The welcome package contents
The welcome package should be placed in a folder which is professionally prepared and appealing to the eye. Its contents, as mentioned, will vary, but as a general rule, it should include as a minimum the following items:
- an itinerary including biographies of commanders which the DV will be meeting or commanders of installations the DV will be visiting
- fact sheets on the installations or systems the DV will see
- a map of the installation where the DV is staying
- a map of the city where the DV is staying
- a dining guide for the installation and the nearest city
- pamphlets on historical places of significance nearby (or on areas which you know the DV may be interested in based on his or her personal preference)
- and, points of contact for the DV's visit to include home, office and facsimile telephone numbers.
The welcome package should be placed in the DV's room before his or her arrival. If the nature of the visit does not include an overnight stay, then the welcome package might be too much, and the itinerary is probably where you will want to locate the necessary information for the visit. They key is to have some sort of standard established regarding the welcome package so that you can deviate from that package based on the individual circumstances of each visit.
Another idea that adds a touch of class to the visit is the utilization of installation billboards and/or electronic signs to welcome DVs to the installation. Driving by a sign with your name on it is like seeing your name in lights and will definitely make an impression on the DV.