Heather O'Neal, CTA, Ann Arbor, MI
The Himalayan Lodge

"Before becoming a CTA I thought I knew of all the hidden gems in our city. To my surprise since then I have learned there is still more to discover in this town. Now as a CTA I have permission to seek out new places and experience more of my city - the city where I was born. It’s like having a license to inquire, pry, learn, explore, discover so that I can share my knowledge with my next guests and the visitors I meet downtown and at the bells. And hopefully in part because of my CTA insights and demeanor, these visitors will return to the city I love - Ann Arbor."

Of course, Rochester, MN is well known for Mayo Clinic, but did you know 80% of their patients are treated as outpatients? So, where do they stay, what do they do, and where do they eat? Well, the Canadian Honker Restaurant & Catering is a welcoming dining option. Owners and CTAs, Cris and Joe Powers' pride in their community shows...

"We have always relied on our front line personnel throughout Columbia to be great ambassadors for our destination. The implementation of the CTA program has allowed us to ensure that everyone is welcoming and sending the same messages to the thousands of visitors we have every week. We've had people go through our program ranging from hoteliers to real estate agents and police officers to bartenders, and the feedback from participants has been enthusiastic. Being a CTA city gives us an advantage because we know our visitors are welcomed to our community and given an experience that is above and beyond their expectations."

Amy Schneider, CTA, Director
City of Columbia MO/Convention & Visitors Bureau