Unicomm Expands Successful ‘Adventures in Travel Expo’ Brand with Launch of Seattle Event

The Nation’s Largest Series of Travel & Adventure Shows Adds Seattle, September 13th & 14th 2008 to Schedule.

Milford, CT – Unicomm LLC., organizers of the highly successful Adventures in Travel Expo series, has announced plans to build upon its winning formula by extending its brand to the Seattle market on September 13th & 14th at the Washington State Convention Center.Supported by the power of the Seattle Times organizers will capitalize upon the Seattle-Tacoma DMA as one of the largest media markets in the country with a highly effective buying income, keen interest in outdoor and leisure activities and which also serves as main gateway to the Asia/Pacific region and Canada. The Seattle-Tacoma area also is an emerging market for the Caribbean and Latin America.

Unicomm will utilize its hybrid trade/consumer model as the format for the Seattle show. The first morning will be dedicated to travel industry professionals and trade, while the core of the event will be open to the general public giving consumers an opportunity to experience, to book and to explore what is hot, what is interesting and what is unique in active, adventure and experiential travel.

“This year, the Adventures in Travel Expo will lead the industry with five events, strategically located in the top gateways and travel buying capitals of the U.S. Seattle is a natural extension of our brand as it represents a market that research shows will be very receptive to our shows,” said John Golicz, CEO Unicomm LLC.

“Seattle also represents our philosophy to create events that essentially become an experiential marketplace for showcasing the vast array of options available to travel professionals and to consumers. We create an exciting arena filled with a wealth of interactive exhibits from around the globe and add a top notch educational component that affords travel agents, wholesalers and travel brokers the opportunity to experience the best of what travel in the new millennium has to offer,” Golicz says. “We’re looking forward to experiencing the same success as we have in other markets,” he continued.

Part of the success of the Unicomm’s formula can be attributed to the quality of media partners that the company has assembled. These include top newspaper partners such as The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, The Chicago Tribune, and National Geographic ADVENTURE Magazine.

For more information about the Adventures in Travel Expo contact Melanie Flavin at mflavin@adventureexpo.com,(203) 878-2577, or visit the web site at www.adventureexpo.com.

About Unicomm, LLC
Unicomm, LLC is an independent business-to-business communications company specializing in originating and managing world-class trade shows and conferences in underserved and nascent markets. Located in Milford, Connecticut, Unicomm is led by a seasoned management team possessing more than 50 years of events industry experience and an impressive track record of dozens of successful show launches and hundreds of event productions. Each year Unicomm holds varied events attracting tens of thousands of people in key markets including Human Resources, Engineering, Defense, Travel and others.

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Thomson Safaris recognized by National Geographic Traveler

 Explorer’s Safari named one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime…

Boston, MA – National Geographic Traveler has recognized Thomson Safaris as offering one of 50 Tours of a Lifetime.

In its May / June issue, the magazine featured the award-winning tour operator for its Explorer’s Safari, a 12-day active adventure in Tanzania that includes a hike through the Great Rift Valley as led by a Maasai warrior.

“We were thrilled to discover that many outfitters share our vision that travel should ultimately not be acquisitive and superficial but connect us more deeply to the planet and to the people in it,” notes Norie Quintos, senior editor at National Geographic Traveler magazine. “The other wonderful thing we discovered is that one doesn’t necessarily have to rough it to travel authentically and sustainably.”

The magazine featured The Explorer’s Safari among other top active tours for 2008. The East African voyage begins with a stay in a remote wilderness preservation area, which is exclusively for Thomson travelers and offers adventurous opportunities not available within many national parks, such as night game drives, safari hikes, cultural activities, and Maasai village visits. What’s more, travelers can take heart in knowing that Thomson Safaris is currently making efforts to restore the preservation’s habitat, increase wildlife numbers, and engage in community-based tourism with the Maasai who live in the area.

Balanced with some traditional wildlife viewing in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the tour later heads out on foot for a three-day hike through the Great Rift Valley and surrounding Maasailands, where travelers can explore remote craters, flamingo-lined soda lakes, and stunning, untouched landscapes. With a donkey caravan transporting bags and equipment, the hike is led by a senior naturalist Tanzanian guide and a Maasai warrior.

“We are honored that National Geographic Traveler has recognized the Explorer’s Safari,” said Thomson Safaris director and co-founder, Judi Wineland. “Furthermore, we are thrilled more and more travelers see the value in trips that promote sustainability and empower communities.” 

Adventures Within Reach Now Offering Kenya

Adventures Within Reach is proud to announce the addition of Kenya to our portfolio of amazing destinations!

We are offering 3-10 day safaris to the best parks in Kenya with adventure camping, standard lodges and tented camps, and luxury accommodations.

* See the incredible migration of wildebeest in the Masai Mara

* Photograph Kilimanjaro from Amboseli

* See the pink tapestry of flamingos at Lake Nakuru

* Hot air balloon over spectacular landscape and wildlife

* Combine a Kenya and a Tanzania safari for the best of both countries

AWR is also offering Mt. Kenya treks. At 17,057 feet, Mt. Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. Trekking routes can be done in 4-6 days up to Pt. Lenana (16,355 feet). The true summit is a technical climb and takes 7 days.

MORE ON KENYA: http://www.adventureswithinreach.com/kenya/

About Adventures Within Reach:

Adventures Within Reach offers treks and cultural tours to Tanzania, Peru, Galapagos, and the Himalayas. AWR sends thousands of people each year on their dream adventure. For more information about specific packages and prices, contact Adventures Within Reach at 303-325-3746, or visit http://www.AdventuresWithinReach.com

ATMS News Now Indexed by Google

Wellington, CO— Google notified the management of Adventure Travel Media Source today that their news and information has been accepted for indexing, and distribution on Google.com. Guidelines for inclusion in Google News are strict and must provide news content that is original to the site; that doesn’t solely promote their own activities; are written and maintained by a clear organization, one that has multiple writers and editors.

ATMS is a PR agency based in Colorado which serves the active, adventure travel markets exclusively. Their client base numbers over 120 and is worldwide. News and information is distributed weekly to members of the media via the Media Messenger and NEWSFlash. These newsletters have been circulated in the media via email for nine years and are well-respected. This recognition by Google is confirmation of ATMS’ status as a news organization for the adventure travel industry.

Over twenty account managers provide service to the client base of ATMS. This staff is located all over North America. The business offices are in Phoenix and the newsletter is edited in San Diego. ATMS is retained by several organizations as their agency of record including the Dude Rancher’s Association (DRA), America Outdoors (AO), The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), and Sustainable Travel International (STI). Other clients of note include the L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools and the Kentucky Office of Tourism.

For information, please visit www.atmstravelnews.com or call Nancy Harrison Founding Partner 970.568.7423.

COMPLETED! April 17th Tune In Webinar: The Facts About .travel and How to Take Advantage of its Place in Web 2.0

ATTA’s Tune In Webinars are reserved for ATTA Members – Not a Member? Membership details>>

Thursday, April 17th, 2008 from 10:00am to 11:00am PDT Take part in this Webinar, presented by .Travel president/CEO Edward Cespedes for the facts about the .travel domain with specific information needed to take advantage of the trends of the future Internet.

• The journey of .travel from inception to present
• .travel 101: Practical .travel information on who, what, why, and how
• The value in the .travel domain name
• How can I make .travel work for me?

ATTA Members: To access more information about this and other Tune In Webinars, login at the Members Only site.

COMPLETED: April 3rd Tune In Webinar: Effective Brand Building ~ Integrating Print & Web

ATTA’s Tune In Webinars are reserved for ATTA Members – Not a Member? Membership details>>

COMPLETED: Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 10:00am – 11:00am PDT

Direct mail and catalog marketing remain powerful marketing tools – access practical and powerful insights into more thoroughly leveraging your 2008-2009 print collateral within your online, multi-media marketing, and PR initiatives. Presented by Kevin Johnson and Michael Phillips with DDMWeb.

1. Have You Seen Our Beautiful Catalog?
   Traditionally used as the primary way of communicating with potential clients, your “Beautiful Catalog” and your company marketing efforts may be overdue for an “Extreme Makeover”.
2. Strategically Speaking
   The methods behind the madness! We’ll discuss why you need yet “one more thing” to do for your business. Warning: this conversation may result in you having an open dialog with your potential clients.
3. Planning and Implementation
   Believe it or not, this should be easier than a press check in Korea. However, like anything else, you’ll need a good map to help guide you along the way.
4. ROO: The Return on Objectives & Measuring Your Success
   It’s not just a new buzzword to impress your colleagues. We’ll discuss tools and best practices that provide the ability to measure the achievement of your objectives and evaluate the success of your Print-to-Web efforts.
5. Preparing For The Best: The Crawl, Walk, Run of Future Improvements
   So now that you’ve achieved success how do you best deal with the building and personalization of your client database, act on requests for information in a timely manner, and keep the communication going with your clients for years to come?

ATTA Members: To access more information about this and other Tune In Webinars, login at the Members Only site.

CC Africa’s New Phinda Mountain Lodge Emerges

CC Africa’s much loved Phinda Mountain Lodge in Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, celebrates the start of  2008 with a substantial R20 million rebuild and refurbishment which will boast 25 gorgeous new suites (18 of which are already open to guests), as well as magically transformed guest areas.

More>>

CC AFRICA Undertaking Massive Expansion in Botswana

Johannesburg: “CC Africa is doubling its capacity and offerings in Botswana in the coming months,” says Steve Fitzgerald, CEO of Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa). “The game viewing in Botswana is among the finest in Southern Africa, and the diversity of products we are introducing this year will provide a litany of new choices to the traveler in search of luxury, adventure and the finest interpretative game experiences in Africa,” Fitzgerald added. In March, two new intimate, semi-permanent luxury tented camps are being unveiled in the Chobe National Park: Savute Under Canvas and Chobe Under Canvas – offering exceptional game viewing opportunities. Each camp comprises six tented suites that can be reserved on a nightly basis – just like CC Africa’s lodges. Each mobile tented suite has a queen-size bed, ensuite bathroom, separate toilet and alfresco bucket shower – the ultimate in luxury camping. Guests are flown into the nearest airstrip and driven directly to their carefully positioned semi-permanent “under canvas” camp.  Chobe Under Canvas is situated in northern Chobe National Park – on or near the Chobe River; Savute Under Canvas, is carefully positioned in the expansive Savute Corner of central Chobe National Park. On June 1, CC Africa will open what are expected to be two of the most luxurious safari camps in Botswana: Xaranna Tented Camp and Xudum Delta Lodge (don’t worry about the x’s, they’re pronounced like k’s). The two lodges sit within a private 1,000 square mile reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta, with its vast herds of elephant and buffalo and wide variety of game, predators and birds. Each suite is apartment-sized, with sitting areas, vast bathroom with private toilet, indoor and outdoor showers – and private plunge pools.  Also making its debut on June 1 is CC Africa’s Botswana Explorer Expedition, a ten-day mobile safari utilizing ensuite domed tents, each with private toilet and attached (but al fresco) hot bucket shower. The itinerary covers the leading highlights of Botswana: two nights on the Nxabega concession, two nights in Moremi National Park, four nights in Chobe National Park (two nights each in Savute and northern Chobe) and ends at CC Africa’s Matetsi Private Game Reserve near Victoria Falls. “And all of this,” says Fitzgerald, “comes in addition to our existing and highly popular Nxabega Okavango Safari Camp and Sandibe Safari Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.”  CC Africa is one of the world’s largest and most respected safari operators. It has more than 45 safari lodges and camps in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, as well as in India.