Booked Tours: Community Discovery Experiences

A guided community experience series that encouraged guests to discover locally owned businesses through curated itineraries. Each tour combined books, food, and shopping while supporting independent businesses and making the community itself part of the experience.

The Opportunity

The Challenge

1

Many local businesses attract visitors independently, but few opportunities encourage people to explore several destinations in one outing.

3 My Vision

2

Design themed community tours where every stop contributed to the overall experience. I wanted to create experiences that strengthened community connections while introducing guests to businesses they may not have discovered otherwise.

5 Featured Tours

4

Booked & Poured

Get Fictional - Candle & Book Shop
Surprise visit to a neighboring local author event
Lunch at a locally owned pizzeria
The Dusted Shelf Bookstore
Bernhardt Winery - Finale

Booked & Baked

Lunch & shopping at The BLVD Boutique & Café
Village Books
Public library
Flour Petal Bakery - Finale

During the Tour

Flexible guided schedule with option to self-guide
Real-time itinerary adjustments
Time for shopping and conversation

Logistics

Coordinated reservations across multiple businesses
Built timed itineraries
Created custom Google Maps navigation guide
Shared digital route with attendees
Coordinated communication with participating businesses
Managed guest communications throughout the experience

Operations

Partnerships

Independent bookstores
Local businesses
Restaurants
Winery
Bakery
Public library
Small business cross-promotion

Scheduling adjustment

While visiting multiple independent businesses, our group spent additional time enjoying earlier stops and arrived after the library bookstore had closed. Rather than treating it as a missed stop, I shifted the experience into a storytelling opportunity by explaining how the volunteer-run bookstore supports the library system, highlighting volunteer opportunities, and encouraging guests to return during operating hours.

Route coordination