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.)

Imagine my sheer delight when a client project called for me to both map out routes to off-the-beaten-path places in Ohio and Indiana and then drive to those places. As I plotted “Point A’s to Point B’s” spanning Steubenville, Ohio to French Lick, Indiana, I inventoried the possibilities of where the roads would take me. Job responsibilities aside, I hoped it would be a good trip.

It was.

Simply stunning. That is the drive on US 250 along Ohio’s Tappan Reservoir, where miles of glassy grey water contrast against hilly bursts lit on fire by fall’s orange, red, gold glory.

Breathtaking. That is the route from Wilmington to Lebanon, Ohio, that warns large trucks and trailers to “stay off” before the road plunges and twists deep into and out of an unexpected ravine that glows under a golden autumn canopy.

Lovely. That is the road that meanders on the emerald outskirts of Versailles State Park on the way to Vernon, Indiana, where schoolchildren picnic and giggle on the front lawn of the historic courthouse.

Unexpected. That is “doing your job” and having the privilege to tap into your personal passions as you drive along the picture-perfect scenes of America’s back-roads beauty.

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.

Yes, I am one of the 10,000 proud volunteers for the Super Bowl, and I can’t wait to utter these words. We are the ones who have committed to step up and extend a hand, a warm smile and a kind word in hopes of making this mega-event unfold smoothly. Last week’s launch of the Super Service training means we’re getting that much closer.

This is why I like travel and tourism so much. This is why I champion Borshoff’s efforts to assist organizations in the hospitality industry with their marketing and event communications needs. Because hospitality reminds us that perhaps our purpose here is to lighten the load for others; to bring enjoyment to our visitors’ friends and families; to help them feel comfortable away from home. And if our visitors leave with a little less cash in their wallets, then good for us all who call this place home.

We all have a role to play in making our guests feel welcome – and each of us can take the training. It’s free and it’s online. Just go here and see for yourself. Glad to help. It’s my pleasure.

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.”

As parents, my wife and I try to instill in our children an appreciation for having a good “rep.” What others say and what assumptions are made about you (good and bad) are based on a person’s reputation. So it goes with our remarkable city.

• History has already demonstrated our community’s ability to successfully welcome and host thousands of visitors. Reputation!
• Sports leaders from around the country count on the hundreds of quality volunteers and outstanding staff necessary to properly stage world-class events. Reputation!
• Media near and far have fallen in love with having events in Indy due to our compact and convenient downtown and impressive facilities. Reputation!
• And now, with yet another major event in our pipeline, more opportunities lie around the corner for sure. Reputation!

This year, Borshoff has been extremely honored to have played a role in promoting such events as the NCAA Men’s Final Four ancillary events and next week’s Drum Corps International World Championship. Indy’s award-winning reputation has rubbed off on all of our public relations and advertising professionals here at Borshoff – so we, individually and collectively, share in the celebration of yesterday’s Big Ten announcement and what it means for our city. It means the story continues and the outcomes reinforce and validate the investments made in making Indianapolis the “#1 go-to guy” in hosting major events.

So let’s take the ball and run with it – again – because this is what we do here in Indy. Reputation!

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.

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.

Since Borshoff is committed to tourism and entertainment communications, I’m here promoting one of Indiana’s star attractions – White River State Park (WRSP). There’s a lot to be said about WRSP and these travel writers are loving it. Why not? WRSP is an amazing collection of great visitor attractions (Indianapolis Zoo, Eiteljorg Museum, IMAX Theater, Indiana State Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions and Victory Field) In fact, the New York Times travel section says “WRSP is Indianapolis’ version of the Mall in Washington.”

So over Boulevard beer and KC barbeque, I’m sharing the WRSP story with those who write travel stories for Midwest Living, Chicago Tribune, Cincinnati Enquirer, USA Today, Detroit Free Press, Washington Post, and many more media outlets. I’m glad to help them, because this is what we do – we help tell our clients’ stories. And along the way, we make a lot of good friends, break bread together and share a few laughs. I love what I do and fortunately, good relationships are not limited by age, gender nor geography – and neither are good stories. Pitch on…

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. So, it was quite an honor to be asked by Indiana tourism officials to be on a panel of judges for the My Indiana Summer photo contest. Wow – what a success! More than 1,700 photos were submitted by over 200 photographers.

Our job as judges was to winnow down those 1,700 photos to the top five. And now, it’s up to the people of Indiana and beyond – it’s up to you – to vote for your favorite image. Vote at My Indiana Summer.

I was in remarkable company, joined by Amanda Cecil, PhD, CMP from IUPUI, John Bragg, owner of John Bragg Photography, Ray Begovich, journalism professor (and mentor) from Franklin College and Tad Fruits, art photographer from the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

My biggest take-away was that there is little doubt that the heartland of America – our great state – is beating with zeal and great health. So go ahead, take a look for yourself at My Indiana Summer and vote today.