We will soon be gathering in Lafayette, Louisiana, for our for 36th annual Peer Group conference. These conferences mean so much to our members who look forward to the opportunity to gather with colleagues, share experiences and ideas for club engagement, learn about new destinations and come away reinvigorated to face the challenges of running a travel club.

When you think about it, the word "reinvigorate" is the perfect word to describe the effect of Peer Group on our bank club directors. Consider the definition according to Vocabulary.com:

REINVIGORATE: (verb) impart vigor, strength, or vitality to

Reinvigorate adds the "again" prefix re- to invigorate, "give energy to." At the heart of both is vigor, "strength and health," which comes from the Latin vigere, "be lively, flourish, or thrive." So if a hot cup of tea or a long talk on the phone with your best friend reinvigorates you, that means it makes you feel strong and lively. In the same way, taking time to attend Peer Group has the same effect. This is time set apart just for you. It is good for your soul to spend time with other club directors at the start of each year, sharing concerns and celebrating accomplishments. It gives you the chance to "sharpen your sword" - so to speak - as you learn new things and are reminded of helpful tools. It causes you to come away with renewed excitement - refreshed and empowered to try new things that will cause your club to flourish.

Here is what two club directors have said about their experiences.

"I haven’t missed a Peer Group since my first time attending! It is the only place I can go to meet with Directors just like myself that are facing the same challenges and concerns. I have never been anywhere else that I have experienced the level of support and camaraderie that I get through the HCI Conference….not to mention the incredible level of education! " ~Tammy Browning, Central Bank, Spirit Lake, Iowa

'"There are so many travel conferences out there to choose from but for me Heritage Club International is always top of my list. By attending HCI, I have met some amazing people who understand completely the challenges that I face as a bank travel club director. These special friends have also proven to be very influential in helping me rethink travel and keep my club progressing forward. I feel that the most effective benefit of HCI for me is the educational piece that you don’t see anywhere else. I have learned so much in the few short years that I have attended the conferences and am excited to see what this year brings to the list of learning." ~Melody Beecham, Hometown Bank, Corbin, Kentucky