SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Catching up with Linda Buenviaje Babb, co-founder of USA Golf Packages
There may be no better example of the power of networking on the golf course than with Linda Buenviaje Babb and Greg Kempton. After meeting on the course, the two found they shared similar interests in business, marketing and of course, golf. So it was only natural that eventually the two would team up and begin their own business: USA Golf Packages, a division of Golf The Nation, Inc. After over a year of being in business, USA Golf Packages is still growing and enjoying new successes. TravelGolf.com caught up with Buenviaje Babb,Vice President of Business Development to discuss the company's story.
TG : How did your business get started?
LBB :I started in the Golf Tourism business six years ago for a local golf magazine editor, as the office manager/sales rep. During that time, I helped to expand the business from a New Orleans only market to five additional markets throughout the Continental U.S., as the Director of Operations/Market Development. During that time, Greg and I met on a golf course, (of course) where he was a member and I was coordinating a golf tournament. We often ran into each other on and off the course, where the topic of conversation was always the last course you played, the business of business and brain storming about entrepreneurial ventures. Eventually, he convinced me to join him to start USAGolfPackages.com. With Greg's good business sense and my golf tourism experience and natural talents in internet-based marketing, we were able to develop USA Golf Packages into ten markets, including Mexico, during its first year of operation.
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TG : What does your business do for golfers?
LBB: We are a "one-stop shop" for the discriminating golf traveler. Our clients can make one phone call and receive stay and play package quotes for just about every major golf destination in the Continental U.S. Our clients range from knowing their exact dates, times and destination to "please just send me someplace to play golf." The only thing challenging about doing the business with USA Golf Packages is the great courses we'll send you to play.
We can provide tee times to tournaments or complete destination management for corporate/convention groups that want to incorporate golf into their agenda. I can't count all of the exasperated meeting planner or travel agent calls we get who feel overwhelmed by the golf aspect of their meetings. Like our brochures say, "Since we focus on providing the ultimate event experience, you can focus on building relationships."
TG: What makes your business unique to others like it?
LBB: Without a doubt it is our attention to the slightest detail and outstanding customer service that keeps our clients coming back. All of our quotes are tailored to each individual client, based on preferred budget, caliber of golf and luxury of accommodation. That is why we do not have set package rates. Although, we are an Internet-based operation, in a fast paced technology driven society, we have not lost the art of personal communication. We want to talk to every potential customer. Knowing what they want and expect are important to us doing our job well.
It is our job to know our clients. To be honest, Greg & I are both business executives, travel frequently and are avid golfers - we are our clients. We would never expect our clients to play a golf course or stay in a hotel; we wouldn't play or stay in ourselves. We carefully screen all of our golf courses and hotels before we offer them to our clientele. Our office staff has visited all of our destination cities and almost every golf course and hotel property. For those properties, that I have not visited myself personally, we have a local representative to keep us informed and updated as to the condition and changes taking place in the golfing community, as well as the tourist industry. For us, golf is not just a game - its business.
TG: Often, the strength of the staff and their experience is critical to success. Describe your staff and some of their abilities.
LBB: All of my professional experience has been in office management. I have seven years experience in Computer Field Merchandising & Marketing, Sales Staff Training, Management Training and Administrative Support, specifically in the Human Resources, Staff Development & Finance Departments for two major hospitals in the Greater New Orleans area for five years. I started playing golf back in the early 80's and continued to play off and on. When approached with an opportunity to work in a golf related job, I took a leap from the Medical Industry to Hospitality/Tourism. I have been working in the Golf Travel Industry since 1999 and still love what I do.
Greg Kempton, President of Golf The Nation, Inc., is an avid golfer for well over 30 years. Being an affluent businessman himself, Kempton has traveled all over the world for business and pleasure, always toting his clubs with him. It's not a problem when you're a private pilot with your own twin engine Cessna. Kempton currently owns and successfully operates a Commercial Construction Company in New Orleans, three restaurants in Southeast Florida and development property in Colorado. Hard work, business savvy and the hospitality industry are no stranger to him.
TG: What are the biggest challenges facing your business and how have you dealt with them?
LBB: Like most start up small businesses, it has to be
funding or getting extensions of credit at each facility. Fortunately, for us, most vendors are
accustomed to working with me and/or Greg and are willing to forgo the longer waiting periods for
direct billing.
TG: What's the future for you business?
LBB:Well, I don't think we have enough time to cover all the "big" ideas we have planned for Golf The Nation, Inc., Parent Corporation of USA Golf Packages. There are plans in the works to open markets in Canada, Mexico and Hawaii; a Web-based storefront offering hard-to-find golf items and specialty golf / business travel items, just for starters. We would also like to expand a separate department just to handle destination management of golf focused business meetings, as well. As infinite as the Internet is, so are our ideals, but we will never lose sight of what is really important - the ultimate satisfaction of our customers.
For more information: usagolfpackages.com or toll free: (877) 361-0099
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
