A Travel Consultant with ETI, Kim Burger, CSTP, has been a part of ETI since 2003, where she got her start in itineraries before moving into sales. Keep reading to catch up with Kim and see what she’s been up to lately!
For Kim, the best part of her job is getting to hear the stories about students who have never traveled before and connecting with clients who feel like friends. Chicago was one of her favorite destinations as a student traveler herself, but she says New York is where every student should visit once in their lifetime.
When it comes to underrated student destinations, Kim suggests two destinations on opposite ends of the spectrum.
“The Virginia Beach area (Williamsburg and Norfolk as well), is so great. There is so much to do! If you can get to Orlando, why not try this area of the country? Especially for schools in the Midwest,” Kim said. “Colorado Springs is also a wonderful choice—my groups that go love it! You can see the mountains and all the area’s natural beauty. It’s wonderful!”
In the last year, Kim has done some traveling herself!
“My last trip was to San Francisco in March for my sons small wedding at the beautiful City Hall building,” shared Kim, who enjoyed being able to spend time with her son. “He showed us around Chinatown and Little Italy, took us up close to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39 with views of Alcatraz, took in a ball game at Oracle Park, and saw the vast gardens and attractions at Golden Gate Park. The highlight was spending time with him but seeing the city in a different way was great and really gave me a better feel for the city.”
And just like you do while traveling, Kim has garnered lessons along the way.
“Expect the unexpected!” she exclaimed. “The weather this year and the government really had us pivoting in all aspects of travel, from our traveling groups to our own personal travel. I’m sure we’re not out of the woods with that yet, either. But we as travel professionals have to be on our toes and learn to adjust and maneuver.”
One thing Kim thrives at is fostering her relationships with destinations and suppliers throughout the industry.
“I feel the more we have good partners at a destination, the better we can serve our clients because we can work together to help find special venues, activities, etc. that we might not have known about,” she said. “We know we can call on them for help with a group’s special requests. We also know with that partnership, our groups will have a wonderful experience because we have that trust with them.”
On her days off, Kim loves to read, walk her dogs, Rudy and Koda, go bowling and enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer in her home state of Michigan.
“My mom and I share books in the ‘Women’s Murder Club’ series by James Patterson,” Kim explained. “She reads one and then gives it to me to read! He’s authored 25 books so far, with the 26th coming out later this year.
Kim encourages others to make plans to get out and see the world around them.
“We all have busy lives, but if you can get out and travel to one new place each year—or even circle back to an old one—I think it makes your heart happy,” Kim shared. “There is so much in our own country that we don’t even get to see. Make a list, check it off as you go. Enjoy the beauty that is out there!”
Courtesy of ETI.
