Meet Cheryl Bischoff

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cheryl Bischoff. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Cheryl, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

As the owner of Here I Go Travel Co., I earned my Certified Autism Travel Professional designation in 2023. That milestone was more than a credential. It was the beginning of a deeper partnership with the unique needs community. I began working closely with families and individuals who faced travel challenges, listening to their stories and understanding their obstacles. Many told me about leaving loved ones behind in the care of others because travel felt too overwhelming or their needs would not be supported. I knew I wanted to change that narrative.

I envisioned a safe, supportive environment where travelers could experience every step of the airport journey without the stress of a real flight. I create space where people can TRY. I wanted a full terminal tour to include check in, go through security, meet airline staff, bringing luggage, boarding a plane to explore seating arrangements, seatbelts, announcements, and event tiny bathrooms. My goal was simple but powerful: no one gets left behind.

This vision became Navigate Events. From the very first session, I saw the transformation happen. Our VIP guests, who had been anxious, began to smile as they learned what to expect. Chaperones, who carried the weight of uncertainty, found relief and encouragement. Travelers with sensory sensitivities discovered strategies to help them navigate the airport with confidence.

Air travel today is more than a luxury. It is a vital connection to family, life experiences, medical care, and job opportunities. Without it, people risk missing milestones, losing opportunities, and being cut off from the experiences that make life rich and full. Navigate Events exists to remove barriers. It brings travel solutions to meet the travel challenges.

Through these events, I bring together airline teams, airport staff, and community partners to create an experience where participants feel seen, supported, and empowered. We rehearse the travel process so thoroughly that by the time a real trip arrives, the airport feels familiar instead of frightening.

Finding my purpose through Navigate Events has been about more than travel. It has been about restoring possibilities. It has been about helping families take trips together instead of leaving someone behind. It has been about giving people the confidence to say yes to opportunities they once thought were impossible.

Every event reminds me why this work matters. I get to witness courage take root in the smallest moments. A handshake with a pilot. A smile at the security checkpoint. A deep breath taken in relief at the gate. Those are the moments that tell me we are changing lives one practice flight at a time.

Purpose does not arrive in a single flash. It grows when you listen, when you act, and when you create space for others to thrive. For me, Navigate Events is that space. A place where no one is left behind, and the world becomes just a little more open for everyone.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Professionally, I am in a season of growth, purpose, and expansion. My work continues to be rooted in helping people experience the world in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them. I am always learning, seeking new ways to connect with travelers and to remove barriers that keep them from exploring.

Some of my favorite professional accomplishments include earning my Certified Autism Travel Professional designation, becoming an Accredited Cruise Counselor, and achieving Group Cruise Certified status. Each of these reflects my commitment to knowledge, service, and creating extraordinary travel experiences for individuals, families, and groups.

Navigate Events, one of my proudest initiatives, was created to provide a safe and supportive environment for people to practice air travel before taking a real trip. While it began with a focus on the autism community, it is now broadening its reach to include additional unique needs groups. These include travelers who are blind or have low vision, those with cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, Down’s syndrome, mobility issues, and more. The goal is to ensure that travel is not just possible but comfortable, inclusive, and empowering for all.

I am also working to bring Navigate Events to additional cities throughout the region so that more communities can benefit from this experience. By partnering with airports, airlines, and local organizations, these events create a place where travelers can gain confidence, families can prepare together, and everyone has the chance to feel ready for the journey ahead.

Beyond Navigate Events, my professional life is dedicated to designing and delivering personalized travel planning for clients who want more than just a trip. I focus on creating itineraries that reflect their dreams, interests, and needs, whether it is a multi-island Hawaiian adventure, a group cruise, or a once-in-a-lifetime destination.

Where I am professionally is the result of years of dedication to both the craft of travel planning and the mission of making travel more inclusive. I am building connections, expanding impact, and creating opportunities for people to experience the joy of travel without leaving anyone behind.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities and skills that had the most impact on my journey were finding great mentors, building a strong network, and surrounding myself with people who truly understood the entrepreneurial path.

The first is to get a good mentor… or two. Having someone who has already walked the road you are on can save you time, energy, and mistakes. A mentor can offer perspective when you feel stuck, encouragement when you doubt yourself, and honest feedback when you need it most. They can also open doors to opportunities you did not even know existed.

The second is to network, network, network. This was the best advice I ever got. Do it, and then do it some more. Do it until you are good at it. Give more than you take. You never know who you are going to meet, what snippet of good information you might hear, or what future connection could come from a conversation. Networking is not about selling yourself in every moment. It is about building authentic relationships that last. You are more likely to turn a customer into a friend than a friend into a customer, so let your friends be your friends and focus your networking energy on meeting new people who will appreciate what you offer.

The third is to find others to connect with who will champion for you and celebrate your wins. Those outside the entrepreneurial circle often cannot fully understand your challenges or your triumphs. It is important to find someone who does. Having peers who share the journey gives you a place to be understood without having to explain every detail. It also gives you a team to lean on when you need encouragement and to cheer for when they succeed.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to start building these three things right away. Seek out mentors who inspire you. Make networking a regular part of your routine until it becomes second nature. Surround yourself with people who get it and will be in your corner. These three pillars will carry you further than you think and will make the journey not only more successful but far more rewarding.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am always looking for partners and collaborators who share the vision of making travel more accessible to everyone and where the next event should take place. Navigate Events requires an extreme amount of coordination and connectedness to be successful. Each event brings together airports, airlines, and security teams. I have those important and foundational relationships already in place. But, each event, also depends on two equally important groups.

The first are sponsors who can provide the financial support that keeps the event free to participants. Without sponsorship, we could not remove the cost barrier for families and individuals who want to attend. These sponsors can be businesses, organizations, or individuals who believe in inclusion, accessibility, and empowering people to experience the world.

The second group is participant communities who are willing to try. These include organizations, advocacy groups, and networks that serve potential travelers with unique needs such as autism, blindness or low vision, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, Down’s syndrome, mobility issues, and more. We rely on these partners to help identify potential participants, build trust, and encourage families and individuals to take part in the program.

Collaboration is at the heart of Navigate Events. When we work together, we create more than just a practice travel experience. We create confidence, independence, and opportunities for people who might otherwise feel travel is out of reach. By bringing in both financial partners and community connections, we ensure the event remains both accessible and impactful.

If you are reading this and want to collaborate, I would welcome a conversation. Whether you can support through sponsorship, help connect with unique needs communities, or offer resources that enhance the event experience, your involvement makes a real difference. You can connect with me through Here I Go Travel Co. by phone (#316-944-1971), email ([email protected]), or social media (FB or LinkedIn). Together, we can make sure no one is left behind when it comes to experiencing the joy and opportunity of travel.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

No credits, but I do have signed photo releases from every participant.

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