Why I Do What I Do

Most young professionals wouldn’t think to call a travel agent to book their vacations for them. It is so easy to just hop on the internet and book online nowadays that no one even thinks twice about it. People either don’t know what a travel agent can do for them or don’t know that travel agents still exist.

My senior year in high school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and it was time to fill out college applications. I researched and researched and stumbled upon a program at AIB College of Business called Travel and Tourism. I started looking at the class list and found that no accounting was required for the major. YES!!! I am good with numbers but not good with accounting. Travel and Tourism it is!

I started college and I actually enjoyed all of the classes that centered around the travel industry. I took classes on hotels, cruise lines, and geography. When it was time for my internship class I found a small home-based travel agency. I didn’t really know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. During the internship I learned how to find the best possible vacations for people while working around budgets and each person’s individual values. I was taught how to build a vacation from the ground up based on what each family or couple was interested in. After interning with this travel agency I knew I wanted to be a travel agent.

Five years ago I took this position with Travel and Transport Vacations. When someone contacts me about booking a vacation I get to know them as much as possible. I ask what their interests are and if they are active or relaxed people. I want to know what kind of food they like and what activities they enjoy. I build a value-based vacation for them that no website could ever compete with. Travel agents provide that personal touch that makes vacations even more memorable. We have strong relationships with vendors and suppliers and can provide clients with special amenities they can’t get anywhere else. The best part about working with our agency is that if you are booking a total vacation package, there is no fee to use us. We take all of your information and plan your vacation so that you don’t have to stress over it. You can be confident that all of your flights, transfers, and hotels are in order.

So, before you book your next vacation online, remember there are still travel agents out there who are dedicated to making your travel dreams come true!!

 Sarah Roach

Travel Consultant

sroach@tandt.com

Habitat Young Professionals to Host Benefit Concert

Most people are familiar with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit that provides affordable housing to low-income families in the community. What you may not know is that they recently started a new group just for young professionals – Habitat Young Professionals (HYP). The organization started in June of 2011 and we work to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity and get younger people more involved in the organization.

We host monthly meetings to network and learn more about Habitat. We also have volunteer events each month; volunteers do everything from working on homes to helping out at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Networking can be intimidating, but our volunteer events provide a more intimate setting where it is easier to connect as everyone is working together on a project.

On Feb. 11, HYP and local band Bella Soul will host Deacon’s Day VI, a concert featuring local bands to benefit Habitat for Humanity. We hope you will join us for this great night to support local music and Habitat for Humanity, and find out more about HYP.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 at People’s Court. The concert portion of the night will last until about 10:30, followed by a live jam session for the rest of the night. You can buy tickets in advance for $15 (on MidwestTix) or pay $20 at the door. HYP members get in for $10. The jam session will cost $5.

If you have questions about becoming involved in HYP, please feel free to email me. For more info on Deacon’s Day, check out our Facebook event. Hope to see you there!

Alyssa Cashman

VP of Communications for Habitat Young Professionals

E-mail:  alyssa.cashman@gmail.com

Follow HYP on social media!

Twitter: @GDMHabitat_HYP

Facebook

LinkedIn

The Civic Center’s “Blind Date”

Looking for a good laugh, fun night out, and reasonably-priced entertainment?  Well, the folks at Civic Center of Greater Des Moines have just what these cold Iowa nights need right now… a HILARIOUS, quirky, and talented woman, “Mimi” taking us through 90-minutes of a blind date, where you just never know what’s going to happen next!  Playing at the Temple Theater, Blind Date will be pleasing audiences of all ages through January 22nd.  It offers an improvised comedy show where Mimi and one other guest – plucked right from the audience – have everyone laughing and cheering them on as they get to know each other, “fall in love”, and even get into some mishaps along the way. 

I have attended this show twice; once on a weekday, when the audience member picked was a divorced 40-year old, and once during the weekend, when the audience member was a married 30-something (who just may have had a couple cocktails prior to his performance).  Both times, the Blind Date performer and her “date” had me, and my group, laughing so hard we cried.  Rebecca Northan, who plays Mimi, must have an incredible judge of character because the guys she “casted” (by mingling in the lobby beforehand) were perfect for the role.  Wednesday’s date was a little more shy and took a bit to open-up, but just watching her talk with him and get him comfortable was entertainment!  She wears a clown nose, has a French accent, and has a wonderful ability to make even deeper topics (on Wednesday, they talked about the recent death of her date’s mother) light-hearted and engaging.

This show is definitely one of Temple Theater’s best comedy acts and earns a great-big “MUST SEE”!  Once you go, you may even find yourself interested in going back… since the show changes every time.  Her “date” greatly influences the direction of the show, along with the audience, who she does talk with as the night goes on, getting feedback on what they’d like to see next.

Chamber members get a 15% discount, as part of the Civic Center Discount Program, so make sure to take advantage of that.  Click here to get started.  

Enter Pass Code: Chamber

Click on ‘Blind Date’ and then ‘Find Tickets’

Enter Special Offer Code: Best

Create an account to complete purchase

Check out this review for more great Blind Date commentary!

Leslie Jasper

Group Sales Manager

Civic Center of Greater Des Moines

515-246-2369

ljasper@civiccenter.org

What are you doing this weekend?

Wondering what’s up this weekend? 

No giant art festival or cultural festival, but still plenty to do if you can stand being in this wonderful (note: sarcasm) July weather.  I do not enjoy sweating without moving, so I’ll be checking out indoor activities!

Today: 

1.  Check out Friday’s at the Fountain out at West Glen.  Toaster will be playing, and I’ve seen them before.  It’s definitely a good show – a great band to listen to while sipping your favorite summer beverage.

2.  Go see a movie!  I’ve heard amazing things about Horrible Bosses.  Can you go wrong with Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day? (It’s Always Sunny… fans, get excited!) I haven’t seen it yet, but I definitely plan to this weekend if at all possible.

Also – I went and saw the latest Harry Potter movie last weekend…at the IMAX.  Get there early so you can get good seats.  We got there right on time and were forced to watch the movie with our heads turned straight up – my neck hurt, but it was totally worth it.  I’m not the fan who stands in line at midnight to see it, but shelling out a few extra bucks to see it at the IMAX is a definite must-do!

Tomorrow: 

1.  West Glen Farmers Market!  9am-1pm.  It’s going to be hot, so go early.  Where else will you be able to buy 3 for $1 cucumbers?!?! 

2.   If you feel like getting all hopped up and jittery about your Saturday, you could stop by Mars Café for a coffee tasting.  Personally, I’m more of a wine taster, but whatever floats your boat!

3.  Iowa Barnstormers game.  It looks like they’re playing the Georgia Force.  Force versus Barnstormers.  I feel like making a lame tornado joke…but I won’t.

4.  Shakesperience Fest 2011.  I don’t know exactly what it is, but it ends in “Fest.”    Never underestimate a good “fest.”  Begins at 6pm at Simon Estes Amphitheatre.

5.  If you enjoy a good jam band, Mooseknuckle will be playing at Star Bar on Ingersoll!

6.  If you’re thinking of going out to eat, here are some of my picks:

·         Samurai – sushi always sounds good to me.

·         Felix & Oscar’s for the pizza, duh.

·         Plaza Mexico on 86^th in Johnston – sort of a drive and hidden behind a Kum & Go…but you’re missing out if you write it off because of that.  Great food and good drinks and fast service!

·         Trostel’s Dish – Yum.  Enough said.

What are some of your favorite local restaurants?   I love to try new places, so suggestions are welcome!

Sunday:

1.  You should definitely check out Final Mix playing at the Jordan Creek Town Center Amphitheater. 

It will be a great way to rest a bit before beginning another work-week!

Lindsey Mathews
New View Board Member & Outreach Committee Chair
Project Delivery Coordinator
Shive-Hattery Inc.