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Your new travel guide…Rosanne Tona opens New Brunswick Resort Maps franchise.

Owners of Resort Maps's New Brunswick, New Jersey map, Rosanne and Robert Tona
Owners of Resort Maps's New Brunswick, New Jersey map, Rosanne and Robert Tona

NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of nearly 100 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Rosanne Tona as the owner of the new Resort Map to be published for New Brunswick. The map will include all key destinations in the greater New Brunswick area.

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well as at advertiser locations. The New Brunswick map will highlight local attractions and things to do, restaurants, festivals and fairs, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services. Each advertiser on the map will be represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate. 

“As a college town, there are always people from outside the area coming to New Brunswick who may not be aware of some of the city’s hidden jewels,” said Tona. “Resort Maps will not only provide them with an invaluable tool to help them get around but it will also showcase the many things to do and see in New Brunswick beyond the Rutgers campus.”

Prior to starting her family, Tona had been a school teacher in New York City. As her family got older, she tried to re-enter the teaching ranks on a full-time basis, only to find opportunities few and far between. So, the South Brunswick resident contemplated starting her own business. The process led her back to previous family vacations when she first encountered Resort Maps.

“When my children were younger, we always picked up Resort Maps if they were available,” said Tona. “So, when I started investigating business opportunities, I did a little research on the Resort Maps opportunity. It seemed like something I could do and fit it in with my family life and the other things I do in the community.”

A resident of South Brunswick since 1993, Tona has cooked and been an active volunteer for Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen for the past six years. Along with her husband Robert, she has also been active in coordinating an annual road race to help fund sports programs at South Brunswick High School.

Slated for an early 2011 distribution, The New Brunswick Resort Map will offer a treasure trove of things to do for people vacationing in the area or just out for a day or two. Resort Maps free ‘souvenir style’ maps will be on display at local advertisers’ shops as well as at many non-advertiser locations throughout New Brunswick.

The New Brunswick Resort Map will also be available on-line at www.resortmaps.com, along with interactive maps to more than 100 areas that Resort Maps covers. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

For information on how to advertise on the initial New Brunswick Resort Map, you can e-mail Rosanne Tona at rosannet@resortmaps.com or call 732-354-6464.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to 100 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published.  Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Vail & Beaver Creek, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Boca Raton, Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Key West, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Brewster/Harwich/Dennis, Chatham-Orleans, Eastham-Wellfleet, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Northern Michigan/Petoskey/Harbor Springs; Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, New Brunswick, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Texas (North Texas, including Fort Worth), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes), Puerto Rico (San Juan, Vieques, Culebra) and Costa Rica (Escazu-Santa Ana).

Your new travel guide…Rosanne Tona opens New Brunswick Resort Maps franchise.Read More

Franchises touch home base…Prospective franchise owners look toward home-based opportunities.

 WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

In years prior, shopping for a franchise opportunity often meant checking out locations for your franchise. With the economic recovery still a work in progress and home equity lines equally diminished by a sagging real estate market, prospective franchise owners have turned to home-based franchise opportunities to get into the franchise game without major overhead.

Resort Maps Franchise, Inc., creator of more than 100 customized travel maps across the United States, United Kingdom, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently sold its 100th franchise.  As an opportunity that enables its franchise owners to work from a home office and set their own schedule, Resort Maps has seen the home-based trend evolve with the current economy.

“We’ve had new franchise owners who in other years may have opted for a Dunkin Donuts or some other location-based opportunity,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc. “While some of that might be a financial decision, a lot of it is about choosing a lifestyle. Our franchise owners work hard when they work, but it’s not a 24/7 grind like a lot of franchise opportunities.”

Gerry Pelissier, owns Resort Maps franchises in Dennis-Harwich, Massachusetts and Chatham-Orleans, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, represents one of the new faces. A former executive in the corporate world, Pelissier successfully franchised a drive-thru gourmet coffee business before selling it to Chock full o’Nuts. At age 50, he found the Resort Maps to be an appealing option.

“Back when I was 28 years old, I had the drive and the entrepreneurship in my blood,’’ said Pelissier, who was the founder of a double drive-thru gourmet coffee business that he successfully franchised and then sold to Chock full o’Nuts. “I just turned 50 this year and I said to myself, ‘Let’s not create a new wheel.’ There’s a lot less risk and stress without leasing or buying real estate.”

While lower overheads are one reason for home-based franchise opportunity’s rise in popularity, flexibility of hours is another. Because franchise owners are not anchored to a physical location and 9 to 5 schedule, they can create a schedule that fits their personal lives.

“Coincidentally, we’ve had several single parents purchase franchises over the past few years,” added Hans.

Jessica Grentner, a single parent, worked for her family’s hotel business in Florida that happened to be an advertiser on a Resort Map. Grentner saw Resort Maps as not only a way to own her own business but to create a better life for her daughter.

“Working in the hotel business and living in Florida was just not a good fit for me and raising my daughter,” said Grentner. “I had a sister in Breckenridge, so Colorado was at the top of my list.  I started a Resort map in the Vail valley in 2007, then in January 2009 I purchased  an existing,  established map in Summit County. The move couldn’t have worked out better professionally and personally for me and my daughter.”

Resort Maps began creating and publishing maps in the northeastern U.S. back in 1986. In an effort to continue the company’s growth and simultaneously keep the quality of the product, Resort Maps became a franchisor in 1993. Since adopting the franchise model, Resort Maps has grown steadily to over100 maps distributed across 20 states as well as towns and cities in England, Puerto Rico & Costa Rica.

In 2010, Resort Maps will print and publish nearly 20 million maps. And besides travelers, more and more opportunity seekers are becoming fans of Resort Maps.

“Resort Maps is truly a unique and appealing franchise opportunity. It’s not a 9-to-5 gig, you don’t need to take out office space and you don’t necessarily have to work 12 months a year to run a successful franchise. You just have to be willing to work hard when you work,” said Hans. “With more and more people looking to escape the corporate world for an opportunity that gives them some freedom and flexibility and great earning potential, 150 maps is certainly a tangible goal as we attract more franchisees– hopefully one we can meet within the next couple of years.”

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to over 100 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published.  Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Vail & Beaver Creek, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Eastham-Wellfleet, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City, Northern Michigan), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

Franchises touch home base…Prospective franchise owners look toward home-based opportunities.Read More

Your new travel guide…Marilyn Holstein opens Best of North Fork Resort Maps franchise.

Marilyn Holstein
Marilyn Holstein, owner of The North Fork Resort Map

PECONIC, NEW YORK; AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of nearly 100 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Marilyn Holstein as the owner of the new Resort Map to be published on the North Fork of Long Island. The map will include all key destinations between Riverhead and Orient Point.

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well as at advertiser locations. The Best of North Fork map will highlight local attractions and things to do, restaurants, vineyards, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services on the North Fork. Each advertiser on the map will be represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate. 

“I first learned about Resort Maps when I visited Newport several years ago. The map was like my Bible and I never went anywhere without it,” said Holstein. “As somebody who’s been a regular visitor to North Fork for more than 25 years, I’ve never seen any maps that come close to showcasing local attractions and businesses like Resort Maps. Tourists and residents alike are going to love how Resort Maps displays the many places and things there are to do and see from Riverhead to Orient Point.”

Prior to owning a Resort Maps franchise, Holstein had a career spanning two decades in magazine publishing, including stints and Condé Nast Publications and Advanstar Communications. Most recently, she was the managing editor of Newsweek Budget Travel, where she directed the editorial operations of Budget Travel magazine and the new launch, Girlfriend Getaways.

“I’m extremely excited about this opportunity. I’m a member of several wine clubs on the North Fork and recently joined the North Fork Chamber of Commerce and the feedback has all been extremely positive,” said Holstein.

Slated for an August 2010 distribution, The North Fork Resort Map will offer a treasure trove of things to do for people vacationing in the area or just out East for a day or two. Resort Maps free ‘souvenir style’ maps will be on display at local advertisers’ shops but also at many non-advertiser locations throughout the North Fork region.

The North Fork Resort Map will also be available on-line at www.resortmaps.com, along with interactive maps to all the areas that Resort Maps covers. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

For information on how to advertise on the initial Best of North Fork Resort Map, you can e-mail Marilyn Holstein at marilynh@resortmaps.com or call 631-655-2773.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to over 98 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. Twenty million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City, Northern Michigan), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

Your new travel guide…Marilyn Holstein opens Best of North Fork Resort Maps franchise.Read More

Your new travel guides…Bill Grace takes over Best of Plymouth Resort Maps and Best of Newburyport Resort Maps operations.

logo for Resort MapsNEWBURYPORT AND PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of more than 98 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Bill Grace as the new owner of their Plymouth and Newburyport, Massachusetts operations. The Concord, Mass. resident took over the publishing of the two maps for Anne Monti, effective March 29, 2010.

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well at advertiser locations. The Best of Plymouth and Best of Newburyport maps highlight local attractions and things to do, restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services in the two towns. Each advertiser on the map is represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate. 

“Resort Maps offers a good product and has a long history of satisfied customers,” said Grace. “I feel very fortunate to have come across this opportunity and am looking forward to continuing the success of both maps.”

In addition to the printed map, Resort Maps can also be found on-line at www.resortmaps.com. Here you will find interactive maps of all 98 map areas to choose from. These interactive maps allow the viewer to see the business’s advertisement and read a description of each business as they scroll over their building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

A born entrepreneur who holds an MBA from Boston College, Grace also owns a Cookies by Design franchise, located in Woburn, Massachusetts in the Cummings Office Park. Prior to that, he owned a property management company in Colorado as well two other small businesses.

Married, he and his wife Robin live in Concord, Massachusetts with their two children.

Businesses interested in advertising in the next edition of either the Plymouth or Newburyport can call 781-439-4037 or send an e-mail to billg@resortmaps.com.

Resort Maps began creating and publishing maps in the northeastern U.S. back in 1986. In an effort to continue the company’s growth and simultaneously maintain the quality of the product, Resort Maps became a franchisor in 1993. Since adopting the franchise model, Resort Maps has grown steadily to more than 98 maps distributed across 20 states as well as towns and cities in England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.

“We publish 20 million maps per year in nearly 100 cities and towns for a good reason. Our maps are fun, easy-to-read and they really do entice visitors to stop and see some of the local attractions before heading to the next part of your trip. Our advertisers like the maps for that very same reason,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps.

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to 98 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

Your new travel guides…Bill Grace takes over Best of Plymouth Resort Maps and Best of Newburyport Resort Maps operations.Read More

Eureka, CA resident wins Resort Maps’ Best Worst Trip contest.

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

The best thing about a bad vacation or trip is that at some point they have to end. Yet for Eureka, California resident Jennifer Morey, her tale of vacation woe from a family trip overseas in the 1980s earned her first prize in Resort Maps Best Worst Trip contest, a $100 American Express gift certificate.

“I never win anything, so having the best worst story is something,” said Morey. “The last half of the trip itself was such a nightmare, it’s great that I can laugh about it later and take my family out for a nice meal. Still, it would have been much nicer if things went differently.” 

Morey’s story involved a family trip to China and Thailand in 1986. While heeding advice not to drink the hotel water, Morey slipped up when she used the tap water to wet her toothbrush. What ensued was what the hotel doctor referred to as, “the worst case of dysentery he had seen.”

So while my family was taking in the sights in Thailand, including the Bridge on the River Kwai from the famous movie, I was stuck in the hotel room,” continued Morey. “None of the traditional stuff like Immodium or Pepto Bismol worked. Desperate, I took some Valium, which, remarkably, they sell over the counter in Thailand, or at least they did back then. It worked, but by then it was time to go home.”

“Jennifer’s story really hit home for the judges for a number of reasons,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc. “Most notably, it’s an awful story to travel that far and have it spoiled by being sick. Second, that it’s a memorable story. Who knows if she would be talking about the family trip to Thailand and China nearly 25 years later if she had not had that experience. And that’s what makes it a worthy winner.”

The first runner-up in Resort Maps Best Worst Trip story belonged to Susan Klein, director of the Mad River Chamber of Commerce in Waitsfield, Vermont. Her story of snow in southern California and icy conditions in Maui earned her a one-year membership to the Arbor Day Foundation. As part of that member, she’ll have the option of receiving 10 free trees or donating those 10 trees to a damaged forest.

“We’d like to thank all the entrants who participated in the Best Worst Trip contest,” said Hans. “While it’s unfortunate only two people could ‘win’, hopefully those worst trips are a lot less painful in the rearview mirror.”

Resort Maps is the creator of 98 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at rest and travel information areas as well by advertisers. Each map features local attractions, restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, marinas, real estate and other services. Each advertiser on the map is represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate.

In addition, Resort Maps are also available on-line at www.resortmaps.com. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

For information on how to advertise on Resort Maps, please visit www.resortmaps.com.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to 98 Resort Maps in publication in the US, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. More than 18 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River Valley, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City, Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport,/a>, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City, The Petoskey Area), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon, Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville, Long Beach Island,/a>, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George, Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville, Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chichester, Lewes) , Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra, San Juan) and Costa Rica (Escazu & Santa Ana).

Eureka, CA resident wins Resort Maps’ Best Worst Trip contest.Read More

Your new travel guide…Rob and Sue Wallace opens Best of Northern Michigan Resort Maps franchise for Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix.

Resort Maps Owners Rob and Sue Wallace

 

PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS AND CHARLEVOIX, MICHIGAN AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT… 

Resort Maps, creator of 98 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Traverse City residents Rob and Sue Wallace as the new owners of the new map to be published for The Petoskey Area of Michigan. The map will include the towns of Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix. 

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at rest and travel information areas as well by advertisers. The Best of the Petoskey Area Map will highlight local attractions, restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, marinas, real estate and other services in all three towns. Each advertiser on the map will be represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate. 

 “I first started coming to this area for ice boating, which is a hobby of mine” said Wallace. “The Petoskey, Harbor Springs-Charlevoix area is just incredibly beautiful. It really is a place you have to see to appreciate. With our new map, we’re hoping to help tourists and residents find those hidden treasures and charming businesses that make up the area.” 

Prior to owning a Resort Maps franchise, Wallace worked as an IT professional for the past three decades for Broadview Savings and Loan and National City Bank. After finding himself displaced after the National City/PNC Bank merger, he and his wife relocated to Traverse City. After seeing the Best of Traverse City map and learning more about the Resort Maps opportunity, he knew the perfect place to start a map.

“There’s not a brochure out there that can accurately depict the Petoskey-Harbor Springs-Charlevoix area. With our new map, we’re going to try,” said Wallace. 

The Best of The Petoskey Area map will offer a treasure trove of things to do for people vacationing in the area or just down for a day or two. Resort Maps free ‘souvenir style’ maps will be on display at local advertisers’ shops but also at many non-advertiser locations throughout the Petoskey-Harbor Springs-Charlevoix region. 

The Petoskey Area map will also be available on-line at www.resortmaps.com, along with interactive maps to all 98 Resort Maps. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information.  

For information on how to advertise on the first edition of The Best of Petoskey Area Resort Map Michigan, you can e-mail Rob Wallace at robw@resortmaps.com. 

About Resort Maps 

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to 98 Resort Maps in publication in the US, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. More than 18 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010. 

 For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277. 

 Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City, Northern Michigan), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

Your new travel guide…Rob and Sue Wallace opens Best of Northern Michigan Resort Maps franchise for Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix.Read More

Van Syckle top business coach franchise owner for Winfree Business Growth Advisors

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY AND HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA…

Winfree Business Growth Advisors, a business coaching franchise, recently named Owen Van Syckle, owner of its Hampton Roads, Virginia business coaching franchise, as “Franchisee of the Year”.

Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training and seminars. Van Syckle, a business coaching franchise owner since 2007, received this honor based on a number of variables, including growth of his territory in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

“Owen epitomizes what we seek in owners of our business coaching franchises,” said Dr. Keith Winfree, founder of Winfree Business Growth Advisors. “He brings a combination of energy and know-how to the table that draws new clients and inspires existing ones. The bottom line is he and his clients get results.”

A resident of Norfolk, Virginia, Van Syckle received a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science from Trevecca Nazarene University. Prior to becoming a Winfree Business Growth Advisor, he worked as a sales manager for Headgear LLC before running his own consulting business, Prominent Business Development.

“Winfree’s different than any other sales training programs out there,” said Van Syckle. “It’s not only what we teach, but how we teach it and then stand behind it by guaranteeing results for a fixed fee. That made me want to be a franchise owner. Frankly, it’s why our clients are successful because we literally put our money where our mouth is.”

If you would like to work with Mr. Van Syckle you can contact him at http://www.hamptonroads.winfree.org or 757-237-5222.

About Winfree Business Growth Advisors

Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training, and seminars featuring Winfree’s signature Black Belt System™–a Five Phases and 12 elements covering everything from initial marketing efforts to customer retention.

Winfree Business Growth Advisors currently runs coaching franchises in California (San Francisco and Los Angeles), Illinois, Kentucky (Louisville), Massachusetts (Boston), New York (Manhattan), Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth) and Virginia (Hampton Roads) as well as in Canada (Winnipeg, Manitoba).

For more information on Winfree’s programs or franchise opportunities and available an Area Development territories, please go to www.winfree.org or contact Dr. Keith Winfree at (800) 616-9260.

If you would like to work with Mr. Van Syckle you can contact him at http://www.hamptonroads.winfree.org or 757-237-5222.

 

 

Van Syckle top business coach franchise owner for Winfree Business Growth AdvisorsRead More

Business Coach Franchise Owner writes the book on surviving the ‘Sales, Marketing and Business World’

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY…

When it comes to sales, it truly is survival of the fittest. In his four decades as a salesman, entrepreneur, business strategist and business coach, Dr. Keith Winfree, founder of Winfree Business Growth Advisors, has not only survived, but been a guide for other entrepreneurs and sales professionals. His recently released e-book, Winfree Rules of Surviving the Sales, Marketing and Business World, shares some of the common sense practices that have served him well in business and in life.

“So much of being successful in the business world has to do with your state of body and mind and how well you listen and observe,” said Winfree. “This book is not a step-by-step guide on how to sell but a means to refine the tools you need to be a successful sales person and person in general.”

In addition to common sense tips, Winfree Rules of Surviving the Sales, Marketing and Business World, also serves as a self-assessment tool. With the book’s 20 sections Winfree asks readers to grade themselves on a scale of one to 100 for each; 100 being no improvement needed and 0 the bottom score. The final “grade” is the total score based on an average for all tips.

Some of the things readers are asked to make a self-assessment on include:

·         Don’t believe everyone and remember people will lie.

·         You must continue to acquire knowledge about your profession.

·         You must care about the product or service and your client

·         Be frugal and live below your means.

“In working with sales professionals and entrepreneurs, I’ve found the more successful ones tend to score higher in these areas of self-assessment,” added Winfree. “Does that mean you can’t be successful if you score low? No. It’s just that the people who scored high usually are. However, we found that those who score below 85% are at risk of failure. Our Black Belt Coaching will move you to the 95% level and above.”

Winfree Rules of Surviving the Sales, Marketing and Business World sells for $29.95 and is available on Winfree Business Growth Advisors Web site at www.winfree.org. Organizations interested in booking Dr. Winfree for speaking engagement can call 800-616-9260.

About Winfree Business Growth Advisors

Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training, and seminars featuring Winfree’s signature Black Belt System™–a Five Phases and 12 elements covering everything from initial marketing efforts to customer retention.

Winfree Business Growth Advisors currently runs coaching franchises in California (San Francisco and Los Angeles), Illinois, Kentucky (Louisville), Massachusetts (Boston), New York (Manhattan), Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth) and Virginia (Hampton Roads) as well as in Canada (Winnipeg, Manitoba).

For more information on Winfree’s programs or franchise opportunities and available an Area Development territories, please go to www.winfree.org or contact Dr. Keith Winfree at (800) 616-9260.

 

Business Coach Franchise Owner writes the book on surviving the ‘Sales, Marketing and Business World’Read More

Romantic travel…What to pack and plan for romantic winter getaways.

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

When it comes to romantic getaways, what’s more important: where you go or what you do? While it’s difficult to argue the inherent romance offered by a tropical vacation or cruise or a ski lodge or remote cabin up in the mountains, sometimes what you pack or that spontaneous little side trip can enhance the intimacy of a romantic getaway.

As the creator of more than 90 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, Resort Maps believes travel is about the journey as much as the end destination, particularly when it comes to romantic getaways. Says Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc., “If you reflect on the great trips in your life, some of the best times occur on spontaneous little side trips. In fact, for many people, those side trips end up being more memorable.”

So, what sort of things can you do make your journey more memorable? Hans suggests:

 

·         Renting an automobile instead of using your everyday car. If the temperatures allow it, rent a convertible and ride with the top down.

·         Follow the signs – if you see a sign advertising something that sounds interesting, e.g. homemade ice cream store, stop in.

·         Take plenty of breaks – often times on a road trip, you’ll pass bridges, bodies of waters, shops, etc. that look interesting but you keep going. For your romantic journey, stop and smell the figurative roses and explore those places. Even pulling over on a country road to literally smell the roses or share an intimate moment can be a trip maker.

·         Plan a detour – do a little research on the area where you’ll be driving through and see if there’s anything of interest that could make for a nice little surprise.

While these spontaneous trips or adventures can serve as very tasty appetizers, you still want to enjoy the main course, your destination, as well. To do that will require some forethought.

Some romantic items you may want to include in your packing are:

·         Tea lights or scented candles – remembering the matches or lighter.

·         Luxury bubble bath.

·         Massage oil.

·         Music: an MP3 player and speakers or a CD player and CDs with your favorite love songs.

·         Rose petals to scatter in the bed.

·         Romantic notes to leave on each other’s pillow.

“The beauty of a romantic getaway is that it really can be anything you want it to be, anywhere you want it to be,” said Hans. “By following just a few of these ideas, you can create a trip that you’ll be talking about with your grandkids—perhaps once they are adults.”

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Free to area visitors, each map advertises restaurants, accommodations, retail stores, factory outlets, recreation and attractions, real estate and other local services. Each advertiser is represented with a display ad surrounding the map, including a color-coded grid locator and a building drawn, highlighted and labeled making it easy to locate. With landmarks prominently displayed, Resort Maps are an easy and fun way to find your way around town whether you are visiting, new to the area or you just want to know what’s happening around your town. 

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to over 90 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. More than 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2009.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), and Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes, Windsor), Costa Rica (Escazu and Santa Ana) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra, San Juan).

Romantic travel…What to pack and plan for romantic winter getaways.Read More