One of the best parts of being in the Tourism industry for many years is the people I meet. Our industry has an endless list of talented, hardworking, fun-loving and creative professionals. I decided to interview my friends and give you a peek into their lives and careers. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section, and I will follow-up with the guest interviewed. This week we hear from my friend Barb Mock. Barb and I have become friends through the work I have been doing for SYTA this year.
Tell us a bit about how you got started in the tourism industry.
I spent 11 years as a high school band director. During this time, I traveled domestically and internationally with my students, but I set up all of the trips myself. How could it be that in 11 years I didn’t realize there were companies out there to do this!? After I decided (over the course of 3 years) that I was tired of the administration supporting the failing athletic programs while overlooking our successful fine arts department, I decided to leave the classroom in May of 2001.
I was looking for jobs in the business world when I decided, “Hey, someone should plan trips for these high school groups who want to travel”. I thought I had an original idea. So, six weeks after 9/11, I decided to open Travel With Barb. About three months in, I realized there were indeed other companies out there like mine and my idea wasn’t so original after all. But 19 years later, we are still learning, growing, and loving what we do.
What is your current job and what are your primary responsibilities?
I am currently the owner and President of Travel With Barb. We are very collaborative, so although I wear the hat of business owner, I also get the chance to visit with many of our clients at conferences and occasionally make a surprise appearance during their trips. I am on the board of directors for the Nebraska Music Education Association as well as the Nebraska Bandmasters Association and enjoy those responsibilities.
I also make some public speaking appearances to education students at area colleges on trip planning without losing their job! Although I try to share many helpful pieces of information, the bottom line message is: Don’t touch the money, call a tour company, and follow their directions to help you (the teacher) be successful.
What are some of the changes you have seen since you began your career?
There have been many changes in the processes of business and in some of the offerings, however the mission still remains the same. I believe those guiding principles should be used to make all business decisions. One of the big changes has been moving to accepting individual online payments whereas before we would collect just one check issued by the school only.
Another area of change we’ve recognized is the growth of volunteerism requests for many of our student tours. We customize our tours to each teacher and group and we’ve really seen a growing trend in volunteer work experience for students.
What tourism trends are you seeing that will impact your job and how you work in the next 2 years?
I think the requests to line up volunteer opportunities for our students will continue to grow. I love this idea because giving back is an important skill to be taught and it’s a wonderful way to be part of something greater than yourself. I was seeing an uptick for international travel with individual school ensembles prior to COVID-19, so I hope that returns in the future. I believe COVID-19 is going to have us all returning to more domestic opportunities for a while.
The team at TWB has been researching and assembling ideas for travel that are more regional for our clients to help generate confidence in the return to student travel. Also, I believe that with most of the country spending the last quarter of their school year learning from home, that parents, teachers, and administrators will really see the value in supplementing “standard” education with enriching opportunities such as travel. I think we may see a bit of a resurgence in student travel and the necessity to have it be educational instead of “just for fun”.
It’s vacation time – where do you go?
OH…so many options. My choices here are inclusive of all moods. I love Prague, Barcelona, and really all of Europe. That’s a great place to go to literally disconnect from my world at home. I also love a good beach vacation to unwind, but find myself feeling obligated to check my phone now and then.
Domestically, I love New York for culture, St. Pete’s Beach for relaxing, Estes Park for beauty and reflection, and San Francisco/Napa area for wine. I think an easier question would have been, “where would you not go”, because clearly I can find enjoyment in all types of travel.
What is your favorite app and tell us a bit about it.
This answer is constantly evolving depending on what is going on in my life, and what new apps I hear that may be interesting. Currently I have become reacquainted with my Fitbit (due to some pandemic choices involving too much sitting and too many poor choices). I also have become recommitted to my Headspace app, as I find it so helpful. It’s not an app, but I do enjoy listening to podcasts while on long walks. It can listen, learn, and move all at the same time!
What is your favorite tradeshow and why?
SYTA—without a doubt! I enjoy the people! The vendors, the other tour operators, and of course the folks at SYTA and on the SYTA board who work so hard to deliver an exceptional experience. The relationships I have built in this industry have turned into friendships.
Although we won’t be seeing each other this year at the conference, SYTA has created so many other ways for us to learn, grow, and connect. I’m grateful to be part of an organization made up of so many remarkable people.
What advice do you have for someone just getting started in the tourism industry?
I would encourage anyone new to the industry to get to know people. You will be hard-pressed to find a person in this industry that wouldn’t welcome you, introduce you to others, include you, and stay connected to you. Those relationships formed will help accelerate the learning, sharing, and camaraderie that make this industry so special.
What is one of the ways you are coping with being home from work and self-isolating?
I make sure I talk to two people each week in the industry on the phone. Many emails are exchanged throughout the week, but two phone calls to someone in the industry helps me feel connected and grounded. Nobody is alone in this crazy time of “not knowing”. Ice Cream and Beer have also been my friends, but that’s why I had to reacquaint myself with my Fitbit😀
I love learning so I am spending some time growing my skillset and learning new things to apply to my life on a personal level and on a business level. It keeps me engaged during a time that is very slow for us.
What do you see as an opportunity that will come out of the current Coronovirus crisis?
I am sure there are many things that will come from this virus crisis. As a self-proclaimed germaphobe, I am thrilled at the idea that people will stay home when they are sick, wash their hands frequently, and cover their cough. I have been waiting for decades for this to become a habit in humanity.
I also think many businesses (even outside of tourism) have had the opportunity to reflect on current processes and perhaps make some tweaks. TWB had been going at such a fast pace that when we were immediately halted, we were able to take time to go through our processes and make adaptations and figure out how we could work smarter. We do this every summer, but this year with things being halted, we were able to make more significant changes without disrupting the workflow.
On a personal level, I think I have learned that “striving for balance” must become a reality. I feel like I was immediately tossed from “something scheduled every hour” to “now you are home and going nowhere”. It was an abrupt change, but I can see that I truly desire to blend both worlds a bit more than I have done in the past.
Thanks Barb!
How can I help you in July 2020?
Our industry is all over the place right now. Some of you are back to your office, some are still home, some furloughed and some exploring next steps. How can I help you this month?
DMOs/Tourism Organizations: Are you looking for a way to provide value to your partners during this challenging time? Check out the Online Tourism Training Program with this link. I can help you provide monthly virtual training for you to offer to your partners/members. My team and I do all the work and you reap the benefits.
Want to try it out for free? I am happy to offer a virtual training to potential clients. The topic for July is – Tools for Time Management during Covid. Give your partners some concrete ways to be more efficient during this stressful time. There are 2 spots left in July so just reply to this email and we will get your group scheduled. This offer is available to organizations with over 100 people.
Looking to increase your knowledge and skills?
Then check out Tourism Pro Academy. This platform is a one-stop shop. You can check out free resources, courses and other ways to work with me. I am adding new offerings this month. Click here to see what’s available.
How’s your Profile Sheet?
If you are ready to build back your group tour business, a great profile sheet is key. How is yours? Need help? I am going to host some live profile sheet reviews on my Facebook Business page starting in August. Reach out if you are interested in trying something new – and upgrading your profile sheet in time for trade show season!
Giving Back
I donate 10% of my quarterly profits to a non-profit organization. My second quarter donation went to Barbershop Books, which is a program that creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops. Their mission is to help Black boys ages 4-8 to identify as readers by connecting fun books to a male-centered space and by involving Black men in boys’ early reading experiences.
Thank you to all of you who hired me or purchased something from me this spring!