NATIONAL TOUR
ASSOCIATION Trade Exchange
Kansas City, Missouri November 2-6, 2007
Attended by:
Lilly Kayamba, Group Tour Development Manager of the
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council Inc
On behalf of
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Collaborative
Blackstone Valley Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Summary Report
At this Trade Exchange, tour operators had much
interest in the region and believed that we had something unique and
different to showcase and the area was what they were looking for to
refresh their itineraries. Below is some of the information and
details the operators requested.
Ed-Ventures, Inc
Gordon Hoffert – Sales Representative
320 Elton Hills Drive, NW
P.O. Box 7086
Rochester, MN 55903-7086
Tel: 732-496-1878
Fax: 732-493-8148
Email:
silverwheels54@aol.com
Their main focus group is students from Europe who
have an interest in history and culture. Much interest was shown in
our region because our area is unique and different for their target
group. They added that they would go through our Blackstone Valley
New England information then forward our profile to the students
group. Will contact us as soon as they get feedback from the group.
Club Select Tours
Claudia Boissonneault – VP Marketing
874, Archimede
Levis, QC G6V 7M5
Canada
Tel: 418-835-3336
Fax: 418-835-3361
Email: Claudia@tourcar.com
This organization focuses on social clubs,
associations and special interest groups. They also have student
groups who are interested in the cultural and educational aspects of
a region. Claudia says she will contact us once she goes through our
information. She added that our region would be of interest to their
clientele base.
Heritage Group Planners
Debbie Weinstein
396 Main Street Office #12
Hyannis, MA 02601
Tel: 508-790-0846
Fax: 508-790-0457
Email: hgp@cape.com
Debbie Weinstein expressed a strong interest in
events that take place in the Blackstone River Valley. She asked
about places that can host a 40-50 sleigh rally. In addition, she
requested information on Wright’s Farm Restaurant and any area that
offers
Christmas festivals/events. I have already mailed the information.
Silver Wheels Travel Tours
Barbara Seigel
23 Overhill Road
Wayside, NJ 07712
Tel: 732-496.1878
Fax: 732-496-8148
Email: silverwheel54@aol.com
The Baby Boomers are the main focus of their
business and that their main interest is Culinary Tours. She
requested digital images from the Blackstone Valley and sample
itineraries which I will collect and forward.
Star Destinations
Pamela Corderman – Group Dept. Manager
1903 U.S. Hwy 71 N
P.O. Box 456
Carroll, Iowa 51401
Tel: 712-792-9793
Fax: 712-792-5229
Email:
pamc@stardestinations.com
Pamela noted that their target area is the senior
group and education is a big component in their program. She was
very interested in the Blackstone Valley profile and since I will be
in Africa for the next 2 months, Patti McAlpine of our office will
make the follow-up contact.
During the convention, I also took the opportunity
to meet buyers off the appointment floor and handed out bookmarks
that gave a snapshot of the Valley. Most buyers were impressed with
the bookmark and stated that it was a brilliant way of showcasing a
region.
The following are contact people I met either on
the trade floor or at one of the social events and I encouraged them
to incorporate our region in their programs.
Tourco
Mark. M. Turek – Director of Group Sales
16 East Pond Road,
Nobleboro, ME 04555
Tel: 207-563-2288 ext 115
Fax: 207-563-3330
Email: mark@tourco.com
A.C.T. Tours - Fredrick Travel
Fred Standeven – President & Owner
66 Ridgeview Cres.
Waterloo, ON
N2L 2P9
Tel: 519-747-3283
Fax: 519-821-9770
Email: freds@acttours.com
Academic Travel Board, Inc
Kate Simpson – President
1920 N Street, NW Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-349-7332 / 800-556-7896x7332
Fax: 202-342-0317
Email:
ksimpson@academic-travel.com
The Big Bus Company
Mary Ellen Woods – US Sales Representative
P.O. Box 21085
Philadelphia, PA 19114
Tel: 215-637-6001
Cell: 267-784-4350
Fax: 215-637-6011
Email:
maryellenw@bigbustours.com
Friendship Tours
Amy Isaacson Schoen
533 Cottage Grove Road
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Tel: 860-243-1630
Fax: 860-286-8836
Email:
amy@friendshiptours.net
Tye’s Top Tours & Travel Inc. - Tour Operator /
Receptive Operator
9 Riverside Dr
Merrimack, NH 03054
Tel: 603-424-4043 / 800-374-6819
Fax: 603-424-1076
Email: tyes@tyestravel.com
Sun Tours
Gloria Reed – Tour Coordinator
4300 San Mateo NE, Suite B155
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
Tel: 505-889-8888
Fax: 505-881-4437
Web: www.suntoursus.com
Arrow Stage Lines
Randy Johnson – Director of Sales
720 East Norfolk Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
Tel: 800-672-8302 / 402-371-3850
Fax: 402-371-3267
Email:
rjohnson@arrowstagelines.com
Tumlare Corporation – Universal Netlink
Brian D. Sheffield – National Sales Manager
615 Boston Post Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
Tel: 863-424-2757
Cell: 863-602-8985
Fax: 863-424-7870
Email: brian@tumlare.com
Maine Office of Tourism
Dick Leeman – Consultant for Maine Office of Tourism
14 Oak Street
South Portland, Maine 04106
Tel: 207-632-7707
Email: rblj@msn.com
North American Journeys
Liz Porter – VP Marketing & Business Development
2658 Bridgeway, Suite 202
Sausalito, CA 94965
Tel: 415-339-0578
Fax: 415-339-0582
Email: Liz@VisitNAJ.com
Professional Development Seminars attended:
The 8 seminars are listed below and a summary of
the knowledge I learned from each:
-
Strategic Packaged Travel Organizational
Leadership Management & Administration
-
Real World Customer Service – Life Skills in
the People
-
Generations: New Dynamics in Travel & Tourism
-
Making the Right Choice – Creating a Positive,
Innovative & Productive Work Life.
-
New Tourism Realities for a New Demographic
Ballgame
-
Strategic Packaged Travel Organizational
Marketing and Sales
-
She has got the Power
-
Ask the Operators for DMOs
Additional Leads from the Convention collected
from Rhode Island Colleagues:
Brandi Davis
Collette Vacations
162 Middle Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
401.727.9000
401.728.1380
bdavis@collettevacations.com
Interested in doing more in RI. Katrina of the RI
Tourism will meet with the NE Product Development Manager. Will also
print “Traveling Well”, geared towards general consumer and will be
distributed to their customer list. Katrina has the rate card and
advertising also includes web presence.
Susan Damon
Flemming Tours
1137 Colonnade Center
St. Louis, MO 63131
314.288.2000
314.288.2007
susand@flemmingtours.com
Was in Providence for Heritage Peer group meeting
over the summer, and is interested in developing some culinary
programs for Rhode Island. Works with Tourco for New England
programs; send any info to Ellen at Tourco and copy Susan Kelli
Dwyer
Coach Tours
475 Federal Rd
Brookfield, CT 06804
203.740.1118
203.775.6851
kelli@coachtour.com
Adult tours, looking for what’s new. Send info on
Gansett, food programs, upcoming FAM tours, J&W Inn Culinary
Programs
Lisa Keller
Hospitality Tours
2 Academy Place
Orleans, MA 02653
508.240.3333
508.240.7900
lisa@hospitalitytours.com
Touching base; all set for now. Has a group she is
working on for RI, will call if anything is needed.
Susan Anderson
A Yankee Line
370 W. First Street
Boston, MA 02127
617.268.8890
617.268.6960
sue@yankeeline.us
Touching base; primarily day trips to RI with
senior groups. Just needs to be kept up to date on what’s new.
Blair Soucy
Getaway Tours
PO Box 70
Terryville, CT 06786
860.582.9741
860.585.5197
blair@getawaytours.com
What’s new; send info on Gansett, farm programs,
culinary programs. Interested in FAM tours.
Dana Weybrew
Landmark Tours and Cruises
208 College Highway, Ste 4
Southwick, MA 01077
413.569.1500
413.569.5699
bmarx@lmtours.com
Looking for a new site for their lobster bash;
presently at the Atlantic Beach Club; they require seating for 300
people plus entertainment. Need new site due to pricing; looking to
spend approximately $30.00 per person, including entertainment.
There are no side tours associated with this event; only lobster
lunch and show. They are planning a possible Italian Feast in ’09
with the same format. Send info on Twin River with contact and
Gansett info.
Jay Smith
Sports Travel and Tours
60 Main Street
PO Box 50
Hatfield, MA 01038
413.247.7678
413.247.5700
jay@sportstravel.com
FIT programs for the Patriots and Sox games; uses
downtown Courtyard, will call if he needs anything.
Chris Donnelly
Sugar Tours
PO Box 873
West Dover, VT 05356
888.889.8681
802.464.1672
vttours@sover.net
New East Coast Culinary Adventure program that
needs a lunch in RI, wants traditional foods, suggested chowder and
clambakes. Will send dates, May-October.
Tammy Rhode
Satrom Travel and Tour
561 S. 7th Street
Southridge Ctr
Bismarck, ND 58504
701.258.5000
701.258.7604
Tammy.rhode@satromtravel.com
Looking for unique destinations and stops,
suggested a fun RI food tour, interested in the idea, Katrina to
send info.
Lina DiCarlo
RMP Travel
301 W 53rd St, Ste 3A
NY, NY 10019
212.581.8051
212.956.8063
linadicarlo@rmptvl.com
Mail info in Feb when Lina DiCarlo will be back in
the office. Send info on Fed Hill Tour, Gansett, ACL and events.
Kelly Rossiter
Tauck World Discovery
10 Norden Place
Norwalk, CT 06855
203.899.6828
203.899.6610
krossiter@tauck.com
Stays in Newport on Cape Cod program. Would like to
be kept up to date with what’s new.
Russell Rosenberry
Islands in the Sun Cruises
348 Thompson Creek Mall, #107
Stevensville, MD 21666
410.827.3812
443.782.2371
info@crus-sun.com
Checking in; was in Providence this summer for
Heritage Peer Group board meeting; send ACL info.
Michelle Haddock
World of Travel
5001 Horizons Drive, Ste 100
Columbus, OH 43220
614.451.4882
614.451.4411
michelle@worldoftravel.com
A mostly historical tour for seniors is their
interest. Send group planner, suggested itineraries
Martha Brackett
Tour Trends
7R Oar and Line Rd
Plymouth, MA 02360
508.224.2288
508.224.4499
tourtrendsmmb@htmail.com
Interested in railroad program- send info on train
programs in RI. Also work with Sugar Tours on Culinary programs.
Therese Pierce
Yankee Leisure Holdings
100 Cummings Center, Ste 120 B
Beverly, MA 01915
978.922.0418
978.922.4819
tpierce@yankeeholidays.com
Do all packaging for Amtrak Vacations. Interested
in seeing what can be done for a Providence Program. All bookings
handled as FITs; would only need 1 or 2 rooms per night to start,
plus attractions and need a restaurant willing to work with them.
New website coming on line in the next few months that would give
good exposure.
Jim Jackson
Notch Above Tours
PO Box 367
Jeffersonville, VT 05464
802.644.8027
802.644.8038
jim@notchabovetours.com
Was planning to do a Newport program, but hotels
were too expensive, decided not to do the tour; thinking about other
areas.
David Lange
Tri-State Travel
PO Box 307
4349 Industrial Park
Galena, IL 61036
815.777.0820
815.777.8128
dlange@tristatetravel.com
Part of Travel Alliance Program, have worked with
Tourco and Tour Trends. Copy them on programs developed for Tourco.
Christy Wert
Travel Concepts
1223 M Street
Aurora, NE 68818
402.694.5731
402.694.4031
krieke@hamilton.net
Offering Age Tours. Send RICAPE brochure and
contact info, types of farms available, winery info, industrial
revolution sites, Group Planner, suggested itineraries.
Conclusion:
The Conference was a very informative convention
especially with the Direct Request appointments that expressed a
strong interest in our rich heritage and industrial Blackstone
Valley history.
Most companies are looking for unique, authentic
experiences and it was explained that those types of experiences is
what the Blackstone River Valley region is all about. The seminars
were excellent with most speakers were knowledgeable about the
trends of the travel market and where it is heading in terms of
their clients needs, demographics and spending habits.
The social events gave me a chance to reconnect or
connect with Tour Operators and buyers. This further gave me an
opportunity to elaborate about our area as a destination. All in
all, the National Tour Association convention is a great way to
promote the Blackstone River Valley in Rhode Island and
Massachusetts to national and regional operators and gives our
region more visibility.
