Overview

The International Association of Tour Directors & Guides

2017 Tour and Talent Exchange

Conference and Recruitment Fair

November 10-13, 2017

Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park, Plano, TX

“Excellence in Tour Management and Guiding”

Join us in Plano, TX at the Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park, November 10-13, 2017, as we offer an exclusive opportunity for learning, networking, and recruiting. The top tour guides, tour directors, and tour operators will gather to explore excellence in tour management.

You should be here if…
  • If you work as a professional tour director or tour manager
  • If you work as a professional tour guide
  • If you work for a tour company and are involved with recruiting, hiring, and/or employing professional tour directors and guides
  • If you are professionally involved with the training or educating travel industry professionals
  • If you are professionally involved with the licensing or certification of tour directors and guides
What you gain by attending
  • An exclusive opportunity to interview qualified, skilled, and trained tour directors and guides and see them in action (Tour Operators)
  • An exclusive opportunity to interview with some of the worlds top tour operators and show them your best (Tour Guides and Directors)
  • Build relationships with tour industry leaders and experts
  • Support an event that truly supports you and your industry
  • Network with industry friends and colleagues
  • Take advantage of educational and professional development opportunities
  • Gain and increase your knowledge of key industry issues, news, and trends
  • Explore and learn about the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area
  • Learn more about IATDG and how the organization will benefit you

Overview Agenda

Thursday, November 9, 2017
12:00PM – 7:00PM Check-in
7:30PM – 10:00PM Meet & Greet
Friday, November 10, 2017
7:00AM – 3:00PM Check-in
8:00AM – 9:15AM Interview Preparation Session
9:30AM – 10:30AM Cluster Assemblies with Panel Discussion
Tour Operator Meetings
10:45AM – 12:00PM Perfect Pitch and Educational Sessions
12:30PM – 6:00PM FAM Tours
7:00PM – 10:00PM Dine Around
Saturday, November 11, 2017
7:00AM – 3:00PM Check-in
8:45AM – 10:30AM Perfect Pitch
9:00AM – 10:30AM Educational Sessions
10:45AM – 12:00PM General Tour Operator Assembly
Educational Sessions
12:15PM – 1:15PM IATDG Luncheon
2:00PM – 3:00PM Educational Sessions
2:00PM – 5:00PM One on One Interviews
7:00PM – 10:00PM Social Event
Sunday, November 12, 2017
7:00AM – 3:00PM Check-in
9:00AM – 10:30AM Educational Sessions
10:45AM – 12:00PM Educational Sessions
12:15PM – 1:15PM IATDG Sponsor Luncheon
2:00PM – 3:00PM Educational Sessions
2:00PM – 5:00PM Small Group “3’s Company” Interviews
3:15PM – 4:15PM Educational Sessions
8:00PM – 11:00PM Game Night Social
Monday, November 13, 2017
7:00AM – 3:00PM Check-in
8:00AM – 9:00AM In Depth Interview Sign-Up
9:30AM – 12:00PM In Depth “Call Back” Interviews
10:00AM – 12:00PM Educational Workshops
12:30PM – 6:00PM FAM Tours

TRAVEL

Hotels

Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park Hotel (Host Hotel)
5805 GRANITE PARKWAY
PLANO, TEXAS, 75024
1-469-353 5000
Room Rate (Without Breakfast): $99.00/nt
Room Rate (With Breakfast Included): $109.00/nt
SOLD OUT

 

Staybridge Suites Plano Frisco
8355 Parkwood Blvd
Plano, TX 75024
1-214-474-2156
Room Rate (includes Breakfast): $119/nt
Click here to book online

 

NYLO Plano at Legacy
8201 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75024
1-972-624-6990
Room Rate: $105/nt
Click here for to book online

Dallas Ft. Worth

Welcome to North Texas! The Dallas and Fort Worth area, and surrounding communities, is one of the fastest growing in the nation. This region is known for its rich history, with roots that run deep to the era of cattle drives on the Chisholm Trail, and the days when cotton was king. Today the area is a diverse melting pot rich in culture, lifestyle, and religion. Today Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant counties are experiencing enormous economic and population growth. While cities are embracing this new development, there remains a uniqueness that offers both big city excitement and quiet suburban living. The Metroplex offers a diverse set of experiences, from unique entertaining attractions, to lively day and nightlife, that are perfect for anyone. Pick any city and you’ll find some of the best in the arts, culture, and dining.

Airports

Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)

  • www.dfwairport.com
  • Largest hub for American Airlines
  • 22 minutes to Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park Hotel (Host Hotel)
  • Approx. $30 via Uber or Lyft

Dallas Love Field Airport

  • www.dallas-lovefield.com
  • Largest hub for Southwest Airlines
  • 26 minutes to Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park Hotel (Host Hotel)
  • Approx. $30 via Uber or Lyft

FAMs

AT&T STADIUM & GLOBE LIFE PARK FAM TOUR

images

images

images

Come with us to amazing Arlington, TX and visit the world renowned AT&T Stadium- Home of the Dallas Cowboys. One of the Most expensive sporting venues ever built, the stadium features two monumental arches, the world’s largest HD quality video board, and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world. Let’s Not forget about Globe Life Park, The Home of the Texas Rangers. See the most exciting behind-the-scenes areas of the ballpark including batting cages, press box, City of Arlington Suite, dugouts, and much more.

images

Best of Downtown Dallas FAM TOUR

images

images

images

Visit the sights and attractions in amazing Downtown Dallas on an city tour hosted by VISIT DALLAS. First, stand 560 ft. above Dallas when you visit the GeO-Deck in the Reunion Tower. The Tower is the iconic centerpiece of the ever-changing Dallas skyline and it symbolizes the city it stands above. Next, we92ll visit the historic Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza- the site of President John F. Kennedy92s assassination. In addition to conspiracy theories, you92ll find an extensive collection of artifacts from that infamous day, as well as analyses of the impact and aftermath of Kennedy92s assassination. Finally, we92ll take a driving tour of Highland Park, Highland Park Village and Uptown to explore The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum- a new state-of-the-art facility on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

images

TOUR NORTH TEXAS HORSE COUNTRY …DENTON, TEXAS! FAM TOUR

images

images

images

Wind your way through the beautiful Horse Country of North Texas. Texas is the nation’s number ONE horse state with more than 1 million horses. The 900 square miles of lush Denton County are located just north of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and extend to the Oklahoma border. Known as “Horse Country USA”, North Texas’ equine population tops 40,000 horses treated like royalty among more than 450 farms and ranches, many of which are breeding and training facilities. The area is greatly diverse with farms specializing in Quarter horses, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Paints, etc., with a focus in disciplines such as halter, western pleasure, cutting, reining, jumpers, and more.

Talk about a unique tour – guaranteed there is not another host city in the nation that can show your clients exactly what they’ll experience in Denton County. And it’s an easy tour to plan. Simply let the Denton CVB know your arrival time and leave the rest to us. Our knowledgeable staff will handle every aspect of your day in the Horse Country of North Texas. We provide half day, full day and multi-day experiences and excellent incentives for operators that overnight in Denton: complimentary ranch visits, step-on guides, welcome packets and complimentary lodging for tour escort. So sit back, relax and experience the majesty where your guests will see impressive barns, beautiful pastures, and, if you’re lucky, a baby born the night before.

images

Register Today

Cancellation Policy:

  • $100 of your total registration cost is non-refundable.
  • Early registration offer ends June 1, 2017. After June 1, 2017, regular registration cost is $449.
  • Registrants who pay only the $100 deposit must remit balance of payment no later than June 1, 2017, to receive early registration pricing. If balance of payment is received after June 1, 2017, total registration cost will increase to $449.
  • Registration can be canceled (less $100) prior to August 15, 2017. After August 15, 2017, the cost of registration is 100% non-refundable. If you intend to cancel, please submit written confirmation to [email protected] prior to August 15, 2017, in order receive your refund.
  • Registration can be transferred to another person prior to October 1, 2017. If you intend to transfer your registration, please submit written confirmation to [email protected] prior to October 1, 2017. Notification, full payment, and registration account changes must be completed prior to October 1, 2017. IATDG will not assist in the process of identifying, registering, or payment for transferring.
  • Registrants who are offered paid positions during the dates of the conference, by any tour company participating in the conference, may be eligible for a full refund. Written confirmation from the employer must be provided no later than August 15, 2017.

Association Contact:

IATDG
[email protected]
www.IATDG.org