January 2022

HCI Monthly News & Updates
Message from our Board Chair


Hello Friends in Travel—

I recently read an article I connected with in Groups Today by Stephen Ekstrom called “Six Tourism Trends That Will Rule 2022”, featured in the Nov/Dec ’21 issue. Search it, it’s worth the read. My biggest takeaways from his findings are that people are seeking out expertise and are willing to pay for it, and “creating genuine authentic empathy in your messaging.”

Expertise. Aren’t we fortunate to work with expert PTOs and Partners as members of Heritage Clubs International? Think about the amount of experience and expertise offered with the connections we make through HCI, and the value add whether you are a novice or experienced Club Director. Everything we need is at our fingertips: education, networking, and resources all available at www.heritageclubs.com and in our vast network of HCI travel professionals. I will also add that for me the Peer Group conference truly enhances the experience, and if you are able, attend as often as you can. We as Club Directors offer a unique service to our customers, and we are worth it!

Empathy. Defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another”. Authentic. Defined by Merriam-Webster as “genuine, actual, real, or true: not false or fake”. A good reminder of what we need to practice to connect with current and potential customers. After all we have been through, isn’t this what we are all seeking? Even though being authentic feels like it should come naturally, I believe there are some practices we need to unlearn, especially when marketing our products and services. If we want to truly connect and engage with our audience, and maybe even inspire them, Ekstrom suggests moving away from the “we’re in this together” messaging and have a conversation, use plain language, create relatable content, and try to see things from your audience’s point of view. I know I plan to refresh my messaging for 2022, and this was the advice I needed to work on creating that fresh approach.

I hope that this message connects with you too. Looking forward to 2022, Happy New Year!

Allison

Allison Whalen
Summit Club Director
F & M Community Bank
Preston, MN
Annual Peer Group Registration

Time is running out!!

If you have not yet registered for the Peer Group conference, do it today!

Quad Cities February 21-25, 2022

Let's reconnect for networking, learning and fun at the only conference in the country designed especially for bank club directors.
 
We have some great education sessions planned for you and our club directors:
  • Membership building
  • Communication
  • Tour planning help
  • And more!
 
Learn more on the HCI home page, or go directly to the PTO Peer Group site to sign up today.
IMPROVED HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE 2022 PEER GROUP 

The health and safety of everyone attending Peer Group remains our highest priority when putting on our annual conference. We all want to be back together, and we all want to enjoy the laughter and learning we expect from HCI. We can do this best when we are all confident that HCI is taking every precaution to keep us as safe as possible. 
 
Consider these safety measures when deciding to register:
1. All delegates must send proof of vaccination to the HCI office when they register.
2. We will be wearing our masks at all times indoors during the conference (except when dining).
3. HCI is providing a free testing facility throughout the conference for anyone who is feeling any symptoms or thinks they have been exposed.
4. All delegates will be required to take a free rapid test (with a negative result) before joining the conference on whichever day they are arriving.
5. We will have plenty of space to be able to practice social distancing during our educational sessions and our meal and social times.
 
Registration has been busy with nearly 30 bankers already registered for the conference.
We look forward to seeing everyone in the Quad Cities February 21-25, 2022!
 
We are Better Together when we are Together Safely!

If these changes will prevent you from attending the conference, please reach out to Tina to cancel your registration. You will receive a full refund of any payments that you have already made if you cancel by December 31, 2021.
Peer Group Sightseeing Tour

The Monday Sightseeing Tour is a chance for you to hang out with the club directors while you experience a taste of the Quad Cities. There is no charge for it, but you must register to participate. You will meet in the lobby at 7:50 am on February 21, 2022. The tour departs at 8 am and returns by noon for Opening Ceremonies and Lunch.