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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.

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Meeting ID: 811 1339 4932
Passcode: 044933
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Meeting ID: 811 1339 4932
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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.
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. Tentatively scheduled for 10 am at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks.

 

COST

 

Total Package, Individual: all 9 tours plus complimentary 2022 APT individual membership — $80. Register at the APT Store, send a check to APT Treasurer Bob Levitt at 2040 Wallace St., Philadelphia, PA 19130, or sign up through Eventbrite (an additional processing fee will be charged).

 

Total Package, Corporate/Institutional: all 9 tours for 3 members and complimentary corporate membership —  $150. Register at the APT Store, send a check to APT Treasurer Bob Levitt at 2040 Wallace St., Philadelphia, PA 19130, or sign up through Eventbrite (an additional processing fee will be charged). Names of 3 attendees must be sent to for registration.

 

Individual Tours – $10. Payment must be made through Eventbrite (an additional processing fee will be charged per tour). Walk ups will be accepted if space allows but individuals are advised to pre-register as group numbers are limited due to covid.

 

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.

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