The Dominican Republic tourism office in Chicago, Illinois, is helping to educate midwestern travel agents on the Dominican destination. On 15 January, an educational workshop and trade show on the Dominican Republic was held in Bloomington, Minnesota, at the Marriott. Some 77 travel agents attended. From the Dominican Republic, Leandro Cruz participated for Casa de Campo, Patty Bovone for Allegro Resorts, Ramel Sobrino for Puerto Plata Village and Yira Yermonton for Sol Melia. Wholesalers Go Go Worldwide Vacations was represented by Terri Van Sloun, Mark Pothiades attended for MLT Vacations, and Scott Seterstron for TransGlobal Vacations. The workshops have the co-sponsorship of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the wholesalers of Caribbean vacations in the midwest. Similar presentations have already been held in Chicago, Cleveland and four other cities in Michigan and Minnesota. The Chicago tourism office has scheduled trade shows in coordination with CTO for Linton Township, Michigan in April; Des Plaines, Illinois in May; Cleveland, Ohio in September and Minneapolis, Minnesota in November. Wholesalers are sponsoring events to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and St. Louis, Missouri.
