Tony de Salvo
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
After a successful first career in the corporate world, Tony changed careers and began working in tourism in 2008. He has experience in accompanying adult and student tour groups. He is an expert local guide for the greater Chicago area. He has worked touring over the road with groups for various tour companies. He has lead groups all over the United States to places such as Washington DC, New York City, Branson MO, Mackinac Island, St Louis, Disney World, Memphis, Nashville, Arizona, Colorado, and Hawaii. He has traveled abroad as a group leader accompanying adult groups to Cuba, Israel, Italy and Scotland. His love for traveling has helped his groups discover and enjoy new experiences.
Tony also has experience working with corporate meeting and incentive groups. He has worked as a team member providing convention support services, concierge services, hotel and travel assistance for out of town guests.
He was born and raised in Chicago and currently lives in a suburb of Chicago. He is married and has 2 daughters.
Tiffany Giardino
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Tiffany Giardino leads the recruitment strategy and hiring efforts for Adventures by Disney, and also has recruiting responsibilities for Disney Cruise Line. She received her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations & Marketing from Drake University and has a master’s degree in Global Studies & International Relations from Northeastern University. With a career spanning more than a decade at The Walt Disney Company, Tiffany previously worked in PR, Communications and Global Talent Acquisition Marketing prior to her current role in Recruitment. She has lived/studied abroad in Argentina and England, and has visited 40+ countries. As an avid traveler, she enjoys representing an area of Disney that’s dedicated to creating unforgettable vacations for families in destinations around the world.
Michael Dillinger
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Michael has been a professional, full time guide in New York City for 10+ years. He served on the board of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC) for 8 years, 4 as President, and is a founder of GANYC’s training and certification program-assisting member guides in the enhancement of their skills. He is currently Vice President of the National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (NFTGA). He has led tours on boat, bus, foot, car and subway. In addition to providing tours for several NYC tour companies he also provides his own private tours for NYC visitors.
As a Tour Director - he leads student tour groups for EF Explore America and Hemisphere. And adult tour groups for Cruises.Co.UK. He is a Certified International Tour Manager from the International Guide Academy (IGA) of Denver CO, and a Licensed NYC, GANYC Certified and Washington, DC Guide.
James Saunders
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
James began his career working two summers as a local guide in Italy, wintering as a ski representative in the Swiss Alps as a Tour Director. He spent ten seasons leading in Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. After following his love to Canada, he briefly left the industry to work in the family business but travel was still calling. Twenty-plus years later, he has led groups in Canada, Australasia, Asia, South America and, recently, Antarctica. He also serves on various boards and assists in travel sales departments with training, customer service and trade events. James is the current president of the Canadian Tour Guide Association of Toronto and continues to train and mentor fellow tour directors.
Jacque Moran
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Jacque joined Tauck in 1998 as a Tour Director and led tours in New England, Scandinavia, and some of the National Parks in the western USA. She transitioned into the office in 2008 and currently serves as the Recruiting and Training Manager where her responsibilities include the recruiting, hiring, and training of Tour Directors joining Tauck. In addition to filling staffing needs, she conducts New TD training sessions, supports TDs who are newer to the company, and ensures best practices are being shared with the entire Tauck TD team. She speaks Spanish as a result of living in Ecuador and Mexico and taught Spanish to grades K – 8 for several years. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Jacque enjoys hiking, and biking with her husband in NJ, but continues to enjoy traveling as much as possible.
Agi Toth Babochay
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Agi is a Tour Director/Guide based out of Chicago. She directs both adult and student tours in the US and abroad. Her 15+ years in hospitality management have been instrumental in providing her with the customer service and organizational skills needed when she transitioned into the tourism business. As a Sommelier, her passion for wine prompted her to start Red Grapevine Tours, Ltd., a company that specializes in wine and culinary tours. In addition to directing local tours, she created and developed wine and culinary tour itineraries to wine regions in Washington state and Southern France.
Bob van Beers
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Bob van Beers led his first tour as an exchange student in Finland in 2007. He has since lead tours all throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. Bob is currently based out of Vancouver, BC and specializes in tours to the Canadian Rockies and the northern territories. During his career Bob has led tours for adults, students, school bands and corporate travellers.
Bob likes to spend his time off on the water, either kayaking or paddleboarding, or snowboarding or hiking in the mountains near Vancouver. Photography is another passion of Bob, with several of his photos used by tour operators and DMO's around the world.
He joined the IATDG as a member of the Canadian Leadership team in February 2020, and is looking forward to contribute to the success of the association in Canada.
Adam Connolly
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Adam is an experienced senior travel professional with 20+ years experience of managing operations departments for large UK based Tour Operators. Adam is passionate about service and experience delivery and helping individuals and businesses overcome their challenges. With frontline customer experience having started out on the ground, working in various global destinations, Adam brings experience of global operations and having navigated numerous significant travel industry crises. A Politics graduate of De Montfort University, Adam can operate at all levels in the industry. He currently resides in Nottingham, UK.
Brooksie Robbins
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Brooksie Robbins is the Vice President of North American Operations for EF Explore America. She has 21 years of industry experience having served EF Education First in a number of roles, ranging from sales to general management. Her current role – or the “best job she’s ever had” as she is frequently quoted - allows her to provide a quality and consistent customer experience through operational excellence. For Brooksie, defining success for her team is simple: if tour directors can deliver the vision and strategy of EF to their customer with every tour, that is the ultimate win.
Brooksie is also a boardgame enthusiast and a wannabe runner, but above all else, she values time with her family. Having two elementary school-aged sons, she is almost always on the move. Whether it’s showing them her favorite spots around the country or cheering from the sidelines of their latest sports obsession, she is there to bring the passion.
Cyndi Cobb
(Advisory team members are not involved with management or the daily operations of IATDG)
Cyndi makes her home in North Myrtle Beach, SC after living in Saudi Arabia, New York and New England for many years. After owning a country inn in New England, Cyndi returned to the corporate travel world as an executive with Royal Caribbean International. She’s led both domestic and international tours including many via cruise ship and is a graduate of IGA.
Cyndi is an instructor at the International Guide Academy and frequently leads sessions at the IATDG conference including the IATDG Seminar at Sea: How to Lead Groups on Cruises. She has been involved with IATDG from the start, attending every conference and mentoring and assisting new tour directors getting started in the industry.
She is currently a Tour Director with Tauck, leading tours around the world.
