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Can you find "The Icebox of America?"
International Falls, Minnesota
International Falls is sometimes called the "Icebox of America." A 22-foot thermometer displays the temperatures, consistently recording some of the lowest winter temperatures in the United States. The name and climate of International Falls eventually became the inspiration for Rocky and Bullwinkle characters' imaginary hometown of "Frostbite Falls."
Click here for more info and fun facts on Minnesota
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It's All About Groups!
June 8, 2007
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June - my favorite time of year! I get to
savor my last full month of being my current
age (especially if a big birthday is coming
up) and plus, the longest day of the year is
coming. (I really believe my mood directly
relates to the amount of sunlight I get in a
day.)
Not to mention, June's edition of Leisure
Group Travel just came out and we are
starting our annual quest for the best group
travel industry suppliers and destinations!
Reader's Choice awards suppliers who have
gone beyond the call of duty to deliver a
high level of product and customer service -
and that delivery is measured by you.
Categories include favorite destination,
hotel, tour operator, cruise line, theater,
casino and attraction, with winners awarded
at the Platinum, Gold and Silver levels.
You can click here to vote
right now - or you can mail back the
voting form that's found in June's Leisure
Group Travel. While you're there, check out
our regional Travel Tips - we're covering
three regions this issue - and in-depth
destination features, as well as our regular
slough of advice from industry experts across
the country!
Enjoy,
Kelley
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The Legendary Parks, Monuments and Memorials of the Black Hills
Miles and miles of pine trees and shimmering
mountain streams offer visitors an area
packed with things to do. This is the Black
Hills National Forest, two million acres of
scenic splendor. Mount Rushmore and Crazy
Horse are here, along with the wild buffalo
of Custer State Park. Nearby Wind Cave
National Park and Jewel Cave National
Monument sparkle with incredible underground
cave formations.
To the east lies the rugged beauty of the
Badlands. And to the west, just across the
border in the Black Hills of Wyoming, stands
Devils Tower National Monument. It's an
awesome collection of vacation possibilities!
Most of these classic attractions are within
an hour's drive of one another.
How many miles are you from Wall Drug? Click here to read more
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Minnesota
By Jaron Balgaard
The state of Minnesota offers not only
thriving metropolitan areas and small-town
Midwestern charm, but also a diverse
collection of natural resources and outdoor
attractions ranging from its famous lakes and
north-woods regions to rolling hills, open
prairie and river valleys.
Jaron Balgaard takes a look at all the great
opportunities the state of Minnesota has to
offer to discover the best place to take your
next group trip.
Read more on Minnesota
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Gate 38
Arrivals - Departures - Concessions
This issue's Gate 38 looks at the world's 25
best
trains (sadly, the Metra is not on the list),
group travel
planner updates across the country, and Spring
Break - 30 years later. (Hopefully, minus the
sunburn
and --- you fill in the blank!)
Hop on board for more updates
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My Corner of the World -
Go International
by Marty de Souto
The contest is on to decide the seven wonders
of the modern world - but are you wondering
if it's worth it to bring your groups across
U.S. borders? Marty gives you 10 reasons why
crossing the pond is your best bet.
Marty's 10 Reasons to Go International
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Pacific Travel Tips
By Elana Anderson
The West Coast has always been progressive
when it comes to its resources - and tourism
is no exception.
Elana Andersen updates us on how to "Catch a
Wave" in California, where to go if you're
"Wild About Otters" and what to do when
you're looking at the inside of a whale's
ribcage (take pictures?).
Click here for more craziness
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Reader's Choice 2007
Like it or not, 2007 is a year for voters to
see what their
time in the polls last year is giving them
back - but that doesn't mean you don't still
have a voice! For all you voting junkies, in
comes Reader's Choice.
Our fourth annual Reader's Choice Awards
rewards suppliers who have gone beyond the
call of duty to deliver a high level of
product and
customer service. Categories include favorite
destination, hotel, tour operator, cruise
line, theater, casino and attraction.
There are two ways to vote. You can
complete the Reader's Choice portion of
June's reader service card, found in the
print edition of Leisure
Group Travel, and mail or fax it back to us
by August 15.
Or, click
here to vote online.
We will announce the winners of this year's
Reader's Choice Awards in a special November
edition of LGT, called Industry Forecast.
With all the
changes going on in the industry, we've
decided to
again dedicate one issue solely on the trends
and
market developments that will shape this
industry over
the next decade.
Voice your Choice
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I'm Not a Salesman - Or Am I?
10 Tips for Maintaining Your Professional Image
While Selling Your Services
By Lenann McGookey Gardner
As a thoracic (chest) surgeon, Aaron was
used to working on hearts and lungs.
He's a gifted surgeon, with a wonderful
bedside manner, impeccable skills, and true
caring for his patients' lives and families.
But the truth was, his case volume was down,
and so too was his income. What to do?
Aaron was surprised to realize that he had a
sales problem.
In the medical community that deals with
America's epidemic of heart disease, the
cardiologist is king. When surgery is
indicated, the cardiologist recommends a
surgeon, and most patients, firmly bonded to
the cardiologist, accept those
recommendations. Aaron needed better
relationships with cardiologists who could
appreciate his skills and special talents.
And a program of targeting specific
cardiologists, and systematically and
methodically building relationships with
them, improved his income.
So what about you? You may not cut open
people's chests for a living but if you're a
consultant, or an accountant, or an attorney,
or a banker, or any of a variety of
professions that rely on referrals, could you
benefit from a sales approach like Aaron's?
This article offers 10 tips to help you
improve referrals without damaging your
professional image.
Click here to find out how you can improve referrals
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Catching Up With...Lisa Simon, CTP,
President of National Tour Association
This week, InSite E-Zine interviews Lisa
Simon, CTP, President of National Tour
Association.
Simon leads organizational change for
associations and corporations. A
skilled strategist, Simon can visualize the
desired future and map out ways to reach the
client's objectives through group process and
teamwork. With more than 20 years' experience
in marketing and management, she has proven
effective in strategic planning, leadership
development, organizational structure and
managing change.
NTA has a global membership of tourism
professionals involved in the growth and
development of the packaged travel industry.
Its membership includes more than 600 tour
operator companies - group, independent,
inbound and outbound - and the destinations
and suppliers that partner with them. The
association is committed to providing
business results and information to its
members while offering a collaborative,
caring environment in which to build
relationships.
Click here to read Lisa's interview
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Go News2007 GO Travel Show & Conference
Join us in Gettysburg, Pa. on Oct.
26-28 for the GO Show, the only group
travel show featuring industry education and
training as its primary focus.
Travel buyers tell us they really appreciate
the learning opportunities while suppliers
love it because they not only get the chance
to showcase their product to new prospects
but also say they learn a few things.
This is the only group travel show to welcome
members from each segment of the group travel
industry. They often say they're surprised
how many quality prospects don't attend the
larger shows each year.
Click here to read more
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