It's funny the things we worry about. Right now, I'm panicking about how busy my travel schedule will be in August. I'm taking three trips: two Midwest locations for work and a road trip to Montreal for fun.

Now the fact that I get to travel at all is really a blessing. And, of course, I get grief from my friends, who maintain that I'm just complaining to complain and they'd much rather have my "worries" than theirs.

But it got me to thinking - with all the travel we do in this industry, what are your secrets to staying sane and on top of all the important things in your life, like remembering to clean your bathroom or pet your dog, while calming that "customonster" that didn't realize lunches weren't included with the price of their trip?

I'd like to put your top suggestions/worries on Group Travel Blog and, even though I don't have any prizes to give away for the best advice, you will get to dispense a little bit of knowledge onto the rest of the world.

And, after all, don't we all feel that, if the world just worked like we did, that everyone would be a little better off?

Happy "coping"!

Boise offers the culture and entertainment of a large urban area in a place that feels a little like everyone's hometown. Groups can enjoy a variety of cultural performances and festivals or visit the city's many museums, including a nature center and river observatory, territorial penitentiary, science center, historical and art museums, and the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Nearby wineries offer tours and tastings and outdoor recreation is plentiful along the area's scenic byways.

Themed Boise itineraries are available from the Bureau and make planning a cinch. Make plans to visit Boise soon!

Anyone who has seen New England in its autumn splendor, or in its radiance in spring when the apple blossoms and rhododendron are in bloom, recognizes that the landscape of New England is indeed a work of art. The fact that this natural beauty is augmented by an abundance of fine art adds to the visual appeal of any visit. Art is, in fact, unavoidable in New England.

Throughout the region, public squares are decorated with monuments and statues, and modern sculptures pepper its cityscapes. Let's take a look at the Public Arts and Galleries of New England.

An April 2007 travel industry business and marketing survey conducted by TourismBusinessStrategies.com confirmed that the three most successful marketing methods used are: 1. word-of-mouth referrals, 2. your own website, and 3. regular e-mail outreach. Here's how to combine these three strategies to supercharge your travel marketing using online audio, video and Podcasts.

Stretching 450 miles from Memphis on the bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi to Mountain City nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains and countless places to visit in between, Tennessee has set the stage for tour groups!

Rich in history, culture, scenery and most of all, music, the Volunteer State - so called for the valor displayed by its volunteer soldiers during wartime - offers enough excitement within its three grand divisions to keep any group endlessly entertained.

While re-grouting my bathroom tile of all things, this question popped into my mind.

"When was the last time I actually had FUN?" It seems the older we get the less we spend time having fun.

Chores... work ... obligations ... duties ... sleeping and eating fill up most of our days. And the days turn into weeks and on it goes.

FUN! What an old fashion concept. I think I liked it. Maybe we should adopt a new mantra.

Branson's popularity as mid-America's live entertainment destination, with its traditional American values and Ozark Mountain hospitality, continues to bring in folks from all over. They come to see more than 100 shows featuring renowned entertainment, enjoy the many family attractions, and relax in naturally scenic surroundings.

Add to that the latest shoppers' paradise, some new and different musical fare, additions to those already popular attractions and an elegant spa, and groups find themselves in one of the most popular destinations in the United States.

Advertising today is experiencing a period of profound and accelerated transformation. Technologies such as blogs, podcasts, and streaming video are permanently changing consumer attitude and behavior. The good news is that this transformation creates opportunities for everyone in terms of advertising. The key, however, is to integrate the tried and true "old media" outlets with the emerging "new media" to get more consumer engagement and better results from your advertising dollars.

Smart advertisers now realize that the trend is not going from old media outlets to new media outlets; rather, the trend is about combining the two media outlets so they work in harmony with each other. That is, the old media (TV, radio, and magazines) can be used to get the advertising message out into the marketplace, while the new media (online options) get the consumers' engagement and response.

But before you rush out and start integrating your advertising, you need to first understand some basic tenets or pillars of digital marketing. These pillars are the foundation of your online ad campaign and give some much needed discipline to digital marketing. Use the following five pillars to enhance the engagement and response of your digital marketing campaign so you can successfully integrate your old and new media approaches.