ITMI : Symposium

The sun was shining brightly as we gathered in Tucson to reconnect with long-time friends, learn from top travel industry professionals, dialog about tour industry issues, cultivate new relationships and see some of the highlights of this amazing destination.

In addition to new friendships, there were other firsts. Symposium 2010 was the first year spouses and guests were invited to experience Symposium. This was the first year tour operator and tour director schedules were integrated in a single brochure. And, this was the first year for the new Marketplace format, and the first year that Tour Operators introduced themselves to the Tour Directors with a short profile of themselves and their tour company.

The feedback from most attendees is that they liked it and that they found the networking opportunities to be excellent! We keep hearing that Symposium 2010 was quite possibly the best symposium in years!

Some notable highlights:

An engaging presentation on storytelling by Glenda Bonin Founder of Story Works Group and Paul Davis CEO / Founder with Travel Brains. Glenda beautifully demonstrated the time-honored tradition of oral storytelling while Paul previewed the future with a demo of MyTourGuide.com and told tour directors and guides about opportunities to earn additional income via the production and sale of iPhone tours.

Barry Motlz, a nationally recognized expert on entrepreneurship and author of numerous books including "Bounce," explained how success and failure are simply normal outcomes in the regular life cycle of a business and how to develop the resiliency to bounce through these cycles to succeed over the long run.

Terry Ribb, CEO / Founder of Social Networking 3.0, illustrated how technology and social media are impacting customer service and how technology can be leveraged to create raving fans and win customer loyalty.

Mike Cassidy, CEO / Founder of Ruba.com, presented a basic Facebook and Twitter tutorial for those looking to incorporate social networking into their marketing strategy.

With beautiful pictures, humorous "Visit California" commercials and mini-surfboards, Jonelle Norton-Tannahill, from the California Travel and Tourism Commission, enticed us to discover the endless riches California offers both tourists and tour guides.

Russell Cruickshank (ITMI Alumni Class # 65)shared an insider's view of the Toronto Airport's commitment to social responsibility through sustainable tourism practices. As the busiest airport in Canada, the Toronto Airport employs over 40,000 people and is an economic engine for Canada!

Josh Adams (ITMI Alumni Class # 11)from Streamlinevents demystified the world of incentive travel. He described all aspects of the business from uncovering opportunities within the event management industry, to presenting an effective resume, and how to make yourself invaluable once you are hired.

Phil Sheldon Owner of Hans Eberstein Tours (ITMI Alumni Class # 152) expanded our horizons as he described from a tour operator's perspective how and why tours are planned - from creation to operation!

New territory was also traversed in Marketplace. For the first time, small groups of tour directors traveled from roundtable to roundtable for tour operator interviews. Both tour operators and tour directors found this to be a very productive format.

Another first this year was movie night. As the room filled with laughter watching "My Life in Ruins," it was obvious that a good time was had by all.

The roundtable discussions anchored by panels of tour operators and tour directors were as informative and entertaining as ever.

And let us not forget the delicious meals and receptions culminating in the grand finale at Old Tucson Studios complete with bull riding, line dancing and a southwest bar-b-que (and video!).

We would like to thank all participants and our generous sponsors the Tucson Convention and Visitor Bureau, the Hilton El Conquistador, California State Parks, Travel Brains, Hearst Castle, National Geographic Theater, Hilmar Cheese and Ruba.com for supporting ITMI Symposium 2010, the only event in North America exclusively for tour directors and tour operators.

Each year in January, the Institute hosts a national tourism symposium in which ITMI graduates have the opportunity to interview with many tour companies from all regions of North America. Graduates also meet tour operators socially and during business sessions. In addition to interviewing, there are numerous seminars and roundtable discussions with the operators on subjects affecting professional tour directors.

The ITMI Symposium is the only event in North America exclusively for tour directors and tour operators. Half-day and full-day training trips in and around the host city are included, complimentary for all delegates.

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ADMISSIONS

ITMI ALUMNI

TOUR OPERATORS