December 30, 2005

Trip time

Family Treks travel agency founder
pledges painless trips in ’06

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Family Treks founder Suzette Mack encourages Evergreen residents to reserve R&R a column, right next to watching diet and loving kids, inside your index of New Year’s resolution vows.

Family Trek’s founder and Evergreen resident Suzette Mack poses with her family at Yellowstone. The former engineer found her calling in arranging vacations eight years ago when she planned a sabbatical in Alaska for her husband and herself (pictured below).

January is historically the most hectic month for families planning summer vacations while learning to navigate the complex world of travel agent meets e-commerce, versus a sweaty ear on hold at 1 a.m. Yet, according to several local families, stress is never listed on Family Trek itinerary, and the traditional travel agent may still hold the best odds in securing a painless vacation.

“You won’t get the same service online or with any travel agent as you will with Suzette,” raved Jen LaBarbera, who has returned to Mack on three occasions since initially working with her after they met while watching their kids romp at the playground. “She can tell you the square footage in your hotel room, and 90 percent of the time, she’ll get you a better deal than Expedia anyway.”

High-tech engineer turned family fun travel adviser, Mack knows the value in getting out and seeing the world. After landing a husband, two kids and a dutiful career writing source code for various valley tech firms, the Illinois farm girl with a knack for marketing followed her dreams and natural ability into the wild world of travel booking. She opened her own travel agency and, reportedly, has never been happier.

“I love seeing new places and truly experiencing where I go,” said Mack, of her love affair with expedition. “I am not personally interested in real touristy locations, but the whole experience is valuable and enriching. Children learn to become flexible and go with the flow. So do parents. It builds confidence and the memories you make—I look back and I don’t think I’ve ever regretted one visit I’ve made.”

It all started with the tech boom. Mack and her husband, who was also involved in Silicon Valley industry, received gracious eight-week sabbaticals some eight years ago. The tasks of arranging destinations, departures and accommodations fell into the hands of Mrs. Mack, and the trip was easy—virtually opposite of any other situation in history involving two or more people and time frames.

“Other couples went with us and they were saying, ‘Wow, you did such a great job,” said Mack. “But it was fun for me. I guess I am just a very detail-oriented person and I found something I enjoyed trying to figure out.”

Mack spent the following four-and-half years after Alaska moonlighting, an engineer designing semiconductors by day and a family travel specialist designating destinations of relaxation by night. She now runs her
service-centered business out of her home, catering to clients from sea to shining sea, the majority of business generated by referrals made on her behalf.

According to testimonials committed by clients, Family Treks is unique in the sense that Mack acts as though each trip is a major big business deal that requires savvy sense in negotiations and persistent prompting to secure the desired stake.

“Suzette booked us a trip with the kids down to San Diego,” conveyed Renee Hurni-Gray, also an Evergreen resident. “I told her just what I wanted to do, and she took care of the rest. She had us set up on the beachfront, without my asking, and somehow the $18 per day parking fee had been waived.”

Hurni-Gray learned later that shrewd e-mails composed by Mack on the family’s behalf had prompted the hotel to treat her clients like VIP guests.

Family Trek clients benefit, not only from owner Mack’s skills, but also pedigree associated with franchisee firms Sterling Travel in Atlanta and Brownell travel in Birmingham, Ala.

“It helps,” said Mack. “My clients get the customized, personal attention of a private consultant, as well as the clout and resources of a large travel agency.”

Despite harboring a personal interest in adventure travel, including kayak excursions and wilderness hikes, Mack’s expertise in the marketplace is centered on family vacations such as weekend trips to Disneyland and accredited cruises. Many clients also rely on Family Treks to identify and secure time slots at all-inclusive resorts and family reunion sites.

To learn more about Family Treks traveling options, visit www.family-treks.com. Also, register at the Web site to receive a free monthly newsletter via e-mail, which highlights current trends in family travel and allows clients to participate in designing trips that they would enjoy most.