The Sports Leisure Dream Team 2019 DREAM BOOK Our Dream Book is dedicated to our longtime employee and recently- retired friend Joey Querio. Thank you for your many years of service. You’ll always be a part of the SLV family! YEAR Jim Pelley, Serina Jordan, Mark Hoffmann and Ramona Goodge Donnie Anderson, Clayton Whitehead and Caitlin Rogers May Wong, Mariea Hammersley and Donna Carey Come Sail Away Scott Angeletti and Michael Downer Patricia Hansen, Bob Veliky and Chris Galloway LLC 9812 Old Winery Place, Suite 1 LLC Sacramento, California 95827 www.sportsleisure.com (916) 361-2051 | (800) 951-5556 Toll-Free California Seller of Travel #2011549-40 CREATING MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES SINCE 1979 The ultimate moment while traveling… I believe people travel for different reasons. Some travel to get away from their daily lives, to relax and unwind. Some go in search of adventure, from mild to wild. Many, particularly mature travelers who make up the majority of our clientele, love to learn while they are traveling. It’s the moment when everything in your world aligns perfectly. At that moment, life feels perfect. You are looking at a spectacular monument to humanity or nature (think Crazy Horse), listening to an amazing speaker share experiences or just enjoying the moment so much you can’t imagine being in a better place. Those of us who strive to create those moments for you feel the same way you do when it happens. It can be as small as the feeling on the bus when it pulls through the entrance to Disneyland (yes, even older kids… wait especially older kids, really get excited and you can feel the excitement on the bus). We work really hard to create situations where those moments can happen, either for the group as described above, or for you personally. I’ve felt for many years that one of the quickest ways to a traveler’s heart is to recreate a piece of their childhood. Take them As our 40th anniversary approaches, we humbly thank everyone someplace physically, or mentally, which reminds them of days long reading this who has contributed to our success. After 39 years, I ago. Disneyland is a perfect example of this phenomenon. still have the best job on the planet. With all my heart, thank you. We call these the “ah-ha” moments. Not sure where that name came from, but it’s common in our industry. Every tour operator knows what it means. Nirvana. Perfection. Joy. Happiness. Mark Hoffmann, CTP Just after the first of the year, we will announce theAh-ha Moments President Contest. We’ll invite you to share your favorite Sports Leisure moments with us. The grand prize will be a $2,500 Tour/Travel Certificate. Watch for the contest details in our January newsletter. H H H H H H H H H H ACTIVITY METER “Small Company Survives Among Giants for 4 Decades” If you asked me for a headline to describe our four decades here L M A E C at Sports Leisure Vacations, I think that would be it. Who was to know, back in June of 1979, when our first bus headed up the hill to a casino in Tahoe, or down the freeway for a Giants game, that we As part of our commitment to helping you select the right tour for would still be here 40 years later. your interests and physical abilities, check out the Activity Meter for each tour to get a feel for how it matches your interests, energy Some of you reading these words are second generation Sports and fitness. It’s important to note that more than one level may Leisure Travelers. Your parents, a family member or a friend apply to a tour. For example, some will enjoy a visit to a national traveled with us previously, and you travel with us because of the park by spending time in the visitor’s center and taking a seat positive reference you got along the way. (In fact, we have at least with a view. Others might prefer to hike on a nature trail. Same one third generation traveler.) destination, same tour, two different levels of activity. Your loyalty has been a huge part of our success. I have been The letter abbreviations for each departure can be found in the blessed with an amazing staff for all of these years. Our current Table of Contents listing for the tour. Where you see two letters, crew might very well be my best, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t that indicates the ability to add activities or do optional things had a host of superstars here through the years, making your travel which increase the amount of physical activity (standing, walking, dreams come true. climbing stairs, etc.). The meter is a guideline. It is impossible to predict every situation on tour, since conditions may change It’s a combination that has been magical. Loyal clients who, before or during a trip which require itinerary adjustments. through word of mouth, let others know we are here. Hard working, dedicated staff who love what they do. In a world of giant hotel L Leisurely – A tour that can be enjoyed by all. A minimal chains and corporate influence impacting travel experiences at amount of required walking on city streets or generally level every corner, somehow together we have beaten the system. We surfaces, with few stairs. A theater day trip might be an example. create innovative trips to wonderful destinations. You travel with us and tell your friends. At Sports Leisure Vacations, we don’t do M Moderate – A tour with some walking activities, and standing/ “cookie cutter” tours. We create travel experiences with memories strolling at attractions and museums and possibly some stair attached. From SLV’s Owner for 39 Years… SPORTS LEISURE VACATIONS A good problem to have? The world of retail is all about supply and demand. Merchants That empty seat in the bus, plane or theatre can never be filled. Our create or acquire inventory based on an educated guess regarding investment in that seat will never be compensated. not only what will sell, but how much. Consumers don’t want last year’s hot sneaker today, so retailers have to work to have just the We are a specialty tour company which means, among other right amount – too few and you have disappointed customers. Too things, we usually create singular departures to some of the world’s many and you have a warehouse full of the once-popular neon greatest destinations each year. Our inventory is based on educated green and purple striped tennis shoes with pink polka dots and guesses, yes, but also a host of other more tangible factors like yellow laces that no one wants. Did we ever really think those were staffing; air, train and cruise schedules and availability; and stylish? having enough sedans to take you to and from your home. Equally important is your valuable input on what incredible journeys you’re Merchants must also consider quality. As a general rule the better dreaming of. the quality, the higher the price. Sneakers made by companies who employ environmentally sustainable methods and fairly compensate In 2018 and 2019 we have been and remain challenged by what their workers cost more. Likewise hotels in prime locations or that most retailers would consider a good problem to have: A shortage offer a view come at a premium price. Memorable meals and of inventory. Never has the old adage about the early bird getting other inclusions that enrich the visitor experience are often not the worm been more true. Whether a frequent or occasional traveler, inexpensive. Smaller group sizes mean you pay more per person you’ve probably called our office in the past year and been told, to cover all the extra elbow room, but don’t you like the additional “Sorry, that tour is sold out.” So what’s a traveler and travel company space, smaller lines and shorter waits (especially when in the all- to do? important queue to use the restroom)? For our part know we are working to offer more inventory without Here at Sports Leisure Vacations we don’t sell shoes. We offer compromising the quality experiences we’re famous for. In other experiences designed to make your travel dreams come true. words, we’re not planning to pack the bus just to accommodate a From educational to life-changing to just plain fun, our tours are few more passengers. Rather, we’re looking at multiple departures the product of weeks, months or sometimes even years of hard on the same or different dates to accommodate demand. So what’s work in the planning phase, each employing a great deal of time, the best thing for you to do? If you’re not the early-enough bird, put money and intellectual equity before the departure is ready to hit the your name on the waiting list even if it’s long. A long list cues us road, water, rails or air. We sell what is referred to as a Perishable to get to work on an additional departure, at which point you’ll be Commodity. Unlike last year’s sneaker which will end up on the aisle contacted. Many new tour ideas are introduced as Teasers. If you of a discount store, we cannot sell yesterday’s departure today. see one that interests you, call and place your name on the Priority Notification List. In many cases you’ll have a chance to register for the tour before it’s offered to the Travel Club.