If you're looking for a custom-built trip for your group,
Rick Pharr of CTN Travels is the man you want to talk to. He has been with HCI since the beginning, and over the 20+ years of caring for club directors and their members, he has learned how to provide a great experience for bank group travelers. He handles everything so the club director can enjoy the trip and interact with his or her bank customers. Whether you're looking to do something in the US or abroad, Rick can create an amazing itinerary for you that is sure to please. Some favorites include a trip through Kentucky to take in the races, a Colorado motorcoach tour that includes multiple scenic train rides through the mountains and a West Coast tour of California, Oregon and Washington. Let Rick show you how easy and affordable group travel can be.
The CTN Travels international tour directors are accomplished, skilled and passionate about taking care of their groups. They are fluent in the language of the country you are visiting and ensure that everything is paid for in advance so the club director doesn't have to worry about anything but mingling with their customers and enjoying the trip.
Diane Susong, CBCD, club director at Home State Bank in Crystal Lake, Illinois, has used CTN for years. She had two trips with Rick this year and has some advice for you as you plan your next ones.
Words cannot explain how wonderful our tours have been with CTN Travels. This year Rick planned my winter-get-away on a Caribbean Cruise out of New Orleans just before Mardi Gras and, boy, did we have fun during our 3-night stay in New Orleans - I even got several of my members to go to Bourbon Street one night. Unfortunately, I had several last-minute cancellations due to illnesses and hospital stays, but Rick & Carol didn't skip a beat. They made sure my tour would go and booked a smaller executive bus for us while in New Orleans. We stayed in the business district at a bank that was converted into a hotel. How cool to be a bank group staying in an old bank...
Next, Rick planned my 5th annual Mystery Tour to Cleveland, Ohio. It was one of the best ones yet. The itinerary was well planned with so many wonderful things to do. Who knew there was so much to do in Cleveland? Rick and I did... Rick has planned 4 out of my five Mystery Tours. The first was only one night so, I planned that one. I have gone from a 1-night getaway to a 3-night getaway, and next year Rick and I are working on a 4-night getaway for my Mystery Tour. Both Rick and I have gained the trust of my members, so much so that they are already asking when I am going to put clues in the newsletter for next year's tour. If you have never done a Mystery Tour, start small like I did and work your way up, but don't forget to use Rick Pharr from CTN Travels. He will take your dreams and turn them into reality for you and your members!
Rick has been with HCI since the beginning and he still loves coming to Peer Group every year. Having been in the travel industry for over 40 years, Rick has been to many other shows, but, he says, "There is nothing like the camaraderie or banker education that you get at Peer Group." He especially enjoyed seeing everyone take the new directors under their wings at last year's event. "It is a really good format, it's done well and it has tremendous relevance in the industry."
