Many of my friends' younger siblings are coming back home from college now, exhausted from the trek and relieved to have the summer "off." They'll work all through the summer but, for some, it is a break from learning.

But since you and I don't have that 'privilege' (since when is not learning a privilege?) I'd like to announce a great tool we've devised for you to improve your knowledge as a group travel planner.

GroupUniversity.com offers great resources, from our popular Seminars in Print to the latest travel literature from Amazon.com, and other fun tools you find you need every day - how's the weather in Billings, Mt. in the spring? What's the dollar-Euro ratio up to now? You'll find all this at Group University.

Plus, there are links to our line of niche directories geared toward groups who want something more specialized than an NYC Theater trip. Check out the site and let us know what you think!

And speaking of trips, I'm getting wonderful emails back about your favorite places to go as a planner and as a lone traveler. Keep 'em coming and I'll announce the winner in the next edition. (Email me to find out what you should do to win a $500 gift certificate to Cortina Inn in Vermont!) Have a good weekend!

Tour Inspirations from Portland

Wherever you go in the Portland Metro area, you're never far from a performance space or art gallery. You're never more than five minutes from a brewpub or gourmet coffee shop, and always a puddle's jump away from a farmers market, park or garden.

The Portland Metro area hosts great group activities all year long. Swing with the Portland Jazz Festival in February and mingle with local artisans in May at the Portland Saturday Market (open Sundays, too!).

Tour Inspirations for the Portland Metro Area

Portland is the perfect destination for travelers wanting to experience the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Everything is within a short reach.

Midwest Travel Tips

From John Wayne to Mary Todd Lincoln to The Doors, from the Christmas Story House to the Titanic in Branson to wine on the marsh, the Midwest has a lot new going on.

We also surprisingly found the nation's oldest theme park in Santa Claus, Indiana, as well as a proliferation of indoor waterparks throughout the region. So join us as we explore the region, as well as take a look at the amusement parks each state has to offer.

Execute

Webster's New World College Dictionary defines "execute": [to carry out; perform; do]

The primary reason companies (and individuals) experience negative results is not so much a lack of knowledge as it is a failure to execute. It is a shortage of "do."

The author Tom Peters (In Search of Excellence) has been known to say, "It is amazing how many people in the oil business fail to get the message that in order to strike oil, you have to dig a hole."

Popular clich?s remind us that "Talk is cheap." "After all is said and done, more is said than done."

Theater Showcases

From Broadway blockbusters, to heart-stopping and toe-tapping stage productions to delightful dinner theatres, our 2007 Theater Showcase brings you the best of what's new and noteworthy in group theater options. Our studies show that live entertainment continues to be a driver in influencing consumer travel decisions.

Today's culturally enriched travelers have a thirst to experience new theater options, and relive old memories. Theater fits that bill by providing memorable experiences for young and old travelers. Look no further than the following showcases to book you next group theater getaway.

If you're searching for more in-depth resources, these theaters and more are located 24/7 online at GroupTravelDirectory.com, the industry's leading search engine for locating group-friendly suppliers. Log in today to plan your next getaway.

My Corner of the World -
Tour Groups too Small to Operate?

Perhaps you've had the experience of putting forth a trip that you think will be a winner, only to find that it isn't selling as well as expected. Departure time is drawing closer and closer and you're starting to panic. Should you operate it at a loss? Should you cancel?

Should you invest more promotional monies into it? Should you lower the price and give away the company store just to get new enrollments? Let's look at the possibilities.

Plan for Possible Low Numbers
Don't ever assume that every trip you offer is going to succeed. At the time you plan and price the trip, make certain "fall back" plans are in place just in case it doesn't meet your expectations. Here are some of the things I do when I first plan the trip.

Group University
Resources for Travel Organizers

Go Back to School - At GroupUniversity.com!

Premier Tourism Marketing, parent company of Leisure Group Travel magazine and InSite E-zine, has created a new website for the group travel community focusing on education for the trade.

GroupUniversity.com debuted earlier this month with a plethora of resources for group travel organizers. Our popular Seminar in Print series is featured with seminars on group sales, marketing tips, tour pricing & operations and how to plan a successful group cruise. These e-books are easily downloadable and discounted for the trade. There are also a number of free and handy web links and tools, hand-picked for group organizers, plus books and how-to guides through our partnership with Amazon.com.

This summer, we'll be publishing our much anticipated book on becoming a successful group travel organizers, written by long-time Leisure Group Travel columnist Marty de Souto. This book will be exclusively available on GroupUniversity.com.

If you're looking for resources or advice on planning groups, visit GroupUniversity.com today!

Gate 38

All around the country, things happen that are just too good not to report. Read on to find out how not to get "bagged" in the airport, what's Tourism Vancouver doing to help its own backyard, and where in the world is the "Next Branson?"

Also in this issue is the scoop on the Russian Invasion, and what some call the most important archaeological find of the Common Era.

Get Your Customers to Sell For You

Fully 84 percent of sales in America take place as the result of word-of-mouth advertising. Some of the most important sales promotion sales activities are those that take place between customers and prospects, between friends and colleagues, in the form of advice and recommendations on what to buy, or not buy, and who to buy from.

The only way that you can be among the top ten percent of salespeople in your industry is by having your existing customers selling for you on every occasion. Because of the importance of mega-credibility in selling, your customers must be happy to open doors to new customers for you wherever they go. All top salespeople eventually reach the point where they seldom have to prospect because their customers do much of their selling for them. When you live your life consistent with your personal and business mission statements, both fitting together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, your sales career will soar, as will your sales results and your income.

The Great American Road Show Marketplace

The Tour Marketplace show that promotes unique travel opportunities. It will bring together pre-qualified group travel leaders, tour operators, travel agents and special pre-packaged American travel destinations.

The G.A.R.S. event will showcase two 'Great' show:

1. Niche Group Travel Showcase: August 19, 2007, 1-4 p.m.
This open trade show is for Niche and Affinity buyers including: Bank Clubs, Park Districts, Red Hats, Home Based Travel Agents and any other group organization seeking both one day and overnight travel. Sellers will be at both shows.

2. Tour and Travel Showcase: August 19-21, 2007
For Tour Operators: Adult, Student, Specialty Groups - This GARS event offer a chance to meet with many of America's best destinations and attractions in a one-on-one buyer to seller appointments. New and exciting destinations, events, and attractions are at the forefront of this travel show experience.

The Great American Road Show will be held at the HOLIDAY INN SELECT in TINLEY PARK, Illinois. For complete information and application contact: G.A.R.S. Event at 800-754-7627 or by e-mail at: info@GreatAmericanRoadShow.com