Our talented members are experienced in every area of hospitality work, including, but not limited to step-on and walking tours, meetings and incentive programs, team building, airport meet and greets and dine-a-rounds. We host bi-Monthly Meetings, bi-Monthly FAM trips, have a certification process for Accredited Hospitality Professionals and Certified Tour Guides, and host mixers and social outings. Our Board of Directors and Committee Chairs have decades of experience, as do many of our members.
Our Mission Statement:
To enhance the visitor’s experience in the San Diego region by ensuring a high standard of professionalism within the tour guide industry.
Our Objectives
The purposes of the association are as follows:
A. To establish a professional standard by which individuals involved in the guided tour segment of the tour guide/hospitality industry can be measured;
B. To promote dedication, information accuracy and commitment as hallmarks of association members;
C. To raise public and private awareness of the tour guide/hospitality profession;
D. To address issues regarding the tourism industry with appropriate groups.
E. To provide a forum that enables our member to give visitors an educational and entertaining experience that embodies the spirit of the San Diego area.
F. To promote the highest degree of professionalism for our members, and to provide professional and ethical standards against which all tour guides are measured.
G. To provide an opportunity for the exchange of experiences and opinions regarding the tour guide/hospitality professions and issues pertinent to it, and to provide a forum for the development of common business interests and for camaraderie among the membership.
H. To establish a curriculum and conduct an optional course of study for the training and certification of professional tour guides and to provide continuing education for our members.
I. To cooperate with other related professions and organizations in a common endeavor to promote and enhance the public’s perception of the tourism industry.
J. To present the points of view of its members to the public and to municipal, county, state and federal agencies.
Code of Ethics:
All members of this association pledge to maintain the maximum degree of professionalism by adhering to the association’s Code of Ethics:
• Strive for excellence in all aspects of the profession and personally guarantee the integrity and accuracy of history and facts presented
• Extend professional respect and a spirit of cooperation to fellow guides
• Maintain loyalty to the companies that contract for our services and protect the confidentiality of proprietary information
• Uphold the association’s philosophy of aspiring to excellence through a program of certification and continuing education.
Meet our Board Members
Annemarie Ausland-Krifka
President
- Graduated in Germany in International Business Affairs in English and French.
- Worked in family’s Bed and Breakfast “Zum Rossberger Hof” during school and college years.
- Lived, worked and studied in Paris, Fontainebleau, Lyons and London as well as Monterey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
- Owned insurance agency in International Falls, Minnesota.
- Founder of Day Spas across Michigan.
- Sponsored apprenticeship programs for aestheticians.
- Judge for the Skin Games.
- Love history, people and the ocean.
- Certified Tour Guide in San Diego after much studying of history and sites
- Tour Consultant creating tours.
- Volunteer in freight harbor with Stella Maris.
Richard Skogfeldt
Secretary
In his previous career, Richard Skogfeldt was an industrial process engineer and executive. Almost 40 years! During that time he was fortunate enough to travel, work, and live in 40 countries on 4 continents. After Richard retired, he received certifications from the International Guide Academy in Denver, CO. He also took courses from ITMI and Trip School. The primary reason he is in the travel industry is the people. From US national parks to Europe to San Diego and everywhere in between, each trip has afforded him the opportunity to meet so many unexpected individuals along the way. This is what he loves the most about touring.
Bleu Ford
Treasurer
Bleu has been a proud resident of San Diego for over 40 years. She is passionate about showcasing the beauty of this remarkable city and takes great joy in sharing its rich history and vibrant culture with visitors from around the world.
Keri Belisle
President Emeritus
Keri has been in the tour business for 35 years. She started out driving tours and now focuses on tour guiding locally as well as to various destinations in southern CA, the California Coast and the Pacific Northwest.
Suzanne Fuselier
FAM Chair
Roger Nys
Certification Chair
Roger Nys is always excited to share his knowledge of San Diego with visitors. A native New Englander, he is well-traveled and lived in cities across the country including Boston, Washington, Detroit, and San Francisco. His career included administrative posts in government, universities, and biomedical research. His first tour guide experience was in San Francisco where he led walking tours of Golden Gate Park with San Francisco City Guides. Relocated to Southern California, he volunteers at Balboa Park providing walking tours on history and architecture. As a Road Scholar Group Leader, he conducts week-long San Diego tours. And as a San Diego certified tour guide he leads city bus tours for cruise ship visitors.
Ben Schorr
Digital Media Chair
Ben fell in love with tour guiding during his college days, and after working in other industries for a decade, was eager to return. He hit the ground running, starting his own tour company, Way To Go San Diego, as well as freelancing and collaborating with other wonderful people and businesses in the space.
