At ABA 2023 Marketplace, we had the privilege of engaging with esteemed state representatives from various states, such as Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, who visited our Freedom Tour NW INC booths. As per the convention's decorum, vendors traversed through the event and cordially introduced themselves, highlighting local attractions, hotel locations, and upcoming shows offered in their respective venues. As vendors had a limited seven minutes to pitch their offerings to potential buyers in a dynamic setting, it proved to be a physically challenging task to interact with all the attendees. Most vendors adeptly presented their profiles, which contained valuable information regarding their represented areas, including top-rated attractions, events, and exclusive discounts for groups.

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Costs

"Most vendors adeptly presented their profiles, which contained valuable information regarding their represented areas, including top-rated attractions, events, and exclusive discounts for groups."

This leads to the topic of pricing. Vendors who attend ABA are serious about their business and are willing to invest time and money to connect with travel agencies and showcase their offerings. As a result, they typically offer group rates and customized packages to win business, making it highly advantageous for travel agencies and their clients. On the other hand, travel agencies that do not attend ABA may be unaware of these opportunities, thereby missing out on potential savings for their customers.

Moreover, state representatives are present at the event to promote tourism in their respective states, and they share well-thought-out information on recommended sites and activities. As a result, customers booking tours through their travel agencies gain access to a broad selection of top-rated attractions, highlights, and experiences at reduced prices through group bookings. This provides an added advantage to customers who wish to experience the best of each state while still maintaining a reasonable budget.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that several hotels across the country waived their parking fees, resulting in additional savings for customers. By attending ABA 2023 Marketplaces, travel agencies gain access to valuable information and opportunities that they may not otherwise have known about.

Destinations

"While you may be able to find interesting attractions along the way by searching online, nothing compares to firsthand experience and local knowledge."

The second reason why it's advantageous to book travel with companies that participate in events like ABA 2023 Marketplace is the opportunity to discover new and unique locations. Consider this scenario: you're a tour operator from Washington State looking to organize a trip to Mount Rushmore. While you may be able to find interesting attractions along the way by searching online, nothing compares to firsthand experience and local knowledge. Attending events like ABA can fill in those gaps, offering insights and information that are hard to find on your own. For instance, this year we received a thumb drive from several states containing videos, photos, maps, and locations of exciting and lesser-known stopping points. Take South Dakota, for example. The map they provided shows the number of wineries in the Rapid City area, making it easier for us to plan our itinerary. With state representatives on hand to answer our questions and offer exclusive rates, we're able to create a tour that not only takes us to the must-see sites but also off-the-beaten-path gems, all while staying within our budget

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Community Spirit During Travel

"As we continue to visit certain locations or events, a professional relationship develops to the point where we trust the people we work with"

The third and the most important reason for traveling with companies that participate in these events is the development of personal relationships with people who are essentially inviting and hosting us to their wonderful venues, states, and hotels. This means that formalities have already been taken care of, and we are communicating on a first-name basis. As we continue to visit certain locations or events, a professional relationship develops to the point where we trust the people we work with. This level of communication is a positive outcome for our customers because it greatly reduces the chances of encountering problems during travel, such as getting a room that is subpar or a meal that is potentially hazardous. Companies that attend ABA events prioritize building these relationships, ensuring that our customers have the best possible travel experience.

Conclusion

The event provided a truly remarkable experience, with a diverse range of unique opportunities to connect with individuals from across the country. One of the most unforgettable moments was the keynote presentation delivered by Commander Guy M. Snodgrass, a former top gun pilot who achieved the seemingly impossible by becoming a top gun instructor. In his presentation, he provided invaluable insights from his book, TOPGUN's Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit, which were expertly summarized. We highly recommend this book to anyone who has yet to read it.

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Furthermore, we had the pleasure of indulging in a variety of delectable local dishes, including Wisconsin's renowned cheese and Texas' mouthwatering steak. These culinary delights allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in each state's culture. Additionally, the hour-long performance offered by Broadway was a highly entertaining highlight, showcasing the very best of their upcoming shows.

In conclusion, we're dedicated to providing our customers with the most affordable and enjoyable travel experience possible. We kindly invite you to check out our upcoming overnight and day tours and take advantage of the exclusive discounts and deals we've secured through our attendance at ABA 2023 Marketplace. Thank you for your support, we look forward to the opportunity to welcome you on our tours soon!