“We have developed relationships with some key companies and businesses in these countries,” says Sivertson. Those relationships help make it possible to design more meaningful experiences for students.

Destination Partners’ origins date back some 30 years. The company started by developing travel programs for special interest groups to Brazil, and later to South America. Some 15 years ago, the company decided to focus on the educational market and leverage its relationships and knowledge to strengthen content and learning opportunities.

Throughout the years, Destination Partners has added more diversity in locations – from Ghana to Australia to the U.S. and Europe, and places in between. Collaboration and flexibility are part of the company’s DNA, says Sivertson.

“Everything that Destination Partners does we do with our partners,” she says. “We 100 percent customize our programs.”

Destination Partners can develop and deliver the whole global experience for EMBA Programs, including welcome events, business and cultural visits, and all logistics, or handle pieces of the experience. Determining the optimal program involves working closely with EMBA Programs and applying flexibility to address each unique circumstance, says Sivertson.

“We develop relationships with our University partners, and we build on that knowledge. We really take the time to get to know each partner and how they like their program to run.”

Equally important, Destination Partners understands the financial challenges that programs face. “We can work within most budgets. We really try to give our clients the best value.”

Destination Partners assigns a coordinator to serve as the main contact for clients. In addition, a designated contact in the country guides participants during their stay in the location.

“We have amazing guides,” says Sivertson. “We pride ourselves in having a great network of guides.”

Destination Partners has continued to invest on improving what it offers. “We have grown our team and developed a strong pool of talented travel professionals.”

The company also has embraced technology, both internally and externally, building online registration tools and other features that help internal teams and clients with travel planning and logistics. In addition, it has expanded its networks and partnerships throughout the world, and those connections make a difference in the depth and diversity of potential experiences.

Through its work with EMBA Programs, Destination Partners discovered EMBAC, joined as a corporate member last summer, and attended the 2018 EMBAC Conference in Madrid. “It’s a great network to be part of,” says Sivertson.

Participating in EMBAC helps Destination Partners learn more about the EMBA industry and the challenges and opportunities that EMBA Programs worldwide face. “As the EMBA space evolves, we can stay current, which helps us better serve our clients. It’s an opportunity for us to stay involved and informed.”

Sivertson was impressed by EMBAC members and their ability to share and learn from one another. “I don’t know of any other industry with experts who are so willing to collaborate across different institutions.”

For Sivertson, one of the most satisfying aspects of the work involves taking care of all the pieces that contribute to the whole.

“For me, I enjoy seeing the details come together and knowing everything is set up down to the tee. It means that groups can focus on their program and continue with their educational objective.”

Destination Partners helps EMBA Programs decide on the most optimal educational location in another key way – through site inspections.

In fact, Destination Partners is planning a site inspection to India for EMBA travel leaders June 3-11, 2019. Site inspections offer programs a great way to explore the educational potential of a location and to plan an experience to that location. Sivertson encourages EMBA Program representatives who are interested in the India site inspection, or in a site inspection of a different location, to contact her.

Travel opens new possibilities in and of itself, and educational-based experiences benefit from a clear sense of purpose and a defined set of activities that enhance that purpose and student learning. “It’s really a rewarding area to work,” she says.

For more information about Destination Partners, or the site inspection visit to India in June, contact Julie Sivertson at jsivertson@destinationpartners.net or visit https://www.destinationpartners.net.