2. Our Mission
SpecialGlobe.com will encourage all special needs families to explore the world by
engaging in travel experiences that create long lasting memories.
We aim to:
●
●
●
Empower families to travel by giving them the tools and knowledge they need
for a successful experience
Educate the travel industry about this underserved and growing audience
Explore opportunities and experiences tailored to a child’s special needs
3. The SpecialGlobe Promise
We will:
●
●
●
●
Create awareness within the travel industry as a whole about how better to
serve this ever growing population of families
Initiate a set of best practices for airlines, hotels, restaurants, theme parks and
global tourism activities and organizations on how to cater to families with
special needs children
Provide families with the information needed to make educated decisions about
what type of travel experience is right for them
Open up opportunities for the enjoyment of Art, Music and Theatre by partnering
with organizations willing to create unique opportunities for these children
4. The SpecialGlobe Foundation
SpecialGlobe will give 1% of our annual revenue to organizations whose work
supports the special needs community and SpecialGlobe’s mission.
5. Market Opportunity
11MM (14%) of US children have Special Needs, applying a multiplier of 3.5 (adults impacted by each Special
Needs Child) yields a marketplace totaling 38.5 MM likely users.
According to UStravel.org consumers spent $564 billion dollars in direct spending for leisure in 2011.
Our users will be extended families with one or more children with special needs, as well as typical families
who support the SpecialGlobe Mission
SpecialGlobe has the opportunity to create it’s own audience, by serving just 2% of U.S. Special Needs
families (700,ooo) and assuming a spend of $1,000 a year yields $70MM in booking
What do we provide them with? Curated content including destination guides, Top 10 Lists,
recommendations, do’s and don’ts, flight and hotel booking, and peace of mind to travel with their family
intact
Why now? Nothing like this exists. With the increase in children being diagnosed with a variety of physical
and cognitive disabilities, combined with research showing that these kids grow and learn experientially, the
market is ripe for SpecialGlobe.
6. What is SpecialGlobe.com?
SpecialGlobe will be an online community and a content rich resource for families with special
needs children. SpecialGlobe.com will enable it’s users to:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Join other Special Needs Families in building a trusted forum that will empower all families
to travel the world confidently and securely
Share their own travel experiences and learn from other parents who have traveled the
globe with their whole family intact and what their success and challenges were.
Receive validated information about which entities in the Travel Industry (hotels, airlines,
activities & attractions) actually cater to their Special Needs
Book flights, hotels and car rentals through our partnership with Expedia Affiliate Network
Receive exclusive discounts & opportunities on transportation, hotels and activities by
booking through SpecialGlobe.com
Connect with experts in the Special Needs community who support SpecialGlobe’s
Mission
Become empowered to explore the world and promote experiential learning for their
children
9. Founders
Meghann Harris Co-Founder and Chief Visionary
SpecialGlobe was conceived from Meghann’s passion for travel and her commitment to expanding the
experiences of special needs children through travel, music, art and performance. Mother of two children, her
daughter was born with Atypical Rett Syndrome. It is Meghann’s hope that SpecialGlobe will provide families
of special needs children the resources to feel empowered and welcome to travel the globe with their
families intact. Meghann’s ten year’s of experience as President of PolySearch Recruiting, Inc. has enabled
Meghann the skill set and knowledge to build a world class team to execute her vision for SpecialGlobe.
Jonathan Yardley Co-Founder and President
Over the course of his 20 year career, Jonathan has spearheaded hundreds of complex research & strategy
assignments both domestically and internationally. He has overseen the execution of projects involving
multi-disciplined requirements for organizations including The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Intercontinental Hotels Group, AT&T and McAfee. Jonathan has a passion for storytelling and years of leading
teams of Project Managers, Web Designers, Graphic Artists, User Experience Professionals, Research,
Strategy & Social Media Efforts for some of the world’s largest and best loved brands.
10. A Personal Story
SpecialGlobe was conceived out of my extraordinary passion for travel and my desire for my children to explore the world
including my daughter, Eliza, who has special needs. One of the difficulties of traveling with a child with special needs is
constantly worrying that you are “bothering” typical travelers so most will choose to leave these kids behind or not go at all.
Kids of all types of disabilities, whether it is ADHD, Autism, Down’s syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or any other physical or cognitive
disability all thrive on experiential learning. For each of them the thrill of touch, smell, sound, taste and sight are their lifeline to
the world so to limit the ability to explore the world is to deprive them of a chance to grow and learn and have amazing
experiences.
It is my intent to create awareness within the travel industry as a whole about how better to serve this ever-growing population
of families. You can read the trusted reviews of parents like you who have traveled the globe with their children and hear what
their success and challenges were and what recommendations they may have for you. Or you can just spend time dreaming
about the places you may want to experience with your family. It is my hope that through reliable resources and reviews, each
family will feel empowered, safe and welcome to travel the globe with their families intact.
I am beyond excited about SpecialGlobe and the impact it will have globally for these wonderful families.
Looking forward to building our passports together!
Meg
11. Board of Advisors
Jeff Hoffman- The Founder of Priceline.com, Jeff is an accomplished entrepreneur and innovator in the fields
of internet, e-commerce, and entertainment. He founded and grew a series of successful startup companies,
guiding them to both acquisitions and public offerings. Jeff writes a regular column on innovation and
entrepreneurship for Inc. Magazine, and works with the White House, the Executive Office of the President, the
US State Department, and the US Department of Commerce to support business and economic growth
initiatives all over the world.
Gregg Lindahl- Gregg is a former Senior Vice President, Digital & Strategy for Cox Media Group. At Cox, he
led digital initiatives for over 120 large market radio, TV, newspaper, and related web sites as well as the
strategy team for the company’s long term planning. A deeply experienced digital and media strategist,
team leader, and innovator, Gregg’s focus today is on a discreet consulting practice and angel investing.
Bill Killen- Bill is the principal of Intelligent Growth Group, providing consulting and financial advice to
emerging growth businesses. In his previous roles with Cox Enterprises, Inc. he created, identified, invested in,
and/or acquired significant and paradigm changing businesses in media, telecom, and internet. His major
initiatives included founding roles in AutoTrader.com, Cox Interactive Media city sites, cable-tv delivered
internet access and telephony. After leaving Cox he founded and built Blue Ridge Mountain Water which grew
to become the second largest provider of bottled spring water service in the Atlanta market.. He earned an
electrical engineering degree from Union College Schenectady NY, and an MBA in Finance from Wharton
Business School.
12. Business Model
How will SpecialGlobe make money?
1. E-commerce from the Booking of flights, hotel stays and other travel needs
2. Sponsorship opportunities with companies seeking to
●
●
●
expand public awareness of their travel offerings for special needs families,
reach a highly qualified consumer base
gain widespread goodwill and positive PR by championing the Special Globe mission
3. Advertising revenue from sponsors, relevant consumer product companies and
other Special Needs organizations
4. Reality Series being currently pitched to the Travel Channel
5. Special Events in the Arts, Theatre, Music and Sports
6. E-commerce from the sale of brand merchandise including toys, backpacks, passport
holders
13. Marketing Approach/ Strategy
Social Media outreach with key messaging targeting influencers, the travel industry,
special needs families and non profit organizations that support SpecialGlobe’s
Mission
Traditional media exposure including Reality Show Concept being shopped to the
Travel Channel
Messaging through partners and bloggers
Celebrity Ambassadors
