Group Tour, Meetings & Sports

Group business is a powerful opportunity for Shores & Islands Ohio partners. From motorcoach tours and student trips to meetings, conventions, special-interest groups, and sports events, these travelers bring energy, visibility, and substantial economic impact to the region.

Each group visit can mean dozens—or even hundreds—of guests experiencing what our destination and your business have to offer. By partnering with Shores & Islands Ohio your business gains access to group tour operators, meeting planners, and sports event organizers who are actively booking destinations like ours.

This is your chance to expand beyond individual travelers, boost revenue and visibility, and tap into a high-value visitor segment that drives lasting economic impact for our region.

Why It Works

Group business builds momentum.

Group travel represents a significant and growing market for Shores & Islands Ohio. Whether it’s a motorcoach tour, student trip, corporate meeting, or sports event, these travelers deliver volume and economic impact that individual guests rarely match.

• Volume Impact: A single group booking can equal weeks of individual customers. Group travelers book in advance, spend collectively, and often fill need periods that might otherwise be slow.

• Trusted Relationships: Shores & Islands Ohio maintains direct connections with tour operators, student travel planners, meeting planners, and sports event organizers. These professionals turn to us when creating itineraries and planning site visits, ensuring your business is considered early in the booking process.

• Exposure in the Right Channels: From group tradeshows and marketplaces to targeted group marketing campaigns, your business is promoted in the exact spaces where decision-makers are searching for destinations and experiences.

• Destination Authority: When planners see your business featured through Shores & Islands Ohio, it reinforces credibility and increases your likelihood of being included in itineraries, programs, and event plans.

Opportunities for Partners

As a partner, you can participate in a variety of ways:

• Group Tradeshows and Marketplaces: Gain exposure to domestic and international tour operators, student travel planners, meeting planners, and sports event organizers who are actively sourcing new destinations and experiences for their clients.

• Itinerary Inclusion:  Be featured in sample itineraries shared with planners to help them visualize how group attendees can experience your business and our region together.

• FAM Tours & Site Visits: Showcase your property, venue, or attraction during familiarization tours designed for group tour operators, meeting planners, and sports organizers. We’ll help coordinate visits with those who are actively looking to book.

• Group Marketing Campaigns: Increase visibility through our targeted group marketing initiatives. Your business may be featured in print and digital ads, advertorials, and other placements designed to attract planners, operators, and group travelers throughout the year.

Why Partners Benefit From Group Marketing

• Consistent Bookings: Group travel often books months or years in advance, offering partners the opportunity to secure predictable, stable business through active participation and follow-up with planners.

• Higher Spend: Groups typically include meals, activities, and lodging, maximizing your revenue per booking. They also introduce your business to new audiences who may return later as individual visitors.

• Repeat and referral business: Satisfied groups often come back, and refer other planners, creating a ripple effect of continued bookings and exposure.

• Regional economic impact: Group travel strengthens the entire destination by bringing visibility, increasing occupancy, and supporting local services. When your business participates, you contribute to a stronger, more vibrant tourism economy for Erie and Ottawa Counties.

Bring groups to your business.

Partner with Shores & Islands Ohio to reach group tour operators, student and meeting planners, and sports event organizers who are already considering our region.

Contact Nick Ollervides today to learn how your business can participate in Group & Trade Marketing opportunities.