GROUP TOUR TRAINING PROGRAM
Explore Minnesota Tourism’s travel trade unit is establishing an online group tour traning program. This effort allows individuals throughout the state to find out the basics of the group and packaged travel market.

The first component consists of the module: Group Tour Training Basics, a three-page outline of players and practices, terms and trends to assist in catering to the needs fo group travel. It is meant as a tool to share with staff who interact with group business. CVBs may find it useful to share with properties, restaurants and attractions seeking involvement.

Future expansion of the training program is likely to include:
-glossary of industry terms
-itinerary development
-restaurant specifics
-hotel specifics
-involvement in familiarization tours (‘fams”).

Group Tour Planning Basics (Word Document)
Presentation (PowerPoint)

INDUSTRY EVENTS & MEETINGS
We regularly gather industry colleagues for information exchange or educational forums and attend regional or area meetings focused on group tour business.  Each fall is a meeting for interaction and training. Watch here for specific upcoming events.

Group Tour Meeting: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
Join us for our annual fall group tour and packaged travel meeting. This year’s meeting is being held at the Burnsville Performing Art Center, located at 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN, 55337. If you are active in the group tour market, or simply wish to find out what it’s all about, plan to join us. The meeting runs 10:00 a.m. – noon.

Afterwards will be a working lunch and planning meeting for the upcoming ABA 2012 Marketplace, to be held January 6-10, 2012 in Grapevine, TX. The latter meeting should conclude by 1:30 p.m. Lunch arrangements are being worked out; costs will be nominal.

If you wish to attend either meeting that day, please RSVP to Sandy Karnowski, and advise if attending one or both meetings.

Get the Scoop on Group Business: Group Travel Webinars
Learn all about the benefits of catering to group business for your attraction, destination or property without leaving your office! Serendipity Publishing, well versed in the group travel arena, will offer a webinar series this fall.

The Group Travel Supplier Summit includes 15 educational sessions specific to the group travel market on the topics of sales, customer service, social networking, marketing, and niche markets. Online sessions are November 1-17. Registration to participate in the series is only $249. For more information and to register, click here.