Leisure Group Travel Feb 2013

FEBRUARY 2013

A Premier Tourism Marketing publication www.leisuregrouptravel.com

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VOL. 23, NO. 1 • FEBRUARY 2013

contents

48 ON THE COVER:

COVER STORY

Frolicking on Sarasota’s Lido Beach.

(Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota County)

48 Six Great Florida Beach Towns

BY CRYSTIN IMMEL

Pleasures and treasures of Daytona Beach, Sanibel Island, Sarasota, Cocoa Beach, St. Augustine and Panama City Beach Nostalgia-seekers find vestiges of yesteryear on Oklahoma’s Route 66.

FEATURES

16

Heritage Clubs Conference Heads to South Dakota

22

Oklahoma’s Route 66

27

Albuquerque: Shopper’s Paradise

30

Deep in the Heart of San Antonio

35

Touring Central Missouri

38

Exploring Northern Virginia

44

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

52

Cruise Industry Outlook 2013

55

Connecticut’s Mystic Coast

BY ASHLEY BRAUN

BY RANDY MINK

BY RANDY MINK

BY CAITLIN KERFIN

BY DAVE BODLE

BY CRYSTIN IMMEL

BY CINDY BERTRAM

BY ASHLEY BRAUN

COLUMNS

6

On My Mind

12

On The Record

58

On Marketing

BY JEFF GAYDUK

8

On Tour

BY MARTY SARBEY DE SOUTO

10

On Shopping

BY CAROLYN FEIMSTER

BY DAVE BODLE

22

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

ON LOCATION

NUMBER CRUNCHING

19 Indian pueblos in New Mexico

Ellen Klesta, Leisure Group Travel’s business development manager for the Mid Atlantic, visits NASCAR Hall of Fame during the recent ABA Marketplace in Charlotte, N.C.

1,359,758 Population of San Antonio

WHAT’S ONLINE? SHARPEN YOUR BUSINESS SKILLS WITH OUR CONTINUING EDUCATION TOOLS Group University is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to learn about group travel. Educational whitepapers, detailed how-to guides and instructional webinars lead off the tool kit, with experienced advice for tour planners and marketers alike. In-depth destination portals provide unprecedented detail for planners seeking group-related information, and Certification Courses offer the opportunity to become an expert in selling a specific destination.

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23 Miles of beach in Daytona Beach

8 U.S. presidents born in Virginia

332 Miles of coastline in Connecticut (including bays and coves)

4 Great Lakes that border Michigan

1821 The year Missouri joined the Union

on my mind ❖

On My Mind jeff gayduk

❖ jeff gayduk

Dream Builders

Vol. 23, No. 1 February 2013 Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Associate Publisher – Dave Bodle dave@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com IT WAS WALT DISNEY who famously said, “Get a good idea, and stay with it.

Dog it, and work at it until it’s done, and done right.” I thought about this over and

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski rob@ptmgroups.com

over again while visiting the Magic Kingdom recently.

As grand as Walt’s vision, I don’t think even he could have imagined an enterprise like Walt Disney World. They had a good idea with Disneyland but realized their mistake – not enough land for expansion. Driving into the 42-square-mile WDW complex in Central Florida, they rectified this problem. They stayed at it by launching

Regional Business Development Managers Illinois – Jim McCurdy P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 jim@ptmgroups.com

a succession of theme parks, water parks, hotels & resorts, a major sports complex, and dining and entertainment venues. And most importantly, they did it right. Walt understood early on was that he was in the dream business, and nothing is more apparent than that as you walk down Main Street USA. As we head into the second month of the second decade of the 21st century, I urge you to take Walt’s philosophy to heart. You too are in the dream business.

Whether it’s a one-day mystery trip or a one-week Switzerland tour, you develop tour programs that make people’s dreams come true.

I talk to a lot of group travel organizers and understandably there are some

Northeast & Eastern Midwest/Canada – Harry Peck P 330.830.4880 • F 630.794.0652 harry@ptmgroups.com

Mid Atlantic – Ellen Klesta P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 ellen@ptmgroups.com Southeast/West Coast – Cheryl Rash P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com

nightmares mixed in with this dream business. The trips they work so hard to formulate can be undercut by cheap competitors using inferior hotels, fewer inclusions and no pizzazz. Or folks just don’t see their vision for new itineraries, destinations and travel styles. It’s not easy being a dream weaver.

As we climb our way out of the great recession and folks get back to traveling again, I urge you to put your dream hat back on. Travel is a truly marvelous, lifechanging experience, and destinations are stepping up their game to deliver even better products to help you craft unique group experiences that pull you away from the cheap cookie cutter trips.

To help you in your efforts, we are launching a year-long focus on Experiential Travel. We’ll be reporting on destinations that are making a difference, showing you new tips and giving you additional tools to add extra pizzazz to your travel programs.

Everything I know about travel tells me this is the next “big thing” and it’s always fun to be on the front end of a trend. Take advantage of it while you can.

Group travel is your idea, and it’s a good idea. Stay with it, dog it and work it until it’s done and done right.

Southern – Dolores Ridout P/F 281.762.9546 dolores@ptmgroups.com Frontier/Mountain West – Linda Ragusin P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 linda@ptmgroups.com Florida & Caribbean – Evelyn Stetler P 321.235.6002 • F 321.235.6094 evelyn@ptmgroups.com The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

Leisure Group Travel (ISSN-1531-1406) is published bi-monthly by Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations. Other travel-related suppliers may subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular subscription price for all others is $18.00 per year. Single copies are $4.95 each.

I’ll see you at the finish line.

Send Address Change to:

Happy traveling,

Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

A

Jeff Gayduk, Publisher

6 February 2013

publication

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

On Tour

❖ marty sarbey de souto, ctc

Consider Family Travel YOU MAY BE TOTALLY satisfied

sitting on the bus. You’ll have to accept

with the numbers you are drawing to

that your usual tours may bore them

Trips. There are also companies that

your travel program. But many of us

totally.

have pioneered family travel itineraries.

Tour Companies with Family

find that every year we lose a few of

One way is to attempt to design

One such is Thomson Family Adven-

our habitual travelers due to health

the trip yourself, booking all arrange-

tures. They offer a worldwide program

issues, financial problems or other

ments yourself and in effect be your

including a Costa Rica adventure, a

reasons. So most of us who plan trips

own tour operator. An easier way may

Baja multi-sport trip with surfing in the

need to continue our marketing efforts

be to book your entire project with

Pacific and swimming with sea lions,

in order to grow our program and to

a company that specializes in family

and even a trip to Morocco with a

replace those travelers whom we

travel or at least has family travel facil-

chance to ride a camel.

have lost.

ities. Let’s look at a few such possi-

Perhaps you’ve already started to look “outside the box” of your traditional travelers and consider new

bilities: Kid-friendly Resorts. An easy way to start is to offer a long weekend or

Another company that offers some family departures as part of its worldwide adventure program is Berkeley, California-based Backroads. Offerings

types of travelers and trips to match their interests. But if not, maybe now is the time to start. If you’re “stuck” doing the same old one-day trips for

Creative tour planners can craft trips that appeal to adults and kids

seniors, student trips to Washington D.C. or sports tours to football games, you may wish to expand. Why not

more at a resort with facilities and spe-

include a hiking tour in Death Valley

consider a trip or two for the family

cial activities for young people. Many

and multi-sport trips in Hawaii, Costa

market? Ever since 9/11 and now

Hawaii properties are particularly good

Rica, Greece and Sicily.

since the shooting tragedy in Con-

at this, offering hula lessons, lei-making

necticut, parents and grandparents

classes and ukulele sing-alongs. Of

nies do not take unaccompanied chil-

feel the need to be close to the children

course, you’ll want to check for special

dren or teenagers; they must be

in their lives, and traveling together is

family room rates. A Western guest

accompanied by adult family members.

a wonderful way to help fulfill that

ranch stay is another option, with un-

need.

limited horseback riding, hayrides, and

win-win situation – a win for the kids

a barn dance or two.

who will meet others of their own age

Your new clients could be parents

It should be noted that these compa-

Taking the whole family can be a

with teenagers (or younger), a grand-

Cruises. Undoubtedly Disney is

parent taking one grandchild at a time

the name that most frequently comes

the adults who will be able not only to

on a trip as a rite of passage, a single

to mind with child-friendly menus, a

enjoy themselves but who will enjoy

mom or dad traveling with one or more

chance to meet favorite Disney char-

seeing the young people in their family

children. Appealing to this market will

acters on board, swimming pools ga-

enjoying themselves. And, of course,

take a completely new way of thinking

lore, and activity areas for every age

you who will be able to pat yourself on

on your part – not just suddenly includ-

and interest. But many other cruise

the back for having made this travel

ing kids on weekends during the reg-

lines also offer child-friendly activities,

experience possible.

ular school year. Secondly, you will

especially during school break times.

need to include activities that are of

The beauty of a cruise is that each age

interest to young people, not just the

group can find its own level, leaving

same old same old. Thirdly, your trips

the adults free time to enjoy their own

will need to be more active – not just

activities (or inactivities).

8 February 2013

and interests on the trip, a win for

Marty is a Certified Travel Counselor who designs and leads tours. Her travel industry consulting and educational firm is Sarbey Associates (sarbeyassociates.com).

LeisureGroupTravel.com

On Shopping

❖ carolyn j. feimster

New Experiences in Outlet Shopping AS ALWAYS, THE question for the group travel market is: what’s new?

Easy answer…outlet shopping, a

To make sure that the outlet experience continues to evolve and remain relevant for your clients, outlet develop-

packages for your clients, contact shopamericatours@aol.com.

Looking even further down the

perennial group favorite, has finally

ers have formed the Outlet Marketing

road and into 2014 is a new outlet

evolved beyond the cliché of “shop ’til

Alliance. With Shop America Alliance,

shopping experience that will for

you drop” to a real experience that

they are launching the first USA Outlet

the first time merge the outlet stores

includes much more than just shopping.

Shopping Festival. Scheduled for May

in an urban, downtown, mixed-use

Of course, shopping is still the No. 1

24-27, 2013 (Memorial Day weekend),

setting. At Assembly Row in Somerville,

priority, but now, your clients are able

this four-day event at outlet shopping

Mass., your clients will not only enjoy

to enjoy a more fulfilling experience,

centers across the country will offer

outlet prices at their favorite stores,

and you are able to better profit from it.

even deeper discounts, savings and

but they will also have a variety of

promotions, such as travel packages,

dining and entertainment experiences

gift-with-purchase and shopping

(including a 12-screen cinema),

Why is outlet shopping so popular?

In today’s economy, your travelers want two things: value and bragging rights. Outlet shopping clearly offers both. What started out as warehouses evolved into storefronts. Merchandise

In today’s economy, your travelers want two things: value and bragging rights.

that was once last season has evolved into outlet offerings featuring current, trendy fashion. Your clients are

spree giveaways for your clients.

all in a pedestrian-friendly setting

buying value and bringing designer

Based on successful international

on the Mystic River. A riverside park,

fashions home to impress.

events including the Dubai Shopping

plus office space and residential

Festival, the USA Outlet Shopping

units, will be part of the complex.

traditional shopping centers have

Festival will be the first national shop-

And the new project is located only

re-merchandised to offer the outlet ex-

ping festival inviting tourists from

eight minutes from downtown Boston.

perience? No longer do your coaches

throughout the USA and the world to

Commissionable packages will

have to use expensive gas to drive an

enjoy special discounts from major

be available for tour operators.

hour outside a city center as outlets

retail brands and fun events.

(assemblyrow.com)

Have you noticed how many

have sprung up much closer, such as

Tour operators and travel partners,

While there are a lot of shopping

The Outlets at Bergen Town Center

including travel agents, hotels and

experiences out there for you to sell

(bergentowncenter.com) in the hub of

transportation providers, will be invited

to your clients, keep your eyes on the

shopping in Northern New Jersey. This

to develop packages and promotions

outlets as they continue to evolve,

former traditional shopping center re-

around the festival. Tax-free shopping

allowing you to be even more creative

merchandised with great success 3½

opportunities will be highlighted for

in your packaging.

years ago. Many others around the

even greater savings. This is a great

country have followed suit.

opportunity for you to start now to

Outlet marketing has become much

build your packages and profit from

more savvy, too. Instead of just relying

this event. The organizers will be

on the in-store discounts and the stan-

launching an extensive online and

dard coupon book, outlet center market-

social media marketing campaign to

ing directors now offer transportation,

support it. For more information on

packages and promotional events.

how you can benefit by developing

10 February 2013

Carolyn J. Feimster, SCMD, is owner/president of CJF Marketing International. The company’s primary focus is on developing results-oriented programs to enhance the tourism experience at shopping centers, retail districts, and other commercial properties and organizations. Feimster can be reached at 718-757-8489, carolyn@cjfmarketinginternational.com, or log on to cjfmarketinginternational.com.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Discover destinations that let you see a century into the past.

Lehigh Valley has some of the most historic, unique venues on the East Coast. The industry-inspired Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem features live table games, over 3,000 slot machines, a luxurious new hotel, premium retail shopping outlets and plenty of entertainment and dining options. 速

You can also offer your guests fun destinations like the legendary C.F. Martin Guitar & Co. Museum and Factory Tour and Mack Trucks Historical Museum.

For details, call Marc Kaminetsky at 1-800-MEET-HERE or visit DiscoverLehighValleyGroups.com.

on the record ❖

On The Record Readers’ Favorite Factory Tours FOLLOWING ARE ANSWERS from Leisure Group Travel readers who responded to the question: What is your all-time favorite factory tour?

Cool Tour My first choice is Cape Pond Ice. The factory is located on Gloucester, Massachusetts’ active waterfront – you can see fishermen and lobstermen loading and unloading their boats. The ice is used to keep the fish cold while the boats are at sea.

If you watch the movie The Perfect Storm, you see this factory and mention of the ice throughout. This is a “must include” on any New England fall foliage tour – worth including as a visit en route to Rockport or after the Salem museums.

JoAnn Bell, Vice President Road Scholar Boston, MA

Assembly Line Marvels My favorite factory group tour would have to be the one at BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg, S.C. From the handling of the group to the headphone system that is used to share information with the group, the tour of the facility was excellent! Who would have ever imagined a robot putting in the seats or the windshield of a BMW?

CINDY HILTON

PHILL NALL

international travelers. Many of the towns in Argentina feature a local pasta factory that prepares fresh pasta and sauces daily. Due to the Italian influence in Argentina, pasta is a popular food choice. Our family trips take a tour of Udine, where pasta is totally handmade by a great family, Marcelo and Myriam and their kids Luis, Juan and Nancy. They have the best quality pasta in Merlo. Following the tour, Luis takes us back to the wonderful little family-run resort where our groups stay for the week. There he leads us in a pasta- and empanada-making class. It’s a great peek into the culture of food in this little corner of Argentina. The factory tour offers an interesting glimpse, not only of food, but also of family and community life, culminating with a hands-on discovery of our own culinary prowess!

Simply Culture Boutique Travel

Never Too Old Tours

Arroyo Grande, CA

Atlanta, GA

Nothing Runs Like a Deere I offer small group trips for cultural immersion in a community in Argentina that isn’t often visited by 12 February 2013

in an open-air tram (pulled by a John Deere tractor, of course). The driver/guide is a retired plant employee. His pride in the product and the company’s long history in the area is always infectious. Hours and dates of operation are dependent on supply and demand, but Lonnie Elmore at the CVB has always been able to make it work for me. She can also add in theme attractions such as a visit to a working farm and a local history museum where visitors can see historic tractors and farm implements including the rare Waterloo Boy—the tractor that brought John Deere to town.

(The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum will open in Waterloo in late spring 2013.)

Clayton Whitehead, CTP, CITM Vice President Sports Leisure Vacations Sacramento, CA

Cindy Hilton

Phill Nall

Taste of Argentina

JOANN BELL

Consistently my all-time favorite factory tour in the US is the John Deere Assembly Plant in Waterloo, Iowa. Guests ride though the factory

Brooklyn Navy Yard Our company offers tours of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. While it was once a large naval shipbuilding facility, today it is home to about 275 companies that are in the creative and manufacturing industries. In addition to commercial ship repair, LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Where every visit creates lasting memories Motorcoach travelers know that Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to make memories. Could be because there’s so much to see and do here ‌ shopping, shows, DollywoodŽ or the majestic beauty of our Smoky Mountains. Or it could be that warm welcome they receive, kind of like visiting an old friend. Whatever the reason, they know that every visit creates memories that will last a lifetime.

PigeonForgeTours.com 1-800-285-7557

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 13

on the record ❖ the Brooklyn Navy Yard is a 300acre industrial park that produces and packages products, including Sweet n' Low and Sugar in the Raw, military body armor, high-end furniture, pre-fabricated housing units, electronics, and movies and television shows. Our tour com-

pany, in partnership with the Visitor and Exhibition Center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, offers tours of the Yard, both about its rich naval history, as well as its transformation into a "green" industrial park. One of the factory tours featured is of IceStone, a company that makes

countertops and other durable surfaces out of recycled glass. It is truly an environmentally innovative company.

Cindy VandenBosch Turnstile Tours Brooklyn, New York

On Tap in Milwaukee Hands down, the Lakefront Brewery tour in Milwaukee is the most interesting, fun and authentic factory tour that comes to mind. These guys got it right. Seasonal drafts, entertaining, outrageous, but knowledgeable tour guides and tasting throughout the tour.

Other features: a gift shop with a variety of souvenirs/clothing and a beer garden-style restaurant with a polka band on Fridays.

Jim Derse, Group Sales Manager Lamers Tour & Travel Milwaukee, WI

Glass, Porcelain & More Collette Vacations product managers shared with me some of our most popular factory tours: Murano Glass Factory – Embark on a boat trip to Murano Island near Venice for a glassblowing demonstration that is incorporated in “Italian Vistas” and other tours of Italy.

Waterford Crystal Factory – Tour Ireland’s new House of Waterford Crystal factory featuring a fascinating visitors center and a retail store housing the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world. This factory tour is included in the “Exploring Britain & Ireland” and “Shades of Ireland” tours.

14 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory – In Vermont, this tour teaches travelers about the ice cream process and ends with a sample of their sweet treats during the “Colors of New England” tour.

Mulher de Capote Liqueurs – Stop at this Azores distillery to taste the all-natural liqueurs made from such ingredients as blackberry, pineapple, passion fruit and banana (“Portugal & Its Islands” tour).

Lladro Porcelain Complex – Visit Valencia’s Lladro-City of Porcelain and learn about the history and creative process of the world-famous, handmade Lladro figurines (featured in the “Spain’s Classics” and “Spain’s Classics and Portugal” tours).

Vista Alegre Porcelain Factory – Learn the art of handmade Portuguese porcelain at the Vista Alegre Museum on the “Discover Portugal’s Treasures“ tour.

Maria Fruci Public Relations Specialist Collette Vacations Pawtucket, RI

Wicks & Wax An all-time favorite factory tour for our inbound groups is the Yankee Candle factory in South Deerfield, Mass., where groups can dip their own candles. One very suspicious passenger asked, “Are we making our own candles because our hotel in Vermont has no electricity?” Rest assured, ALL our New England tour hotels have electricity AND indoor plumbing.

Donna Hanson, VP of Fun The Maine Tour Connection South Portland, ME

Chocolate Dreams If you love fine chocolate, there is no better tour in the USA than LeisureGroupTravel.com

Theo’s in Seattle. The hour-long tour starts with a talk on cocoa beans, sourcing and the concepts of fair trade and organic farming, followed by a 40-minute factory tour and tasting a small piece of candy. The tour ends at Theo’s store, where you can sample for free. Excellent guides with a great sense of humor!

Cheryl Willis Whatcom County Council on Aging Bellingham, WA

On a Musical Note No question—the Martin Guitar Factory in Nazareth, Pa! Not only is it a walk-through of the factory, but you have the opportunity to interact with the craftsmen and women at their work stations as they create the finest and only all-handmade guitar in the world.

They have been doing this for 175 years in this quaint colonial town.

Because this is such a hands-on tour, it is only done one time a day at 10 a.m. The tour ends with a visit to their world-class Guitar Museum and each guest leaves with a logoembossed piece of wood cut from the center hole of a guitar!

IN THE APRIL ISSUE of Leisure Group Travel, our On the Record column will look at social media. Please send us your response to this question:

How are you using social media in your business? Are you having any success using Facebook, Twitter, Linked In or Pinterest in promoting your tours or company? Tell us how!

Along with your comments, please include your name, company name and location. Also for publication, send a high-resolution photo of yourself. A selection of responses will be printed in the April 2013 issue.

Thanks in advance for your valuable opinions.

Send to: Randy Mink, randy@ptmgroups.com

Bob Buesing, President East Coast Touring Co. Easton, PA

Thirst-Quenching Our “Brewery Winery Distillery Tour” in Williamsburg, Brooklyn visits three craft beverage companies, all within walking distance of each other. Attendees get a behind-the-scenes tour of each, tastings, lunch and the history of each industry. We like to think it’s the best factory tour.

David Naczycz Urban Oyster, Inc. Brooklyn, NY February 2013 15

South Dakota Department of Tourism

HCI’s Peer Group Conference in Rapid City will offer opportunities for professional development and sightseeing in the Badlands and Black Hills.

Heritage Clubs International Conference Heads to

South Dakota

South Dakota Department of Tourism

R

apid City, South Dakota is gearing up to host the

Michelle Thomson, tourism director of the Rapid City CVB,

annual Peer Group Conference for Heritage Clubs

said, “The Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau is extremely

International, the nation’s oldest bank marketing

excited to be hosting the Heritage Clubs International annual

organization.

conference in Rapid City. We’ve been spending the past sev-

The Feb.27-March 3 meeting will feature educational ses-

eral months planning tours and events that will showcase many

sions, a trade show and plenty of opportunities for bank travel

of the unique activities available throughout Rapid City and the

club directors to network with their peers and meet with tour

Black Hills. Thanks to the generosity of our many great part-

operators. Downtown’s Holiday Inn Rapid City – Rushmore

ners, we are certain the conference will be a success.”

Plaza is the host hotel. Attendees also will have a chance to tour attractions in the Black Hills and Badlands.

Heritage Club Milestones

16 February 2013

1980

1982

1984

1997

First Citizens National Bank in Charles City, Iowa establishes the first Heritage Club under leadership of Bank President OJ Tomson.

Training sessions begin, teaching other banks how to establish a bank loyalty program

First formal Heritage Clubs meeting held in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Long-time Heritage Clubs leader Mae Rodemaker retires, George Aker hired as President LeisureGroupTravel.com

VisitRapidCity

South Dakota Department of Tourism

Bank club directors attending this year’s conference will see attractions like The Journey Museum in Rapid City and The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs.

The conference’s keynote speaker will be Vincent Muli Kituku,

option features a brand new nature facility, Outdoor Campus

a native of Kenya. A well-known business motivational speaker,

West. Operated by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, it has

he will talk about living with a purpose, embracing change in

animal displays and aquariums. Another option visits The Mam-

order to grow, and overcoming career and personal challenges.

moth Site, an active paleontological dig site and the world’s

Through the years, Heritage Clubs’ Peer Group has become

largest mammoth research facility. An evening at Mount Rush-

known for its outstanding educational content, and this year is

more is scheduled for Saturday night.

no exception. Educational sessions will cover such topics as

Attendees registered for the Feb. 23-27 pre-conference FAM

ethics in group travel, technology, marketing assistance from in-

will visit downtown Rapid City, Badlands National Park, Wall Drug,

dustry partners, coming to terms with transition of club manage-

Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore and the Old West town of

ment and handling customer tour-pricing objections.

Deadwood. Other highlights include a voluntourism activity, wine-

Sightseeing tours on Friday, March 1, will include lunch at Crazy Horse Memorial, where the world’s largest mountain carving has been a work in progress since 1948. One afternoon tour

tasting and lunch at Prairie Berry Winery, and touring the factory floor of a Black Hills gold jewelry company.

While Rapid City is known as the gateway to the Black Hills Badlands National Park, 90 minutes from Rapid City, presents a stark moonscape of jagged spires, deep gorges and bands of colorful rock.

1999

2004

2007

2009

2011

2012

Organization grapples with Y2K concerns and consolidation of community banks

Holds first meeting at sea from Galveston, Texas

Ted Nelson purchases Heritage Clubs, Amy Countryman is hired as Administrative Director

HCI celebrates 25th Annual Peer Group Conference in Lafayette, LA

HCI Board of Advisors approves new Certification program for Bank Club Directors

George Aker retires as President, Ted Nelson becomes first Executive Director

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 17

Obtain South Dakota visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

and Badlands, it has many attractions itself. One is The Journey Museum, which spotlights the region’s history, covering everything from dinosaurs to Native American culture and pioneer settlement. Popular activities in the newly revitalized downtown include shopping for Indian arts and crafts and touring the City of Presidents, a collection of bronze statues of all past U.S. presidents.

For more information on Heritage Clubs and its Peer Group Conference, log on to heritageclubs.com, or call 877-881-0229.

Heritage members meet with a select group of tour operators at Peer Group Conferences.

18 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

QuebecOriginal.com North America / Canada /

QuĂŠbec

Bank Travel Clubs

Look to a New Generation Leisure Group Travel magazine talked with Ted Nelson, president of Heritage Clubs International, to gain his perspec-

Peer Group Conference attendees last year visited Fort Smith, Arkansas.

tive on the bank travel market, past, present and future.

LGT: Why do bank loyalty club programs make sense in this day and age?

When interest earned on cash is high, they have more money to spend on travel and other luxuries. Conversely, when rates

Ted Nelson: There is always a market for strengthening

are down, so is their spending ability. Where banks need to

relationships with customers. It is proven highly successful in

become more relevant is by providing travel opportunities for

small and mid-size communities, and could be equally suc-

the next generation. Many clubs have lowered or eliminated

cessful in larger urban communities, where the populace is

their age requirements to reach out to this new market. At

large and diverse enough to have a segment with an interest

Heritage Clubs International, our Preferred Tour Operators

in high-touch, high-value banking services. In today’s financial

have expanded to include some of the types of travel sought

climate the club’s value to the bank remains strong as deposit

by younger travelers. The result is that our club directors are

value will become more and more important.

comfortable offering new and diverse forms of travel to both

LGT: The bank loyalty market was the hot sector of the group travel industry in the ’90s, but as with the majority of the travel industry it’s been a tough decade. Why is that?

markets.

LGT: Why do you find banks come to Heritage Clubs and what keeps them around?

TN: Historically the group travel market for bank clubs is

TN: Heritage Clubs International is a very unique organi-

the senior-age client with high-deposit, strong-cash positions.

zation in both the banking and the travel industry. It is the only

Where banks need to become more relevant is by providing travel opportunities for the next generation.

RE RELAX RE IND REW WIN D RE R E J U V ENATE ENAT E “In April of 2012, I brought a group to the Dubuque Area and took in the CVB’s ‘Saints and Sinners Tour.’ I would recommend this tour for your groups. Everyone enjoyed it and had a great experience in the community.”

Mary Busch, Castle Club Coordinator Castle Bank, DeKalb, IL

To book your Dubuque, IA tour, contact Julie Kronlage at 563.690.9207 or jkronlage@dubuquechamber.com.

20 February 2013

national banking organization in which the banker members do not compete with one another for the same customers since they represent unique geographic regions. This allows bank club directors to share freely with their peers all their successes and challenges, which gives them incredible educational opportunities to make their clubs more successful and their banks more profitable.

LGT: What is the difference between the typical Heritage Club LeisureGroupTravel.com

not a generational fad that disappears as new generations

At Heritage Clubs International, our Preferred Tour Operators have expanded to include some of the types of travel sought by younger travelers. The result is that our club directors are comfortable offering new and diverse forms of travel to both markets.

take on their family’s financial responsibilities. It is a human value that recognizes the need for personal relationships.

Travel is no longer a luxury for most Americans and banks should want to continue to offer non-financial services such as travel to build stronger relationships. There is always a strong return on relationships, and there are few better ways to build relationships than through great travel experiences. LGT

member versus a non-member bank that offers a group travel program to its customers?

TN: When a bank joins HCI they are making a commitment to increase their educational opportunities and to become more successful. Our Bank Club Certification Program is the only educational certification program in the US for club directors. Taking these courses gives our bankers the recognition that they are the very best in the banking industry.

LGT: How would you compare the Heritage Club conference to other bank travel conferences?

TN: Every organization has its strengths and purposes. For HCI we want our bankers to be in a non-competitive environment with the opportunity to meet with highly qualified tour operators and other travel industry professionals in an intimate environment.

Our highly selective group of Preferred Tour Operators is among the finest travel companies in the world. In addition, we keep a tight ratio of travel partners to bankers at our annual Peer Group Conference. This translates to better business opportunities.

LGT: In your opinion, what’s the future of banks offering travel programs?

TN: Community banks in America remain in a very unique banking position.

They can continue to command the “relationship” market. That is, those community members who appreciate the value of a personal banking relationship beyond what they can get in the large banks understand that their banker provides even greater value than simply financial benefits. This is LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 21

El Reno CVB

GET YOUR KICKS ON

OKLAHOMA’S ROUTE 66 Museums, historical sites and kitschy attractions across the state recall the golden days of automobile travel

G

etting your kicks on Route 66 is easy

in Oklahoma, home to more drivable miles of the “Mother Road” than any

other state. With so many distinct roadside landmarks, cruising along the Sooner State’s almost 400 miles of Route 66 promises fun for everyone in your group.

Perhaps the Old Town Museum Complex in Elk City is the perfect place to start. Here visitors can travel back in time along the iconic highway from Chicago to California at the National Route 66 Museum. Recordings of

To Oklahoma

urism and

Dep Recreation

artment

personal experiences play throughout the

22 February 2013

museum to highlight what life was like along the historic route. The Old Town Museum Complex, also home to the Farm and Ranch Museum, National Transportation Museum and several others, features a popular LeisureGroupTravel.com

photo op entrance with a large Route 66 sign and a giant kachina doll made of old oil field materials.

Heading east along the Mother Road towards Clinton, make a quick stop in Canute. Here travelers can see remnants of the Cotton Boll and Washita motels, including their historic neon signs. Canute has other off-the-beaten path sites such as a Catholic cemetery with a 1928 grotto, a jailhouse dating back to 1918, a 1930s WPA (Works Progress Administration) park and a 1926 church now home to Canute’s Heritage Center.

In Clinton, travelers can visit the first official state-operated Route 66 museum in the country. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum showcases the history of the Mother Road across the state. Exhibits include the world’s largest curio cabinet, which features treasures and mementos collected along Route 66. Other exhibits focus on transportation and travel on the historic route and how it has changed throughout time. The museum also includes an audio tour and a replica drive-in theater.

McLain Rogers Park, built by WPA, offers today’s travelers the same recreational fun as it did in the ’30s and ’40s—a picnic area, pool and water slide, playgrounds, athletic fields and courts, and a Route 66-themed miniature golf course. A 400seat outdoor amphitheater still showcases talent acts and plays during the summer months.

of two upper-story gas stations left on Route 66 in Oklahoma.

The service station, built in 1929, was taken over by Lucille Hamons’s family in 1941 and run by Lucille, who was quickly given the nickname “Mother of the Mother Road” for her friendly assistance. Just a few miles away is Lucille’s Roadhouse, a diner modeled after the service station. One portion of the roadhouse is designed as a ‘50s diner where kid’s meals

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

Just east of Clinton is Weatherford, home of Lucille’s Service Station. Although it is no longer in business, it is one

The Skyliner in Stroud is one of the vintage motels that survives on Oklahoma’s Route 66. Below: The Blue Whale, a defunct swimming hole in Catoosa, is a magnet for photographers on the Mother Road. Opposite: Other photo ops include the iconic sign at the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City and classic car mural in El Reno.

are served in boxes shaped like vintage cars and the other is designed as a steakhouse with a lounge/bar area where travelers can relax and unwind.

Weatherford is also home to the Heartland Museum of America, which houses artifacts from the late 1800s to 1950 depicting life in the heartland including automobiles, farming supplies, electronics, clothing and household items.

Just before El Reno, the Canadian River Bridge, more commonly called the Pony Bridge because of its 38 pony trusses, connects Geary and Bridgeport. Built in 1933 and stretching nearly 4,000 feet, it is the longest truss bridge in Oklahoma and can be seen in the classic 1939 film The Grapes of Wrath. tablished in 1874. The fort later served as an Army quartermaster remount station in 1908 and a German prisoner of war camp during World War II. Fort Reno contains over 25 strucLeisureGroupTravel.com

Randy Mink

El Reno is home to historic Fort Reno, a military post es-

February 2013 23

on location: west ❖ ashley braun tures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours

Obtain Oklahoma visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

was built in 1930, and the milk bottle was added in 1948.

through exhibits and displays are available.

Another eye-catching landmark on Route 66 in Oklahoma

Built in 1892, the two-story El Reno Hotel remains the old-

City is the Gold Dome Building. Constructed in 1958 out of

est commercial building in the town. Don’t forget to grab a fa-

625 individual panels, the building originally housed a bank

mous El Reno fried onion burger from one of several eateries

but is now home to a cultural center, art gallery, restaurant

including Johnnie’s Grill, Robert’s Grill or Sid’s Diner.

and offices.

Oklahoma City, roughly 30 miles east of El Reno, boasts sev-

In April of 2010, Oklahoma City’s Tower Theater lit its iconic

eral historic Route 66 landmarks. The Milk Bottle Building,

neon sign for the first time in decades as part of the Route 66

an old grocery store that is now a bakery, houses a 10-foot-tall

Corridor Preservation Program. The 1,500-seat theater was

milk bottle on its roof. The 350-square-foot triangular building

built in 1937 along the original Route 66.

When traveling along Route 66 in Oklahoma, a stop at POPS in Arcadia is a must.

Constructed from Oklahoma red rock and steel beams inspired by historic Route 66 bridges, POPS is a convenience store, gas station and restaurant all rolled into one. A 66-foot-tall soda bottle covered in LED lights stands outside the entrance, paying homage to the almost 600 flavors of soda available inside. From berry to bacon and peanut butter to pink lemonade, POPS has almost every flavor imaginable.

Arcadia is also known for the historic wooden Round Barn built in 1898. Originally built to house livestock and store hay,

A BURGEONING ART SCENE AND WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS. THE FLAVORS OF THE WORLD AND THE COMFORTS OF HOME. OKLAHOMA CIT Y ISN’T JUST A DESTINATION – IT’S AN INSPIRATION. COME SEE OUR PRIDE & GLORY. OUR PRESENT & FUTURE. OUR

the barn became a community gathering center because of its loft floor, which was perfect for dancing. Tours can be scheduled.

Chandler is home to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and Route 66 Interpretive Center. At the Interpretive Center, visitors can take a virtual drive along Oklahoma’s Route 66 in the 1920s to present day and experience what lodging was like through the virtual hotel room exhibit.

Built in 1939 and still in use today, the Lincoln Motel offers travelers a chance to stay in authentic cottage-style rooms that were popular at motor courts during the ’30s and ’40s. A neon sign makes the Lincoln Motel easy to spot from the road. The 1903

VISITOKC.C OM

St. Cloud Hotel, although no longer in use, is a landmark worth seeing.

The Rock Cafe in Stroud has been a popular Route 66 attraction since it was built in 1936. Dawn Welch, owner since

T he Okl ahoma St ate C apitol Dome and the Okl ahoma C it y National Memor ial & Mu seum

24 February 2013

1993, was even the inspiration for Sally Carrera in the Disney Pixar movie Cars. Stop LeisureGroupTravel.com

on location: west ❖

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For a look at all kinds of museums in towns along Oklahoma’s Route 66. go to LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this numerical code: 33227.

in for unique menu items such as an alligator burger or a

ing off of and a waterslide. Although swimming in the pond is

jagerschnitzel.

no longer allowed, the whale still serves as a backdrop to the

Tulsa’s Blue Dome Entertainment District is appropriately named after a 1920s gas station for Route 66 travelers.

The blue-domed landmark, now used as office space, serves

picnicking area and a unique photo op for Route 66 travelers.

Group tours of the area can be scheduled in advance.

Just east of Catoosa’s Blue Whale is Totem Pole Park, lo-

as a focal point of dining, shopping

cated in Foyil just off of Route 66.

and nightlife in Tulsa.

This historic landmark offers travelers the chance to see the world’s largest concrete totem pole standing 90 feet

Meadow Gold Sign. A Route 66 icon

tall and supported by a concrete tur-

since the 1930s, this neon sign was

tle at its base. The park also features Route 66 Interpretive Center

Not far from the Blue Dome District, travelers can see the resurrected

restored thanks to the National Parks Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.

The Circle Cinema, Tulsa’s only remaining historic cinema, opened in 1928 and shows independent, foreign and documentary films as well as lo-

The virtual hotel room is a popular exhibit at the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler.

cally produced or directed films.

picnic tables and a Fiddle House, where park creator Ed Galloway housed his handmade fiddles and a gift shop. Though it began in 1937 as a retirement project, the park remained a continuous project for Ed Galloway until his death in 1962.

Afton is home to Afton Station, a restored 1930s gas sta-

Perhaps one of the strangest Route 66 icons in Oklahoma

tion now serving as a privately owned Route 66 visitors cen-

is the famous Blue Whale in Catoosa. Built as a swimming at-

ter. Full of Route 66 memorabilia and vintage cars, Afton

traction, the whale features a dock that was perfect for jump-

Station gives travelers a glimpse into the Mother Road’s past and a chance to purchase maps of the road and souvenirs.

Waylon’s Ku-Ku Burger is located in Miami. The original neon sign and giant yellow cuckoo bird outside of this classic fastfood chain from the ’60s grabs the attention of Route 66 travelers. Try one of their famous cooked-to-order burgers and remember to save room for the frozen desserts.

Few sections of the original Route 66 remain in Oklahoma, but Miami is home to one of them. The “Ribbon Road” is a three-mile section of the original nine-foot-wide road.

Historic markers and signage have been added to this Oklahoma National Historic Landmark. Groups looking for an authentic Mother Road adventure can find other original Route 66 roadbeds in Foyil, Sapulpa, Bethany, El Reno, Clinton and Sayre.

Oklahoma offers visitors a chance to see both the historic and quirky side of Route 66.

From ghost towns like Texola and original roadbeds to unusual roadside attractions such as Catoosa’s Blue Whale, a trip along Oklahoma’s Route 66 is sure to please everyone in your group. LGT

26 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

on location: west ❖ randy mink

Albuquerque:

Shopper’s Paradise I magine biting into a block of peanut brittle stud-

ded with red and green chiles. Or spreading jalapeno orange marmalade on a piece of toast.

How about buying a habanero raisin chocolate bar for that friend who likes it hot-hot-hot?

Anyone looking to kick their shopping up a notch while bringing home a taste of New Mexico will find the right souvenir in the shops of Old Town Albuquerque, the perfect place to let a group loose for a

From handicrafts to tasty treasures with a regional twist, souvenir hunters get into the spirit of the Southwest

few hours of carefree browsing, dining and sightseeing. Oozing with Southwestern ambience, the historic heart of Albuquerque offers a tantalizing introduction to New Mexico’s largest city.

Set around a shady central plaza, this touristfriendly enclave with a small-village vibe invites visitors to explore its shopping arcades, relax at a patio cafe, or just sit on a bench and people-watch. Flowerfilled courtyards and Pueblo-Spanish adobe buildings festooned with strings of dried red chiles (ristras) tempt photographers. Compact and walkable, Old Town abounds with more than 100 shops, art galleries and eateries.

On a sidewalk facing the plaza, under La Placita Portal, Indian artist vendors offer an array of handmade silver and turquoise jewelry. Surrounding gift shops and souvenir emporiums sell Indian blankets, pottery and paintings as well as jewelry. The Covered Wagon, one of the bigger stores, has everything Western, from cowboy boots and moccasins to Indian headdresses, Mexican sombreros and bleached cow skulls suitable for mounting.

Red and green chile peppers are a way of culinary

newmexicostock.com

life in New Mexico and served on everything from enchiladas to cheeseburgers. With many dishes you have a choice of red or green. When asked “Red or green?” (the official state question), you can do as the locals and say “Christmas” to get both.

The striking black-and-white designs of Acoma Pueblo pottery tempt treasure-hunting travelers in Albuquerque.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 27

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For a side trip idea from Albuquerque, consider the Jemez Trail. See the article at LeisureGroupTravel.com and enter this code: 32951.

Travis Suazo

www.itsatrip.org

on location: west ❖

Dance performances and artist demonstrations at Albuquerque’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Center spotlight the native peoples of New Mexico.

For tips on Southwestern cooking, pick up a copy of The

inside the 1793 San Felipe de Neri Church, which mixes adobe

Green Chile Bible or The Red Chile Bible. The chile motif is

and Victorian architecture, and relax in its rose garden. Across

found in merchandise ranging from wall hangings to wind

the street in the plaza, the original town square, you might

chimes. Ceramic ristras are popular, as are chile-print ban-

catch some entertainment, perhaps folkloric dancers or a mari-

danas and cayenne pepper cookie jars. Easy-to-take-home

achi band, from Thursday to Saturday by the old-fashioned

food items include red and green chile sauce, salsa and jelly.

gazebo. Old West-style gun fights are staged on Sundays. On

Be adventurous and take a chance on green chile pineapple

the plaza are replicas of two cannons that were buried in Old

preserves. Snack lovers go for the two-chile chocolate bar,

Town by retreating Confederate troops during a Civil War skir-

jalapeno cheddar chips, piñon candies, and red or green chile

mish. The original cannons are in the nearby Albuquerque Mu-

caramel corn. For other tasty mementoes of the region, grab a

seum of Art & History, part of a museum district that includes

bag of piñon nuts, blue corn waffle

Explora (hands-on science exhibits)

and pancake mix, or biscochitos, the

and the New Mexico Museum of Natu-

state cookie (a crispy butter cookie

ral History & Science. The American

flavored with anise and cinnamon).

International Rattlesnake Museum, right in the Old Town shopping area,

shoppers in Old Town can pick up

provides a close-up look at the deadly

cactus plants or cactus jelly, road-

creatures. Old Town also has the

runner placemats or rattlesnake

Turquoise Museum.

magnets. Framed pictures, novelty clocks and lavishly illustrated books showcase desert plants and wildlife.

Route 66 souvenirs, from mugs and T-shirts to playing cards and license

www.itsatrip.org

For reminders of the desert,

Tours of Old Town offers 75-minute walks that focus on the history of Old Town, plus nightly 90-minute ghost The colors, designs and ambience of the Southwest charm shoppers in Albuquerque’s Old Town district.

tours. They cater to groups of all sizes and can provide step-on guides as well.

plates, recall the Mother Road’s dynamic presence in Albu-

Another sightseeing option is the 76-minute city tour offered

querque during the golden age of automobile travel. Discover

by ABQ Trolley Co.; the open-air trolleys depart from Old Town

Balloons, a store boasting the world’s largest collection of hot

on an 18-mile loop.

air balloon gift items, trades on the city’s dominance in the lofty activity.

While Old Town is the obvious place for shopping in Albuquerque, it’s not the only one. Downtown is not the retail hub

While some see Old Town as Souvenir Central, others

it once was but abounds with dining and entertainment options,

come to absorb the atmosphere and commune with the past at

plus shops worth visiting. On Central Avenue, or Historic Route

the spot where Albuquerque got its start in 1706. Take a peek

66, Skip Maisel’s is billed as “Albuquerque’s largest Indian showroom” and claims “the largest selection of Indian jewelry

Obtain New Mexico visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

in the Southwest.” Offering everything from sand paintings and kachinas to drums and dreamcatchers, the store, adorned with

28 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Jeff Greenberg

Shops like Mariposa Gallery, one of the country’s oldest contemporary craft galleries, line Route 66 in Albuquerque’s historic Nob Hill.

historic Indian murals on the outside, was opened in the late

ings. On Friday and Saturday nights, it’s pizza on the patio,

1930s by Morris Maisel and revived by grandson Skip in the

with musical entertainment and pizzas made from fry bread

1980s. It employs several Indian craftsmen who demonstrate

straight from the horno (traditional outdoor oven). The chef can

their skills for visitors.

do culinary demonstrations for groups. Also available for

Down the street is another Route 66-era landmark, the KiMo Theatre, a restored 1927 movie palace and vaudeville

groups are hands-on craft sessions that let tour members take home a weaving, pottery or painted gourd.

theater built in the short-lived Pueblo-Deco style that fused the

Giving travelers a true taste of the Southwest, Albuquerque

spirit of Southwestern Indian cultures with Art Moderne ele-

offers a long list of memory-making activities and mementoes

ments popular in the 1920s and ’30s. The auditorium’s color-

to bring back home. Wise group leaders will tailor their itiner-

ful plaster beams mimic the vigas (wooden beams) of adobe

aries to provide their members with plenty of time to browse

architecture, and the eyes of buffalo-skull light fixtures glow in

and soak in the regional culture. LGT

the dark. Adorning the lobby are seven murals depicting Spanish conquistador Coronado on his quest for the Seven Cities of Gold during expeditions in New Mexico from 1540-1542. The KiMo presents live performances and films. Group tours are available.

Route 66 memories also flourish on Central Avenue in Nob Hill, a trendy neighborhood where neon signs and traces of retro architecture from the highway’s heyday mingle with vintage clothing boutiques, specialty shops, chic bistros, and hip cafes, brewpubs and wine bars. The fashionable area is located just east of downtown and the University of New Mexico campus.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, one of Albuquerque’s prime attractions, draws groups with its gift shop, restaurant, outdoor dance performances and museum exhibits on the 19 Pueblo peoples of New Mexico. High-quality items in the shop include alabaster sculptures, sweetgrass baskets, beadwork, pottery and kachinas. Some of the blankets are priced at over $2,000. Top sellers are the cookbooks and music CDs. From the restaurant bakery you can buy fried pueblo pies (peach, cherry, apple, etc.) and Indian fry bread.

For motorcoach groups, the center’s Pueblo Harvest Cafe can arrange a buffet with items like enchiladas in red chile sauce, pueblo beans, Spanish rice and fry bread with piñon butter, plus familiar dishes like beef stroganoff. Posole (hominy stew with chile) is one of the restaurant’s most popular offerLeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 29

on location: west ❖

randy mink

Deep in the Heart of

SAN ANTONIO

The city center sets the pulse in Texas’ top travel destination 30 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

I

t may be America’s seventh largest city, but San

Antonio has a comfortably compact downtown.

Tourist-friendly and highly walkable, the heart of

Richard Nowitz/SACVB

this vibrant metropolis with a Mexican accent abounds with so many intriguing sights that a group could spend several days without straying beyond its central core.

From my base at The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, I found a treasure chest of attractions just blocks away. The River Walk, right outside my door, is indisputably the crown jewel of downtown San Antonio. Landscaped with palm and banana trees, cypress and magnolias, the cobbled walks along the meandering San Antonio River create a scene no other American city duplicates. Twenty feet below street level, away from the noise, groups can enjoy a meal at a riverside cafe or an open-air barge tour that glides past festive umbrella tables and under arched pedestrian bridges. You can even arrange a moving feast, with narration, aboard one of the boats of Rio San Antonio Cruises. Our group’s floating dinner was catered

by Boudro’s, one of the River Walk’s premier restaurants. During the magical evening, the private barge made several loops, each time stopping at Boudro’s to pick up a course (and give people a chance to use the rest room). At one point we cruised right between entertainers performing on the stage of the Arneson River Theatre and, on the opposite bank, the audience.

Backing up to the Arneson is La Villita, a block-square shopping village with about 20 artsy shops housed in 19th century cottages. A National Historic District, the “Little Village” is a delightful pedestrian zone with brick lanes and benches on shaded patios. The Spanish settled here in the late 1700s, but most of the stucco and stone structures date from the 18501880 period when European immigrants, many of them German, built modest abodes and commercial buildings.

German heritage flavors the King William Historic District, just 10 minutes south of downtown via the River Walk. Known in the 1800s as Sauerkraut Bend for its riverside location and dense German population, the gracious residential neighborhood captivates visitors with its collection of exquisitely preserved mansions lining the leafy streets. Built by prosperous represent a variety of architectural styles, from Greek Revival

Al Rendon/SACVB

and French Second Empire to Victorian with gingerbread trim.

Some, like the 1876 home of lumberman Edward Steves (open for tours), are built from the local limestone, a familiar building block in San Antonio and Texas Hill Country. The 1876 Villa Finale, of Italianate design, is the neighborhood’s other Rio San Antonio Cruises offers narrated sightseeing trips that showcase the River Walk in downtown San Antonio. Above: The Alamo Rangers are a private police force that guards the shrine to Texas independence.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 31

© 2013 JupiterImages Corporation

German merchants, bankers and millers, the stately homes

Obtain Texas visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Marks Moore/ SACVB

on location: west ❖

Mexican-flavored eateries and shops lend a festive air to San Antonio’s Market Square.

historic house regularly open to the public for guided tours.

A stroll across the Johnson Street pedestrian bridge over the River Walk, steps from the Steves mansion, leads to the 1859 Guenther House, one of my best San Antonio discoveries because it combines my love of history and comfort food. In a tranquil setting overlooking the river, the museum/restaurant/gift shop occupies the home built by German entrepreneur C.H. Guenther, who operated a flour mill. That factory, Pioneer Flour Mills, is still adjacent to the house, and as the country’s longest continually family-owned mill, supplies the flour in the pancakes, biscuits and pastries served there. The mill’s castellated concrete tower (1923) used to be the city’s tallest structure.

A stellar breakfast place, the Guenther House is renowned for its pancakes, waffles, and biscuits and gravy. In the home’s former tea room and under the ironwork canopy outdoors, guests savor lunch specialties like champagne chicken enchiladas and salads with the signature strawberry chipotle dressing.

Groups can reserve the adjacent, redwood-paneled room, once the family dining room. The sky-lit Roof Garden also is available for groups.

The Guenther House’s covered patio provides a lovely setting for breakfast or lunch.

32 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

From the restaurant’s bakery counter I got a square of streusel-topped coffee cake and a cinnamon roll the size of a

chili con carne, the spicy meat and bean mixture that now is the state dish of Texas.

brick. The cobblers and strudels also were tempting. The Guen-

For the best in Tex-Mex food, try Mi Tierra’s beef enchilada,

ther House gift shop, in the former music room, sells kitchen

tamale and taco plate served with refried beans and Spanish

gadgets, baking supplies and bags of the popular sweet cream

rice by waitresses in traditional dresses in the colors of the

pancake and waffle mixes in cloth sacks, plus biscuit, gravy and

Mexican flag. Request a song from strolling freelance musi-

other mixes.

cians and admire the Mural Room’s art, including images of

Across the road from the flour mill is the Blue Star arts

celebrated Mexican-Americans and President Bill Clinton

complex, a converted industrial site in Southtown, a neighborhood emerging as a center for cuisine and art. The collection of galleries and studios is anchored by the Blue Star Contemporary Art Gallery. Blue Star Brewing Co. was the city’s first fullscale brewpub.

Market Square, also on the edge of downtown, spotlights San Antonio’s Mexican heritage. The two-block area, billed as the “largest Mexican marketplace north of the Rio Grande,” turned out to be one of my favorite places, and I’m glad I had two hours to soak it all in. A beehive of activity, San Antonio’s former produce marketplace bristles with street life and offers more than 100 stores in the El Mercado and Farmer’s Market Plaza buildings, where you’ll find every kind of Mexican-made souvenir, from color-splashed serapes and handbags to paper flowers, embroidered blouses and bottles of vanilla. On the main plaza outside El Mercado, caricaturists ply their trade, Mexican singers and mariachis serenade shoppers, artisans offer their wares, and outdoor vendors cook up gorditas, taquitos and sizzling fajitas.

Photo possibilities abound. But stores post signs that warn “No pictures with hats on” (aimed at those who want to pose in a floppy sombrero).

The Cortez family runs the 500-seat Mi Tierra Restaurant & Bakery, reputedly the largest Mexican restaurant in the country, and adjacent Mariachi Bar, plus two other large restaurants on the block. Actually, they own 90 percent of Market Square and are keen on preserving its authenticity.

It was here that San Antonio’s legendary “chili queens” operated stands that sold LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 33

on location: west ❖ For aerial views of San Antonio, take a ride to the observation deck of Tower of the Americas, the city’s tallest structure.

Located in downtown’s HemisFair Park, the 750-foot landmark, built in 1968 for the HemisFair world exposition celebrating the 250th anniversary of San Antonio’s founding, offers indoor and open-air viewing areas. Eight panoramic photo panels help locate attractions below, and wall panels with audio narration illustrate various periods in Texas history. The tower also has a bar and the revolving Chart House restaurant.

The top-notch Institute of Texan Cultures, in the shadow of the tower, spotlights the contributions of many ethnic groups, Donald Nesbaum/SACVB

from Chinese and Japanese to Dutch, Polish, German and Jewish. Exhibits include vintage photos, musical instruments, liturgical items and videos. Guests can peek inside a 1930s kitchen of a Czech family in Texas and an AfricanMi Tierra Restaurant in Market Square is the perfect place to sip a margarita, enjoy Tex-Mex dishes and be serenaded by mariachi musicians.

American sharecropper’s home from

jogging in a Mi Tierra T-shirt. A corner shrine remembers the

Finally, a group cannot visit San

late pop singer Selena. For the road, get a cream puff or fruit-

Antonio without a stop at the Alamo,

filled empanada from the bakery counter. Founded in 1941,

downtown’s tourism magnet. Anyone

the 24-hour restaurant is now in its fourth generation of family

who has seen one of Hollywood’s

ownership.

Alamo movies knows the names of heroes like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and Col. William Travis, who perished along with about 200 valiant men defending the former Spanish mission against Gen. Santa Anna’s 3,000 Mexican troops. Visitors to the “Cradle of Texas Liberty” must remove their hats,

Al Rendon/SACVB

about 1910.

Tower of the Americas offers a bar, restaurant and observation deck offering panoramic views of San Antonio.

and no photography is allowed inside the hallowed shrine, once a chapel. The Long Barracks and another building on the grounds have museum exhibits on the storied siege and struggle for Texas independence, and a film is available.

The best movie, however, is Alamo…The Price of Freedom, shown almost hourly at the IMAX theater in nearby Rivercenter Mall. To satisfy the whims of tourists, commercial attractions, like Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Guinness World Records Museum and Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, surround Alamo Plaza, lending a festive, if somewhat gaudy aura, to the environs of one of America’s most revered shrines.

Offering ethnic flair, an easy-going personality, a wealth of attractions and tons of Texas lore, San Antonio is an obvious choice for groups looking to experience the best of the Lone Star State.

For tourist information, contact the San Antonio CVB, 210207-6700, visitsantonio.com LGT 34 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

on location: midwest ❖ caitlin kerfin

Touring

Central Missouri

Columbia CVB

Missouri Division of Tourism

Wine-tasting, old jails, caverns and one of the Midwest’s biggest lakes await groups in mid-Missouri

From Lake of the Ozarks (top) to the college town of Columbia and wine country in Hermann, Central Missouri abounds with tour possibilities.

with a three-story gumball coaster inside The Big Red Barn.

Reservations may be made online for groups, with a 25-person

plenty of exciting things for groups to do and see right

minimum. One package includes a hayride, campfire and roast-

in the middle of the Show Me State.

ing sticks; another includes food.

Columbia is known as a college town but attracts visitors of all

The Columbia Star Dinner Train is a fun way to travel Cen-

ages. The campus of the University of Missouri is impressive

tral Missouri. The vintage-style train cars provide a great at-

and a must-see. Group walking tours stop at Mizzou’s award-

mosphere as guests feast on a four-course meal. The train hosts

winning recreation center, historic Jesse Hall and beautiful Me-

special events for holidays and offers brunch most Sundays.

morial Union. The university also has art, anthropology and other

Menus and departure times may be customized for groups.

museums open to the public. Right next to

One of the biggest events in Columbia

the campus is a quirky downtown with bou-

is the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival.

tiques, cafés and thrift shops.

This year the festival is Sept. 20-22 at Stephens Lake Park. While listening to live blues music, barbecue enthusiasts can

corn maze is a major attraction not only be-

chow down on some delicious meat made

cause of its size. Shyrocks creates an elab-

during the BBQ contest. The festival also

orate design in its field every year, making

runs a half marathon/10k race.

Missouri Division of Tourism

Shyrocks Callaway Farms offers many seasonal activities for groups. The 15-acre

the maze even more intricate. Last year the maze was a scene with Truman the tiger (Mizzou’s mascot) and the words “S-E-C” (Southeastern Conference) and “new era” etched in corn. The farm also offers hayrides, campfires and pumpkins along LeisureGroupTravel.com

The Missouri State Capitol is one of many group-friendly attractions in Jefferson City.

The Old Cooper County Jail and Hanging Barn in Boonville was the longest operating county jail in Missouri from 1846 until 1978. Guests can take a tour of the jail as well as the hanging barn where the last public hanging in Missouri February 2013 35

Main Photo: Lake of the Ozarks CVB

C

entral Missouri is often overshadowed by big-time attractions in St. Louis and Kansas City. But there are

on location: midwest ❖

Obtain Missouri visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

took place in 1930. The jail has a large room (the “bullpen”) where slaves were held while waiting to be auctioned, and a room where prisoners were chained to the walls. Frank James, Jesse’s brother, was among its most infamous prisoners.

The town of Rolla has historical connections to U.S. Route Missouri Division of Tourism

66 and the railroad. The Frisco 1501 Caboose holds Route 66 train memorabilia and is available for tours. Rolla was a major stopping point along the 2,000-mile-long route. The Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology, displaying fossils and minerals, is located at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey. On the campus of Missouri University of Science & Technology, see a partial

Central Missouri’s sprawling Lake of the Ozarks is a boater’s heaven.

reproduction of Stonehenge, the ancient megalith in England.

Established in 1847, Stone Hill used to be the second largest

The National Churchill Museum on the campus of West-

winery in the United States. Tours include the old cellars, new

minster College in Fulton offers exhibits on Sir Winston

production facility and wine-tasting room.

Churchill, one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th cen-

Sprawling Lake of the Ozarks is much more than the largest

tury. Churchill delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech at

lake destination in Missouri. Along with boating, parasailing,

the college in 1946. A museum-sponsored tour entitled “Wit,

float trips and fishing, the thickly wooded area has numerous

Wisdom & Wine” explores Churchill’s life and visits the Church

trails and caverns to explore.

of St. Mary the Virgin (moved from London to Fulton as a trib-

Ha Ha Tonka State Park, a beautiful getaway on the Lake

ute to Churchill), a sculpture created from sections of the Berlin

of the Ozarks, features stone ruins of a turn-of-the-20th-century

Wall and the Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, an hour away.

castle. The park is known for its hiking, with more than 15 miles of trails. Other park features include natural bridges and caves.

Tom Sawyer Paddlewheeler is a cool way to tour the Lake of the Ozarks. The narrated, 90-minute cruise departs from Bagnell Dam and visits some of the many coves found among the 1,100 miles of shoreline — more shoreline than the Pacific Coast of California. Dinner cruises are available.

You don’t have to be getting married to tour Bridal Cave in Camdenton, though over 2,128 couples have tied the knot in its Bridal Chapel. At a temperature of 60 degrees, visitors can comfortably enjoy a guided tour that leaves every 15 minutes.

Tours last about an hour and follow concrete pathways past intriguing mineral deposits. Bridal Cave has more onyx formations than any other known cavern. Group rates are available for groups of 15 or more.

The Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City offers many tour options. Walking tours visit the jail cells, gas chamber and underground dungeon cells in the 177-year-old former prison that housed such notorious figures as Pretty Boy Floyd and James Earl Ray. Jefferson City has a grand Capitol Building that offers free, guided, 45-minute tours.

While places like St. Louis, Kansas City and Branson have much to offer tour groups, don’t overlook the diverse attractions in Central Missouri. With caves, wineries and historical points of interest, the region represents the best of the lower Midwest and provides some not-as-well-known sights that will freshen any itinerary in America’s heartland. LGT

36 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

on location: south ❖

dave bodle

Exploring

Northern Virginia

Countless attractions beckon groups to venture beyond the boundaries of Washington, D.C. Performances by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps highlight George Washington’s birthday celebration, a February event at Mount Vernon.

very year thousands of groups from students to sen-

horrific conflict divided a nation and took more lives per capita

iors visit our nation’s capital. It’s the savvy travelers

than even World War II. The Commonwealth of Virginia saw

among them that make it a point to include plenty of

more battles and destruction than any other state in either the

Northern Virginia on their itinerary. From cosmopolitan to his-

Union or the Confederacy. A small railroad community just 30

toric and everything in between, you’ll find it waiting for you in

miles from Washington played a significant role in the conflict

Fairfax and Prince William counties.

that would follow.

E

It was in Manassas on July 21, 1861, that Union and ConA Nation Torn

federate forces first met on the battlefield in a major conflict.

The Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War will continue

Union attacks on the Confederates’ right flank pushed them

through 2015 with events and exhibits throughout Virginia. This

back, but reinforcements arrived and the Federal retreat rapidly

38 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

House, have seasonal hours. Both park ranger and self-guided tours are available.

The Manassas Museum traces the area’s history from colonial times to the present. Interpretive exhibits explore the communities’ reconstruction after two major conflicts in their midst.

Also part of the Manassas Museum System is Liberia Plantation, the home of William and Harriett Weir. Pressed into service in the First Battle of Manassas as a Confederate headquarters and hospital, the home was deserted in 1862 when the family fled as Union forces advanced. This time it became a Union headquarters. President Lincoln visited Liberia Plantation to confer with his general.

Civil War history also thrives in the city of Fairfax. The Fairfax Museum and Visitors Center is the place to start. Hear the story of Ranger John Mosby’s (“The Grey Ghost”) capture of Union Brig. General Edwin H. Stoughton at the Dr. William Gunnell House. It’s actually quite comical. Also, take a moment to visit the exhibit of Antonia Ford. This Confederate spy was captured and jailed. Eventually she married her jailer.

Founding Fathers and Slavery It just seems natural to begin any tour of Northern Virginia with a stop at the home of our first President, George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Since 1860 visitors have made Mount Vernon the most visited historic home in America. It is easy to see why the welcome mat has been well used.

At the Ford Orientation Center, your starting point, life-size bronze statues of George, Martha and Martha’s two grandchildren will greet you. An 18-minute film, We Fight to be Free, documents Washington’s life.

Next stop is the Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center. Take a walk through George Washington’s life from surveyor, to soldier to leader and to his death at age 67. The center is a multi-sensory and interactive experience.

Oriented and armed with knowledge, head to the mansion for a docent-led tour. Be certain any itinerary allows time to visit the outbuildings, including the 16-sided barn and its livestock, the kitchen and slave quarters.

Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association

When Washington first began farming Mount Vernon, there were 36 slaves. When he died there were 316 slaves living at

became a rout in this First Battle of Manassas, known as the First

the estate. One of those slaves residing at the estate was West

Battle of Bull Run. The Confederate troops were too disorgan-

Ford. He became a free man and eventually inherited 160 acres

ized to pursue. After the battle, President Lincoln was convinced

adjacent to Mount Vernon from Washington’s cousin. That land

the war would be long and costly. The Confederates won a solid

was sold and Ford purchased adjacent acreage in what is now

victory in the Second Battle of Bull Run a year later.

known as the Gum Springs community. The location became a

Today, the National Park Service operates Manassas Na-

hub for newly freed slaves and the opportunity to reunite sepa-

tional Battlefield Park. A visit to this 5,000-acre classroom be-

rated families. Today, 20 percent of the 2,500 population of Gum

gins at the Henry Hill Visitor Center, which is open year round.

Springs traces its heritage to the original descendants. On display

The center includes a fiber-optic battlefield map describing troop

at the Gum Springs Historical Society Museum & Cultural

movements and a film Manassas: End of Innocence. Other struc-

Center is an exhibit of photographs, many a century old, featuring

tures, the Brawner Farm Interpretive Center and the Stone

images of founding families.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 39

on location: south ❖

Obtain Virginia visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

Founding Father George Mason was an outspoken critic of

citizens are transformed into warriors.

slavery, but nonetheless owned 100 slaves primarily at his 18th

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, near Washington Dulles

century home, Gunston Hall. Like some of his contemporary

International Airport, is an extension of the National Air and

slave owners (George Washington and Thomas Jefferson),

Space Museum on the National Mall. On three levels, visitors

Mason believed the institution was morally objectionable, once

walk through aircraft and artifacts and view other aircraft hang-

calling it a “Slow Poison” that “is daily

ing from the ceiling.

contaminating the Minds & Morals of

The centerpiece of the James S.

our People.” Groups can arrange a

McDonnell Space Hangar is the

tour focusing on African Americans

Space Shuttle Discovery. Hundreds

at Gunston Hall.

of other famous spacecraft, rockets, and satellites are also on display.

Museums & More

There is so much more to visit in

Besides historic sites and homes,

the surroundings just outside of

Prince William and Fairfax counties are blessed with other outstanding museums.

Washington, D.C. Entertainment The state-of-the-art National Museum of the Marine Corps is one of America’s premier military museums.

Courtesy of Discover Prince William & Manassas

takes center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing

Adjacent to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, the National

Arts. Shopping highlights include the world-class Tysons

Museum of the Marine Corps honors the accomplishments

Corner Center and one of the nation’s largest outlet centers,

and sacrifices of the U.S. Marines. In the exhibit galleries,

Potomac Mills.

multimedia technology takes the visitor on a journey through the beach at Iwo Jima, a watch duty in freezing Korea and a hot “LZ” (landing zone) in Vietnam. The Making Marines Gallery portrays the boot camp experience — how everyday

Wise tour planners will keep in mind the wealth of itinerary possibilities in “suburban” Virginia.

For information on Prince William and Fairfax counties, log on to visitpwc.com and fxva.org. LG

.

TEE TIME BEGINS SHORTLY AFTER MEETING TIME. Sometimes, the most productive meetings occur outside the meeting room. From golf on one of our three championship courses to themed dinners with entertainment in our river-view ballrooms, it’s all part of what makes a successful meeting at Kingsmill Resort.

Because we know how business really gets done.

800.982.2892 | Kingsmill.com/meetings ©2013 Xanterra Kingsmill, LLC. All rights reserved.

on location: midwest ❖ crystin immel

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula A Four-Season Playground Outdoor activities, scenic drives, gaming action and historical sites keep groups engaged all year long

I

t’s the other Michigan. The Upper Peninsula is as north as it gets for Michigan, both geographically and aesthetically.

A region where tourism has replaced mining as the prime

economic activity, the Upper Peninsula runs at a slower pace than the rest of the state.

Surrounded by Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron and the forests of Wisconsin and Ontario, the U.P. is a wilderness getaway. Calling themselves “Yoopers,” U.P. residents make up only 4 percent of Michigan’s population.

Summer’s cascading waterfalls and winter’s snow-capped skiing mountains make it clear that no matter the temperature

Travel Michigan

outside, the U.P. is a year-round travel hotspot. Here, season by season, are some of the highlights:

Winter Frolics

Beginning in mid-September, leaf-peepers start flocking to the scenic Upper Peninsula, one of the Midwest’s premier fall foliage destinations.

made. The current record is 512 feet.

Ride out the winter at Marquette Mountain, a magnet for

Enjoy the snow-covered landscape by shouting “mush” at

winter sports enthusiasts. The banks of Lake Superior are vis-

Triple Creek Sled Dog Kennels. An eager team of dogs will

ible from the mountain’s peak (1,357 feet). With 169 skiable

take your group on trips ranging from two hours to five days.

acres and over 200 inches of snow annually, it’s the perfect

Travel in style as you are guided across the snowy terrain. Dog

setting for skiers and boarders of all skill levels. Group lessons

sledding gained popularity thanks to the U.P. 200, a mid-Feb-

are available. Check out other ski resorts like Big Powderhorn

ruary sled dog race that begins and ends in Marquette.

Mountain, Blackjack Ski Resort and Mt. Bohemia.

For a calm look at nature’s wintry display, explore Porcupine

If Marquette Mountain does not satisfy your group’s need

Mountains Wilderness State Park, the largest unit in Michi-

for speed, visit Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill. Built in 1970, Cop-

gan’s state park system. Enjoy cross-country skiing or snow-

per Peak is the only ski flying hill in the Western Hemisphere

shoeing on 14.2 miles of hiking trails. Glide past the towering

and has the world’s highest manmade ski jump. Ski flying uses

hemlocks and see the transformation created by winter’s cold

different equipment than ski jumping so longer jumps can be

breath on waterfalls.

44 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Jeffrey Foltice

Vito Palmisano

Winter fun could mean a snowshoeing trek at Presque Isle Park in Marquette, while Soo Locks boat tours are a summer staple in Sault Ste. Marie.

Spring Flings

Summer Pleasures

The spring weather in Michigan can be rather unpre-

In the summer hop on a ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinac

dictable, so try your hand at Lady Luck. Gambling at Native

Island, located in the Straits of Mackinac, between Lake Michi-

American-owned casinos is a popular entertainment in the

gan and Lake Huron, between the Upper and Lower peninsu-

Upper Peninsula. In Baraga, visit the Ojibwa Casino Hotel,

las. This charming island bans motorized vehicles, so people

which offers an eight-lane bowling alley. At the Island Resort

get around on foot, bicycle and horse carriage. See the island

and Casino in Harris, take a break from gambling by seeing a

sights on a two-hour carriage ride with Mackinac Island Car-

show at the Island Showroom, which seats more than 1,300.

riage Tours. The Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory, where

Other gaming options include Bay Mills Casino in Brimley and

owner Doug Beardsley once used his greenhouse to grow

Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie.

geraniums for the Grand Hotel, now houses hundreds of but-

Travel west of Newberry into Tahquamenon Falls State

terflies, some over six inches long. At Fort Mackinac, an old

Park and witness the natural splendor. The park has both an

military outpost, costumed guides conduct musket firings and

upper falls and lower falls. The upper falls are the second

cannon salutes.

largest falls east of the Mississippi with 50,000 gallons of water

The Grand Hotel, built in 1887, lives up to its name. One of

per second, ranking only behind Niagara. The best view of the

the largest summer resorts in the world, it’s open from April to

lower falls can be seen from a small island on the river. Rent a

October. Dine outdoors overlooking the world’s longest porch

rowboat to make the short trip. While at the state park, observe

covered in over 2,500 geraniums.

wildlife and nature emerge from winter’s slumber.

Sault Ste. Marie is the Upper Peninsula’s second largest

Poised along the U.P.’s coastline are 40 lighthouses that

city after Marquette. It’s located where Lake Superior narrows

are both picturesque and serve a purpose; 12 are open to the

at St. Mary’s River to link with Lake Huron. Lake Superior is

public. The Peninsula Point Lighthouse, built in 1865, en-

21 feet higher than the other Great Lakes, so the engineering

courages people to climb the spiral staircase and see as far as

marvel Soo Locks was constructed to allow ships to cross be-

Wisconsin’s Green Bay and Door County on a clear day. Big

tween the lakes. On the Soo Locks Boat Tour, enjoy a two-

Bay Lighthouse, a two-story brick building and 60-foot light,

hour waterfront tour with lunch or dinner.

has been renovated into a charming bed and breakfast. The

Learn about mining at the Iron Mountain Iron Mine in Vul-

1866 Copper Harbor Lighthouse is accessible only by boat.

can, where Big John, a towering statue of a miner with a

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 45

Don Simonelli

Maritime heritage comes alive at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. Horse carriages set the pace on car-free Mackinac Island.

on location: midwest ❖

Obtain Michigan visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

pickax, greets you. The tour takes visitors 400 feet below the

At Copper Harbor, visit Fort Wilkins Historic State Park to

Earth’s surface. In an underground train, visitors are equipped

view life in the 1800s and revel in the great outdoors. Spend

with hard hats and rainwear while they witness the mining

the night in a cabin or rough it in a teepee. There’s something

process and equipment demonstrations. In the gift shop,

for every explorer in your group whether it’s swimming, biking,

browse through rock and mineral samples.

birding or hiking. The park’s Fort Wilkins Historical Complex

Attend a week’s worth of events at the U.P. State Fair in

includes 19 restored buildings that provide a window on army

Escanaba. Held since 1928, Michigan’s only state fair is in its fourth year of operating in-

life on the northern frontier.

Kewadin Casino offers gaming action in Sault Ste. Marie.

Michigan, not as well known as Wisconsin

dependently of state funding. The dates for

and Massachusetts for cranberry harvesting,

2013 are Aug. 12-18.

claims Whitefish Point as its cranberry coun-

Also in August, rally your group together

try. Centennial Cranberry Farm, estab-

to join in the 9th annual Porcupine Moun-

lished in 1876, sells fresh cranberries and

tains Music Festival, also known as the

cranberry-related products during harvest

“Porkies.” This laidback event features vari-

time, the best time to visit. Owners Loren and

ous grassroots artists.

Sharon House offer farm tours and a farm

Fall Fun

market from Memorial Day through October.

Nearby, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Mu-

Fall colors in the Upper Peninsula generally peak in late

seum traces the history of commerce and tragedies associated

September. On the western side, golden aspens and red

with the U.P.’s nautical past, none more infamous than the

maples emblazon the remote Keweenaw Peninsula, a craggy

Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank mysteriously on Lake Superior

finger of land that juts into Lake Superior. The most famous

in 1975. In 1995, a diving expedition recovered its 200-pound

byway is Brockaway Mountain Drive, a 10-mile stretch be-

bronze bell, an artifact on display. The adjacent lighthouse,

tween Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor. It’s the highest high-

overlooking Whitefish Bay since 1849, is the oldest lighthouse

way between the Rockies and Alleghenies.

on Lake Superior. LGT

You don’t need a passport

Windmills & Wooden Shoes Festivals & Events Antiques, Boutiques & Galleries Award-winning Historic Downtown

Holland, MI ...a world away 855.342.7627 | holland.travel

Home of the world-renowned Tulip Time Festival!

6

Great Florida Beach Towns

By Crystin Immel

W

ant fun in the sun and a relaxing escape for your group? Come to Florida and

check out its breathtaking beaches and the local flavor they offer. Whether you’re looking for shells and wildlife or catching a wave and taking surf lessons, these sand-fringed resort towns promise a memorable vacation: Daytona Beach The Beach: Speed into a high-octane getaway at the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” Daytona Beach extends 23 miles, showering tourists with beach activities and local history. Jutting a quarter mile into the Atlantic Ocean, the old-fashioned boardwalk and pier features shops, arcades and amusement rides.

Fast and Furious: Daytona became famous for beach racing, and cars can be driven on 11 of the 23 miles of beach. Racing is still prominent in the region, which is home to NASCAR and the Daytona International Speedway.

Don’t Miss: Nearby, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, built in 1887, is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Exhibits showcase lighthouse life and shipwreck artifacts.

Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

© 2013 JupiterImages Corporation/Beach Ball

48 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Cocoa Beach The Beach: Cruise into the “Surfing Capital of the East Coast.” Cocoa Beach is one of the closest beaches to Orlando, only an hour’s drive away.

Lift Off: Located on a barrier island, Cocoa Beach is 15 miles from NASA’s John F. Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Space Centers, where visitors once witnessed dazzling launches.

Rock the Pier: Cocoa Beach Pier extends 800 feet into the Atlantic Ocean and features restaurants, bars, shops, entertainment, a fishing pier and views of surfers. Annual beach concerts rock the pier.

Don’t Miss: Ron Jon Surf Shop is the largest surf shop in the world and has become a tourist attraction in itself. Learn to catch a wave by going to the Ron Jon Surf School or Cocoa Beach Surf Company School.

St. Augustine Touch of Spain: According to legend, in the 16th century, Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon came to Florida searching for the fountain of youth rumored to be located in St. Augustine. While he did not find the youth-giving waters, Spanish culture heavily influences the region.

Historic Hike: The Fountain of Youth National Archeological Park is located on 15 acres. It contains a planetarium, Indian burial grounds and a Timucuan Indian spring, the explorer’s famed Fountain of Youth.

Don’t Miss: Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fort built between 1672 and 1695, is the city’s oldest structure. Reenactments are performed daily with cannon firings, weapon demonstrations and guides dressed in period clothing.

The Beach: St. Augustine Beach, located on Anastasia Island, maintains a small-town ambience, offering soft sand, a playground, pavilion, volleyball courts, fishing pier, bait shop, shopping and fine restaurants.

Panama City Beach Dip and Dive: Located in Northwest Florida, Panama City Beach offers a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico. Dive shops like Panama City Dive Center and Dive Locker provide diving lessons and information on famous dive areas.

Don’t Miss: Pier Park, opened in 2009, boasts over 100 retail stores like Ron Jon Surf Shop, not to mention restaurants with outdoor dining like Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.

The Beach: For a secluded day trip, visit Shell Island for the sand, shells and wildlife. Your group can battle the waves on a jet ski or cruise on a banana boat ride while others explore new heights while parasailing or new depths through dolphin encounters.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 49

Sanibel Island She Sells Seashells: When Ponce de Leon discovered the Florida coast in 1513, he called Sanibel Island the Costa de Caracoles, or the “Coast of Seashells.” With every tide, thousands of shells are washed ashore. Stroll to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and view over 30 exhibits on seashells.

Walk with Nature: Breathe in nature at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The 6,400 acres include canoe trails, a birdwatching tower, a self-guided wildlife drive and hiking trails.

Don’t Miss: The Sanibel Lighthouse, built in 1884, is an island landmark. Your group can enjoy a captivating sunset on the nearby beach and the various foliage and wildlife near the boardwalk.

Sarasota Circus, Circus: The circus is an intricate part of Sarasota’s colorful history as an art community and beach resort. John and Charles Ringling established their Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1927, increasing Sarasota’s popularity as a travel destination.

Don’t Miss: The Ringling Museum of Art is a palace of treasures from the Americas, Europe and Asia. Exhibits feature over 10,000 objects from historic circus posters and early circus photographs to ancient drawings and sculptures. The beauty of the estate is not confined to the museum, but blooms outside on the grounds with 40,000 plants and Mable Ringling’s aromatic rose garden.

The Beach: Miles of soft sand line the shore, perfect for constructing sandcastles and a relaxing walk. Siesta Key’s beaches were ranked No. 1 in 2011 by Dr. Beach.

Room

play

room suites. Free breakfast.

With its spacious two-room suites, sparkling pool, Free Signature Breakfast Buffet, complimentary parking, and all just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World® Resorts, Buena Vista Suites is the perfect place for your group to stay and play in Orlando.

www.buenavistasuites.com 1-800-537-7737

Space Center Expands Horizons

© 2013 JupiterImages Corporation/Earth

A

ttendees at January’s Travel Exchange in Orlando, a first-time event combining the NTA Convention and UMA Motorcoach EXPO, got a peek at new developments at one of Central Florida’s prime attractions during the welcome reception at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Recently unveiled, the all-new, $16-million entrance—with a grand plaza and fountain, ticket stations, retail shop and restaurant— comprises the first phase of improvements that are part of a 10year master plan developed by the complex’s concessioner, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, in partnership with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. On the 75-foot-long fountain, President John F. Kennedy’s face, along with a quote from his famous 1962 “moon speech,” is etched into a skyward-reaching arc of blue granite. LED lights and 26 jets of water are programmed to create light shows for guests as they exit the park. The outdoor Rocket Garden Cafe, another enhancement, is designed in the retro style of the 1950s and ’60s as a nod to the early days of space exploration—the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

The next stage of the Visitor Complex’s 10-year plans includes the opening of a $100-million exhibit to showcase space shuttle Atlantis and celebrate the 30-year space shuttle program as a stepping stone to future space endeavors. The opening is slated for this July.

The standard bus tour, included with Visitor Complex admission, explores the history of the Apollo moon and space shuttle programs

with panoramic views of Kennedy Space Center and features a stop at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where visitors see an authentic 363-foot Saturn V moon rocket and relive the historic Apollo missions that saw man land on the moon. Admission also includes the Shuttle Launch Experience, 3D IMAX space films and various exhibits, plus the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Visitors this year can also get rare behind-the-scenes access to areas of Kennedy Space Center that have been off limits to the public for decades. The Vehicle Assembly Building tour, for example, provides a look inside the 525-foot-tall structure—one of the largest buildings in the world—where Apollo rockets and space shuttles were assembled.

The dramatic new entrance plaza is part of the first phrase of enhancements at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

on cruising ❖ cindy bertram

Cruise Industry Outlook

2013

Groups can look forward to new homeport options for Caribbean sailings and a rebirth of Mississippi River cruising

San Juan, Puerto Rico is one of the Caribbean’s top ports of call, with beaches and Spanish colonial landmarks just minutes from the pier.

L

ast year turned out to be a challenging one for the cruise

Kevin Sheehan, CEO and president, Norwegian Cruise Line;

industry. The loss of lives on the Costa Concordia off the

and Timothy Beebe, vice president, American Cruise Lines.

coast of Italy in January had a negative impact on the pub-

lic’s perception of cruising. Then unexpected low water levels

New Presence in New York

occurred as cruising on the Mississippi River was relaunched

When Norwegian Cruise Line’s state-of-the-art, 4,000-pas-

after an absence of several years. Finally, Hurricane Sandy

senger Norwegian Breakaway debuts this spring, she’ll be sail-

hurled her wrath on some islands in the Caribbean, then

ing from the Port of New York. What was the deciding factor in

moved up the coast, affecting New York City, a prime departure

positioning the mega-ship out of New York City?

port for some cruise lines. As the industry moves into 2013,

Kevin Sheehan, CEO and president of Norwegian Cruise

however, industry leaders see some positive things occurring.

Line, explains, “There were many factors that contributed to us

For insights into the year ahead, Leisure Group Travel

deciding to homeport our newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway,

spoke with Richard Sasso, president and CEO, MSC Cruises;

in New York City. New York is not only one of our top markets,

52 February 2013

LeisureGroupTravel.com

but also my hometown and this is a ship I am really

ing year for American Cruise Lines, due mostly to

proud of because when she starts sailing, she will

our debut on the Mississippi River with a newly-built

truly bring the best of NYC out to sea with her.

paddlewheeler, the Queen of the Mississippi. De-

Everything about this ship was designed with New

spite the drought, our Mississippi River itineraries

Yorkers in mind and will truly deliver the world-class

ran smoothly and with virtually no issues, thanks to

entertainment, food, dining and accommodations

a shallower draft. In fact, this season on the Mis-

that New Yorkers and visitors to New York have

sissippi River proved one of the most successful

come to expect – all while transporting guests to ex-

ventures for the company thus far.”

citing destinations – the perfect fit.

Beebe added, “American Cruise Lines’ unique

“I was also excited about having the opportunity

and authentic riverboat cruises have struck a chord

to provide New York with the largest ship to ever

with cruisers worldwide. Our inaugural Mississippi

homeport there,” Sheehan said. “Norwegian Break-

River season was nearly sold out and 2013 is well

away will bring an estimated 140,000 additional em-

on its way. We look forward to a full season this

barking passengers into New York City over two

year….Additionally, we have ordered another pad-

years, resulting in an estimated $35 million in addi-

dlewheeler to be built, which will enter service in

tional direct spending in the city. “

2014.”

Kevin Sheehan CEO & President Norwegian Cruise Line

Beebe notes, “We anticipate that 2013 will be an

“American Cruise Lines’ unique and authentic riverboat cruises have struck a chord with cruisers worldwide. Our inaugural Mississippi River season was nearly sold out and 2013 is well on its way.”

—Timothy Beebe Vice President, American Cruise Lines

even better year, with a full season on the Mississippi River, a second season in Alaska and the launch of our newest itinerary – Puget Sound and San Juan Islands. We look forward to welcoming new and former guests onboard, and continuing to raise the bar in small ship cruising.”

Houston’s Bayport Cruise Terminal Galveston, Texas has hosted several cruise lines over the past few years. In 2013, for instance,

Timothy Beebe Vice President American Cruise Lines

Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess and Disney Cruise Norwegian Breakaway will offer cruises to

Line’s Disney Magic, as well as two Carnival Cruise

Bermuda and later to the Caribbean. Sheehan

Lines and two Royal Caribbean International ships,

notes, “Bermuda and the Caribbean are excellent

will sail out of Galveston.

itinerary options for cruisers from the Northeast and

This year also brings a new option—sailing out

have proven to be very popular among our guests.

of Houston. Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess

Norwegian Breakaway is one of the most highly an-

will offer cruises departing from Bayport Cruise Ter-

ticipated new ships and has seen great demand for

minal, located just outside the Houston city limits.

her summer sailings to Bermuda. In the winter, the

Constructed at a cost of $100 million and finished in

ship will give our guests a chance to escape from

2008, this new terminal had been used chiefly for

the cold of the Northeast and be transported in

cargo ship and hurricane relief, with no regular

grand style to the tropics of the Caribbean and the

cruise line departures.

Bahamas & Florida, which includes a call at our newly enhanced private island, Great Stirrup Cay.”

Starting

in

November,

Princess

Cruises’

Caribbean Princess sails out of Houston, with 26

Richard Sasso President & CEO MSC Cruises USA

departures for the winter season. And beginning in

Continued Commitment on U.S. Waterways

fall of 2014, NCL’s Norwegian Jewel will sail on Caribbean cruises from Houston.

The relaunch of cruising on the Mississippi River

Regarding NCL’s decision to homeport a ship in

by both American Cruise Lines and American Queen

Houston, CEO Kevin Sheehan said, “With the up-

Steamboat Company proved to be successful, de-

coming arrival of Norwegian Breakaway and Nor-

spite the unexpected low waters caused by drought.

wegian Getaway to our fleet, we had the opportunity

Timothy Beebe, vice president of American

to expand our existing fleet into new homeports. We

Cruise Lines, said, “2012 was a busy and reward-

listened to our travel partner feedback as well as

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 53

on cruising ❖ feedback from our guests, who overwhelmingly requested for us to position a ship in Houston. In addition, the new terminal in Houston is state-of-the art, and the perfect seasonal home for one of our youngest ships, Norwegian Jewel.”

Will NCL consider having another ship depart from Houston? Sheehan explains, “At this time we are really focused on successfully launching Norwegian Jewel into that market and will closely monitor demand to determine if it is large enough to support another capacity increase in the future.”

“Norwegian Breakaway will bring an estimated 140,000 additional embarking passengers into New York City over two years, resulting in an estimated $35 million in additional direct spending in the city.“ —Kevin Sheehan CEO & President, Norwegian Cruise Lines

The Manhattan Room on the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will showcase Burn the Floor, one of the ship’s three Broadway shows.

Cruises USA, “Positioning our newest ship, the MSC Divina, from Port Miami shows our strong commitment to the North American market and our long-term vision for the brand. We are seeing increasing demand from the North American cruiser, who’s looking for an alternative to what’s currently being offered. The MSC Divina offers a variety of unique experiences. The Yacht Club, our ‘ship within a ship’ luxury concept, includes 24-hour concierge, complimentary wine and spirits, an exclusive restaurant and several private venues for

New Focus on Port of Miami

cruisers looking for a more upmarket experience.

The Port of Miami is the world’s leading cruise port and con-

“It also has an incredible spa with the most varied treat-

tinues to grow. MSC Cruises, as a European cruise line, offers

ments on the market, 15 indoor bars and lounges along with a

a wide variety of itineraries and has had only a seasonal pres-

host of dining options, world-class entertainment and a chil-

ence sailing out of South Florida. But last year the line an-

dren’s program, which has been expanded to four categories.

nounced its newest ship, the MSC Divina, would be based in

These are all features that appeal to the North American trav-

Miami starting late fall 2013.

eler, in addition to our signature cosmopolitan flair that is diffi-

According to Richard Sasso, president & CEO of MSC

cult to find elsewhere.”

Regarding the decision to have the MSC Divina sail from Miami, Sasso explains, “We determined that Port of Miami was the most suitable port on a variety of factors, including security, safety, location to airport and their ability to offer weekend availability.”

The MSC Divina’s first sailing will be Nov. 29, 2013, and she’ll be offering several different Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries through April 5, 2014. Beyond that, Sasso notes, “Our strategic plans include adding additional capacity in North America. We will also consider a year-round presence, perhaps as soon as 2014 but certainly by 2015.”

New departure ports and increased capacity for Caribbean cruising, along with the renewed commitment to Mississippi River sailings, brings new options for groups to consider when mak-

Cruise passengers find tropical bliss and a Dutch touch in sunny St. Maarten.

54 February 2013

ing plans for 2013 and beyond. LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com

on location: northeast ❖ ashley braun

Connecticut’s Mystic Coast Groups find a bounty of attractions in a cozy corner of our third smallest state

F

rom seafaring adventures and marine mammal life to big-

shipbuilding, and the China trade all made Mystic a magnet for

time casinos and Native American culture, the coast of

swashbuckling pioneers.

Southeastern Connecticut provides a wide variety of ac-

Travel back in time to Mystic Seaport, The Museum of

tivities for groups. Happily, all the attractions are within an

America and the Sea, the region’s signature tourist magnet.

hour’s drive distance from each other.

Located on the Mystic River in the historic town of Mystic, the

A focal point of American maritime history, the Mystic area

nation’s leading maritime museum is visited by more than

enjoys a national prominence far out of proportion to its size.

300,000 people a year. Wander through a re-created 19th cen-

Few places in the 19th century rivaled this coastal enclave as

tury coastal village, step onto tall ships and observe the

a center for sea commerce. Whaling, seal hunting, fishing,

restoration of historic ships at the Preservation Shipyard.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 55

Mystic Seaport

Nationally renowned Mystic Seaport, a re-created Yankee coastal village on the Mystic River, keeps New England’s seafaring traditions alive.

African penguins, beluga whales and other creatures entertain guests at Connecticut’s Mystic Aquarium. And don’t miss the Titanic exhibit.

on location: northeast ❖

oldest American commercial vessel still in existence. Now un-

Browse through the permanent exhibits to learn about cat-

dergoing extensive restoration, the Morgan will be re-launched

boats, whaling and figurehead carvings. Learn about the im-

in July.

portance of the sea to our country in Voyages: Stories of

Mystic Aquarium

America and the Sea.

Groups can also learn about the sea at Mystic Aquarium.

Both an indoor and outdoor facility, the aquarium encompasses

Groups at Mystic Seaport can rent wooden rowboats or

19 acres, offering such hands-on exhibits as the Ray Touch

small sailboats and can schedule private charters on a coal-

Pool, Discovery Lab (sea stars, crabs, lobsters) and Shark En-

fired steamboat and other vessels. Mystic Seaport is home to

counters (white-spotted bamboo sharks). Marine mammals are

four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the 1841

of great importance at Mystic Aquarium, one of the few North

Charles W. Morgan, the last remaining wooden whaleship and

American aquariums featuring endangered beluga whales and Steller sea lions. Three interconnecting pools create one of the largest outdoor beluga exhibits in the United States. The Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Exhibit houses over 25 endangered African penguins. Northern fur seals and California sea lions can also be seen. Groups can schedule encounter programs with beluga whales and African penguins, plus behind-thescenes tours.

A dynamic exhibit that opened last year, Titanic – 12,450 Feet Below, is a collaboration between Dr. Robert Ballard, who led the 1985 expedition that first located the sunken Titanic, and Tim Delaney, a former Disney Imagineer. Located in the

Enjoy a Sightseeing Journey through the beautiful Connecticut River Valley

aquarium’s Ocean Exploration Center, the exhibit begins with the construction of the ill-fated ship and preparation for her first voyage. Sights and sounds lure visitors deeper into the exhibit to learn about icebergs, the ship’s sinking and the mysteries behind its tragic end. Videos, images and recreated artifacts create a one-of-a-kind experience as seen through the eyes of those who found the wreck. Also new in 2012 was the 4-D theater that combines 3-D imagery with sensory effects like wind, bubbles, snow and scents.

The aquarium’s own Ocean Blue Catering can serve up anything from a boxed lunch to a plated dinner. Attracting more than 700,000 visitors a year, Mystic Aquarium is Connecticut’s

www.ESSEXSTEAMTRAIN.com 56 February 2013

Obtain Connecticut visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Southeastern Connecticut boasts two luxury casino resorts—Mohegan Sun (hotel pool at left) and Foxwoods, which offers four hotel options.

largest non-casino attraction.

gan Tribe of Connecticut. With three casinos, a luxury hotel

Just 20 miles north of Mystic is the Mashantucket Pequot

and numerous dining and entertainment options, the Mohegan

Museum and Research Center, a state-of-the-art complex

Sun offers special rates and packages for groups. Represen-

dedicated to the history and culture of the Mashantucket Pequot

tatives can help groups plan their stays and suggest local at-

Tribal Nation and other tribes. The 85,000-square-foot indoor

tractions, such as a Connecticut Suns WNBA basketball game,

exhibit space is made up of videos, dioramas, text panels and

a concert or a trip to the spa.

interactive computer programs showcasing tribal life. Traveling

Whether your group is looking for New England history, ma-

back in time in the Glacial Crevasse, groups can feel the chilly

rine life or gaming action, they’ll find it in Southeastern Con-

air and hear the creaking sounds of an actual glacier. A replica

necticut, a compact little corner of the world. LGT

of a 16th century Pequot village features everyday experiences like fishing, weaving, tanning hides and harvesting corn. A mustsee movie describes how the tribe was all but decimated in the 1636-1638 Pequot War, which included the massacre of a village by English colonists and their Native American allies. Outdoors is a re-created Pequot farm-

Your Journey Begins

stead. The museum’s 18-story observation tower affords panoramic views of the area.

After delving into the history of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, head two miles north to Ledyard for a fun-filled night at the

18,000 Years Ago "5 5)& ."4)"/56$,&5 1&2605 .64&6.

“... one of the hidden gems of the state ... it rivals anything in the nation.� connecticutmag.com, March 2011

largest resort casino in North America.

Owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal

t -JGF TJ[F UI D 1FRVPU WJMMBHF t BDSFT PG JOUFSBDUJWF FYIJCJUT t (VJEFE UPVST t &EVDBUJPOBM QSPHSBNT BOE DSBGU XPSLTIPQT t TUPSZ PCTFSWBUJPO UPXFS t -JCSBSJFT HJGU TIPQ SFTUBVSBOU

Nation, Foxwoods Resort Casino offers more than 6,000 slot machines and nearly 400 table games at six different casinos, lodging at AAA Four Diamond-rated hotels, 30 restaurants, and an array of shopping and entertainment possibilities, plus a 20lane bowling alley, an ice-skating rink and two golf courses. The resort offers an online group planning tool.

Just 10 miles west of Foxwoods Resort Casino is the Mohegan Sun, a huge gaming

Open Wednesday through Saturday, 9 am–5 pm, last admission at 4 pm.

110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06338 pequotmuseum.org

Group rates: contact Kathy at (860) 396-6839 or kdavis@pequotmuseum.org

complex owned and operated by the MoheLeisureGroupTravel.com

February 2013 57

On Marketing

❖ dave bodle

Digital Marketing: A Key to Your Business IN JANUARY 2012 Philip Guarino of

days we can simply stuff keywords −

sellers should be investing marketing

Elementi Consulting had an article

like “groups,” “tours,” “visit,” “coach” −

dollars. Facebook has become a

published in Boston.com titled “6 Digital

into our online verbiage. Now, search

forum we need to take seriously. Every

Marketing Trends to Watch in 2012.”

engines respond to relevance, which

hour of every day consumers are

Mr. Guarino is far more knowledgeable

comes from regular content updates

online and using social media.

about digital marketing than I am.

and plenty of fresh thoughts.

However, with caution thrown to the wind, below are a few observations:

Influencer Management is nothing

Recently, I read that many companies are hesitant to jump into social

more than a new way to say “word of

media. It was suggested they were

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

mouth advertising.” Word of mouth

run by an “older generation” not ready

is certainly a trend that was happening

certainly has value, but it’s hard to

to invest in the “whole internet thing.”

well before 2012, but made a dramatic

attach a price tag. However, when that

I don’t buy that for one minute. In fact,

alteration in 2011 when Google

person is a social/web influencer, it be-

I might suggest that the younger

changed how it ranks sites. If you’re

comes, according to Gary Vaynerchuk,

generation is too fascinated with the

anticipating a detailed explanation of

cofounder of VaynerMedia, “word of

“technology aspects” and simply does

search algorithm that only a genius

mouth on steroids.”

not know enough about the tour and

would understand, you’ll be disappointed. It’s far too technical for me.

Insightful content additions, updates and new ideas are king. Gone are the

Companies are investing in brand

follows that your internet/social media

lecting the purchasing habits of their

team must include members who

best customers. Both sellers and buy-

understand this new technology and

ers of travel services need to take a

grizzled veterans of the industry.

good look at their best customers and

Looking ahead to our APRIL ISSUE

• Travel South Recap • Multi-Generational Travel • Annual Theater Guide • Napa Valley • Wyoming • Minnesota Special Section

• Kansas Special Section

• New York • Pennsylvania See our page-flip edition & past issues at

LeisureGroupTravel.com We can help showcase your business to groups. Call us 630.794.0696 or advertising@ptmgroups.com

Video, with its ability to demonstrate

identify them as Influencers. Introduce

and deliver emotion, is gaining popu-

their positive endorsements in all

larity in the digital world. People love

forms of digital marketing.

watching video.

Mobile and Tablet marketing is a

The astute companies and destina-

little more difficult to wrap our arms

tions will learn to harness this medium

around in the tour and travel industry.

and make it work for them. Well-pro-

We are all guilty of burying our face in

duced videos on your website and

our cell phones and tablets, but how

YouTube will be able to deliver a much

does that apply to our business?

more emotional message than tradi-

The bottom line is that mobile marketing could become the most effective marketing of our time. However, it must

tional avenues. It’s the perfect place for your “brand ambassadors” to appear.

Digital is certainly not the only solu-

be done right. Make certain your web-

tion to every business’s marketing

site is compatible to mobile devices.

strategy. Our suggestion is to step in

Make certain you add QR codes to

where you’re most comfortable and

all printed literature, including your

proceed with thoughtfulness. Positive

stationery. And finally begin building a

results will not come overnight, but they

database of mobile telephone numbers

will come in time.

as you prepare for your first text blast.

Facebook continues to have importance, and both buyers and

58 February 2013

travel industry. The suggestion naturally

ambassadors, or influencers, by col-

Contact Dave at 843-997-2880 or email dbodle@sc.rr.com.

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Little did you know “VIP” stood for Very Important Planner.

Give people a cocktail party and they’ll probably give you a smile. Give people a cocktail party overlooking the Colorado River and a chartered dinner cruise, kayaking, waterskiing, championship golf 300+ days a year and spa facilities, all at an incredible value, and they’ll write a song about you. Plan a winning get-together by calling our Laughlin sales staff or filling out an RFP at VisitLaughlin.com/meetings/rfp.