Heartland Approved Epic Group Experience Program
As a partner of Destination Seneca County and the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau, you are invited to be a part of the exciting and original new program through the Ohio Travel Association: The Heartland-Approved Epic Group Experience Designation Program. The cost of the workshop is being supplemented by bed tax dollars by Destination Seneca County and the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau.
Designation as an Epic Group Experience creates a competitive advantage in the group travel market. You’ll rise to the top of competition. Designation shows the group tour operators that you are committed to epic group experiences. Destination Seneca County, the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau and the Ohio Travel Association will ensure that over 1,500 tour operators and groups nationwide see your designation achievement.
The Epic Group Experience program was developed with input from more than 275 group travel operators, receptive operators and suppliers. Standards and best practices were approved by three teams of tour operators and visitor bureaus.
The designation process opens up a wide range of tools, trainings and information on how to deliver and market group experiences. Your staff will have an operator-approved checklist for servicing groups, taking the guesswork out of the process. You’ll receive standards and best practices based on what tour operators and their customers want. You’ll have access to great tools and trainings on creating epic experiences and the group market, giving you an instant in-house training program!
Your participation in the workshop comes with the following:
- A 63-page manual outlining the standards and best practices (Please note that only one set of printed materials is provided at the workshop per business or organization. You will receive links to digital copies of the printed materials following the workshop)
- A group travel glossary
- 13 activity sheets to help you create group experiences and practice what you learn
- Access to eleven 10-minute training videos that are yours to keep for staff trainings
- Designation at trade shows that the Destination Toledo sales team attends across the country
Here’s what you’ll learn and do in this hands-on and lively workshop:
- Work with others to design group experiences
- Understand the different types of tour planners
- Identify what’s most important when tour planners consider booking business with you
- Discover emerging trends for group travel
- Know common customer service complaints with groups
- Understand how to reinforce the unique selling proposals of group travel
- Identify two ways to create group itineraries that will sell
- Understand how to price your group experience
- Learn how to create exceptional guide services
- Know the types of marketing materials needed and how to create them
- Identify 8 common mistakes made when trying to attract groups
To reserve your spot for the program workshop, please purchase by November 24 to reveive the early bird special pricing of $150 per person. After this tine period the price will increase to $250 a person.