Hello again. The weeks have been flying since I've started sending you the newsletter and I hope you have enjoyed it so far. Don't forget to put my email address - kelley@ptmgroups.com into your "accepted senders" list so InSite can get to you right on time.

Speaking of flying, by the way, congratulations to Robert Kynaston of Redding, Calif., for winning this issue's Reader Service Card Contest, brought to us all by Southwest Airlines. He wins two tickets to anywhere in the United States, all for requesting advertiser information! filling out a little card at the front of the magazine!

It's easy all you have to do is complete the reader service card at the front of LGT and send it to us by fax or mail, or you can save a few pennies and some time by going online to complete the electronic form. While you're there, you can also request information from your favorite destinations. (And if you have any questions, you can always shoot me an email I'm happy to help.)

While you're at LeisureGr oupTravel.com, make sure to check out our Breaking News section, brought to you directly from GroupTravel Blog.com. Instead of waiting a week for new news to come in, you read it as soon as we post it!

As always, I hope you enjoy this newest edition of InSite. Happy traveling and, since we'll be off for Thanksgiving, happy holiday as well!

What makes group sightseeing so special in Illinois? It's both the wealth of attractions our state has to offer and Team Illinois, our group of professionals dedicated to making it easy for your group to enjoy Illinois.

Mile After Magnificent Mile

Illinois really does have it all; from the cosmopolitan culture of downtown Chicago and the glittering streets of the Magnificent Mile to the stunning natural wonders of our state parks to the warm greetings of our diverse people and the stories of their unique histories. And with attractions like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Oak Park, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Hartford, we've got something to appeal to everyone on your tour.

The holiday season can be a time of joy, wonder, and personal renewal. Or it can leave you drained, emotionally, physically—even financially. How can you keep the holidays "jolly days" for you and your family? Here are some common stress points and tips on dealing with them from the 124-year-old national children's crisis charity, KidsPeace.

Stress Points & Coping Tips

Over-expectation: This is the single biggest cause of holiday stress. Unrealistic hopes that everything and everyone will suddenly be perfect (unless they are usually perfect) can only lead to disappointment, frustration and depression -- the exact opposite of what you and your family had hoped. Be realistic and enjoy the true meaning of the holidays, which is about celebration and togetherness – not perfection...

What do Martin Luther King, a virtual rainstorm and the Kamm Teapot Collection all have in common?

You can learn more about all three in the latest edition of Heather Davis' Southeast Travel Tips! Read on to find out more...

The Montgomery parsonage where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived from 1954-1960 is now open to the public.

The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Parsonage offers a combination tour of the historic church and the white, wood-framed home where the great civil rights leader lived while leading the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-1956. The parsonage has been carefully restored to replicate its 1950s appearance and much of the King family’s original furniture is on display in the home.

Although Vermont is the Green Mountain State and New Hampshire boasts the White Mountains, it’s when Mother Nature paints the mountains with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors that many groups head to northern New England.

These compact states are like treasure chests for visitors, filled with scenic wonders, historic sights, small-town charm and home-grown flavors.

What I Did for the Love of the Arts

As young children we sang songs, danced around the living room, made up stories and drew pictures for the fun of it and for the pleasure of my adoring parents. School years, summer camp and community programs introduced hand crafts and offered the opportunity to participate in theater, music and dance productions.

Area convention and visitor’s bureaus and state tourism offices also support local arts and cultural organizations. It is through these tourism partners that arts groups are able to communicate with audiences throughout the world.

Our annual Scenic Rail and Sightseeing Cruise Directory includes dozens of cruise and rail excursions across the U.S. and Canada. Whether you're looking for a river cruise down the Mississippi or a rail adventure through the Canadian Rockies, our latest findings are the way to go.

This guide is available in PDF download via the below link, or available online 24 hours a day at GroupTr avelDirectory.com, including hyperlinks to websites and emails of participating companies.

It's the place to start when you're planning your next group voyage!

Attitude Isn't Everything... But It's Close.

I once owned a sweatshirt that advertised the popular slogan, “Attitude is everything!” I still catch myself repeating this phrase in public but with a little different spin. I acknowledge that although it may not be "everything," it certainly is miles ahead of whatever is in second place.

In a recent Sunday edition of the New York Times, author Paul B. Brown gave a quick review of a number of attitude-based books, and without intent, he underscored a second lesson that I have been sharing for what seems to be close to a thousand years – that your true source of competitive advantage these days lies with your people, your employees, your workers.