I know it's getting cooler (some would say 'Finally!') but for those of us who are mourning the loss of summer like me, we have a pretty cool consolation prize, in my humble opinion. We have a sneak peak at October's Leisure Group Travel - including our cover story on Wild West Virginia and Cindy Bertram's Cruise column, "Extreme Makeover - Ship Style." To boot, we have the last weekend for readers to request information from the August issue's featured suppliers! (Still not convinced? If you request information from any of our suppliers, you're eligible to win two Southwest Airlines tickets to anywhere in the lower 48. How's that for a consolation prize?)

When you request information, you also renew your subscription to receive the magazine for another year. Click here to request information from featured suppliers. Make sure to request information by September 30!

Well, I'm off to break out the sweaters. Hope you enjoy this edition of InSite!

Council Bluffs Scratch off Group Promotion

New Events Slated for 2008 in St. Petersburg

Tulalip To Open Luxury Hotel & Spa in June 2008

Many Nature Vents Planned in McAllen for 2008

New Activities Announced for "A Country Christmas"

MotorCity Casino Hotel certainly knows how to bring it. Just as Vegas has upgraded from Buffet Capital of America to culinary epicenter, MotorCity now offers Four-Diamond dining and the sound of ching-ching right in the hands of all your groups, after which they can relax in MotorCity's new hotel due to open this fall.

This edition, we bring you a company feature on MotorCity Casino in Detroit, Mich., who deals out high-energy entertainment, luxury relaxation, delectable cuisine and 100,000 square feet of new adult entertainment space.

Immortalized in the folksy lyrics penned by the late '70s pop icon, John Denver, the Mountain State does lay claim to an amazing array of Country Roads, it's true. (After all, the state boasts four National Scenic Byways and an All-American Road.)

But located throughout the rugged mountains and raging rivers within her borders are a myriad of touring temptations designed to entice the most avid history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, collectors, food fanatics, shopping aficionados, train lovers and spa disciples; in short, her irresistible options appeal to even the most seasoned tour group!

You've heard of lap dancing?

Wait - no..oo..oo, I'm not into that. But I have discovered something lately that I enjoy which I call lap singing.

The other day as I was stuck in traffic, I found myself gustily singing along with a new-to-me rockabilly radio station. In fact, I could hardly sit still as I drove. But I was enjoying myself. And, best of all, the trip seemed so much shorter.

With 88 new ships introduced since 2000 and nearly 30 more scheduled to be launched over the next few years, there is no lack of new ship options for cruise groups. But there is also a renewed interest in revitalizing existing fleet via extreme makeover, ship style.

Today a new ship can easily cost in excess of $500 million. The strength of the euro versus the U.S. dollar makes it even more expensive to construct new ships. Another reason? Currently there is a backlog of new ships waiting to be built. Read on to find out why cruise ships are taking the makeover approach so seriously and how they are still keeping the magic fresh while their visitors are on board.

Do you need new ideas, energy and to recharge?
Mike Marchev explains that this can be achieved by the Power Walk. No equipment required, no gym membership fees to expense. Just yourself and some good walking shoes can get the creative juices flowing again. So don't waste time. Start today!

If you're like many small to medium-sized business owners, you love what you do, but you may often feel "trapped" in your work. You want the business to continue after you retire, but because you have such a hands-on role in nearly every aspect of the company, you wonder how you'll ever be able to walk away. You dream of being able to take a month-long vacation, but you fear the business would suffer without you there every day. And while you love the financial rewards being a business owner affords, you wish you could reap those rewards without having to do all the work yourself.

Following are examples of how to systemize your business by putting policies and procedures into place.