2nd Place Large Inline Booth, Jeff Crowe & Jean Michalak earn CTIS certification​

Last week, The American Bus Association hosted its 2020 Marketplace in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the oldest, largest, and most respected domestic tourism showcase in the industry, bringing together more than 3,500 tourism professionals. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience co-hosted a booth with its partners at Louisville Tourism, once again winning accolades. This year the team brought home 2nd Place Large Inline Booth for its display featuring a number of Evan Williams Master Blend bottles. You may also recognize part of the booth design from the Omni Louisville Library Bar. Attendees enjoyed a cocktail developed EWBE Mixologist Karla Green, and Evan Williams Bourbon Caramels made by Cellar Door Chocolates.

In addition to the marketplace booth, Sales Manager Jean Michalak scheduled appointments with top tour companies to showcase Heaven Hill’s trail blazing experiences at both the EWBE and the BHC. Tour operators were particularly interested in both the EWBE Sweet & Neat experience, and the BHC expansion. Interest in Kentucky has grown exponentially in these past few years both domestically and internationally. The visitor’s center team anticipates continued growth in this segment of business, which currently accounts for at least a third of our group tour market share.

Finally, both Jeff Crowe and Jean Michalak graduated from the ABA Certified Travel Industry Specialist (CTIS) program.  This year long program consists of both industry seminars and online courses through Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). They plan to use this certification to further Heaven Hill’s Visitor Centers reputation for professional and business excellence. 

“Obtaining this CTIS certification is more than just a few letters behind my name. ABA was the first tourism showcase I attended when it was hosted in Louisville in 2016. It is very much a full-circle achievement for which I am thankful and proud. I look forward to using this knowledge and experience to promote our businesses and team to new heights!​”

– Jean Michalak, Heaven Hill Visitor Center Sales Manager

“Obtaining our CTIS certification has allowed is to connect to an even larger network of professionals who can help further our standing as a motorcoach destination.”

​- Jeff Crowe, General​ Manager of Heaven Hill Visitor Center Experiences

Congratulations to Jeff and Jean on an outstanding event and job well done in the CTIS program!