Joining us today is TourTool's own Arin Preston, owner of TourTools. With the recent release of TourTools v5, she'll be giving us the inside scoop on the software's new exciting features and functions. We'll also get to know Arin as she tells us more about herself and her history with and passion for TourTools and TourTools clients.

TourTools is an integrated marketing, sales, operations and reporting software solution. Since 1995, more than 170 tour operation companies throughout North America and Australia have trusted the TourTools software to manage their business. Created in FileMaker Pro (Claris), TourTools offers the best combination of power, flexibility, and ease of use of any similar product on the market today.

Originally developed and designed by computer programmer and veteran tour operator, John Kamm (TourTech Systems, Inc.), TourTools was sold to Arin and her company, DataVast technologies, in 2020. Arin has a BSIT and an MBA from Colorado Technical University and is a certified FileMaker developer with over 20 years of experience developing and supporting custom database solutions like TourTools. The entire TourTools staff came along in that transition and they continue to support the clients that have come to love and rely on them.

Find out more about TourTours v5: https://www.tourtools.com/tourtools-v5/

In 1988, American Classic Tours began with founder, Joe Conroy’s, dream of leading fellow passionate travelers to discover America’s beauty and fascinating history. Over the past 33 years, American Classic Tours has led thousands of travelers on all-inclusive guided tours to the most beautiful places in North America and beyond. American Classic’s team typically leads over 50 trips a year!

In 2016, Joe’s oldest son, JD, graduated from the University of Illinois and came home with the dream of growing his father’s business. Joe and JD could not be more excited for the next 33 years of adventure and growth at American Classic Tours and we are thrilled to have JD joining us for this month’s Group Tour & Travel Podcast by TourTools.

Find out more about American Classic Tours: https://americanclassictours.com/

A seasoned tourism and association executive with more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Carylann Assante, serves as the Executive Director of the Student & Youth Travel Association, the international association that promotes student and youth travel, worldwide. SYTA represents three million youth travelers annually and has 900 members.

Carylann is also the Executive Director of the SYTA Youth Foundation, the philanthropic arm that provides scholarships and education experiences for students and youth who are unable to travel due to financial and personal hardship.

Carylann brings a wealth of knowledge to this month’s podcast and we are honored to have her joining us.

SYTA Facts:

· Student travel is a $185 billion industry and represents 24% of all global tourism annually. U.S. Domestic market $5.6 billion.

· 50% of the North American Motor Coach Market.

· SYTA represents three million youth travelers annually.

Find out more about SYTA: https://syta.org

Welcome our guest today, Pete Pantuso, President & CEO of the American Bus Association – affectionately known to us long-term members and industry insiders by the acronym ABA. It is North America’s leading and largest motorcoach, tour and travel association, representing 3,800 members and 65% of all motorcoaches on the road.  Pete brings an amazing 40 years of experience in association work at all levels and we are excited to talk to him today about what's happening at ABA, the state of the industry, and the many challenges operators are facing due to the impact of COVID-19.

Find out more about the American Bus Association: https://www.buses.org/

Joining us today, Diana Simonson,  TourTools Senior Developer and Chief Security Expert, will be talking to us about Internet and data security. This topic is important to TourTools clients and we build our products with security best practices in mind. We know it is critical that you safeguard your business network and any sensitive company and customer data that may be stored there. What are the current threats? What proactive steps can you take to decrease your risks and stay safe online? Listen in as our host, Amy Spear of Southern Escape Tours, asks Diana these questions and more – the tips you get from this 20 minute podcast could be pivotal in providing that extra bit of security that will make all the difference.

Joining us today, Scott Schweitzer and Nolan Hargis of American Christian Tours in Rice Lake, WI. They are a leader in their market and they've been using TourTools for over 20 years. Today, they’ll be talking with TourTools marketing consultant, Amy Spear, about their impressive operation and how they've optimized daily workflows with the help of TourTools software.

American Christian Tours was founded in 1984 – the vision was an education-centered tour company founded on godly principles that would teach biblical principles to faith-based schools and organizations during their travel programs. They believed that integrating history and faith on a tour would be life-changing. 

Today, literally thousands of people have experienced one of these impactful tour programs. This team has combined experience of over 250 years and they are all passionate about why they do what they do!

Find out more about American Christian Tours: https://www.acts-tours.com/

Joining us today, for the first-ever Group Tour & Travel podcast, is Jamie Lynn Thompson and Amy Spear of Southern Escape Tours in Nashville, TN. They’ll be talking with veteran TourTools training specialist, Lynne Stolk about their operation, some of the challenges they are facing, and how they are tackling them with the help of TourTools software.

Southern Escape Tours (SET) is America’s premier southern receptive tour operator and travel planner specializing in domestic and international groups traveling to the American South. They are always eager to meet the needs of groups seeking to escape and discover beyond their own front doors with offering exciting, authentic experiences and customized travel packages.

Their staff have a combined 40 years of diverse experience in tourism ranging from destination management work with the State of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, both during Tennessee’s skyrocketing to the top of all tourism charts, along with extensive attraction knowledge including the world famous Grand Ole Opry and Tennessee's Performing Arts Center.

Southern Escape Tours is ready to help you escape to discover exciting destinations, including Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Great Smoky Mountains, Savannah, Charleston, Louisville, Lexington, Asheville, New Orleans, Muscle Shoals and more!

Find out more about Southern Escape Tours: https://www.southernescapetours.com/