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Our courses are taught by a team of Instructors, all carefully chosen for their world-class teaching abilities. They have more than 200 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, as well as designing and marketing tours for major companies. They can offer insights that only come from years of working in the industry. 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 our programs are to encourage students to develop their 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. |
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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, |
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Louise Todd-Stoll, CTG, CITM graduate of both
the International Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses, operates her
own private tour company including tours in Ontario, Colorado and
Utah. She has been a Tour Director on both motorcoaches and luxury
railcars for international companies. Her prior background 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 the Mediterranean and Caribbean
Islands. She also works as a Tour Guide in the Denver, Colorado Springs
and Rocky Mountain National Park areas. A member of the Rocky Mountain
Guide Association, Louise earned her Master's Degree in Education.
She instructs in the Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses in the USA
and in Mexico. Contact is: gstollsprint1@earthlink.net |
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Clayton James Whitehead, CITM, CTP,
Since 1993, Clayton has been the Vice-President of Sports Leisure Vacations, a California-based packaged travel company. He is also Vice-President of Travel Alliance Partners, LLC and the Sacramento Arts & Business Council. Clayton has earned 2 Degrees from the University of Georgia, is a graduate of IGA and the Centre Linguistique in Jonquiere, Canada. He was named the National Tour Association "Volunteer of the Year" for 2007. Clayton has lead groups through state, province, and territory in North America. Additionally, he has lead tours through Western Europe, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Clayton teaches in the Tour Manager course in Mexico. Contact Clayton at: clayton@sportsleisure.com |
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Daniel Slater, CITM, CTG,
CTM, President of IGA is a graduate of both programs,
has been in the travel industry for almost 20 years. He has worked
as a motorcoach He is a Tour Guide in Colorado and enjoys his Tour Management assignments.
Daniel 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 received his CTM from the International Association of Tour
Managers (London) and the University of Breda, Holland and is a
published author and industry consultant. He is also responsible
for updating the IGA website. Contact is: daniel@bepaidtotravel.com |
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Alex Galimov, CITM, CTG, IGA International
Tour Manager graduate, was born and raised in Siberia, Russia. He
came to the US in 1990. He has a degree in linguistics and education
from the |
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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 Balloon Festival (the most photographed event in the world), the Southern USA and East Coast. Currently, Karen is working for Adventures by Disney. 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. Contact is: karendunne@sbcglobal.net |
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Tim and Elise Lentz, CITM, 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. Beginning in 2008, they are working for Tauck World Discovery on their small cruise fleet itineraries leading groups through Costa Rica, the Baltic, Venice, and the Dalmatian Coast. 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 |
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He has been a Tour Guide in Colorado and San Francisco. 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. Frank's recent Tour Management took 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, and Ecuador including the Galapagos Islands. His continuing
assignments in 2008 will take him throughout Latin America including
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 and paid speaker as well
as a sought after industry consultant. Contact is: frank@bepaidtotravel.com |
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| 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.
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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 an instructor at IGA in the USA and Mexico, in addition
to continuing to be an active Tour Manager. Contact Connie if you
wish at: 
Sid Wilson, CTG, CITM,
was one of the first graduates of the Academy when IGA came
to the USA from London. 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 and is currently
chairman of the board for the Black American West Museum and Heritage
center. Sid is President and owner of A Private Guide, Inc. “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 done Tour Management, Tour Guiding and is a Tour Operator.
His recent tours took him to South Africa. He instructs 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: 
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, Museo Dolores Olmeda, Xochimilco, and motorcoach training.
Steve Kaverman, CITM, CTG, CTM, IGA graduate from
both the International Tour Manager and Tour Guide Certification
Programs, was employed with the American Orient Express Rail Company/
GrandLuxe Rail Journeys, a private railway offering deluxe
rail tours in the U.S., Canada and Mexico aboard restored vintage
rail cars. As Assistant Director of Operations, he was involved
with route & schedule development, negotiating train service
contracts and crew training. Steve particularly enjoys researching
and writing passenger route guides and managing Tours as he traveled
with groups across North America aboard the train. He attended Michigan
State University, graduating on the Dean’s List with a Bachelor
of Arts degree. He earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Management
from the University of Phoenix. Steve states that “after 16
years of formal education, vocational training at IGA led him into
his current occupation.” Since entering the Travel & Tourism
field, Steve further earned a diploma in Tour Management from the
Breda University of Professional Education, Breda the Netherlands.
He instructs in the Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses in the USA
and in Mexico. Contact is:
Over the past 3 decades, Clayton has been employed on all 3 sides
of the Hospitality Pyramid. As an instructor at IGA he is thrilled
to share his experiences and insights with students from around
the world.
operator, motorcoach company owner, and tour company owner. His
travels have taken him to 30+ USA states, Mexico, Canada, Denmark,
Jamaica, Aruba, he recently completed a tour to China, and just
returned from his second tour of China in July of 2008. 
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: 
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.
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. He instructs
our students in the fields of Tour Manager/Driver teamwork and emergencies
on the road in the Tour Manager and Tour Guide courses. Contact
is: 
Frank Slater, Ph.D., CTG, CITM, and CTM,
is CEO of IGA and brings over 48 years of corporate and travel experience
to IGA. Frank received his CTM from the International Association
of Tour Managers (London) and the University of Breda, Holland.
He has been president of the IGA for 11 years and is a Gold Member
of the International Tour Manager Association (London). He has been
a Tour Manager in North America, Central and South America, Europe,
Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel and Jordan), northern
Africa and Asia.
Pam Aten, CITM, 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 is currently owner of
Aten & Associates, an event development and planning company
headquartered in Denver, CO. Contact is: 
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 planned thesis is on "tourism destination branding".
Roxanne
Snell, CITM, International Tour Manager grad, currently works
for EF Smithsonian. She previously worked for Globus family of brands,
and has had 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 took her back to the Canadian
Maritimes and New England in Fall 2007. She trains our students
on the motorcoach trip as well as in the classroom. Roxanne trains
our students in airport responsibilities on-site at Denver International
Airport. 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 recently retired from Frontier
Airlines. Contact is: 
Sharron Toulouse, CTG, CITM
is in her fourth season 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 and 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: 
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. She instructs in the Tour Guide
course with 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: 
After many years of service to the Travel and Tourism Industry
and years of instructing at IGA, we are saddened by the recent death
of Richard Schwendinger, Ph.D., CTG who was
a graduate of the Tour Guide program and was considered “Mr.
Colorado” when it comes to Tour Guiding. He owned his own company,
had taught Colorado History at Red Rocks Community College and had
taught History of the American West and European history. Dick was
a docent for “mining history” with the Colorado Historical
Society. He had been a Tour Guide in 14 states including 20 years
in Alaska. He brought his 40+ years of experience to the IGA
classroom and conducted actual hands on walking tours for the Tour
Guide course.|
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