A New Chapter for Cornerstone Travelers
A Note from the Cornerstone Travel Group Board Members
If you've traveled with Cornerstone, you know us. And if you know us, you know we don't do anything halfway.
We've spent decades in the tour business. Along the way, we've built companies, led teams, embraced change, and ultimately found our way back to what we love most: helping people experience the world. Travel gets in your blood. So does the community that comes with it.
When Cornerstone started, there were seven of us who simply loved showing people the world. We loved St. Louis. We loved the idea that travel doesn't have to be stuffy or complicated—it can be joyful, comfortable, and something people genuinely look forward to. Over time, that little co-op grew into something we're incredibly proud of.
So when it came time to think about what comes next, we weren't willing to simply let that go.
How This Happened — And Why We Said Yes
We'll be honest with you: we pursued this opportunity with enthusiasm.
We had heard about Excite Experiences, watched what they were building, and kept thinking—that's exactly what we believe travel should be. Years ago, we began shifting our philosophy on travel. We were ready to move beyond the old model - the packed schedules, the rushed experiences, and the one-size-fits-all approach. We wanted travel that felt alive. Travel that worked for active explorers and for those who simply wanted a comfortable, beautiful experience. We wanted to create a community that welcomed both.
As we got to know the team at Excite Experiences, it became clear that they were building that same vision.
Their culture isn't corporate or rigid. It's vibrant. It's welcoming. It's a family. A tribe. And as people who have always valued relationships and community, that mattered to us more than we can express.
So we started the conversation. We shared our vision for St. Louis and our belief that travelers here were ready for something special. Together, we quickly realized that we were stronger as partners than we could ever be apart.
What This Means for You
Here's what we want every Cornerstone traveler to know: nothing that made your trips great is going away.
The community feel. The comfortable pace. The thoughtfully planned itineraries. The friendly faces you've come to know. We're all still here.
What's new is that your travel tribe just got a whole lot bigger.
Excite Experiences brings access to tours and destinations we never could have offered before - from the Kentucky Derby to Alaska, the Caribbean, Australia, and New Zealand. Day trips and multi-day adventures. Fly-in tours for travelers who want to maximize their time exploring. And high-quality accommodations every step of the way.
Plus, we still have the Travel Lounge right here in St. Louis - our home base, hub and community gathering space - where you can stop by, meet the team, learn about upcoming trips, and connect with fellow travelers. Whether it's a solo traveler meetup over coffee or a glass of wine, that vision isn't going anywhere. It's simply gaining more people who believe in it.
A Few Familiar Faces — and Some New Ones
The entire Cornerstone team you've come to know—are all part of this next chapter. No one is disappearing. We're simply joining a larger family of passionate travel professionals.
You'll also have the opportunity to meet the Excite team and get to know the people who share our commitment to creating unforgettable travel experiences.
When you look at our team photo, we hope you see exactly what this represents: one team. St. Louis, Omaha, Kansas City - all of us working together to make sure your next trip is the best one yet.
Excite didn't absorb us. We came together because we believe in the same thing.
We believe travel should be welcoming. It should be enriching. It should build friendships, create memories, and bring people together.
Most of all, we believe the best journeys are still ahead of us—and we're excited to take them with you.
Kellie Salter, NiNi Harris, Tod DeHart, Linda Ketterer, Vince Ketterer, Sharon Roberts, and Claire St. Pierre
Here's how to stay connected
Tour Tuesdays — Excite goes live every Tuesday evening on Facebook. Come ask questions, see what's new, and meet the team. It's one of my favorite things they do.
Weekly Newsletter — Sign up to get new tours, early access, and updates delivered straight to your inbox. No clutter, just the good stuff.
Explore St. Louis Departures — Head to excitemytravel.com/stlouis to see everything leaving from our area.
