TOURMASTER’S GUIDE

1. Plan a tour of interest to you, whether it’s automotive oriented, historical, educational, scientific, or a driving tour (something scenic and away from city streets and busy roadways). Figure tour attendance from 40 – 60.

2. Most tours should commence between 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. to facilitate those who may be driving some distance. The tour should end by 4:30 P.M. Naturally, there are exceptions and overnight tours are certainly a possibility.

3. If at all possible, plan for your staging area to be near restroom and/or eating facilities. As an option, you can consider providing beverages and goodies for tour participants (entirely up to you – not mandatory).

4. Planning the tour meal:

a. Select a restaurant that can accommodate 40 – 60 people in one dining area (preferably separate from the general dining space).

b. Have the restaurant provide a table for our projects.

c. Arrange for two or more entrees to provide a good choice.

d. Get a firm commitment from the restaurant (preferably in writing) listing entrees, with pricing for adults and a child’s plate (12 and under). Pricing should include beverage, dessert, tax, and tip.

e. Get agreement to give the final count on the Thursday before a Sunday tour, and determine if any allowance will be made for “no-shows” or whether payment will be expected for every meal ordered.

f. Plan to have the meal served no later than 2:30 P.M.

g. Bring all correspondence with you on tour. It will save any misunderstanding on what is to be paid to the restaurant, etc.

h. Arrange a “Packards Only” parking area, if possible.

5. If any special parking permits or fees are involved, bring all paperwork to facilitate proper payment.

6. Allow extra time for unexpected delays. Also, our members enjoy visiting and an extra 30 minutes or so can easily be absorbed. This will save you some headaches and make for a more relaxed tour – you should enjoy it too!

7. Pre-drive the tour route and allow about 15 minutes extra for getting the group started, stop lights or signs, and parking.

8. Before departing on the driving portion of the tour, arrange the Packards in chronological order (oldest in front), with “Brand X’s” following. Also, consider a drivers’ briefing of the route and, if possible, provide a map of the route with final destination indicated. Provide or select someone to “tailgate” the group in case of any problems.

9. Pre-arrange for parking at all viewing stops.

10. Remember, even just 20 cars require time to get started, move out of the parking area, and get underway. After you leave the parking lot, find a suitable and safe spot to stop so the cars can be assembled, and then start out slowly. If it’s a 25 M.P.H. zone and you quickly accelerate to 25 M.P.H., the rear Packard has to drive 50 M.P.H. to catch up! Starting out slowly and gradually increasing speed provides a better opportunity to keep the group together. Driving over an unknown route and getting lost because the lead car is traveling too fast is a most frustrating experience. A good Tourmaster keeps the caravan together and assures everyone arrives at the destination.

11. At the conclusion of the tour, the Tourmaster should give basic instructions for returning to major highways or freeways.

12. After details of the planned tour are assembled, write or type a complete outline in the form of a tour notice. In addition to the usual details, the information should include the due date for reservations and meal prices (including tax and tip). (Please note: A $2.00 override will be added to the price of adult meals to compensate for postage and stationery expenses. Advise the Tour Director whether this override has already been factored into the cost of adult meals.) Send the outline to the Tour Director 30 days prior to the date of the tour.

13. The Tour Director will review the outline, make any necessary corrections or additions, develop a final tour notice, and mail it out to members.

14. Tally sheets will be provided to the Tourmaster by the Tour Director to help account for the number of reservations, entrée selections, and money received. All money received is to be turned over to the Treasurer (at the restaurant) for payment of the bill.

15. After the tour, the Tourmaster is requested to write a brief summary of the tour, noting any interesting details on the tour, and include a list of all participants and the Packards on tour. This information should be mailed to the News Editor by the first of the month so it may be included in the next issue of the Packard News.

16. If you have any questions or suggestions or need guidance in putting the tour together, please contact the Tour Director (phone number listed in the Club Roster).

HAPPY PACKARDING!!