment, it’s easy to see why St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra is the perfect family reunion getaway.

“The historic nature of the St. Augustine area served as an ideal stage for our Family Reunion.

Florida’s Historic Coast offered the perfect setting to reflect our family’s legacy of making memories and providing opportunities for our growing generations.”

– Mr. Michael B. Campbell, McPherson-Campbell Family Reunion

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he oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine boasts centuries of history and tradition. St. Augustine also has a thriving, modern arts and entertainment scene, delectable contemporary cuisine cooked up by top chefs and a range of outdoor activities to enjoy. Family reunions will never be dull in this centuries-old Florida city.

Established in 1565, St. Augustine is home to more than 60 historic sites and attractions. Visitors can explore the bricked lanes and explore historic sites all around downtown. Visit the Oldest Wooden School House, a National Historic Landmark that dates back to the early 1700s. This historic museum is touted as the oldest wooden school building in the United States. Guests can also stop by the Authentic Old Jail, where you can get a glimpse of what incarceration was like more than a hundred years ago. This historic jail served the city from 1891 to 1953 and visitors can take tours of the jail during the day or night.

The Castillo de San Marcos is not to be missed. This National Monument is the oldest masonry fort in the U.S. and the only standing 17th century military construction. This large Spanish stone fortress was built to protect and defend Spain’s claims in the New World. At more than 315 years old, it’s the oldest structure in St. Augustine.

The children in the group will love a visit to Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the original 1565 site of St. Augustine. They can learn how explorers navigated in the 1500s at the Navigators’ DestinationReunions.com

Soaking up History at Castillo de San Marcos

Planetarium, take a sip from the Spring of Eternal Hope or climb up the Spanish watchtowers overlooking the ocean.

No trip to St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra would be complete without a visit to one of the many stunning beaches along the shore. Ponte Vedra Beach, Vilano Beach

Trolleys and “trains” provide group tours and transportation

and Anastasia State Park are just a few options, but there are many more to enjoy as well.

If you’re ready to plan your reunion, the team at St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB will make your vacation truly memorable and worry free.

CONTACT: Jaya Dillard, Sales & Services Manager St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitor & Convention Bureau JDillard@floridashistoriccoast.com 904.209.4429 www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com

©Life and Love Studio

They explored sun-kissed beaches and the nation’s oldest coquina-shell fort, sharing stories passed down through generations. And after an inspiring tour of the Lincolnville neighborhood, they decided this family reunion was definitely one for the history books. Only on Florida’s Historic Coast®, where history is not the same old story.

DestinationReunions.com

FloridasHistoricCoast.com | 800-418-7529, ext. 2009

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COLUMBUS: WHY REUNITE HERE • Sixteen downtown-hotels offering 4,250 rooms and over 29,000 rooms citywide • Centrally located capital city offering hundreds of acres of greenspace • Family friendly attractions include National Veterans Memorial and Museum, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium/ Zoombezi Bay Waterpark, COSI (Center of Science & Industry), Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens • We will assist you with itinerary planning, referrals for local service providers, site inspection assistance, reunion planning checklist and discounted souvenirs

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Columbus, Ohio

Ohio’s state capital is home to incredible dining, hundreds of acres of greenspace and a top-notch sporting scene “I would like to thank you so very much for your professionalism and prompt attention to my request for brochures and souvenirs from the City of Columbus to assist in making our 47th Family Reunion a success.”

– Antoinette B. Dawson

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s the 14th largest city in the country, Columbus is much more than Ohio’s state capital. One of the New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2019, with historic neighborhoods, nationally acclaimed attractions and a booming culinary scene, it’s the ideal place to host your next reunion.

Columbus offers experiences for the whole family. COSI continues to be a toprated science center thanks to its more than 300 interactive exhibits including the brandnew American Museum of Natural History

The Ohio State Fair is one of the largest state fairs in the country.

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DestinationReunions.com

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens features the brand-new Scott’s Miracle Gro Foundation Children’s Garden introducing and connecting children to the natural world.

Dinosaur Gallery. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium allows guests to hand-feed giraffes in the Heart of Africa or splash in the wave pool at the connected Zoombezi Bay during the summer months. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens houses over 400 plant species and features the Scott’s Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden focused on introducing and connecting children to the natural world. Billed as the ultimate indoor LEGO playground, LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Easton includes two rides, 10 LEGO build and play zones, a 4D cinema and more.

Looking for an area to host an outdoor event? Columbus has hundreds of acres of greenspace located conveniently throughout the city, including more than 20 metro parks. Downtown’s Scioto Audubon is a former industrial space transformed into an oasis filled with wildlife and exciting activities. Museum-lovers should visit the Columbus Museum of Art or the newly opened National Veterans Memorial and Museum, the only place where the stories of our veterans, their families and the Fallen – across all branches of service and all eras of conflict – are told together.

For families that love sports, there is no offseason in Columbus. Catch a Columbus Clippers game, Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, or head to a Columbus Blue Jackets NHL game and hear the cannon boom every time the home team scores, which is often. Both teams are located downtown, surrounded by many opportunities for exploration before and after a game. Not to be outdone, Columbus Crew SC of the MLS play big-time soccer and have an impressive tradition, having been one of the 10 charter clubs of the DestinationReunions.com

Get just outside the hustle and bustle of the city with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours.

league. The Ohio History Center opened a new sports exhibit, called Ohio – Champion of Sports, which is highly interactive and is full of stories told by the athletes, owners and coaches through recorded interviews.

The exhibit also shares the rich and varied stories of sports across the state.

Organized in six thematic zones – Victory, Adversity, Character, Tradition, Identity and Innovation – the exhibit shares stories of Ohio sports’ past, present and future.

The friendly and knowledgeable Experience Columbus staff is prepared to make your visit convenient and worry-free, so reach out today to begin planning your reunion in Columbus.

CONTACT: Roger Dudley, Director, Tourism Sales 800.354.2657 tours@expriencecolumbus.com experiencecolumbus.com/reunions

Scioto Audubon Metro Park offers the largest outdoor climbing wall in the country

National Veterans Memorial and Museum, the only place where the stories of our veterans, their families and the Fallen are told together.

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WHEREVER REUNIONS ARE HEADING, WE’VE GOT IT COVERED!

HELPING READERS PLAN THE PERFECT DESTINATION REUNION Best Practices, Trends and Actionable Ideas

The NEW Destinations Reunions guide and website approaches reunions from several different archetypes rather than treating them as one set of rules that fits all. Our how-to content dives into the statistical trends, logistical challenges and breakthroughs that are unique to different types of reunions.

Theme Park Reunions Outdoor Reunions Beach & Mountain Reunions Metropolitan Cities &

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ARRIVAL MARCH 2020

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