--- title: "Shipshewana: Preserving Charm, Elevating Hospitality" description: Discover how Visit Shipshewana partnered with Learn Tourism to launch a custom-branded Tourism Ambassador Program—empowering local residents, strengthening cultural storytelling, and achieving a 85% completion rate with 75 enrollments and a live workshop led by Learn Tourism’s CEO. --- ![shipshewana-logo](https://blog.learntourism.org/hubfs/shipshewana-logo.svg) # Shipshewana: Preserving Charm, Elevating Hospitality ![Amish-Girls-129](https://blog.learntourism.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Amish-Girls-129.jpg?width=5464&height=8192&name=Amish-Girls-129.jpg) Industry Destination Marketing Challenge Visit Shipshewana needed a way to equip community members with the skills to engage visitors while honoring Amish customs and managing limited local resources. They faced the unique challenge of balancing authenticity with increased tourism demand in a small-town setting. Results Within the first weeks of launch, the Tourism Ambassador Program saw dozens of enrollments with an impressive 85% completion rate, reflecting strong community engagement and enthusiasm. Graduates reported greater confidence in interacting with visitors and sharing Shipshewana’s story with authenticity and pride. Combined with live instruction entitled "Pretzels With A Purpose," early feedback from guests suggests an improved visitor experience driven by more knowledgeable and welcoming local ambassadors. Key Services Learning Experience Technology, Instructional Design & Course Creation, Live Instruction [ visitshipshewana.org ](https://visitshipshewana.org/) $5K Net Annual Savings 75+ Partners Engaged 85% Completion Rate 90% More Confident ## "We greatly appreciate all you do to elevate hospitality and service. It is imperative for us to succeed." "Thank you, Stephen, for the excellent workshop and for your kind words! There were so many positive rave reviews about the presentation. Everyone particularly loved the group engagement exercises." Sonya N. & Judy M. Visit Shipshewana / LaGrange County CVB ## "A lot of good information. I feel more confident helping visitors and sharing what makes Shipshewana special." Tammy S. Ambassador ## "I think it is very helpful concerning the offerings of our area. It really helped me connect the dots between what we offer and how to talk about it." Kathy E. Ambassador ## "Great! Even as someone who’s lived here all my life, the course gave me new ways to think about welcoming visitors." Benjamin G. Ambassador ![Shipshewana-AMish-e1745422669723-1040x570](https://blog.learntourism.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Shipshewana-AMish-e1745422669723-1040x570.jpg?width=1040&height=570&name=Shipshewana-AMish-e1745422669723-1040x570.jpg) ## About Our Partner **Visit Shipshewana LaGrange County** is the official destination marketing organization for Shipshewana, Indiana—a community known for its deep Amish roots, handmade craftsmanship, and small-town charm. Despite its size, the town welcomes a steady stream of visitors each year seeking authentic rural experiences. With a focus on preserving tradition while enhancing hospitality, Visit Shipshewana has recently expanded its efforts to include community-based training programs to better prepare locals for meaningful interactions with tourists. ## The Challenge Visit Shipshewana recognized a proactive opportunity to enhance the visitor experience by equipping local residents with the knowledge and confidence to serve as authentic community ambassadors. While tourism was steadily growing, the town’s limited workforce and the unique customs of the Amish community created gaps in visitor support. They needed a solution that would preserve cultural authenticity while empowering locals to share the story of Shipshewana with pride and accuracy. ## The Solution ##### **Choosing a Partner That Understands Small-Town Hospitality** Visit Shipshewana explored several ways to strengthen local readiness for increased tourism, ranging from printed guides to community workshops, but none provided the structure, flexibility, and customization they needed. They sought a solution that would allow them to create their own branded program while ensuring cultural sensitivity and relevance to the unique lifestyle of the town’s Amish and non-Amish residents. They discovered **Learn Tourism** through industry referrals and were immediately drawn to the platform’s ability to deliver **white-labeled learning experiences**, combine **local storytelling with professional training**, and offer **easy content updates and learner tracking**. Learn Tourism’s nonprofit mission and proven success working with other destination marketing organizations solidified the decision. > **“We wanted something simple, local, and authentic—this course gave us all of that and more. It feels like ours, and it’s already making a difference.”** > — *Visit Shipshewana Program Coordinator* The Results #### **Building Confidence and Connection** Working alongside Learn Tourism’s instructional design team, Visit Shipshewana developed a one-of-a-kind **Tourism Ambassador Course** tailored to their local context. The curriculum emphasized: - Shipshewana’s history and cultural values - Best practices for guest interaction and respectful communication - How to answer common visitor questions with confidence and warmth To deepen community engagement, **Learn Tourism’s CEO visited Shipshewana in person **and** **delivered a **live workshop to more than 30 residents**. This personal connection reinforced the town’s sense of pride and set the tone for the course’s success. The online course offered flexibility and accessibility for learners, while in-person certificate ceremonies helped reinforce the value of participation. > **“Very informative and a great customer service tool. I now understand how to better represent our community.”** > — *Renee Harville, Course Graduate* With the platform in place, Visit Shipshewana empowered local champions to greet visitors with warmth, cultural awareness, and a deeper sense of place, making each visit to Shipshewana more memorable and meaningful. **Additional Media** [CVB educates businesspeople in tourist relations](https://www.kpcnews.com/newssun/article_d21ef8ab-afa5-46e8-a31a-25e1f9945cbe.html) ## Ready to get started? 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