46th Annual ETTA Conference - March 28 - 31

Setting the Stage for Excellence in Granbury, TX

“Setting the Stage for Excellence” is scheduled for March 28th-31st in Granbury, Texas at the Granbury Resort Conference Center. This year features educational sessions, Marketplace, FAM Tours and networking opportunities.

Find out the latest trends in group travel, how to market on a budget, build successful cooperative programs and relationships plus Much, Much More!

Travel Operators - There is limited space for the FAM Tours! Please sign up asap.

Sunday, March 28 (Subject to change)

1:00pm – 5:00pm: Conference Registration - Hilton Garden Inn Lobby
2:00pm – 5:00pm: Group Travel Focus Group Meeting - Hilton Garden Inn
4:00pm - 5:00pm: Conference Orientation - Hilton Garden Inn
6:00pm- 7:00pm: Icebreaker Event - Networking Reception with Operators, Downtown Granbury
7:00pm-9:00pm: Dinner at Babe’s Chicken House, Downtown Granbury
(Separate registration fee required)

Monday, March 29
All meetings held at the Granbury Resort Conference Center

7:30am-8:45am: Networking Breakfast – Brazos River Room - Upstairs

8:00am-5:00pm: Conference Registration - Conference Center Lobby

9:00am-5:00pm: Familiarization Tour #1 for Group Travel Professionals
(Buses begin loading at 8:45am in front of the Conference Center)

9:00am-10:30am: Opening Ceremony – Ballroom
Economically Challenging Times: Looking at Our Options When the Market is Tight
Marketing on a tight budget can be a challenge. Learn how to use your imagination
and a little creativity to stretch those advertising dollars.
Keynote: Linda H. DiMario, President, DiMario and Associates

10:30am-10:45am: Communications Break

10:45am-11:50am: Case Studies Session #1 – Creative Cities Create More Tourism
How cities are using “creative tourism” to boost programming and economic development. Learn new and innovative ways tourism professionals are reaching the group tour market and leisure traveler through the most advanced technology, publications, promotions, and events.
Speakers: Susan Morton, Sales & Service Manager – Tourism Markets, Waco CVB; Carol Pirie, Deputy Director / Program Manager, Film Friendly Texas, Texas Film Commission

12:00pm-1:15pm: Luncheon - Brazos River Room – Upstairs

Telling the Story through Pictures
A picture is worth a thousand words…or so the saying goes. A photograph has the ability to convey emotion, mood, narrative, ideas, and messages…all of which are important elements in storytelling. What are your images saying about your destination? The gift of storytelling doesn’t just happen. Good storytelling is intentional. Learn how to tell your story and convey your message through pictures.
Keynote: Rick Vanderpool, Writer/Photographer, Founder, State Art/US

1:30pm-2:30pm: Case Studies Session #2 – Nuts and Bolts: Behind the Scenes of Event Planning and Funding
A great event involves a great plan. Learn how the best events and festivals are put together from start to finish by the professionals who put them on.
Speakers: Jerry Huffman, CEO, Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce/ CVB; Sherry Nefford, Director, Sequin CVB; Tommie Ritter Smith, Panola County Chamber of Commerce, Texas Country Music Hall of Fame

2:30pm-3:10pm: Web Marketing 101
Speaker: Julie Niehoff, Regional Development Director, Constant C ontact

3:10pm-3:30pm: Communication Break

3:30pm-5:00pm: Group Travel Panel Discussion
After meeting with group travel industry experts, the “focus group panel” will share results and insights into the group travel market. Receive insider tips and training. This interactive Q&A session will prove to be invaluable to CVB’s and attractions.
Speakers: Justin Turner, VP Tourism Marketing, Tyler CVB; Mark Thompson, CMP, Director, Plano CVB; Charlie McIlvain, CTP, Director, Granbury CVB; Tena Hay, Director of Charter-Group Sales, Coach America; Carole Harris, Travel With Carole; and more.

7:00pm-9:00pm: “Golden Ticket” Party on the Boardwalk – Ballroom & Boardwalk
Bring your “Golden Ticket” to enter Charlie’s Chocolate Party on the Boardwalk. Feast on scrumptious foods and delight in glorious chocolate treats. This will be a fabulously fun networking event with members of the group tour industry.

9:30pm-11:30pm: Hospitality Suite - Hilton Garden Inn

Tuesday, March 30th
All meetings held at Celebration Hall, Downtown Granbury

Trolley will run from Conference Center to Downtown.
Sponsored by Granbury Convention and Visitors Bureau

7:30am-8:30am: Networking Breakfast – Celebration Hall – Upstairs

8:00am-5:00pm: Conference Registration - Celebration Hall Lobby

8:30am-9:30am: Downtown Granbury Guided Tour

9:45am-6:00pm: Familiarization Tour #2 for Group Tour Professionals
(Buses will load in front of Celebration Hall beginning at 9:30am)

9:45am- 10:30am: Education Session
Speaker: Brian Frazier, Texas Parks and Wildlife

10:30am – 10:45am: Communications Break

10:45am-11:45am: Session – Thematic Tourism and Maximizing Success in Partnerships
Learn how to use “thematic tourism” and partnerships to expand opportunities for visitors and encourage longer stays and more spending in your communities. See how cities and organizations are using natural, cultural, and historic assets, and linking similar assets together to maximize potential.
Speakers: Douglas Harman, PhD, TDMC, CDME, CEO, Harman Tourism Consulting; Jill Campbell, Regional Coordinator, Texas Lakes Trail Region; Kim Phillips, Director, Denton CVB

11:45am – 12:15pm: Funding and Grants
Doris Howdeshell, Director, Travel Information Department, Texas Department of Transportation

12:15pm-1:00pm: Networking and Awards Luncheon
2010 H.A. Tony Bridge Broadcast Award Presentation

1:15pm-3:15pm: Revealing our Character
Historic and cultural attractions and their living traditions make each destination unique. Product development, quality services, and successful promotional campaigns are essential for success. Learn how destinations are maximizing their potential and using their own unique assets to promote successful tourism programs. Find out how they are attracting more group tours and where they are securing funding to preserve and promote their assets.
Speakers: Amanda Davis, Executive Director, Miami Oklahoma CVB, Oklahoma Tourism Industry Association, Oklahoma Route 66 Board, Coleman Theatre Project; Jim Bob McMillan, Deputy Director, Texas Commission on the Arts

3:15pm- 5:00pm: Table Sponsor Set-up- Celebration Hall

3:15pm-5:00pm: Travel Marketplace Set-up – Conference Center Ballroom

7:00pm-9:30pm: “That’s Entertainment” Award of Excellence Banquet – Celebration Hall

(Trolley will run from Conference Center to Downtown, Sponsored by Granbury CVB)

We are “Setting the Stage of Excellence” to honor members of the Tourism and Motor Coach industry. So, give your regards to Broadway! Network and celebrate while savoring delectable cuisine prepared by Pearl Street Station in beautiful historic downtown Granbury.
FAM awards
Kathy Rosser Award

10:00pm-12:00am: Hospitality Suite – Hilton Garden Inn

Wednesday, March 31st
All events held at Granbury Resort Conference Center

7:00am-8:30am: Travel Marketplace Registration- Conference Center Lobby

7:00am-8:00am: Trade Show Set-up – Ballroom

7:00am-8:30am: Networking Breakfast – Brazos River Room

8:30am-12:15pm: Travel Marketplace – Ballroom (Rotations)

12:30pm-1:30pm: Networking Lunch – Brazos River Room

1:30pm-2:30pm: Travel Marketplace Continues

3:00pm: Conference / Travel Marketplace Concludes

Hosted by the beautiful Granbury Resort and Conference Center

Host Hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn
Early Bird Registration has been extended to March 3rd but there are only a few rooms left!
635 East Pearl Street
Granbury, TX 76048
Call (817) 579-3805 and ask for the ETTA block

Additional Hotels Include:
Plantation Inn
1451 E. Pearl St.
(817)573-8846
$50.00 rate free hot breakfast

Best Western
1517 N. Plaza Dr.
(817)573-4239
$79.99 includes full hot breakfast

Comfort Suites
903 Harbor Lake Dr.
(817)579-5559
$69.99 rate includes deluxe continental breakfast


Members and non-members click here for the registration blank

Click here for the registration form.

Group Travel Operators - click here.

C O N T A C T    I N F O R M A T I O N

Mary Ramos
421 N. Center, Ste A
Longview, TX 75601

(903) 757-4444 office
(903) 236-7541

MaryRamos@ETTA.com

N E A R B Y    A T T R A C T I O N S

U P C O M I N G    E V E N T S