Dayton Planner Enjoys the ‘Marketplace Frenzy’“
I’ve always thought of beach destinations like Myrtle Beach and Virginia Beach as family destinations,” said Jan Austin of Bee on the Go Travel in Dayton, Ohio. “But I met with both of them at Going On Faith and discovered that they have shows, museums and lots of other things to do besides just the beach. I think we’ll try to do them both in different years.
“That marketplace is a frenzy,” she said. “But once you learn how to do it, you learn so much. Not only do you learn about things that will work for your group, but you also learn what won’t work — that’s useful.
“I met with a young man from Bardstown, Kentucky, who told me all about it. I’ve always thought we should go, and now I know we should. It needs to happen.”
Austin retired from an administrative position with Wright State University after 30 years and began her travel company three years ago. She does small trips herself and also books groups with companies like Collette and Globus, two large operators that attended the conference.
“We’re doing the California Coast with Collette later this year,” she said. “I have several church groups traveling with me right now. I also have three senior centers that are faith based that travel with us.”
Austin pointed out one major side benefit she got from attending the conference.
“One of my best leads was my local convention and visitors bureau in Dayton,” she said. “I met with a young woman from there at Going On Faith, and now I may be doing some receptive work for them. I already have a student group I’ll be showing around the city from that appointment.”
