This year's conference was held in Sarpy County, Nebraska, from March 11-15 at the beautiful Embassy Suites La Vista. Our host, Fred Uhe of Sarpy County Tourism showed us many reasons to bring our clubs back to the Cornhusker State. The FAM tour included stops at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln and the Archway in Kearney. On Monday, partners joined the bankers as they headed to the Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue.

Education Sessions

• Legal Review with Lucas Swartzendruber
• Table Topics
• Improving Communication through Storytelling with Rita Paskowitz
• Staying Healthy on Tour with Holly Wiest
• Taskforce Reports: Banking, Technology and Travel
• Sucession Planning Peer Panel

Task Force Reports

Banking: Planning club events and tours just got a little bit easier with the new best practices that the Banking Task Force has prepared. HCI recommends that planning for every event be completed early enough to be announced in at least two club newsletters. The actual length of time will depend on the complexity of the event.

Technology: This task force worked on a few issues this year. First, they put together a great list of apps that club directors will find helpful on tour. Second, they put together a resource document that explains how to successfully send mass emails and another that details the steps necessary to white list senders so you are certain to receive the emails that they send to you.

Travel: Keeping travelers entertained while on the motorcoach doesn't have to be a source of stress. This task force put together a long list of games, ice breakers, exercises and other ideas that will help your passengers get to know one another and enjoy their time on the road.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our 2019 Peer Group Sponsors for making it all possible!!

Canadian Maritimes: Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia Collette

Embassy Suites La Vista

Globus Family of Brands

Graceland/Guest House at Graceland

Hospitality Tours

Islands in the Sun Cruises & Tours

Lake County Illinois

Mayflower Cruises & Tours

Omaha Symphony

Ozarks' Kirkwood Tour & Travel

Sarpy County Tourism

Visit Independence

"Heritage Clubs International is AWESOME! I can’t imagine being a Bank Travel Club Director and not being an involved member in it! I am already looking forward to being in Independence next year."  -Rob Callahan, CBCD First Midwest Bank, Poplar Bluff, MO

“Thank you, Tina. I thoroughly enjoyed the conference. I feel I made some great friendships with all of the groups. I cannot believe all of the knowledge that was shared. It was so nice being with people that do what I do, and sharing best practices with them. Thanks again for ALL of your help. You did an amazing job setting all of this up for us.”  -June O’Hanlon, Cadence Bank, Macon, Georgia

“Thank you so much. The conference was fantastic! I think that you guys really outdid yourselves with the quality of speakers and education. I don’t think I would have changed a thing! I appreciate that you pack our schedule so that we can get a really well-rounded full experience from the conference.” -Tammy Browning, Central Bank, Spirit Lake, Iowa

"HCI has been better than any other show that I’ve attended. The ratio of suppliers to buyers is excellent to get to know others better for relationship building. I felt I had the opportunity to socialize and mingle more with the bankers, which is very advantageous. I enjoy attending this show each year." -Daniel Jacobsen, Sales Manager, Heritage Corridor CVB

“Thank you for another amazing Heritage Peer Group Conference! Keep up the GREAT work!” -Debbie LeTourneau, Group Sales, The Dutton Theater Complex, Branson, Missouri

“What a wonderful conference! Every year I find your conferences more and more useful, and networking with other bank directors is such a wonderful resource. I have rearranged my vacation plans to attend next year and bring the new director! Thanks for keeping us updated and having such an interest in our success.” -Julie Mossa, Community National Bank, Derby, Vermont