BMTC18: “Sharing Best Practices” Summits: Tour Operators

Presenters: Don Littlefield, Hal Mooney, Ashley Rose Salvitti (Moderator)

Transcript

1. ​Creating, Operating & Growing a Beer Tour Operator Business 2018 Workshop Panel Participants • Don Littlefield, ​don@themainebrewbus.com​, ​The Maine Brew Bus​, (Portland, ME & Boston, MA & Providence, RI) • Hal Mooney, ​hal@labeerhop.com​, ​LA Beer Hop​ (Los Angeles, CA) • Ashley Rose Salvitti, ​ashley@brewvana.com​, ​Brewvana​ (Portland, OR) - Moderator Agenda 1:00 – 1:15: Five-minute introductions by moderator and each panelist 1:15 – 1:35: Brief introductions by audience 1:35 – 3:00: Discussion of the following topics. • Legal Issues o Forming a Business o State and local permits • Insurance o Liability o Vehicle • Trip Creation o How many tours to offer o Length in hours or days o Types of tours to offer o How are they unique, appealing, and marketable? • Pricing o Pricing o Discounting o Filling Seats o Private Tours o Minimum Numbers o Cancellation Fees • Transportation o Buy Versus Own o Size of Vehicle o Bus Maintenance • Working With Breweries and Other Partners Copyright 2018 Zephyr Conferences
2. o Breweries o Hotels o Destination Management Organizations o Brewery Guilds • Running Great Trips o Meals? o Alcohol Included? o Length o Customer Surveys o Staff Reports o Brewery Feedback o Other? • Workforce o Hiring and Keeping Guides o Guide Training o Office Staff • Administration o Answering phones and emails o Tour Operator Software o Credit card processing o Waivers o Information sent to tour participants? • Marketing o Creating a Website o Publicity (PR) o Social Media Marketing ▪ Facebook/Instagram Marketing ▪ Google Adwords ▪ Yelp Ads o Email Marketing / Database Management o Print Advertising o Local Advertising (flyers, etc) o Partnerships o Referrals / Word of Mouth o Repeat Sales 3:00 – 3:15 Break 3:15 – 4:00 Catch up on topics, Q&A, group discussion with audience Copyright 2018 Zephyr Conferences