Open Forum

Colleagues, 

We are working to re-launch a cultural travel program for our members. To avoid the staff burnout that ultimately led to dissolving the previous iteration of this program, we plan to work with an external provider who will shoulder the bulk of administration. I've been in contact with a few such providers and so far, find myself most intrigued by Arrangements Abroad/Museum Travel Alliance. However, as I've been perusing the websites of the MTA's affiliate museums, in search of how they are sharing MTA travel opportunities with their membership, I'm finding very little. This brings me to a few questions:

> does anyone have experience with a cultural travel provider that they'd be willing to share 
> do any MTA affiliates have feedback on what/how they share the pre-arranged MTA trips with their members
> has anyone worked specifically with Arrangements Abroad to create a personalized trip for their institution & as follow-up, would you share your experience

I'm on a fact-gathering mission and would very much appreciate your learned thoughts! 

Kind regards,


------------------------------
Samilja Heim
Development Director
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Colorado Springs CO
------------------------------

Good morning --

We are exploring a partnership with Arrangements Abroad/MTA. We wanted a partner who had solid experience in managing travel; could assemble a high-end trip with incredible behind-the-scenes access; and would take all the day to day management off our plates. Arrangements Abroad fits that bill. Everything I've read about them has been positive and organizations who we looked to as having leading travel programs partnered with them. I've been exploring launching our travel program with them since October and we're now heading into an agreement for a domestic trip in May 2020 and are talking about a possible itinerary for London in late 2020. I've had conversations with various people there and have been impressed with everyone so far. 

Regards,

------------------------------
Marci Generose
Director of Development Events and Operations
The Franklin Institute
Philadelphia PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:57 PM
From: Samilja Heim
Subject: Cultural Travel Programs

Colleagues,

We are working to re-launch a cultural travel program for our members. To avoid the staff burnout that ultimately led to dissolving the previous iteration of this program, we plan to work with an external provider who will shoulder the bulk of administration. I've been in contact with a few such providers and so far, find myself most intrigued by Arrangements Abroad/Museum Travel Alliance. However, as I've been perusing the websites of the MTA's affiliate museums, in search of how they are sharing MTA travel opportunities with their membership, I'm finding very little. This brings me to a few questions:

> does anyone have experience with a cultural travel provider that they'd be willing to share
> do any MTA affiliates have feedback on what/how they share the pre-arranged MTA trips with their members
> has anyone worked specifically with Arrangements Abroad to create a personalized trip for their institution & as follow-up, would you share your experience

I'm on a fact-gathering mission and would very much appreciate your learned thoughts!

Kind regards,


------------------------------
Samilja Heim
Development Director
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Colorado Springs CO
------------------------------

Thanks for the feedback, Marci. I too have been impressed with everyone I've talked with at MTA/AA and feel very positive about what we can put together with them. I heard from a few other folks directly (there was an issue replying to my original post online at some point) and did get some suggestions for alternative tour providers should I ever need them. 

Samilja

------------------------------
Samilja Heim
Development Director
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Colorado Springs CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2019 09:24 AM
From: Marci Generose
Subject: Cultural Travel Programs

Good morning --

We are exploring a partnership with Arrangements Abroad/MTA. We wanted a partner who had solid experience in managing travel; could assemble a high-end trip with incredible behind-the-scenes access; and would take all the day to day management off our plates. Arrangements Abroad fits that bill. Everything I've read about them has been positive and organizations who we looked to as having leading travel programs partnered with them. I've been exploring launching our travel program with them since October and we're now heading into an agreement for a domestic trip in May 2020 and are talking about a possible itinerary for London in late 2020. I've had conversations with various people there and have been impressed with everyone so far.

Regards,

------------------------------
Marci Generose
Director of Development Events and Operations
The Franklin Institute
Philadelphia PA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:57 PM
From: Samilja Heim
Subject: Cultural Travel Programs

Colleagues,

We are working to re-launch a cultural travel program for our members. To avoid the staff burnout that ultimately led to dissolving the previous iteration of this program, we plan to work with an external provider who will shoulder the bulk of administration. I've been in contact with a few such providers and so far, find myself most intrigued by Arrangements Abroad/Museum Travel Alliance. However, as I've been perusing the websites of the MTA's affiliate museums, in search of how they are sharing MTA travel opportunities with their membership, I'm finding very little. This brings me to a few questions:

> does anyone have experience with a cultural travel provider that they'd be willing to share
> do any MTA affiliates have feedback on what/how they share the pre-arranged MTA trips with their members
> has anyone worked specifically with Arrangements Abroad to create a personalized trip for their institution & as follow-up, would you share your experience

I'm on a fact-gathering mission and would very much appreciate your learned thoughts!

Kind regards,


------------------------------
Samilja Heim
Development Director
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Colorado Springs CO
------------------------------

Love to hear about other providers.  Anyone work w/ Lindblatt?

------------------------------
Melissa Felder
Chief Marketing Officer
California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco CA
Chief Marketing OfficerChief Marketing Officer
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2019 12:20 PM
From: Samilja Heim
Subject: Cultural Travel Programs

Thanks for the feedback, Marci. I too have been impressed with everyone I've talked with at MTA/AA and feel very positive about what we can put together with them. I heard from a few other folks directly (there was an issue replying to my original post online at some point) and did get some suggestions for alternative tour providers should I ever need them.

Samilja

------------------------------
Samilja Heim
Development Director
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Colorado Springs CO

Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2019 09:24 AM
From: Marci Generose
Subject: Cultural Travel Programs

Good morning --

We are exploring a partnership with Arrangements Abroad/MTA. We wanted a partner who had solid experience in managing travel; could assemble a high-end trip with incredible behind-the-scenes access; and would take all the day to day management off our plates. Arrangements Abroad fits that bill. Everything I've read about them has been positive and organizations who we looked to as having leading travel programs partnered with them. I've been exploring launching our travel program with them since October and we're now heading into an agreement for a domestic trip in May 2020 and are talking about a possible itinerary for London in late 2020. I've had conversations with various people there and have been impressed with everyone so far.

Regards,

------------------------------
Marci Generose
Director of Development Events and Operations
The Franklin Institute
Philadelphia PA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-06-2019 01:57 PM
From: Samilja Heim
Subject: Cultural Travel Programs

Colleagues,

We are working to re-launch a cultural travel program for our members. To avoid the staff burnout that ultimately led to dissolving the previous iteration of this program, we plan to work with an external provider who will shoulder the bulk of administration. I've been in contact with a few such providers and so far, find myself most intrigued by Arrangements Abroad/Museum Travel Alliance. However, as I've been perusing the websites of the MTA's affiliate museums, in search of how they are sharing MTA travel opportunities with their membership, I'm finding very little. This brings me to a few questions:

> does anyone have experience with a cultural travel provider that they'd be willing to share
> do any MTA affiliates have feedback on what/how they share the pre-arranged MTA trips with their members
> has anyone worked specifically with Arrangements Abroad to create a personalized trip for their institution & as follow-up, would you share your experience

I'm on a fact-gathering mission and would very much appreciate your learned thoughts!

Kind regards,


------------------------------
Samilja Heim
Development Director
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Colorado Springs CO
------------------------------