National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations Conference 2018

Numerous GANYC members will be heading down to Philadelphia next month for the 2018 NFTGA conference. We hope that many of you will join us there, in representing not just New York City, but also our guiding community. Here are some announcements from the NFTGA about the conference, for those who have not registered:

REMEMBER EARLY BIRD RATES END ON JANUARY 31. REGISTER AT www.nftga.com. THE HOTEL BLOCK IS ALMOST FULL SO BE SURE TO ALSO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION.

NFTGA CONFERENCE
Wednesday, February 21, 2018

-Opening reception
-A visit to Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent. In addition, to food and drink, we will be able to visit the entire museum.

Thursday, February 22 - We’ll be focusing on the tourism and the guiding profession. Highlights are:

-Welcome from VisitPhilly™

-The State of the Tourism in the US
This session led my members of the U.S. Travel Association will focus on state of tourism in the United States including trends and expectations. It will also cover the key challenges facing tourism as well as an overview of the upcoming legislation that could impact travel. Included will be a description of the many activities in which the US Travel Association is engaged and how guides and guide associations can be involved in and benefit from their activities.

-Business of Guiding
This session will focus on the tourism industry, the various types of tourism organizations and their functions, individual guide and association business considerations e.g. taxes, insurance etc. Panel members include representatives from CaldwellCPA who are business advisors to many of those in the tourism industry.

-Lunch

-Celebrating NFTGA 20th anniversary

-National Parks and Tour Guides - Working Together
This session led by NPS Tourism Program Manager Donald Leadbetter will focus on updates, and information from the agency. Topics will include policy and budget news, updates on entry fee and commercial use authorization policies, visitation trends and challenges, and digital tools and resources.

-Working with our Industry Tourism Partners
This session will focus on how NFTGA associations and their members can work most effectively with our Tourism Industry Partners. The panel will include representatives from NTA, ABA, SYTA and NAI.

-Evening: 
Visit to One Liberty Observation Deck. 57 stories up with its spectacular views followed by dinner at the restaurant, La Buca.

Friday, February 23, 2018

-Technology and tour guiding- tends and challenges
This session focuses on trends in the tour guiding, ‘competition’ from new technology, technology to assist tour guides. Speakers include Nick Cvetkovic, Annette Morejon from Whisper System about technology aids for tour guiding as well as Fred Behnke, the Founder/CEO of MapSocial speaking about the MapSocial mobile app map-based storytelling platform and its relevance to tour guiding.

-International Tourism with emphasis on China, India and other Far East inbound
We all know of the pressures on facing international tourism today. This sessions will focus on the challenges and opportunities of working with international tourists. Speakers include Jim DePhilippo, Tourism Sales Manager, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau who will speak on tourists from India and Dr. Yang Yang from Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University.

-Incorporating African American and other ethnic groups perspectives
This sessions will focus on means of enhancing our tours by incorporating minority perspectives. Speakers include GANYC member Ibrahim Diallo and Greg DeShields, the Executive Director at PHLDiversity Multicultural Affairs Congress.

-Conclusion and optional box lunch. Also optional afternoon tours.