Events
Meetings
We hold regular meetings which frequently feature guest speakers from the local San Diego tourism industry. Meetings are scheduled on the second Monday of odd-numbered months.
The business portion of the meeting typically runs from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., followed by our guest speaker (if applicable).
All members, guests and prospective members are invited to attend.
Familiarization Tours
We offer familiarization (FAM) tours on the second Monday of even-numbered months, which are an invaluable resource for helping our member guides become experts in the San Diego region.
Guests are welcome on select tours; however, additional charges may apply, and we also prefer that all guests are employed in the tourism industry.
Have an Idea for a Speaker or a FAM?
If you have an idea for a fun activity, great FAM tour or guest speaker, or would like to sponsor the group at your property please complete our Contact Form.
Upcoming Events
FAM Tour
Date: March 8, 2021
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Secretary, Kris Dawson, is going to give a demonstration of how useful the Google “My Maps” tool can be for tour guides in San Diego.
A zoom link will be sent a few days prior to the FAM date.
Keri’s Digital Challenge
Date: Monday, July 20
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Zoom
For details check out the President’s Message in the July newsletter
July (Virtual) Business Meeting
Date: Monday, July 13
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Join us for our monthly business meeting! Hear all the exciting reports (can you guess how much we have in the bank account to the penny?)! Catch up with your friends! Find out what’s going on in the association. And with any great luck, we’ll unveil our new website!
Past Events
June Town Hall
Date: Monday, June 22
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Hosted by President Keri Belisle: Join us Monday to hear from our guest speaker, Jim Wheyland, one of the volunteer docents at Mt. Soledad. Jim is a US Marine Corps veteran and served one tour in Vietnam, beginning with the landing at Chu Lai in May of 1965.
He saw my presentation on Mt. Soledad, so he will cover things other than the history of how Mt. Soledad came to be. I’ve asked him to comment on some of the plaque ceremonies he has attended, and comment on some of the plaques themselves. And maybe to explain some of the differences in 3 and 4 star Generals, Brigadier Generals, etc. And then open it up for questions.
Virtual Social Hour
Time: 5 – 6pm (drop by when you can)
Location: Zoom
June Virtual FAM
Date: Monday, June 8
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Since we are unable to assemble as a group in compliance to the governor’s guidelines, we are proposing a fun “Virtual FAM” the second Monday in June. These virtual tours are becoming more popular and we want to give everyone a chance to try it out. On a group Zoom call, each of us will have 3 minutes to give a “virtual tour” on a topic at your favorite destination in San Diego. You can read a script, ad lib, add slides for visual impact or if you really clever, you can download the Zoom app to your phone and take us all on a 3 minute walking tour at that location. It’s up to you. Be creative and have fun with it.
Virtual Social Hour
TRIVIA CONTEST! Come test your knowledge against your fellow association members! The questions are straight out of the certification materials so it’s a great way to study and have fun at the same time!
Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 5 – 6pm (drop by when you can)
Location: Zoom
Upcoming (Virtual) Business Meeting
Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 2:00 pm (NEW TIME)
Location: Zoom
After our regular business part of the meeting, please join SDPTGA President Keri for her presentation on some of the tech skills she learned in the TripSchool tech class she attended in January.
Highlighting useful apps and software, Keri will provide tips for guides who specialize in city tours, over the road tours, or any one in general. There is something for everyone!
Be sure to have a notepad and your smartphone and computer on hand.
Before the presentation, we will be sure to send a list of some of the apps so you can download ahead of time and have them when it comes time for the presentation.
Time permitting Keri will also share how to make a power point with Google Slides, and how to use My Maps on Google. If we run out of time this will be continued at our next Tour Workshop Webinar.
Keri has a PC/Android but will have alternative apps for you MAC/iPhone users. Hope to see you then.
Virtual Social Hour
Join your Board of Directors for a virtual Social Hour (beverages optional!)
Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 5 – 6pm (drop by when you can)
Location: Zoom
April Virtual FAM
Date: Monday, April 20th
Time: 2 – 2:45pm
Location: Zoom Meeting
The April FAM trip will be virtual and transporting us to the Gaslamp Quarter. Today we know the Gaslamp as a tourist attraction with the restaurants and night clubs to entertain young adults, conventioneers and visitors to San Diego. However, there are more stories about the people and buildings that provide a colorful history to our beloved area of San Diego than most visitors hear.
Join Patti Foley, Daire Coco and Victor Knarreborg for a virtual FAM trip to learn more and enrich your storytelling as you guide future guests through the Gaslamp Quarter.
Virtual Workshop
Date: Monday, April 13th
Time: 2 – 2:45pm
Location: Zoom Meeting
Join us Monday April 13 at 2 pm for our Tour Workshop Webinar. We’ll be talking about the book “The Power of Moments.” Although not specifically written for tour guides, there is plenty to take away from this book to enhance your tours and make them truly memorable. Reading the book isn’t necessary before this workshop as we’ll cover the main take aways of the work, and then discuss how we can incorporate them into the various types of our our members do.
