Training

December 3, 2019 by Marianne 0

APT TOUR GUIDE TRAINING 2021

“A Guide’s View of Philadelphia,” the APT annual lecture series, is the city’s only officially recognized training program for “professional and informed” guides (per City Council 2013 Proclamation). The series includes informational lectures on Philadelphia’s history, culture, and architecture from colonial times to present day as well as sessions on tour guiding techniques.

In 2021 APT is departing from its traditional lecture series format to offer tours of various Philadelphia neighborhoods led by APT master and certified guides. Current and prospective guides as well as anyone interested in learning more about this amazing city are invited to join the tours.

The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) will offer its 2021 tour guide training Nov. 10 to 14. The training opens with a zoom meeting on Nov. 10 covering the business of guiding and tour training techniques. Following that, nine in-person walking tours will be offered Nov. 11-14. The certification exam will take place Dec. 4.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday Nov. 10, 7-9 pm
Zoom meeting on the business of guiding and tour guiding techniques. Free and open to all.

Watch the recording on the APT YouTube channel.

Thursday Nov. 11

10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Old City neighborhood. Tour begins at the National Constitution Center and ends at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks.

1:30-3:30 pm: Delaware Waterfront. Tour begins and ends at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks.

Friday Nov. 12

10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Independence National Historical Park area. Tour begins at the Independence Visitor Center (rear Arch St. entrance) and ends at The Bourse (5th St. entrance).

1:30-3:30 pm: Society Hill neighborhood. Tour begins and ends at The Bourse (5th St. entrance).

Saturday Nov. 13

9-11 am: Avenue of the Arts, the Gayborhood, Washington Square West areas. Tour begins at the Octavius Catto statue on the south apron of City Hall and ends at Washington Square.

12-2 pm: Avenue of Freedom. Tour begins at Mother Bethel AME Church and ends at the National Constitution Center.

3-5 pm: Chinatown neighborhood. Tour begins at National Constitution Center and ends at Reading Terminal Market.

6-8 pm: Chinatown neighborhood.Tour begins at Reading Terminal Market and ends at Franklin Square.

Due to guide availability, the Chinatown tour group will be divided in two with half of the group going 3-5 pm and the other half 6-8 pm. Email with questions or concerns.

Sunday Nov. 14

10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Center City (Penn Center, City Hall, Rittenhouse Square). Tour begins and ends at the Starbucks Coffee kiosk on the west apron of City Hall (Dilworth Plaza).

1:30-3:30 pm: Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Tour begins at the Starbucks Coffee kiosk on the west apron of City Hall (Dilworth Plaza) and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Saturday Dec. 4

Tour Guide Certification Exam. Scheduled for 10 am at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks.

COST

Tour Guide Certification Exam (member): $35. Register at the APT Store or send a check to APT Treasurer Bob Levitt at 2040 Wallace St., Philadelphia, PA 19130.

Tour Guide Certification Exam (non-member): $50. Register at the APT Store or send a check to APT Treasurer Bob Levitt at 2040 Wallace St., Philadelphia, PA 19130.

NFTGA

In February 2018, the National Federation of Tour Guide Associations (NFTGA) held its biennial conference for the first time in Philadelphia, drawn in part by the reputation of APT’s education and certification program – a model for other cities.

The 2020 NFTGA conference was in Charleston, SC, from February 5-7. APT was represented by President Judy Smith, (then) Director-at-Large Keshler Thibert, and members Nick Cvetkovic (NFTGA Vice President) and Dale Russell.

The next conference scheduled for January 2022 in San Antonio, TX, has been postponed due to Covid.

Check out the most recent NFTGA newsletter.