Big business is done in small groups

Delegates from around the United States and Canada will travel to York PA for the 5th Annual Accent West. Owned and operated by Mid-Atlantic Receptive Services (MARS) and hosted by Explore York, the conference will better acquaint tour operators with destinations, hotels, attractions, and restaurants in the Eastern U.S. region. Speakers, brainstorming, itinerary planning, networking activities, a trade show and local area touring are among the activities offered to delegates.

Accent East is the perfect opportunity for delegates to connect, engage, inspire, and learn from each other while discovering the diversity of attractions in the East. Relationship building, hands-on experiences and the sharing of best practices are what make the Accent brand so popular.

An intimate and innovative show

Accent is a small and intimate (by design) “boutique” show where all delegates are seen and heard. Innovative and elevated experiences include the itinerary planning session, the small and intimate size of the conference, the two-to-one ratio between suppliers and operators, local sightseeing and the numerous networking functions which take place throughout the conference. This small and mighty conference offers the best value and opportunity for those in the travel industry.

“Accent is a fantastic experience from start to finish. The events are well organized, with a welcoming and professional atmosphere that makes connecting with fellow vendors and tour planners enjoyable,” states Jeannie Sandoval, Business Development representative at the Ark Encounter.  “The Accent team is genuinely enthusiastic about supporting everyone involved. It is a must-attend for anyone in the tourism industry looking to discover fresh ideas and valuable connections.”

“Accent Supports Local” is another favorite part of the conference. Small businesses in the host destination are invited to breakfast and the itinerary planning session. In addition to showcasing their businesses,  they learn more about the group tour industry and the unique needs of tour operators. In turn, tour operators connect with local treasurers, making their itineraries more authentic.

Linda Jeffries from Visit Beaufort (host of Accent East 2023) states, “The Local Small Business Day during Accent East was a tremendous success for everyone. It was an opportunity for local businesses with limited budgets to showcase their tours and attractions, and surprisingly some of our retail shop owners took advantage as well.  In addition to having an exhibit table, being able to stay for the itinerary building session introduced them to the fact that they are part of the tourism industry and how they benefit when a motorcoach comes to town.”

Dates and locations for future Accent Conferences are as follows:

  • Accent East 2025 – York PA  Accent East 2025
    • November 14-16:  Pre-Fam for Operators
    • November 16-18:  Accent East Conference
  • Accent West 2026 – Medora ND
    • May 11-13:  Pre-Fam for Operators
    • May 13-15:  Accent West Conference
  • Accent East 2026 – South Bend IN
    • November 7-9:  Pre-Fam for Operators
    • November 9-11:  Accent East Conference
  • Accent West 2027 – Joplin MO
    • April 19-21:  Pre-Fam for Operators
    • April 21-23:  Accent West Conference

The Accent Travel Network is owned and operated by MARS and Companies, who firmly believe in the power of partnerships. MARS has provided quality tour product for operators big and small for over 25 years.

For more information, please contact sue@takeafuntrip.com