Travel, Food and Everything in Between: November 2010

Okay, I know I said I would write about Vegas first, but this was a whole new trip for me. I had been to Canada once before, on an Alaskan cruise. We took the White Pass Railroad from the Yukon down to Scagway, and flew out of Vancouver, so this was my first multi-day foray into Canadian life. Make that FRENCH-Canadian!

I was attending the National Tour Association Annual Convention, and I have to say that Steve Hartman (of CBS News fame, and the Convention MC) was right. These people are crazy! But crazy in the best possible way. I had such a good time, and met some really interesting people. I was invited to attend as a Tourism Cares scholarship recipient, and was lucky enough to be joined by three other GWU student, 2 of which are in the same accelerated program as I am. I had met one before, and knew the other through online class discussion rooms.

Our first night involved volunteering at the St. Joseph's Oratory, the largest Basilica in Canada, and absolutely gorgeous. Volunteers helped ready the church for the upcoming holiday season. Some helped, clean, others painted, still more decorated the Christmas trees, wrapped Christmas gifts, and created arts and craft. I decided to delve into my inner Martha Stewart and help make Christmas greetings out of cards. As you can see from the picture, I got more brave with the glue the further I went along. (I made the Merry Christmas! letters.)

St Joseph's Oratory

Volunteering Arts and Crafts

Day 2 started with the Opening Ceremony, hosted by Louisville, KY. I never did go get my very own tube of Kentucky Bourbon Chapstick, darn! A wonderful opening speech by Steve Hartman followed. That guy is FUNNY! So funny, I may just start watching CBS News. The morning was filled with mentoring by DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations). When I first read who would be mentoring me, I did not even know where the destinations were. My morning mentor was from San Mateo County/Silicon Valley CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau). I knew Silicon Valley was in Northern California, some where, but I could not pinpoint it on a map if required. Turns out San Mateo County lies directly between San Francisco and Monterrey, and I WILL be visiting there someday soon. Come on, there is a HUGE pumpkin patch in the area, as well as a Ritz-Carlton that looks like it may have been built out of the sand. Definitely want to see that!

One of the beavers from the 2010 Winter Olympics

Afternoon appointments were with Destination St. Johns. I was so excited, the Caribbean, yay! Well, apparently there are several St. Johns, two of which are in Canada. The one I was assigned, St. Johns (not to be confused with St. John, in New Brunswick) is in Newfoundland/Labrador. Where, you might ask is Newfoundland/Labrador? well, let me tell you, it's as far east in Canada as you can go, above Nova Scotia and Prince Edwards Island. And apparently St Johns is a beautiful seaside town, where you can see more humpback whales than anywhere else, and icebergs in May and June. The Titanic went down not far off the southern coast of Newfoundland. Interesting history there for you.

That evening we were treated to food and music at an Icebreaker at the Montreal Science Centre. Here they had the popular smoked meat sandwiches for us to try. Very tasty, however, the bread was really soft.

Monday was probably my favorite morning of the program, as we met with industry leaders and had round-table discussions about the future of the industry and where we saw ourselves in the fray. This is also where I had the realization of what I really want to do with my future, and that is priceless. This was also the day that Broadway.com sponsors lunch. We were treated to songs from 13 different Broadway musicals, and got a sneak peak at the new Wonderland and Spiderman plays (two SEPARATE plays). After lunch involved sitting in on "Fast Pitch" where suppliers were able to meet with tour operators for 5 minutes, to pitch their products. That time just flew by in a whirl of business cards and sales.

Monday night, a group of about 14 of us scholarship students went out for dinner at a local Montreal eatery called L'Academie. I believe it was an Italian-inspired restaurant, as pasta was a major part of the menu. After dinner we attended the Tourism Rocks! event, hosted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, The Nevada Commission on Tourism, and Hard Rock International. It was a 2-floored event, with live music upstairs and a DJ and dance floor downstairs. May I reiterate, these NTA delegates are CRAZY, and know how to have a good time!

Tuesday was our last day in the city, and a few of us had some time before our flights left. We decided to take advantage of the fact that it did not rain after all and tour Old Montreal. Here are some pictures from the tour.