Spring at Painters Lodge & April Point

Spring is just around the corner, although you wouldn't know it by the recent snowstorms here in Victoria.

Painters Lodge and April Point are gearing up for their season openings -

• Painters on Apr 22
• April Point on May 12

I really hope every one of you will have a chance to visit with us this year! I'm really pumped - having just spent the weekend of Feb 18-20th, along with the entire sales crew from Victoria, visiting at these resorts. Because the resorts are closed at this time of year, management took this opportunity to host us to a "fam" trip. It was a bit surreal - only about 20 of us, in otherwise empty resorts! We poked our noses into every room at both resorts, toured the properties, saw the upgrades & improvements being completed to make your next stay with us even better!

It was really wonderful to get "unhooked" from our cubicles, computers, headphones & telephones. To experience for ourselves what our guests enjoy at these idyllic west coast getaways.

As wonderful as the resorts themselves are; what I enjoyed even more, was the chance to meet some of the crew - Michael at April Point, Christine at Painters Lodge. Even though we are co-workers, they treated us like royalty. I can see why my customers come back time and again - the warmth & hospitality and dedication they feel towards their customers, was so obvious and seemed to just burst forth from them naturally - it was almost overwhelming. It left me feeling so proud and so grateful to be part of a company that hires people who care so much.

I guess in the spirit of full disclosure expected these days, I should mention that we also partied hardy! After a day of touring the properties, Michael & Christine and the other winter crew, hosted us to a scrumptious BBQ dinner in the Fireside Lounge, followed by a party into the wee hours in the Tyee Pub. Christine made the salads herself at home if I remember correctly, and Michael slaved in the dark outside over the BBQ while we were inside partying....

It really struck me how genuinely they care and to what lengths they will go, to ensure their customers are treated not like paying customers, but as true friends.

I hope you will have the opportunity to experience this hospitality yourself. We have so many fun, exciting and interesting things planned this year -

• For the fishermen; our Spring Fling Derby or fly fishing program
  

• For everyone; our Live and Learn getaways - you name it - harp, fly fishing, bridge, watercolors, harp retreat, bridge, photographers, birdwatching, hand drumming, yoga, collage, travel sketching ballroom or belly dancing, drawing, watercolors......

Please go to our website, or better yet, just give me a call for more info - I want you to enjoy a visit with us to our sister resorts - Painters Lodge & April Point Resort & Spa. I will look forward to hearing from you and to helping you with your plans.

Cheers, Maggie " I can help make your fishing & vacation dreams come true":

NAQs & FAQs

NAQs & FAQs

( the most important question you should ask me)

FAQs = Frequently asked questions

I get lots of those, but, almost all of them are only important to you only after you have decided upon your destination, such as:

• How do I get there
• What should I bring
• What will the weather be like
• How do you process the fish

For every potential customer there may also be some FAQs that are crucial before deciding, such as:

• Cost
• Best time to visit our resorts (weather, fishing results)
• Availability
• Expertise of staff, guides, fishmasters

and I’m always happy to address those “deal breaker” concerns.

But those considerations aside, I know that what you really want to know is the

NAQ – “The NEVER asked question”,

“ why should I spend my hard earned dollars to book a vacation with you?”

It amazes me that in 14 years I’ve never been asked this question since it’s the main question I try to answer. As a matter of fact, I think I will offer a reward to the first person who asks me this question.

And the answer is - I can’t answer that question until I know you better, know what you’re looking for – and then I can help you decide if one of our OBMG resorts will provide the experience that you want.

So that’s when I need you to answer MY FAQ’s :

• How many in your party?
• How flexible is your vacation time?
• Do you want guided or non guided fishing?
• Do you want other activities than fishing?
• What’s your budget?
• what sort of vacation are you looking for?

If I do my job in finding out what you want , then I promise you that I can recommend:

• the best resort
• customize it to suit your needs
• and most importantly, can fulfill my promise to all my clients “ I can help you make your fishing & vacation dreams come true”.

More than 50% of my business every year is from repeat customers, many of whom come yearly. I work hard to develep an honest relationship – I don’t make promises I can’t keep. So I think more than anything else, that is the answer to the NAQ – You can confidently decide to book with me, because I won’t book your vacation with OBMG unless I think it will indeed fulfill your expectations (and then some)

Cheers, Maggie

Beat the taxman - save 7% on your next vacation

It's tax time. You and your accountant are preparing your return and trying to find ways to save you money.

Do you know that the BC Government is about to implement a new "harmonized" sales tax?

Your 2010 fishing trip or holiday adventure with Oak Bay Marine Group is about to cost you 7% more because of this new tax. (I guess someone has to pay for the recent Olympics!)

But..... You can beat this tax .... and save 7% on this summer's vacation - if you confirm this summer's vacation BEFORE May 01st.

So, if you've been thinking of your summer holidays, and thinking you'll wait a while to make your plans .... Please.....don't wait. Come May, I'm going to have to become the tax collector, and charge you the added 7%. Believe you me, I'm not the least bit thrilled at the prospect. I love to sell fishing and holiday trips, and it's what I chose to do, and what I get paid to do. I did not chose to be a tax collector, and the BC government most certainly won't be paying me to do their job; but I will be spending a considerable amount of my time, and you will be spending a considerable amount of your money, to fund this new tax.

So, I would love to see us beat the taxman on this.

Call me, email me, post your comments......but if you're planning to travel in BC this summer....if you're thinking of a trip to one of our Oak Bay Marine Group Resorts......get it booked NOW, and save the added tax.

Come Meet us at upcoming Sports Shows

Season's greetings to you all,

Here we are - December already. Unbelievable! Our BC resorts, as you know, are only open for a few months in the summer, so I'll forgive you if you figure that I'm probably not very busy the rest of the year... but you're wrong. As I write this (from home on my weekend), I am picturing my office right now. Boxes and boxes of cards and envelopes, awaiting my signature and labels, to mail to all my 2008 guests - and YES - our much awaited calendar is coming to you soon as well.

As eager as I am to get them all sent to you in time for the festive season, all my time lately has been booking visits to our tropical getaway - Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, on Long Island, Bahamas. Guests from all over North America, Great Britain, France, and Italy, have been eager to plan their winter "Escape to the Cape".

But, enough about me. What I want to do, is invite you to come meet us at one of the upcoming Sportsmen's Shows if there is one in your area. We're going to be out in force for the first 3 months of 2009, and we hope to meet you!

Oak Bay Marine Group Consumer Shows 2009
• International Sportsmen Exposition (Sacramento) - January 15-18/09
• Washington Sportsmen Show (Puyallup)– January 21-25/09
• Calgary Boat and Sportsmen Show- February 12-15/09
• Red Deer Sportsman & Outdoor Show- Feb 27,28 & March 1/09
• BC Boat & Sportsmen Show (Abbotsford) – March 6,7 & 8/09
• Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen Show – March 12-15/09
• The Great Outdoor Show (Abbotsford) – March 20-22/09
• Northwest Women’s Show (Seattle) – March 27-29/
• The Grande Prairie Sports Expo – April 4-5/09
• Kelowna Boat & Leisure Show – April 19 & 20/09
• Calgary Go-Expo – June 9-12/09
• Fort McMurray Home & Leisure Show May 8,9 & 10
• West Coast Women’s Show (Abbotsford) – October 2009

If you haven't yet booked your 2009 vacation, you can get more info or book your trip, right at the show. Even if you've already got your trip confirmed, please drop in and say hello to us in person. If you would like to attend, give me a call, and I'll set aside some tickets for you.

Keep safe, and have a Happy Holiday Season,
Cheers,
Maggie
1-800-663-7090 ext 6544

Reason for starting this blog

Hello anglers!

I sell fishing holidays and vacations in BC, Canada and in the Bahamas. If you've found this blog, it's probably because I told you about it, and invited you here. But for anyone who stumbled across it - a brief introduction may be in order. I'm a reservation coordinator with Oak Bay Marine Group, the leader in holiday and fishing adventures in North America.

I used to spend most of my time with clients and potential guests by telephone, but more and more of my business hours these days are spent emailing. However I spend my time at work, whether by telephone or email - there never seems to be as much time as I want to keep in touch and chat and share fishing stories.

So....I thought a blog might be a fun and time saving way to keep in touch with more people

• to tell you about our resorts
  
• to share fishing stories
  
• to get your feedback about your trip
  
• to notify you of any hot news from the resorts
  
• to quickly get the word to you about specials

I'm hoping that this will become the place you come to when you are thinking about fishing - whether you're starting to plan your next trip , or reminiscing about your last one.

After being here for 14 years, it is not a cliche to say that I feel like my customers are like my family. Some of you have met each other, but most haven't. So, if you'll share your comments and experiences, we'll all get to know each other even better.

And of course, another reason to write and talk about fishing, is that it's the next best thing to actually being out on the water!

So, with that said, I'll get the ball rolling (or should I say "the reel spinning") very soon. Keep coming back, and I'll have some more articles for you soon. And I hope to hear from you as well!

Cheers,

Maggie