Over 25 tour operators, bank club directors and qualified group leaders converged on Austin, Minnesota this past October 27-29 for a significant travel trade event. The annual 2008 GREAT NORTH Group Travel Show & FAM was hosted by Austin, corporate home of Hormel Foods, and recognized internationally as SPAMTown USA!

The GREAT NORTH Group Travel Show has become the signature Midwest show for group travel planning, and this time was no exception! Starting Sunday evening with a reception for exhibitors at the Austin Holiday Inn, the show quickly took shape as suppliers put up their booths, renewed old friendships, enjoyed pizza and prepared themselves for Monday's "Speed Touring" sessions where they would meet with operators face-to-face for itinerary planning. Mark Peterson - of Itineraries Minnesota - spoke on "TOOLS FOR THE TRADE". He provided exhibitors with group travel marketing tips along with encouragement that included facts and figures showing the continued activity and growth of the motorcoach industry, even in these uneven economic times. Suppliers also learned a few details about the new ITINERARIES MIDWEST Magazine coming out Spring 2009.

Monday morning started early for both planners and exhibitors. During the delicious Holiday Inn breakfast, Carol Zoff of the Great River Road Commission spoke specifically to operators about developing group travel itineraries along the Mississippi River. She also emphasized to suppliers how the river is a natural itinerary that is great for destination partnering. After breakfast the person-to-person "Speed Touring" kicked into gear for the rest of the morning. These friendly conversations saw the start of many new business relationships, and the re-kindling of old ones... Planners quickly learned in these 7-minute meetings that even if they had been to a destination before, that there are always new and unique reasons to keep these suppliers in their radar!

At noon the Winnipeg Tour Connection sponsored the GREAT NORTH LUNCHEON. Each planner received a gift, plus they played a trivia game for more prizes leading up to an exciting and valuable Grand Prize of a $1,000 toward a bus tour to Winnipeg for a group!

Sandy Weicht of the Elk River Red Hats was lucky enough to win this fantastic prize! The day proved to be extra special for Sandy, who later won the Itineraries Minnesota Grand Prize of a busload of 45 tickets for a scenic boat ride on the Minneapolis Queen down the Mississippi River!!  Congratulations Sandy!!

After lunch, Speed Touring got going again and continued until all the suppliers and planners had met with each other. Marketplace time followed, with planners visiting exhibitor booths, picking up literature, and asking questions and getting details for more trip ideas, and remaining prizes handed out as well.

Next up was Austin's time to impress attendees with the WINE, DINE & RECLINE evening event.  Guests enjoyed delicious and elegant hors D'oeuvres, wine and beer tasting, provided by Schell’s Brewery and Fieldstone Winery, and pampering (that included facials, hand/chair massages and scrubs) for everyone there. The evening's Grand Prize was a Nintendo Wii, and Evelyn Mohrfeld, of Evie’s Travel was thrilled to win this prize!

Tuesday was a special daylong Austin FAM, with transportation provided by Richfield Bus Company/Heartland Tours and Travel. Participants enjoyed and discovered many "new and unique" experiences for their groups. On Wednesday it was Albert Lea's turn for their FAM with the operators. Everyone who went on these FAM’s were delighted with the many travel opportunities they saw, learned and experienced!

We want to express a special Thank You to all who came, and to the Winnipeg Tour Connection for sponsoring the delicious Great North Luncheon and the afternoon break. Also, thanks to all the sponsors and exhibitors for their contributions in making this show such a successful event for everyone involved!

In 2009, the Great North Show is getting a new name: Itineraries Midwest Group Travel Show!

Watch for the dates and location of the 2009 Show!