September 2021

HCI Monthly News & Updates
Message from our Board Chair

To me, August always feels like January feels, this never-ending transition month when you are emerging from a massive flurry of activity with holidays and get-togethers; there’s not much to look forward to and it just generally feels “blah”. You start to come down off the high of summer, and you aren’t ready but Back to School (practices, lessons, shopping) is everywhere you turn so you can’t relax, go anywhere or plan anything, and then – BAM! Pumpkin Spice and Buffalo Plaid. Everywhere. September feels like a godsend with its routine and purpose, and ok, (we can do this) maybe just a smattering of Pumpkin Spice. (First World problems, I know.) So, here’s to the start of Fall, may you enjoy the season with the experiences, sights, smells and tastes it brings.

Do you ever consider how what we do impacts tourism on a local, national and global scale? How does travel make us better citizens? How does my purchase impact others? Can we do better? September 27th each year marks World Tourism Day. This date was set in 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the specialized agency responsible for sustainable and responsible tourism. According to the UNWTO, World Tourism Day is “the global observance day fostering awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political, and economic value”. The focus of World Tourism Day 2021 is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”, and the UNWTO sees this year as an opportunity to look past the statistics we’ve seen in the tourism industry since the COVID-19 pandemic and “acknowledge that, behind every number, there is a person.” I encourage you to take a look at UNWTO: who they are, why World Tourism Day and their objectives and goals at unwto.org.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact. Both developed and developing economies have been hit. And marginalized groups and the most vulnerable have been hit hardest of all. The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth. It is essential that the benefits this will bring are enjoyed widely and fairly.” – unwto.org

Happy Fall Y’ All! 😊
Allison

Allison Whalen
Summit Club Director
F & M Community Bank
Preston, MN
Sharing Ideas Makes Us All Better

Still looking for ideas for remote gatherings with your club members? Maria McCall from Montecito Bank & Trust in Santa Barbara, CA, has been making the most of Zoom to stay connected with her members and provide fun, interesting, and interactive education for them. She has been hosting guest speakers from her community to showcase local arts, history and events via Zoom for what she calls “Dial-In & Learn”. She even featured one of our own HCI Travel Partners – Jessica Settje – who gave a great presentation on Warren Buffet’s Omaha. This allowed Maria’s members to get a virtual tour of Omaha with a taste of what they can look forward to when they are able to visit in person.

Kelly Robare from Union Bank & Trust in Lincoln, NE, has also been hosting Zoom series as well as one-off special events that focus on enrichment, education, and unique experiences for her members. She has recorded, edited and posted them for others to enjoy. She has covered a variety of how-to topics ranging from coffee, to health, to finances, as well as several local interests in her "Yes, Nebraska" series. She, too, reached out to one of her HCI colleagues, Ted Nelson of Hospitality Tours, who hosted an interactive Virtual Mystery Tour. 

What a great idea to take advantage of the expertise of our Travel Partners and PTOs to provide virtual educational sessions that will showcase their destinations. It’s a win-win!!

You very likely have many local historians or experts who would love the opportunity to share their passions with your members. Take advantage of the virtual platforms that are now so prevalent and bring these experiences to your members in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Click the links below to view a complete list of the available recordings. Each list contains links to view the recordings. Check them out to spur new ideas of your own.
Annual Peer Group Registration

It is time to register for Peer Group!!

It has been such a long time since we have been in the same room with each other. We are very excited about being together with you again. We hope that you have already marked your calendars and will be joining us in the Quad Cities February 21-25 for the 2022 Annual Peer Group Conference.

Let's reconnect for networking, learning and fun at the only conference in the country designed especially for bank club directors and their travel partners.

We have some great education sessions planned.
  • Traveling with smaller groups
  • Increasing membership among Gen X
  • Diffusing conflict
  • Travel trends
  • And more!

 
Learn more on the HCI home page, or go directly to the Partner Peer Group site to sign up today.
Membership Update

We want to let you know that Jordan Rowles has left the Jefferson City CVB. She is excited about a new position serving at an animal rescue organization. She sent a message that I'd like to share with you:

"Thank you all for being so wonderful to work with, and I appreciate everything the Heritage Clubs family has done to make me feel welcome. We do not have a replacement on board yet, but I’m sure they will be involved in HCI as well. Thanks, and best wishes!"

While we will certainly miss Jordan, we look forward to meeting and working with her successor going forward.