Business Spotlight: Hill International Ltd

Phil Broyles, owner of Fox's Pizza Den in Ozark, was a little skeptical when Sigi Hill approached him about buying a travel package. Broyles had purchased travel packages before, and he knew the pitfalls.

"She was offering vacation packages at discounted rates," he said. "In the past, I have seen packages like this before, and they usually involved a seminar where you had to sit through a person talking and trying to get you to buy something."

By the end of the pitch, however, Broyles realized that Hill was different. She didn't want to just sell him a discounted travel package. She wanted to show him how he could use a travel package as part of a promotional campaign that would help him increase business and promote customer loyalty.

After reviewing the material, he decided to purchase a travel package and give it away to one of his customers as part of a promotional campaign at his restaurant. Broyles said he was so pleased by the results, that he's contacting Hill the next time he conducts a promotion.

Hill said she enjoys helping business owners like Broyles meet their objectives. That's why she started Hill International Ltd. in Ozark, which markets family travel packages to businesses and corporations, which use them as a tool to increase sales, promote customer loyalty, recognize outstanding employees and reward workers who have good on-the-job safety records.

Through her contract company, Crown Marketing, Hill markets vacation packages to business owners in many areas of industry, including banks and credit unions; newspapers; radio and television stations; automobile and boat dealerships; retailers and wholesalers; manufacturers; trucking and transport companies; and service companies. Most of the travel packages Hill sells are for three-day, two-night stays, include a free breakfast for two people and perks such as a free round of golf or ski tickets, discount coupons and free tickets to museums and other area attractions.

"A lot of people look for the hook in these travel promotions, but there really isn't any," said Hill. "The quality is just outstanding. I make sure of that."

Hill sells a lot more than just travel packages, however. She works closely with business owners who are looking for a unique selling proposition to help them achieve their goals and objectives.

"Before I sit down with a business owner, I do my research," she said. "I know the size of their business, the product or service they sell and a little bit about their employees. I then use this information to help them achieve their goals, like increasing sales or boasting employee morale. Business owners have even purchased vacation packages and used them as an incentive to close a big sale."

According to Hill, the application of the travel packages she sells can be tailored to fit the needs of any business, regardless of size, and are available in a wide range of prices. Hill said the vacation packages she sells don't come with a lot of restrictions either.

Once a business owner gives a recipient their vacation package booklet, they can select one of 70 destinations to visit. Recipients have one year to use the trip and can travel anytime they want with no blackout dates or surcharges, said Hill, as long as they make their reservations 35 days in advance.

"Flexibility and quality are really key to making this program work," Hill added. "The employee or customer picks where they want to go and when. Kids stay free, and most people take their families."

Although Hill believes in her product and the value of the service she provides, she has faced her share of challenges. Six months after she started Hill International, the nation was rocked by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Although travel and tourism dropped shortly thereafter, Hill said she was largely unaffected because the vacation packages she sells don't include transportation.

"About the only thing that changed for me after Sept. 11 was that more people began choosing destinations they could drive to like Chicago or Kansas City," she said. "I've found that most families choose these destinations anyway because it's more cost-effective for them to do so."

A native of Germany, Hill said she also worries about her English, and sometimes she wonders if she's using the right word. Once she starts talking about her company, however, her accent is hardly detectable, and she doesn't seem to ever be at a loss for words.

Probably the biggest challenges Hill faces are building up name recognition for her business and establishing her credibility. Earlier this year, she decided to address both of these challenges by joining the Ozark and Springfield Area chambers of commerce.

"Joining the chambers has really helped me," she said. "It's a great way to get the word out about your business, network with other business owners and build credibility."

Hill is focused on expanding Hill International. In August 2002, she added another division to her company, which assists business owners in developing a corporate structure that will allow them to better protect their assets.

In 2003, Hill plans to launch her own Web site, add overseas travel destinations, begin offering group travel packages and add conference and convention locations. To help her keep pace with the expansion, Hill's daughter Caroline has joined the business and serves as the company's part-time office manager.