Group Tour Resources

Visit this page regularly to find updates on recent Group Tour Meetings, upcoming opportunities, and forms seeking information the PA Dutch CVB requires in order to promote our members to the best of our ability.

If you have not historically received information on Group Tour Member activities and are interested in learning more, please contact Audrey Bialas, Director of Tourism Sales, at 717-735-1640 or abialas@padutchcountry.com.

CRM Lead Tool Instructions
For detailed instructions on how to use the PA Dutch CVB's Group/Meeting CRM Lead Tool, click here. If you don't currently have a login to access the system, please contact Kristen May at 717-391-6003or email kmay@padutchcountry.com. This is a FREE member benefit!

Upcoming Sales Meetings
News, upcoming opportunities and discussion related to the group tour market.

Check back for updated information!

Meeting Minutes
Group Tour & Travel Member meetings are held bi-monthly, and are open to any member of the PA Dutch CVB who is currently welcoming groups on interested in learning more about this travel segment.

• December 16, 2011 Meeting Minutes
• September 6, 2011 Meeting Minutes
  
• June 13, 2011 Meeting Minutes
• April 13, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Group Tour e-Newsletter
Check it out!

View the most recent edition of our Group Tour e-Newsletter sent recently to approximately 3,000 group tour and reunion contacts. Check it out!

V.I.P. Pass, updated 4.9.08
Throughout the year, the PA Dutch CVB will help coordinate personal FAM (familiarization) visits for tour operators, meeting/event planners, and reunion planners who wish to inspect various sites prior to their event or tour. Often the planner will visit properties on their own, without an escort from the PA Dutch CVB. On these occasions, the planner will present a V.I.P. Pass. Any property listed in the Group Planning Guide or Meeting Planner Kit should be prepared to welcome these special guests and when possible, offer complimentary admission to the planner and a guest. Please be sure your front line staff is familiar with this pass and are ready to welcome these special guests as they seek to learn more about our member properties to add to their upcoming tours and meetings in PA Dutch Country!

Group Tour Microsite
We're answering the needs of today's busy group planner with a new area of padutchcountry.com that is geared specifically toward their needs. In addition to group tour planning information, this microsite also features individual pages for applicable members, giving you the opportunity to speak "in motorcoach language" to the people planning motorcoach tours in Lancaster County. There is no cost to you to be listed in this area of our website, and members can be added at any time. Download the Group Microsite form (36 KB pdf) to learn about the criteria and submit your information.

Already have a listing in this area? Please make sure your information is up to date! Contact Sarah Long at slong@padutchcountry.com with any requested changes or photo updates.

PA Dutch CVB Trade Show Schedule
Want to know how you can co-op with the PA Dutch CVB and make your marketing dollars stretch? These lists will be updated monthly with the trade shows we are attending, and where opportunities exist to co-op with the Bureau. If you are interested or simply want more information, contact the person listed as the contact.

2011 Trade Show Schedule (PDF), updated 5.12.11

Group Tour Profile Sheets
Distributed at various group tour trade shows throughout the season.

Download 2011 profile sheet. (1 MB pdf)

Glossary of Acronyms
This glossary may help some of you new to the group market in deciphering the terms we throw around with ease. It's not a comprehensive list by any means, but it lists some of the more commonly used acronyms. View glossary. (42 KB pdf)
 

Helpful Links

American Bus Association (ABA)
www.buses.org
Represents approximately 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services (commuter, school, transit). Another 2,300 member organizations represent the travel and tourism industry and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.

International Motorcoach Group (IMG)
www.imgcoach.com
Comprised of the best independently-owned charter and tour companies across the USA and Canada.

Maryland Motorcoach
www.marylandmotorcoach.com
A nonprofit organization dedicated to representing the business and governmental interests of private bus companies operating in Maryland. It is also the mission of MMA to promote travel by motorcoach, and tour and charter service provided by operator members in cooperation with and support for its travel industry supplier members.

National Tour Association (NTA)
www.nta.travel
A trade organization of thousands of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry.

Ontario Motorcoach Association (OMCA)
www.omca.com
One of the largest travel and tourism-related associations in Canada, with more than 1,200 members. OMCA represents more than 75 bus operators, 1,000+ tour operators and some 800 affiliated sellers to the group tour industry, including attractions, destinations, hoteliers and retail outlets across North America.

PA Bus Association (PBA)
www.pabus.org
Carrying a current membership of 750+ entities, PBA has functioned without interruption since 1923. It boasts a well-rounded program of activities for both bus operator and supplier members, plus an unrelenting commitment to the safety of the traveling public and the economic well-being of its member companies.

Reunions Online
www.reunionsworld.com
Featuring a diectory of companies that plan and produce reunions.

Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA)
www.syta.org
A non-profit, professional trade association that promotes student and youth travel and seeks to foster integrity and professionalism among student and youth travel service providers.

United Motorcoach Association (UMA)
www.uma.org
North America's largest association of professional bus and motorcoach companies, UMA serves the informational, legislative, regulatory and business needs of its member companies.

Virginia Motorcoach Association (VMA)
www.vamotorcoach.com
Established in 1923, VMA is the trade association that represents Virginia's motorcoach operators, travel planners and trade partners in matters at the state level.