Meet MTC Tour Director Paul Labbe
Meet MTC Tour Director Paul Labbe, committed to making each trip he leads an excellent experience!
Music Travel’s professional Tour Directors use their commitment and experience to ensure the music director’s and the group’s trip are successful. MTC Tour Director Paul Labbe has proven that he has what it takes to make a trip successful. With his warm personality, resourcefulness, and attention to detail, humble Paul won’t admit he’s one of the best MTC Tour Directors…so we’ll just brag on him!
“I’ve known Paul for over a decade, and he has no doubt been an amazing addition to the MTC Tour Director team. He’s outgoing, detailed, and always has a smile on his face, even during challenging situations. This, paired with his passion for travel and music, allowed him to easily jump right in with great success. We are fortunate to have him on the team!”
Recently retired from health care after 40+ years as a clinical laboratory operations and information officer, Paul and wife Jan got the music bug when their three daughters joined The Centerville Ohio Jazz Band. After serving as Centerville Band Booster Co-Presidents during the years when their children performed, Paul and Jan stepped down after the girls graduated and moved on to their respective careers. Paul continued to volunteer with Bands of America, however, and he has been a key staff coordinator for band and prop flow and tunnel logistics at Lucas Oil Stadium for over a decade at Music for All’s Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regionals and Grand Nationals events. Being around energetic and motivated band members, faculty and parents truly has been fun and like having a second family for Paul and Jan!
But, we’ll let Paul tell the story:
How long have you been a Tour Director for Music Travel Consultants?
Paul: I started with MTC in March 2017 with a band trip to Nashville, TN
What is your background in music education?
Paul: I took organ and piano lessons starting at age 10, and played the organ for church services at Our Lady of the Visitation in Cincinnati during my teenage years.
How did you get started tour directing?
Paul: I had worked with an MTC team member and they recommended I apply to MTC for a tour director position since I love to travel and help coordinate logistics.
How many trips have you tour directed?
Paul: During my short time with MTC, I’ve had four trips: Nashville, Orlando, Cincinnati, and a Toledo BOA Regional event.
What is the hardest part of being a successful MTC Tour Director?
Paul: No matter what the obstacle or unexpected roadblock that may arise during a trip, you have to keep smiling, so that your frustrations don’t get conveyed to the rest of the group……we want to make their trip as seamless as possible!
What is the largest group you have tour directed?
Paul: The Lakota West Band trip with 5 busses was the largest trip I have toured with so far.
Is there something you wish travelers knew before a trip departs?
Paul: MTC does a nice job working with the various facilities to ensure any special dietary needs are met for our tour group. This has been communicated very well with the student band members, but sometimes the parent chaperones don’t realize that we could also accommodate their needs if we are given that information before the trip.
What’s your proudest moment, or a time when you made a difference/impact?
Paul: There have been a couple of moments that could not have gone well, but the MTC main office has been very quick to respond to those unexpected roadblocks or snafu’s with scheduling. I had the ability to keep everything cool on site with the tour group, with Plan B options, as the home office worked out the logistics.
What is your favorite place to travel/visit with and without groups?
Paul: I personally love to travel and visit new sites….which also limits me in the times I can work with MTC. As an example, I’ll be on a Danube Christmas River cruise in December and a New Zealand hiking trip in April, which are also busy times for MTC tours. It would be tough to pick a favorite for the group, since each group is already excited about their chosen destination, whether that is Disney World, or Country Western music in Nashville, or the Broadway shows of New York City.
What does it take to be a successful MTC Tour Director?
Paul: Key attributes for a Tour Director are flexibility, interactive and ongoing communication, planning for those unexpected issues. And always smile 😊. I had the benefit of a great mentor from longtime Tour Director Nancy Reichmann and learning from her at Disney World.
What are the benefits of having an MTC Tour Director at your side?
Paul: Whether you are the music director, or a chaperone or a band/choir/orchestra booster president, you want to be able to concentrate on the activities and safety of your musicians and children. Having an MTC Tour Director to work the logistics and timing greatly reduces the number of things you have to deal with or worry about. And, your Tour Director also offers a sounding board and experience to you, as needed, for any issue that may arise.
Any advice, or things you want to share with groups considering performance travel?
Paul: Develop your personal checklist of items you want to bring with you…and then use that to be sure you always have those items, whether you are checking out of a hotel room, or entering/leaving the bus or park where you will be spending time. Take a last look around for your, and your friend’s, cell phone, tickets, and personal items that you don’t want to lose.
Do you think you have what it takes to wear the cape and to be an MTC Tour Director like Paul Labbe?
Contact a Music Travel Consultants Travel Designer to start planning your trip!
