The World’s Largest Tour Director & Guide Hiring Conference, happening in Charleston SC, November 10-13, 2025.
Tour directors and guides are the face of the travel industry. We are storytellers and moment makers that make travel meaningful. Come celebrate our profession, connect with colleagues, get inspired and hired…all at the world’s largest gathering of guides.
Why attend?
Jobs. Last year we had over 100 tour operators looking to hire local and global tour leaders and guides!
Community. This event is the only global event open to ALL tour guides and tour directors (and tour operators looking to hire them!).
Inspiration. We’ll have education and keynote speakers that inspire and inform you.
Fun. Everything we do is interactive and participatory. Trust us, you won’t be bored.
Immersion. We have a full day planned of workshops out in the field led by phenomenal world-class experts.
Training. We’ll offer FAM tours of the region, from Charleston to Savannah and Jekyll Island.
Details
Open to everyone and anyone working as a professional tour director or guide, whether you’re new or experienced.
November 10-13, 2025. Mark your calendar!
Education & Interview days will take place at the historic Francis Marion Hotel.
We have group hotel blocks at the Francis Marion and other local hotels , or stay wherever you’d like!
Immersive learning that utilizes the city to the fullest.
Imagine learning American history where it truly unfolded, feeling the rhythm of authentic Gullah music in the very place it was born, and gaining a deeper understanding of today by connecting it to the lessons of our past. This isn’t just about looking at history — it’s about experiencing it, living it, and seeing how it shapes the world we know now.. There are things only Charleston can teach you.
Our in-field workshop day will let you learn new skills while being immersed in the city, and our education sessions will truly inspire you with world-class speakers coming just for TripCon!
A local venue that’s truly inspirational.
Job Interviews + job fair + new ways to get hired.
We have a full day and a half for you to interview with operators. You will get new work if you attend, period.
Don’t interview well? We’ve invented entirely new ways to showcase yourself to the whole group of tour companies coming just to hire you. We’re calling it the “Guide Olympics” and it means you’ll share your skills in a way operators can see the real you.
There is no extra cost to participate in interviews.
Parties and Experiences only possible at TripCon!
Charleston’s finest vendors are ready to roll out the red carpet for you: Explore grand Southern plantations, step into world-class museums, embark on unforgettable city tours, and savor mouthwatering Southern cuisine at restaurants that deliver authenticity with every bite. We’re taking all of that—and turning our conference into an experience you’ll never forget. From the atmosphere to the entertainment, it’s not just an event; it’s a performance that brings Charleston’s magic to life in ways you won’t see anywhere else.
(We’ll reveal party information closer to TripCon…some good things should remain a surprise.)
Interview with tour operators and get hired.
If you’re looking for work as a tour director, every day we’re adding more and more companies who will be attending our recruitment day. In addition to networking, these interviews are your ticket to the next stage of your career.
We chose Charleston for a reason.
Tour directors and guides are the face of the travel industry. It’s time to showcase ourselves on a global stage, and elevate awareness of who we are and why you should travel with a TD or a guide. This is our moment to celebrate our profession.
Full Schedule
Friday, November 7
Optional Pre-Conference Training! November 7-9
Savannah Training! (This training is an extra $249 to join)
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Get ready for an in-depth adventure through Savannah like never before! This exclusive training will take you on a journey through the heart of this enchanting city, teaching you everything you need to know to guide your guests through Savannah’s most iconic spots. Discover the hidden gems of each charming city square, stroll along the picturesque waterfront, and dive into scenic driving tours that will bring Savannah’s rich history to life. But that’s just the beginning! On our way to Charleston, we’ll stop at unique locations that will wow your guests, including the historic town of Beaufort, SC. Here, a horse-drawn carriage will transport us back in time as we explore antebellum mansions and the captivating history of this beautifully preserved Port Royal town. It’s a journey packed with unforgettable moments, perfect for anyone looking to give their guests a truly immersive experience.
Monday, November 10
Immersive In-Field Workshops + Welcome Party!
Arrive, get checked in, then join us for immersive in-field learning experiences, including: museum & attraction visits, neighborhood walking tours and more. All are included in your ticket.
Then at 6pm join us for our big Welcome Party! Drinks, apps included.
Tuesday, November 11
Education Day + Guide Olympics
In our Historic Hoel venue, come get inspired by a lineup of inspirational speakers only possible at TripCon.
At the end of the day we’ll gather for the Guide Olympics + Storytelling Spotlight Series (we’ll share more later!) and you then have the evening free to enjoy local restaurants with who will have TripCon specials and meet with your colleagues.
Wednesday, November 12
Interview Day & Charleston Grand Finale Event
1-on-1 interviews all day long in our stunning venue. Before the event you’ll submit your resume and using our custom app, you can hand-tailor an interview schedule based on your goals and operators’ needs.
Thursday, November 13
Callbacks & Departures
All good things come to an end. Some operators may ask to meet you again for morning callbacks or further interviews.
Join today!
Your all-access pass includes immersive education, recruitment day and job fair, admission to parties and complimentary local tours!
If you’re a tour operator looking to attend, please contact us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Whether you’re new or experienced, TripCon is a great way to boost your career through connections, job interviews, and learning.
If you’ve never received training, we highly recommend taking a course before TripCon.
As we firm up the company list we’ll start releasing the names of companies so you can research them in advance.
Expect large adult and student tour companies like Globus and EF, as well as a whole host of small and medium-sized companies, too.
We’ll have companies that operate all sorts of tours: adventure, culinary, international, and more.
We welcome a wide variety of sponsors who are interested in being discovered by the community of tour leaders, tour guides, and tour operators. Reach out to [email protected] to set up a conversation.
Great question! It’s a different kind of role than a tour guide, and we explain the difference between tour director and guide in this article.
We have courtesy blocks at partner hotels that you can choose from, however you are free to book anywhere you would like.
We’ve chosen hotels in the downtown area to make it easy to get to the immersive activities with easy access to transportation.
The average high temperature for the month is 65° F.
Charleston has a mild temperature and can vary from mid 50’s to 70’s.
We’d love to have you join TripCon.
There’s no cost for tour operators to attend, if you’re participating in the job interviews.
Reach out to [email protected]
Your ticket purchase is non-refundable, but you can transfer your ticket to another name. Simply email [email protected] to notify us of the new name.
