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Daniel and Frank Slater on television in Jamaica discussing the training of Jamaican Tour Guides.


Frank Slater with current Denver
Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Mayor Hickenlooper is a strong supporter
of the Tourism Industry.


At IGA, diversity isn't just a corporate buzzword. It is the way we work, and it comes through in everything we do. From the high-performing instructors, to the educational services we provide, IGA advocates unique thinking and instructing with the most up-to-date curriculum. We have become the top training and certifying school by creating an inclusive environment fueled by innovative ideas and teaching methods.

Our instructors have diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, perspectives, and lifestyles. Yet they all have one thing in common - their ability to excel in the Travel and Tourism industry and impart that knowledge to the students. Currently we are working not just to expand the number of international locations you can choose to receive your training but maintaining the most up-to-date curriculum taught by the very best instructors.

It is an educational process that works best for more people in more ways than ever. A goal with this kind of magnitude requires the brightest, most forward-thinking minds around. We have them here at IGA and they are making a difference in our programs and students lives.

There are 24 instructors, all carefully chosen for their world-class teaching abilities and industry backgrounds. IGA utilizes this group of instructors in your programs. They have more than 400 years of combined International Tour Managing and Tour Guiding experiences including motorcoach tours, railroad tours, cruise ship assignments, owning their own Tour Operating companies and Destination Management companies, teaching, industry speakers, published authors and photographers, as well as designing and marketing tours for major companies. They can offer insights that only come from years of working in the industry and your instructors clearly care about the student's needs and provide them with real travel experiences that engage, enrich and inspire. They are ALL graduates of the International Guide Academy and are actively working in the areas they instruct. They bring their domestic and international experiences to the classroom and are experts in their field. The core of your programs are to encourage you to develop your knowledge and skills through the guidance and leadership of the instructors and by the use of such sessions as actual motorcoach trips, group and individual problem solving, research techniques, individual student presentations, walking tours, airport visits, day trips, visits to the classroom by leaders in the industry, etc.

Based on significant contributions to the International Guide Academy and the Travel and Tourism Industry, as well as 10 or more years of instructing at IGA, Connie Dineen, Sid Wilson and Doug Paterson recently were named as "Senior Instructors".

Connie Dineen, CTG, CITM graduated from both of the IGA programs and was first in her class in both certification programs. She has her M.A. and teaching experience as well as being a Tour Manager in over 20 states, Washington D.C. and Canada, Belgium, Holland and Germany. She is a Fulbright exchange teacher with assignments in Europe. She has worked for Saga Holidays, Mayflower Tours, New Millennium Tours, Tour USA, Colorado Charters, Travel Organizers, Colorado Charter, Denver and Beyond, The Arrangers, and Operation Altitude. Connie is a volunteer docent at the Molly Brown House in Denver and brings her years of experiences to the classroom. "I do not consider my career as a Tour Manager merely a job. It can truly be said that Tour Directing is the frosting on the cake."

Connie instructs in both of the IGA courses. She is currently doing Tours associated with the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Most of her assignments have been in the USA and Canada and have been on motorcoaches and cruise ships. Connie has researched and planned routes for Saga Holidays as well as being a Tour Manager for them. She continues her work as a senior instructor at IGA in the USA and Mexico, in addition to continuing to be an active Tour Manager. Contact Connie if you wish at: conniedineen@yahoo.com

Sid Wilson, CTG, CITM, was one of the first graduates of the International Guide Academy when it came to the USA from London. He brings 20 years of experience in the industry to the classroom and graduated from the Tour Guide Program in 1990 and the International Tour Manager program in 1993. Sid has been a docent and guide at the Black American West Museum and Heritage center. He was chairperson of the board for the Academy of Travel and Tourism in Denver and is currently chairman of the board for the Black American West Museum and Heritage center. Wilson is past board chairman and one of the founding members of the Beckwourth Mountain Club. He is a Denver Public Library commissioner, is on the board of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Mayor's African American Commission, and many other volunteer efforts.

Sid is President and owner of A Private Guide, Inc. since 1991. His company specializes in cultural and heritage tours, city and mountain sightseeing, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, river rafting, narrow-gauge railroads, high country festivals and more.

“IGA provided a gateway into a world of enrichment and satisfaction and prepared me to run a successful business in the Tourism Industry.” Sid has performed in Tour Management and Tour Guiding positions and is a Tour Operator. His tours have taken him as far away as South Africa. He is a senior instructor in the Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses in the USA and in Mexico. Sid is a published author and a weekly contributor to Denver's Urban Spectrum Weekly Blog. Contact is: apgsid@comcast.net His company website is: www.aprivateguide.com

Louise Todd-Stoll, CTG, CITM certified in both the International Tour Manager program in 1999 and the Tour Guide program in 2000. Louise operates her own private tour company including tours in Canada, Colorado and Utah. She shares her 10-plus years of industry experience with the students in the Tour Manager and Tour Guide programs in the USA and in Mexico. Louise has been a Tour Director on both motorcoaches and luxury railcars for international companies. Her prior experiences included work as a Park Ranger and in human services programs. Her travels have included 48 states, Canada, Mexico, Central America, England, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Greece and many of the Caribbean Islands. She works as a Tour Guide in the Denver, Colorado Springs and Rocky Mountain National Park areas.

"My first year working as a Tour Manager, people in the industry knew by my demonstrated skills that I was an IGA graduate as I was performing like a seasoned Tour Manager." A member of the Rocky Mountain Guide Association, Louise earned her Master's Degree in Education. Louise says "It is fun to share the excitement generated from researching about the nooks and crannies of each place visited on a tour, with the passengers, who then in turn experience destinations through a different perspective." Contact is: gstollsprint1@earthlink.net

 

Steve Kaverman, CITM, CTG, CTM, credits training received at the International Guide Academy and a volunteer job with leading him to a fun and rewarding career in travel and tourism. Volunteering as a Journey Guide at Denver’s Aquarium reignited memories of seasonal work Steve had enjoyed as a carriage tour guide on Mackinac Island, Michigan, while earning his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University. “After almost 20 years of managing in the corporate world, I found my way back to the profession I was really wired for after completing both the Tour Manager program in 1999 and Tour Guide program in 2000,” says Steve. Less than a month later, Steve took a week’s vacation from his job for a trial run as a Tour Leader aboard the American Orient Express Railway, a deluxe ‘cruise ship on rails.’ He loved it, and the company saw it as a good fit too. Steve recalls, “I resigned from my job a week later, and did 13 trips aboard the train that season.”

Since then, Steve has worked for several tour operators as a Tour Manager including Globus family of brands and A Private Guide. He has also performed work as a step-on Tour Guide in Denver and along Colorado's Front Range with companies such as Colorado Sightseer and The Arrangers, and earned a diploma in Tour Management from the Breda University of Professional Education, Breda the Netherlands. “I have been extremely fortunate to be involved in many aspects of the leisure travel and tourism industry, experiencing great destinations while creating enduring memories for guests – and myself,” says Steve. In December 2009, Kaverman received certification from the National Association for Interpretation as a Certified Interpretative Trainer (CIT) and Certified Interpretative Guide (CIG). Currently, Steve is working to develop tour routes and itineraries for the new owner of the ‘cruise train’ he has worked with since 2000; with service expected to resume in 2011. Steve is an instructor for the Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses in the USA and in Mexico. He continues to be involved in many aspects of the tourism industry. Contact is: skaverman@earthlink.net


Karen Dunne, CITM, IGA graduate from the International Tour Manager Program, spent over 15 years as an event and meeting planner. Upon graduation from IGA, she immediately accepted a position with Royal Celebrity and has worked steadily since. Karen has led tours in multiple national parks including Yellowstone, Denali, and the Smoky Mountains, as well as working in the Southwest USA. She has worked the Albuquerque Balloon Festival (the most photographed event in the world), the Southern USA and East Coast. Currently, Karen is working for Adventures by Disney and Little Rock Tours. " I would not be as successful as I am in my current position if I didn't have this training. I think anyone going into the hospitiality industry should have this course as a mandatory requirement."

A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism, she is currently working on her MLA at Southern Methodist University. Karen has worked as a freelance writer for multiple magazines and newspapers and is a member of the Dallas Junior League. She has taught in our programs in Mexico and onboard the NCL Spirit. Contact is: karendunne@sbcglobal.net


Arturo Hernandez Martinez, CITM, began his association with the Travel and Tourism Industry 30 years ago. His work within the industry included both domestic and international relations. He received his license as a guide for tourists from the country of Mexico. Arturo is a graduate of the Universidad de Morelos in Mexico. He specializes in handling tour groups with interests in archeology with special attention to Chichen Itza, Palenque, Teotihuacan, and the museums of history and art throughout Mexico. He conducts his tours fluently in Spanish and English, and is currently working on his fluency in French. His work as a guide at a professional level includes his guiding and narration for the International Guide Academy on their class field training in Mexico at such places as Xochicalco, Cuernavaca, Xochimilco, and motorcoach training. Contact is: tourarturo@yahoo.com.mx


Donette Stroberg, CTG, CITM is a graduate of both the International Tour Manager and Tour Guide certification programs and graduated first in both of these courses. Donette brings her expertise to the IGA instructors' team with over 30 years of travel and corporate experience. Her special interests include training in public speaking and teambuilding which are useful skills in her Tour Manager and Tour Guide assignments.

Her travels include 48 of the 50 United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, New Zealand, Australia, the Mediterranean and Caribbean Islands, Western Europe, the British Isles and Africa. Donette is a magna cum laude graduate of Colorado State University and a native of Colorado. She takes special pleasure in sharing the rich history of Colorado on both motorcoach and walking tours. A "fact fanatic", Donette enjoys doing extensive research prior to each tour. She states "not only do my guests appreciate the extra effort and information, but I always learn some new and interesting tid bits as well." Donette has worked for Queenslander Tours, Aten & Associates, Colorado Event Organizers and Great Events. Donette provides "fun, educational and unforgettable" tours through her own company, Personalized Private Tours. She has taught in our programs in Mexico and in the USA. Contact is: donette853@yahoo.com


Clayton James Whitehead, CITM, CTP, is a graduate of the IGA Tour Manager program, has earned two Degrees from the University of Georgia and the Centre Linguistique in Jonquiere, Canada. Over the past three decades, Clayton has been employed on all three sides of the Hospitality Pyramid, working as a tour operator, destination marketer and a tour supplier. As an instructor at IGA, he is thrilled to share his experiences and insights with students from around the world.

Since 1993, Clayton has been the Vice-President of Sports Leisure Vacations, a California-based packaged travel company. Sports Leisure’s unique corporate structure encourages staff to act as tour planners, then escort the trips they plan for total control of the final product. He is also Vice-President of the Sacramento Arts & Business Council and an on-air program host for KVIE, Sacramento’s public broadcasting affiliate. He was named "Volunteer of the Year" by KVIE in 2003 and the National Tour Association in 2007. Clayton has lead groups through every state, province and territory in the USA and Canada. Additionally, he has escorted tours through Western Europe, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

A little known fact about Clayton is that he made his career debut as the singing and dancing mascot of Six Flags Over Georgia, “Reggie the Rat.” From those humble beginnings, a tourism professional was born.

Though employed as a Tour Manager for many years prior to taking the IGA course, Clayton found it to be of incredible value. “Like so many in this industry, I literally fell into a job in tour planning and escorting with no formal training. Taking the IGA course really helped me hone my skills. I even had to admit and correct a few things I had been doing wrong from the start! What I liked best about the Tour Manager course is that it’s designed to take you where you are, be it experienced or a novice, and raise you up to the next level.”
Contact Clayton at: clayton.whitehead@sportsleisure.com


Daniel Slater, CITM, CTG, CTM, President of IGA and senior instructor is a graduate of both certification programs, and has been in the travel industry for almost 20 years. He has worked as a motorcoach operator, motorcoach company owner, and tour company owner. His travels have taken him to 30+ USA states, Mexico, Canada, Denmark, Jamaica, Aruba, Guatemala, Belize and numerous Caribbean islands. He has completed 3 tours in China in the last 18 months.

When asked "Where is the favorite part of the world in which you travel?", I usually reply: "Where ever I am at that time". I know that the world is always changing and, even when I do the same tour back-to-back, I and my passengers can see completely different things from the prior tour. My passengers see and experience different aspects of all the places visited. As for myself, I love to see my passengers enjoying themselves and I get to share their happiness while I insure the smooth flow of the tour and provide the entertainment and education of their tour as well as all the work required behind the scenes, so to speak, to insure they have a vacation of a lifetime. That is my job and that is what is expected by the Tour Operators that hire me. It is truly the best job in the world."

Daniel is a professional Tour Guide in Colorado and enjoys his Tour Management assignments. At the request of the Jamaican Tourism industry, he worked in Jamaica preparing lesson plans for training local Jamaican Tour Guides. He appeared on the Jamaican edition of the Early Morning Show and has been interviewed on local Colorado television. Daniel earned his CITM and CTG from the International Guide Academy and then further earned his CTM from the International Association of Tour Managers (London) and the University of Breda, The Netherlands and is a published author and industry consultant. He is also responsible for updating the IGA website. Contact is: daniel@bepaidtotravel.com



Yvonn Yao, CITM graduated first in her class in the International Tour Manager program. Since then, she has directed both land and cruise tours in China and in Spain. She is also a seasoned international travel journalist with over 12 years of experience specializing in coverage of travel destinations (including history, culture and cuisine), luxury hotels & resorts, spas, cruises, and train journeys for top travel and lifestyle publications in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, such as CNN Traveller, Departures, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and Yacht Vacations & Charters, among many others.

Yvonn's work has enabled her to travel to 78 countries (so far), and to all 7 continents. She has also been a fashion reporter and foreign correspondent for Women's Wear Daily and W magazines while living in Hong Kong. An assignment last year took her to Oslo, Norway where she covered the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Her recent IGA assignment was as an instructor on the NCL Spirit with the certification program for Tour Managers. Contact is: travelmerlin@yahoo.com

 


Alex Galimov, CITM, CTG, IGA International Tour Manager graduate in 2003, was born in Siberia, Russia. He came to the US in 1990. Alex brings 20 years of industry experience to the IGA programs. He has a degree in linguistics and education from the Gorky University in Russia and an International Business Degree from the University of Colorado. He attended the Teykyo University's Japanese language studies. Alex has been involved in international travel and business since 1990, taking groups of US and Canadian businessmen, to Russia and the Republics of the Former Soviet Union acting as their translator, interpreter, business facilitator and Tour Guide. Since graduating from the International Guide Academy in Denver, Co., Alex has been a Tour Manager for several US-based Tour Operators focusing on American West. His passions are travel, languages and meeting new people. Alex has his own translation business as well. Contact Alex at: galimov@msn.com


Tim and Elise Lentz, CITM, are husband and wife graduates of IGA and are guest lecturers at our USA and Mexico locations, when "in port". They previously worked for major corporations in Information Technology for over a decade. They decided they wanted to pursue a career that would allow them to work together and enjoy their passion for travel and took the International Tour Manager course together. Immediately following their graduation from IGA in 2003, they obtained positions with Windstar Cruises, working all major ports of call along the coasts of the Baltic, Mediterranean, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey, including 2 Trans-Atlantic crossings and numerous Caribbean islands.

Tim and Elise are avid proponents of the IGA program and emphasize how their training here helped prepare them for the leap from their corporate positions to International Tour Management in the cruise industry. In 2008, they worked for Tauck World Discovery on their small cruise fleet itineraries leading groups through Costa Rica, the Baltic, Venice, and the Dalmatian Coast. In 2009, during May they were in Venice, Italy doing a 10 day "Venice and the Dalmatian Coast" trips for Tauck World Discovery - on board the French ship "Le Levant". Their assignment was for 2 and 1/2 months. Elise is then went back to the USA in mid-July and Tim flew to Scandinavia to do 5 more weeks with Tauck onboard the Regent Seven Seas Voyager - doing a 12-day Baltic run. Their experiences offer students insights into the cruise ship industry, a career in which IGA graduates are able to pursue after their certification. They are guest lecturers in our USA and Mexico courses. Contact Tim and Elise at: windwardtravel@att.net


Doug Paterson, CITM, a graduate of the International Tour Manager program has 35+ years experience as an International Tour Manager, Tour Guide, Driver/Guide, motorcoach operator, and Manager of Training, Safety and Operations for motorcoach companies. His Tour Managing and Tour Guiding have been in Alaska, the South Pacific and Asia. Doug holds his Masters Degree (MBA) from the University of Colorado and has years of prior teaching experience. As a senior instructor, he advises the students in the fields of Tour Manager/Driver teamwork and emergencies on the road in the Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses. Contact is: doug@globaltransportation.us


Frank Slater, Ph.D., CTG, CITM, and CTM, is CEO of IGA since 1997 and a senior instructor. He brings 50 years of corporate, education, and travel experience to IGA.. Frank initially earned his CITM and CTG from the International Guide Academy and then earned his CTM (Certificate in Tour Management) from the International Association of Tour Managers (London) and the University of Breda, The Netherlands. For over ten years, Frank has been a Gold Member of the International Tour Manager Association (London). He has been an International Tour Manager in North America, Central and South America, Europe, Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and Jordan), northern Africa, South Pacific and Asia, and has worked on cruise ships in Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Europe.

"The day after I retired from the corporate world, I was traveling in Europe. After my certification with IGA, I have been paid to work on six of the seven continents. My certification from the International Guide Academy has opened the world of travel to me. I enjoy researching new places, meeting new people and sharing my love of travel with my passengers throughout the world. Being able to train new Tour Managers and Tour Guides is a great pleasure for me."

He has been a Tour Guide in Alaska, New York, Colorado and California. Frank has served on the Advisory Board of Travel and Tourism in Denver. He has been a Tour Manager in over 20 USA states including Alaska and Hawaii and has personally traveled in 49 of the USA states. Frank's Tour Management has also taken him to New Zealand, England, Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Monaco, France, and Italy. In the past few years he has worked in India, Nepal, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador, Jamaica, Belize and Honduras. His assignments have included motorcoach tours and cruise ships. Frank received his education in both the USA and England and has lived throughout the USA, England, The Netherlands and Mexico. Frank is a published author, published photographer and paid speaker as well as a sought after industry consultant. In 2010, he has commitments already in the USA and Canada as well as with the cruise line industry. His latest book "Cuernavaca, Mexico -- Your Personal Guide" was published in May 2009. He is currently working on a new book of Travel Tips and Tricks scheduled for publication in 2010. . Contact is: frank@bepaidtotravel.com

You can also follow Frank on Twitter, username "bepaidtotravel.com".

Mary Lou Cote, CITM worked as an Assistant Purser with SS Universe Explorer cruising from Ensenada to Miami by way of the Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, the Panama Canal and Mexico. She has also worked doing the Alaskan Inside Passage during the summer months.

She has a strong background working on cruise ships, having worked on Semester At Sea going around the world 3 times and 6 Continents for trips lasting 101 days that stopped in many ports including: Mauritius, Tanzania, Cape Town, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Petropavlovsk- Russia, India, Singapore, Viet Nam, Hong Kong, Brazil, Korea, Japan, Shanghai and Cuba.

In addition to all this, she spent 16 years in the airline industry and also wrote articles on her travels in their newsletters. Mary Lou has also traveled to: 40 of the 50 USA states, Crotia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Israel, Morocco, Canada, Mexico, Tahiti and Aruba. Mary Lou was a Student Assistant on the NCL Spirit for our course in 2009.

 

 

Pauline Standish, CITM has worked for EF (Smithsonian Student Travel) as a Tour Director with groups of up to 48 both in Washington DC and in New York. She also just finished a contract with Holland America as their Travel Guide on board, a position that required many presentations, a large amount of research, plus excellent guest relations skills. Upon completing her assignments with IGA aboard the NCL Spirit, she began leading tours along the Mexican Riviera.

Prior to all of her Tour Manager work, Pauline spent over 30 years in the airline industry for some of the major carriers including: United, British Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Carnival, and TWA. Pauline was a Student Assistant on the NCL Spirit for our course in 2009.


Kent Taylor, CTG, CITM has been a professional Tour Manager and Tour Guide since 1999. He earned his CITM and CTG from IGA, finishing first in his International Tour Management class. Kent is the founder and director of the National Park Society, a private tour company that specializes in national park tours around the world. He is a former park ranger and forest ranger and was the Department Chair for the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Degree Program at Everest College in Colorado Springs, CO for five years. Kent has managed tours for Grand Circle Travel, Flemming Tours, TourMappers, The Travel Department of Ireland, Virtuoso Travel Consortium, Southern Methodist University, the Godbey Lecture Series, Pillar Institute of Learning, Queenslander Tours, Terres Indiennes, and numerous private clients. He has hosted inbound groups from Ireland, Belgium, Israel, England, Sweden, France, and Latvia. Kent has managed tours all over the world with his favorite destinations being the western U.S.A., Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Costa Rica. Contact is: kentrtaylor@yahoo.com


Roxanne Snell, CITM, certified with IGA as an International Tour Manager in 1990 and has worked for EF Smithsonian and for Globus family of brands, with assignments in the Canadian Maritime and in New England. Roxanne recertified as an International Tour Manager with IGA in 2000. She has led European Tours for the American Council of International Studies. Her assignments in 2009 included leading tours for Smithsonian Student Travel which included the areas of Boston, New York City, the Amish Country, Gettysburg and Washington D.C. Roxanne begain working as an instructor with IGA in 2001. Among her instructing assignments are training the students on the motorcoach trip as well as in the classroom and she also trains the students in airport responsibilities on-site at Denver International Airport. Roxanne volunteers as a Denver Ambassador. She instructs in both the Tour Manager and Tour Guide programs. Roxanne earned her B.A. from Baylor University, and earned her Master's in Education at Colorado State University. She has 25 years teaching experience, and is retired from Frontier Airlines. Contact is: roxannesnell@aol.com


Jack Murphy, Ph.D, CTG, retired after 35 years as Curator of Geology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. During his career he modernized the department's operations, collections facilities, and furthered the scientific missions of the Museum with research and conservation of minerals and meteorites. He expanded administration and collections policies and emphasized public access to the collections and educational programs.

Among the highlights of Jack's career was the acquisition of many important minerals and meteorites for the Museum's Coors Mineral Hall exhibits, including installation of three life-size crystal cavity reconstructions (calcite and gypsum from Chihuahua, Mexico, amazonite and smoky quartz from Crystal Peak, Colorado and a large wall of rhodochrosite crystals from the Sweet Home mine, near Alma, Park County, Colorado. He directed a variety of collections and research projects, participated in educational classes and workshops, conducted field trips around the western States, and presented innumerable public and professional programs. Jack wrote several articles for popular publications, mostly about museum specimens and projects such as the rediscovery of "Tom's Baby," Colorado's largest piece of gold and the "Alma King" rhodochrosite crystal, or articles on Colorado geology, gems, minerals and meteorites. Today, Murphy is mainly consulting on meteorite investigations and building stones research for historic preservation projects around the state. He is currently renovating the meteorite exhibits at the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum and helping advance exhibit technology on interpretation of exhibit specimens. He continues to provide lectures, classes, tours, and field trips for local organizations. He helps with the free-to-the-public mineral and meteorite identification services at the museums and is on the Advisory Council at the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, Golden, Colorado. Jack has been the keynote speaker many times at the IGA graduation ceremony for Tour Guides and will be instructing in the Tour Guide program beginning in 2010.


Sharron Toulouse, CTG, CITM has worked multiple tour seasons with Maupintour where she has conducted Tours to The National Parks, Colorado by Rail and Christmas in New Mexico and has worked for Archeological Tours in Morocco. She has been a Tour Director with Globus family of brands on their Fall Foliage in New England Tours. Other assignments include work with Laureate Tours, Great Events, Arches, A Private Guide, The Arrangers, Rocky Mountain Connections, and Around and About Tours. Contact is: sgtoulouse@yahoo.com


Pam Keller, CITM, received her International Tour Manager certification with IGA in 1997. Pam was the supervisor of Tour Directors and Tour Coordinators for Globus family of brands, and Archers for over 3 years. She developed and supervised tour operations in an eight-state region and Eastern Canada, researched and conducted site visits of tour destinations throughout North America and Canada, and hired, trained and supervised over 300 domestic and International Tour Directors. She has additional industry experience planning and marketing tours as well as personally conducting tours. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Advertising. Her affiliations include the Denver Metro Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Pam also was owner of Aten & Associates, an event development and planning company headquartered in Denver, CO. Contact is: pmkllr@yahoo.com


Carole O’Connell, CTG, is a graduate of the Tour Guide program. She has been a Tour Manager and Tour Guide for Ambler Tour and Travel, Colorado Custom Tours, Denver and Beyond, Great Events, The Arrangers, and others. She has covered most of the USA and parts of Europe. Carole has more than 20 years experience in the tourism industry including Flight Attendant, Corporate Travel Agent, and is very involved with FICHA (Federation of International Hostesses Conveyors Association). She instructs in the Tour Guide course including a field trip to the local international airport where she instructs students in airport protocol, arrivals and departures, security, meet-and-greet, ground transportation, and baggage handling/control. Carole has been a guest panelist at the RMGA Educational Seminar. Contact is: transworldcarole@comcast.net



Francisco Conejo, CITM, CTG, IGA Tour Manager and Tour Guide graduate, has guided and managed over 300 motorcoach, mini-bus and train tours in Costa Rica. He specialized in the cruise sector, servicing English, Spanish and German groups. Francisco graduated from the University of Colorado receiving his MBA and a second master’s degree in International Business. Immediately after IGA graduation he received offers from companies operating throughout the Western USA. He has been giving English and German tours in 11 Western states. Companies he has worked for include Montana Rockies Rail Tours, Alternative Tours (Germany), Rocky Mountain Holiday Travel and A Private Guide. Francisco has lived in 4 countries and traveled to over 20. His interests include history, antique/ancient cultures and ethnic cuisine. Francisco is currently working on his Ph.D at the University of Otago in New Zealand. His doctorial thesis is on "tourism destination branding".

 

 


Bob Lindsay, CITM, a graduate of the International Tour Manager program, had 10 plus years working with Globus family of brands, and Archers. He is president and owner of “Aspen Leaf” and has worked as a Tour Operator as well an International Tour Manager. Bob has his Master's Degree in Geology from the University of Nebraska. This education, combined with his study of history, allows Bob to bring his interpretive narration to his tours of the USA Western National Parks and to the IGA classroom. Bob instructs in the Tour Guide course.

 


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