Background:
A Going Concern began in 1998 as a tour company catering to women who want -- or need -- to get away from the daily round of packed schedules, making meals and walking the dog. Travel and garden writer Kay Miller began the group on the premise that savvy, busy women enjoy exploring common interests together, and that they welcome the prospect of informal networking, of swapping ideas and experiences. Come by yourself, bring a friend or you entire book club or exercise class.
While general interest women's trips are the main focus of A Going Concern, throughout the year you will find trips that appeal to special interests -- for gardeners, quilters, history buffs.
You will see that some trips are dubbed Co-Ed, which means men are welcome -- but not required. After their wives came home and extolled Kay's trips, several men phoned to ask if they could come along, too. She was not willing to abandon the women-only niche she has created, but felt that some trips could be designated co-ed. Remember that women -- alone, in pairs or in groups -- can sign up for any of Kay's trips, while men can come on the co-ed jaunts.
Kay researches and creates an itinerary both interesting and relaxing; makes all arrangements and then she handles logistics so you can have maximum enjoyment.
About Kay Miller:
She has been reporter/editor/columnist/on-air anchor for radio and TV stations, newspapers and magazines; was a vice-president of Duke University; has run media relations in several political campaigns; wrote a (sold-out) cookbook and co-wrote a college journalism textbook.
She has been called an industrial-strength shopper; loves museums, cathedrals, castles and gardens; tolerates some degree of physical exertion; enjoys the arts; and finds just about anything interesting.
Nuts and Bolts:
Our domestic trip size usually ranges from 20 to 30, enabling participants to get to know each other in a relaxed manner. Our international trips range from 10 - 16. Those who travel with us have ranged in age from 25 to 93 (she plays golf once a week), with the majority 40 - 70. We travel in deluxe coaches with large windows, VCRs, and bathroom, or, if the trip is smaller, in a medium-sized bus.
We leave from major shopping centers in the Triangle area of North Carolina. When feasible, we will pick up at pre-arranged sites along the route as well. Neither A Going Concern nor shopping centers are responsible for any theft or damage that occurs to any vehicles left at the pickup points. If this worries you, consider having someone drop you off, take a taxi to the pick-up site or have the car picked up after you are gone.
Terms and Conditions:
Receipts and refunds -- Your cancelled check is your receipt. If a trip is cancelled by A Going Concern, refunds will be made promptly.
If a client cancels prior to the final deadline for a given trip, a full refund will be issued. After the deadline, however, commitments required by suppliers of transportation, food, lodgiing and events preclude any refund from A Going Concern, for any reason whatsoever, whether a client cancels a trip or misses the departure.
Trip cancellation and medical insurance are available at your option for every trip; let Kay know if you need details.
Calling after the deadline: If we have space, we are happy to have you join us. Of course, if everyone puts off signing up, the trip is cancelled due to seeming lack of interest. So promptness is encouraged.
