Maine Motorcoach Network

What is the Maine Motorcoach Network

How we got started

Are you motorcoach friendly?

Our programs

Where we are headed

Why and how to get involved

Statistics

Agenda

Who are we?

A volunteer network of Maine tourism businesses, in collaboration with the

Maine Office of Tourism, that grew from a grassroots effort to bring more motorcoach

business to all regions of Maine.

How We Got Started

Gathered attendees prior to attending ABA to share information with DMOs in order to sell the state better at appointments

(core group of approximately 10)

Industry saw a need to focus on this market Gathered additional industry participants (grew to approx. 30)

Group is now 100+ industry professionals strong and still growing

Accomplishments of the group

Web development for group section of VisitMaine.com

Guidelines for group-friendly businesses

First Familiarization (FAM) Tour

First Sales Mission in conjunction with ABA in Philadelphia

Our Structure Membership is open to any Maine businesses committed to

serving the Motorcoach market or wanting to learn more about how to work with the Motorcoach industry.

Meets monthly at locations throughout the State. Members take turns hosting meetings.

Has no paid staff or office – all volunteers

Has an Executive Committee as well as Sales Mission, FAM, Membership, Development, and ROI Committees

Executive CommitteeChair: Scott Riccio, Northeast Tour & CharterVice Chair: Troy Munford, Sunday RiverTreasurer: Lynn Tillotson, Greater Portland Convention + Visitors BureauMembership: Chris Chapin, Olympia CompaniesSecretary: Chris Rackmyre, CTIS, The Maine Tour ConnectionFAM Chair: Don Haggett, Lafayette HotelsSales Mission Chair: Anna Henderson, Olympia CompaniesDevelopment Chair: Brigit Cavanaugh, Maine Course HospitalityROI Chair: Margaret Hoffman, Boothbay Railway VillageEx-Officio: Cheryl Delisle, Witham Family PropertiesMember At-Large: Dave Garrison, Maine Maritime MuseumMember At-Large: Bill Hahn, Country Inns Camden/RockportMaine Office of Tourism Liaison: Donna Moreland

Are You Motorcoach Friendly?

Parking Tiered Pricing Restrooms Accessible Staffing capabilities Offer something unique Capacity for 55 people At least 25 dble-dble rooms

Are you ready?

Our Programs Familiarization (FAM) Tours

Sales Missions

Familiarization Tours(FAM)

What is a

Tour?

3 FAM Tours: 39 Tour Operators from 16 States

How the operators chosen?

How is the route chosen?2011

New GloucesterCascoBethel

FarmingtonBangor

EllsworthTrenton

Bar HarborBucksportNorth Port

CamdenRocklandWiscasset

Boothbay HarborBath

FreeportKennebunkport

Portland

2012Portland

BathPemaquid Point

WiscassetRockland

Owls HeadCamdenBelfast

BucksportEllsworthTrenton

Bar HarborBangor

KingsfieldCarrabassett Valley

RangeleyFarmington

Livermore FallsCarthage

BethelGems of 26

FreeportKennebunk / Kennebunkport

Ogunquit

2013Gray

LewistonAuburn

GardinerAugusta

SearsportLincolnville

CamdenRockportRockland

ThomastonBoothbay Harbor

WiscassetBath

BrunswickFreeportFalmouth

SacoYork

KitteryOgunquit

KennebunkportPortland

Peaks Island

2014BethelBangor

WinterportEastport

LubecCampobello Island

MachiasBar Harbor

Acadia Nat’l ParkSearsport

Boothbay HarborBath

BrunswickFreeportPortlandOgunquit

Hundreds more businesses

mentioned on every trip!

How to participate

Come to the monthly network meetings

Get on the FAM committee

Offer to host part of the FAM

Testimonials As a New England Receptive Operator, I send 2-8 motorcoaches to or through Maine each and every year. The Maine FAM tour has been a HUGE help to me as I become more familiar with the different areas of Maine with the different venues that I have not previously visited.

Telegan Tour & Travel, LLC

I’m still talking about the wonderful time…our guide shared her knowledge of what our customers will experience from each visit,

suggesting ideas along the way to further enhance a Maine Tour…I saw a Maine that I never knew existed.

Wade Tours

Testimonials It was extremely helpful to see the attractions, sights, restaurants, and hotels in

different areas of the state... I visited areas and attractions that were not included on our current tours. Since traveling on the FAM tour, I have added TWO attractions that

I visited, to our current tour itineraries. I would not have added those unless I had been on the FAM tour….

Christian Tours

I was fortunate to be invited on a Maine FAM… I met the good people of Maine: was welcomed like an old friend, shown every hidden treasure, well kept secret and not-to-be-

missed delight…my customers fell hopelessly in love with a side of Maine I would never have known to show them if not for my experience on the Maine FAM.

daytripping,inc

Sales Missions

What is a sales mission?

January 8-12, 2011 PA & NJ 15 appointments in 1 dayDecember 12-14, 2012 Atlantic Canada 5 appointments over 3 daysMay 13-17, 2013 Quebec 15 appointments over 4 daysApril 28 – May 2, 2014 Philadelphia 15 appointments over 3 days

How areas are chosen

Who are the presenters?

What is presented

How to get involved

Testimonials We were very pleased with the presentation format and the

information provided. We think you should call it what it is though; “More than the 95 Road Show” because it means getting off the

highway and into the towns and communities that provide the true experiences of Maine.

Target Tours

Had a great visit with all your Maine reps today. I Learned a lot -

Sounds like I can do a lot more in Maine then I thought.Freedom Tours

We are now looking at possible circuits in Maine as we really found the region very interesting. Thanks again

We are now looking at possible circuits in Maine as we really found

the region very interesting. Thanks again!

Tours Amerique

Testimonials Thank you so much for visiting yesterday, bringing breakfast treats and educating us on Maine and the great products it has to offer. Your presentation was great and I feel like friends came to visit for awhile yesterday. As I clearly stated – I love Maine so it was like a

little piece of Maine came to visit yesterday.Atlantic Tours Limited

We are now looking at possible circuits in Maine as we really found the region very interesting. Thanks again

I feel that it is I that needs to thank you. Your presentation about Maine was one of the best presentations that I have ever sat

through. When you left, I was ready to pack up and go visit Maine. So a very large Bravo to you and your team.

Trius Bus Division

Profile Sheets

Profile SheetsA two-sided, 8 ½ x 11 overview of your businessto include:

Contact Information Photos Directions Mileage Amenities Tour Operator Rates Tour Guide & Driver Comps Other tour options in close proximity Reasons for Tour Operators to Choose You!

$99 100+

operators

Sample Profile

Let’s look at what they did right…

Great photos, business name, town location, map, distance from a major city, and contact information!

Services, sample packages, amenities, and partnered with a local business!

Our Future & You!

Where Are We Headed?

Communication via E-Newsletter for Updates

Quarterly Networking & Update Meetings

Continuation with FAM Tours

Continuation with Sales Missions

Larger presence at ABA

ROI Survey & Results on our Efforts

Why & How To Get Involved

Membership application No Fee Allows us to contact you

Show up at meetings Get involved in committees Submit profile sheet yearly Sponsor an event

MAINE

MOTORCOACH

NETWORK

Testimonials Everyone can get something out of a network – probably the thing that I get most out of it is working with people within the room.

Creating friendships allows me…Troy Munford, Sunday River

Ogunquit Playhouse

Vern, Campobello Island

Don Haggett

Karen, Ogunquit Chamber

Come join us!

Economic Impact

Economic ImpactOne motorcoach spending one night at a destination generates

as much as $11,660 for that local economy in meals, lodging and other spending.

Motorcoach traveler and tourism demand generates more than $55.7 billion annually in economic transactions nationwide and generates 1.4 million jobs.

Motorcoaches account for 751 million passenger trips annually, moving more people in some years than commercial airlines.

Source: ABA American Bus Association Motorcoach Facts 2012

American Bus Association (ABA)

Peter Pantuso, CEO

Thank You!