Behind the Scenes at Hillwood
Last month, our team had the pleasure of visiting Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens for a staff field trip. We were treated to a private tour of the special exhibition “Setting Sail: The Story of Sea Cloud ” by the museum’s curator, Thomas Wu. The tour was particularly meaningful given that ATA chartered Sea Cloud for two voyages in 1992.
The exhibit showcased the fascinating history of the Sea Cloud, a yacht that has lived many lives since its creation in the early twentieth century. The story began when Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband, E.F. Hutton built the world’s largest sailing yacht at the time as a means to facilitate their extensive family voyages before the age of air travel. The yacht served the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and became the federal government’s first deliberate test of desegregation on board a U.S. ship. Today the Sea Cloud offers luxury cruise experiences in the Mediterranean to discerning travelers.
While the Sea Cloud Exhibit is now closed, we encourage anyone local to the DC Metro area to visit Hillwood and explore its beautiful gardens and fascinating exhibits. Hillwood is one of our newest partners, and we look forward to working together to create memorable travel experiences for their supporters.
How Inspection Trips Shape Unforgettable Tours
This spring, members of our program team traveled to Ghana, Thailand, and Norway on inspection trips. These immersive research and development journeys allow our team to test-run itineraries, personally evaluate hotels, restaurants, and local partners, and ensure that every detail meets our rigorous standards.
By experiencing each destination firsthand, our staff gather the insights needed to refine our tours, align experiences with traveler expectations, and forge strong relationships with guides and local communities. ATA Program Manager Mary Spadoni returned from an inspection trip to Norway and remarked, “In addition to the sheer beauty of the countryside, I was struck by how easy it was to have a sustainable experience. From the locally caught seafood to the vast network of hiking trails and public transportation options like low-emission buses and ferries, this was one of the greenest trips I’ve ever been on. I’m excited to incorporate these elements into future tours!”
We invite partners interested in Ghana, Thailand, and Norway to collaborate with us to develop new travel experiences.
Celebrating 30 Years of Dedication and Impact
This month we celebrated Mark Lenhart’s 30th anniversary with CET Academic Programs (ATA’s Study Abroad division)—a milestone that reflects not just longevity, but vision, adaptability, and deep human connection.
When Mark began his career with CET as a Resident Director in 1990, CET supported around 200 students on two campuses in China. Today, CET serves over 2,000 students across eight countries—a remarkable evolution shaped by Mark’s leadership and passion for global education.
But what’s kept Mark truly engaged all these years isn’t just the growth or the milestones—it’s the people. Whether in Prague, Florence, Shanghai or DC, it’s the relationships he built, the stories he heard, and the communities he joined that have made this journey meaningful for him.
At home, Mark and his husband Genilson are raising three wonderful children, balancing family life with a global mission. Congratulations, Mark, and thank you for 30 years of inspiring work, leadership, and vision!
