Visitors bureaus teaming up for 'epic' business workshop

Destination Seneca County and Sandusky County Visitors Bureau are partnering to host a new program through the Ohio Travel Association call the The Heartland-Approved Epic Group Experience Designation Program. The program will be offered through a one-day workshop at The Renaissance of Tiffin 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 9. To reserve a spot for the workshop, participants must purchase a ticket at www.destinationsenecacounty.org/Epic by Nov. 24 to receive the early-bird special of $150 per person. After that date, the price will increase to $250 per person. The cost of the workshop is being supplemented by bed tax dollars through the two hosting groups, according to a news release. Designation as an Epic Group Experience creates a competitive advantage in the group travel market. Seneca County tourism partners will rise to the top of competition, the release said. "Designation shows the group tour operators that our community is committed to epic group experiences," the release said. "Destination Seneca County, the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau and the Ohio Travel Association will ensure that over 1,500 tour operators and groups nationwide see the designation achievement." The Epic Group Experience program was developed with input from more than 275 group travel operators, receptive operators and visitor bureaus, the release said. Standards and best practices were approved by three teams of tour operators and suppliers. The designation process opens up a wide range of tools, trainings and information on how to deliver and market group experiences, the release said. Businesses can have an operator-approved checklist for servicing groups, taking the guesswork out of the process. Tourism partners receive standards and best practices based on what tour operators and their customers want. Destination Seneca County is the travel resource for information about attractions and places to visit in Seneca County. Learn more at www.DestinationSenecaCounty.org. The mission of the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau is to enhance Sandusky County by marketing the area as a destination to leisure and group travelers, inside and outside Sandusky County. Learn more at www.SanduskyCounty.org.