Patrick Connor
President
Director's Choice Tour & Travel
Patrick Connor is the President of Director’s Choice Tour & Travel. He served as Executive Vice President from 1996 until assuming his current role.
Mr. Connor is active in the student travel industry, and has presented multiple educational sessions on topics including student safety, student travel 101, and industry best practices. In addition, he has worked with numerous destination marketing organizations to assist them in identifying and promoting student friendly events and activities. Patrick is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA).
Prior to his involvement with Director’s Choice, Patrick was a band director in Texas, and remains active as a performing musician, clinician, and drill writer.
Courtney Ashley
Co-owner
About Tours
About Tours is owned by Jenifer Robertson and Courtney Ashley. The company was founded in 1994. Courtney has been a Chicago tour guide and tour planner for many years and is a Certified Chicago Tour Guide with a deep and extensive knowledge of the history, art, architecture, and folklore of the city. About Tours specializes in tours of the Chicago metropolitan area. Courtney is a long time volunteer with the Art Institute of Chicago. About Tours is a member of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, the Chicago Tour Professional Association, the National Tour Association and the American Bus Association.
Jeffrey Gayduk
President
Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc.
Jeff is President of Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc., publisher of print magazines such as Leisure Group Travel, Prep Traveler, Midwest Skier, and Group Travel Directory along with over two dozen group travel oriented websites. Mr. Gayduk is a 20-year veteran of the travel industry having held management posts in the cruise, tour, and retail travel agency sectors before starting Premier Tourism Marketing in 1999. Premier is the leading print and online group travel publishing company, helping group travel organizers from various sectors of the market connect with destinations, hotels, attractions and service providers.
Kim Dooley
Tour Manager
Coach USA / Van Galder
Started her travel career working with Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays in Westlake Village, CA for 10 years. She moved back to Wisconsin and managed the AAA Downtown Madison Travel Office for 6yrs. She has been with Van Galder for nine years and heads a staff of 4 full time and 2 part time tour planners, 1 outside sales representative, and 10 tour directors. Van Galder/Coach USA plans an average of 100+ retail tours and numerous custom tours throughout the year. Van Galder has been in business for over 60 years. Additionally, they run a daily service from the Madison, Janesville, Beloit and Rockford areas to Chicago O'Hare, Midway Airport and downtown as well as our charter business as well as Tour & Travel.