Posts Tagged ‘tourism’

Oh, the places you never expected you’d go

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

By Amy Wiser, account director

I’m an unabashed map geek. There’s just something I really dig about planning a trip, spreading out maps, loading up Google Maps or Bing, and studying route and terrain. I think it’s because I like to go places. I like all the possibilities—the anticipation—of new sights, new experiences.

And, since I was raised in the flat farmland of Northern Indiana, I am also naturally fascinated by the knobs, hills, hollows and hummocks that swoop around Southern Indiana and pock other parts of the Midwest. (Don’t get me wrong:  America’s Amber Waves of Grain are a beauty to behold, but don’t get me started on cliffs, canyons and honest-to-God mountains.)

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It’s my pleasure.

Monday, October 10th, 2011

By Bob Schultz, APR, senior account director

These few words are pretty simple, but powerful. They are the words that the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee is encouraging all hospitality service providers and volunteers to say when asked for assistance by guests visiting Indy for Super Bowl XLVI.

These words give a lot more customer service impact than “OK” or “You bet” or even “Absolutely.” These words also convey Indy’s value proposition. These words are what will make our visitors remember their trip to Indianapolis. And these words are just one of the many tips and pointers made in the newly released Super Service training modules that were launched last week during National Customer Service Week.

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Super big sports reputation in Indy

Friday, August 6th, 2010

By Bob Schultz, APR, senior account director

Congratulations Indianapolis for scoring – once again – a huge sporting event that is sure to draw thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to our hometown. Just yesterday, the newly expanded Big Ten Conference leadership called an audible and handed off the hosting rights for its inaugural Big Ten football championship to Indianapolis in 2011.

No doubt, the passionate and talented leadership of the Indiana Sports Corporation and the ever-professional staff of the much-acclaimed Lucas Oil Stadium will run with the proverbial football in the same cadence that has proven success with other recent high-profile events, such as the Big Ten and NCAA basketball tournaments here.

How did this happen? And just as critical – why is this important?  All answers point to the word, “reputation.”

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Opportunity Indianapolis

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

By Steve Beard, creative directoropportunity_indianapolis

Last week I attended Opportunity Indianapolis, presented by the Lacy Leadership Association. Opportunity Indianapolis is a leadership program designed to give participants an exclusive, behind-the-scenes exploration of our city and significant community issues. I learned almost as much about my city in two days as I have in the 20 years I’ve lived here.

One of the community issues that had a lasting impact on me was the focus on education—we need to make it a number one priority in our city and that needs to happen right now. Mass transit is another issue that the city of Indianapolis needs to solve to serve its growing population and be considered a vibrant city of the future.

The overall message of Opportunity Indianapolis is to get involved. We all need to identify issues we are passionate about and let our voices be heard. Last week got me energized about making a difference in my city, and it also made me realize that I have a lot of work to do.

Plenty of pitching for the Park

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

By Bob Schultz, APR, senior account director

They’re old and young; they’re men and women; they’re Southerners, Northerners and Midwesterners – and they’re all in my sights here in Kansas City. These folks make up the membership of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). I’m also an SATW member and many of us have been friends for a while.

SATW is a congenial group of communications professionals (journalists and public relations) who feed off each other with shared purpose – to tell the stories of what’s to do and see for travelers across America. And our regional conference is underway this weekend in KC.

SATW_blog

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My Indiana Summer photo contest

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

By Bob Schultz, APR, senior account directormy-indiana-summer

Awww. Summer in Indiana. As a lifelong resident, I have many fond images of growing up and now enjoying Indiana with my friends and family. And, working in the tourism business for many years now provided countless opportunities to see and experience what the Great State of Indiana has to offer visitors and residents alike – from sunny beaches to rolling hills to stunning urban skylines. (more…)