GUIDING, THE BRIDGE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PLACES
The San Francisco Tour Guide Guild and the San Francisco Bay Area invites you to visit 'The City by The Bay' for the NATIONAL FEDERATION of TOURIST GUIDE ASSOCIATIONS - USA's conference being held at the historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel at Union Square January 20-24, 2012.
Consistently rated one of the top tourism destinations in the world with superior dining, sophisticated and cutting edge entertainment and fashion, San Francisco is a city that continues to reinvent itself.
With today's new technology and electronic communication, how do we guides remain a vital and relevant part of the hospitality and tourism industry? What new ways can WE reinvent ourselves to keep up with the fast changing reality of our chosen field?
Join us in San Francisco for workshops and panel discussions on the latest trends like electronic guiding and public transit tours, and daily themes covering Culinary Tourism, Cultural Tourism and the hot topic - Green and Sustainable Tourism.
Mornings will be devoted to these subjects, as well as opportunities to learn from each other in dealing with the increasing challenges of guiding. Afternoons will have you exploring San Francisco on your own with donated tour and bay cruise tickets, etc., or on walking tours with members of the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild. So bring your walking shoes!!!
2012 also marks the 75th 'birthday' of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, a connector to people and places, much like tour guides.
So Westward Ho! to San Francisco for the 2012 NFTGA conference. We're waiting for you!
Jean Feilmoser
President - National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations - USA
Conference Itinerary
Friday, January 20, 2012
Registration / Hospitality desk opens 10:00am in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel lobby. Please check into the hotel, and visit this desk to receive your Conference Information.
Opening Reception 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Mezzanine Lobby level.
Dinner TBA
Saturday, January 21, 2012 -- The Bridge of People
8:00am - 9:00am; Continental Breakfast provided for Sir Francis Drake guests at meeting room level foyer
9:00am - 6:00pm; Registration & Hospitality Desk, main lobby, Hospitality Room & times TBA
Opening Session:
Welcome from local officials, San Francisco Travel, NFTGA President, America's Cup presentation. Tourism Cares presentation. Keynote - Ted Bravos, founder of International Tour Management Institute
Buffet Lunch
Afternoon Sessions:
Culinary Tourism Panel; The People in Guiding; Union Square Treasure Hunt
Dinner TBA
Sunday, January 22, 2012 -- THE 'GREEN' BRIDGE
Morning Sessions:
Insurance Presentation; Green & Sustainable Tourism Panel
Afternoon Activities:
Chinatown Walking Tour & Dim Sum Lunch
Evening Activity:
Beach Blanket Babylon performance
Dinner TBA
Monday, January 23, 2012 -- THE BRIDGE CONNECTS CULTURES
8:00am - 9:00am; Continental Breakfast provided for Sir Francis Drake guests at meeting room level foyer
Morning Sessions:
Cultural Tourism Panel; the Business of Guiding
Free afternoon to enjoy San Francisco
7:00pm; Transfer to Pier 39 for Farewell Dinner and After Party at Hard Rock Cafe
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 -- THE BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE
7:30am - 8:30am; Continental Breakfast provided for Sir Francis Drake guests at meeting room level foyer.
Morning Workshops:
Voice and Drama presented by Marta Cooper, New York City licensed guide and Broadway performer
Exploring Communication through Stories and Improv presented by Washington DC licensed Guide and WFTGA International Trainer Maricar Donato
Wrap Up session and WFTGA presentation with Esther Banike, NFTGA President Emeritus, Chicago Certified Tour Guide and WFTGA Executive Board member.
The San Francisco Tour Guide Guild is proud to announce the post conference tour to California's famous Wine Country in Napa & Sonoma.
The cost is a mere $175.00 with a minimum 20 pax.
What this includes is:
- your tour guide
- the motor coach departing from the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Jan 24th at appx. 12:30 pm; returning January 25th at appx. 6pm
- an overnight hotel right off Sonoma Square
- a drive on the Silverado Trail
- wine tastings at 4 wineries
- two lunches
- a dinner
- a walking tour of Sonoma Square
- familiarization tour of Healdsburg & a Food Network cooking school
- drive over 3 bridges including the famous Golden Gate
- a drive through lovely Sausalito...and maybe some surprises
What a deal! Please register for the post conference wine tour if this suits you. Gratuities are not included and $5 per person per day are recommended for your driver & guide who are volunteering their time.