Adventure Collection Meeting

I’m just back in Lander after attending the fall meeting of the Adventure Collection. The AC is 11 of the very best brands in the adventure travel business. NOLS is a bit of an odd duck in the group as a non-profit educational institution, but we definitely fit in with the group with our committment to excellence and there is great alignment on values.

The agenda included a presentation by RFC&P, the agency that handles the PR for the AC. They have been out working to raise awareness of the Collection, the members and our committment to Responsible Travel.

We also selected a company to help us develop the best website in the adventure business. Interestingly the CEO of the company handling the “backend” part of the project is a NOLS grad and great friend and supporter of NOLS.

Bill Bryan, from Off the Beaten Path, one of the Collection’s members reported on responsible travel and led a discussion about where we wanted to go with that. A survey that had been commissioned by the AC indicated that responsible travel practices were particularly important to younger travelers. The research also indicated that these travelers would appreciate some type of rating system to help them discern different companies committment to responsoble practices.Bill presented much of this information recently at the Adventure Travel World Summit.

The day of meetings ended with a media party. About 30 editorial staff from NYC-based publications came by to visit and learn more about the Adventure Collection. As always NOLS was well represented. NOLS graduates, Mark Kirby and Mike Roberts were in attendence. Mark is and editor for National Geographic Adventure. Mike is an editor for Outside Magazine.

It was a great meeting with great people.

Bruce Palmer. NOLS marketing director