NO TO STEVE JOBS. YES TO TAUCK.
THE ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT …
This past October I was in Washington, DC, with our Board of Directors for Tauck’s five-day Civil War Event. We
thought it would be great for the board to witness this unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience and to get to better know our close partner, filmmaker Ken Burns.
During that glorious week we had a sunrise breakfast on the top floor of the Hay-Adams Hotel. With a spectacular, uninterrupted view of the White House “waking up” as a backdrop, Ken proceeded to tell us an amazing story. In 1992 he was invited to Cupertino to discuss licensing his name for “The Ken Burns Effect.” Ken turned Apple down. He had never done a commercial endorsement and had no desire to do so. He did allow Apple to use his name if they gave away a certain number of computers to schools each year.
Ken turned down many subsequent commercial offers but 18 years after saying “no” to Steve Jobs, he said “yes” to Tauck. He told us that when he met and got to know Tauck, and saw how we craft our tours, and witnessed our relentless pursuit of excellence, he changed his mind. Ken saw parallels in our businesses and in our philosophies. We both want to change lives – Ken through the dynamic lens of his films and Tauck through inspirational travel experiences.
Each of Ken’s documentary films, and every Tauck journey unfolds a story, and many stories within that larger story. How each story is told makes all the difference. In both cases, every minute in a story’s telling has the potential to be either ordinary or extraordinary. The “small” things, the tiniest of details, can make a big difference in both businesses. And when done well, all of those special moments within those stories will make us feel part of something larger than ourselves.
I consider Ken’s endorsement not just a compliment but a challenge that will provide motivation for years to come. It is the relentless effort, as Ken says, “to be better, and better still” in the pursuit of excellence. And as long as we keep doing that we will continue to emotionally move people in ways that can transform their lives.
For both Ken and all of us here at Tauck, how you see the world really does matter. With warm regards,
ROMAN HOLIDAY TAUCK STYLE Daniel W. Mahar, CEO
Robin Tauck hosted our Roman Holiday Event in October and is pictured here with husband Peter Romano and the entire Tauck team. This photo was taken at the Vatican Museums, where guests enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime private tour and gala dinner.
A JAZZ ODYSSEY
This uniquely American music comes to life in its birthplace, New Orleans, on Tauck’s Jazz Event, a one-of-a-kind Ken Burns Event. Explore the past, present and future of jazz in the city that gave it birth, featuring private performances by Ellis Marsalis and Donald Harrison, a private jazz-filled gala dinner cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez, and an opportunity to meet filmmaker Ken Burns.
PARTNERS IN TRAVEL
Dozens of Tauck’s leading agents and suppliers joined us in Washington, DC, for our 5-day Civil War Event where they met another important Tauck partner, filmmaker Ken Burns. Above left, Tauck CEO Dan Mahar with Virtuoso President Kristi Jones; above right, Ken meets Greg and Julie Nacco of Cruise Specialists, based in Novato, California.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28