March 15 and 16 - Currier Museum of Art, Manchester NH
April 5 and 6 - McAliffee-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord NH
May 24 and 25 - Indian Head Resort, Lincoln NH
June 15 and 16 – Common Man Inn & Spa, Plymouth NH

The goal of the GSA training is to instruct and certify area residents and industry staff in the art of tourism hospitality. Volunteers are trained in quality customer service techniques and the use of New Hampshire information brochures, maps, and pamphlets. Travel and tourism experts from across the state participate as speakers along with GSA training professionals.

The cost of the two-day training is $35 per person and covers all materials (including extensive NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development, State Parks, Division of Resources & Economic Development and regional attraction guides), and lunches and breaks each day. The all-inclusive sessions introduce participants to more than 20 speakers, each a specialist in some aspect of the New Hampshire tourism industry. Each session also puts special emphasis on the region where the training is held.

Millions of travelers visit New Hampshire each year, and GSAs are often the first people to greet them as they enter airports, visitor information centers, hotels, and other tourism related businesses across the state. GSAs also remotely staff a virtual visitor center on Twitter @askNH. GSAs are enthusiastic residents of the regions and towns who love to share their first hand knowledge of restaurants, museums, accommodations, attractions, and activities. They are also experts in giving travelers directions. GSAs are able to 'meet and exceed the information needs' of any person requiring travel or tourism information. The GSA program trains and certifies the official staff members who greet visitors at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, as well as centers in Manchester, Concord, the Lakes Region, and many other Chamber and State visitor centers around New Hampshire. Those who pass the two-day training course become certified Granite State Ambassadors, qualified to volunteer as information specialists at any of these facilities and at the special events that contract with GSA, such as the Made In NH “Try It and Buy It” Expo.

While those who graduate from the course become Granite State Ambassadors, welcomed to the corps of more than 470 active volunteers and entitled to all the privileges of membership, there is no obligation to volunteer. “Everyone who participates will find as they meet the GSAs who do the training and our partners who enthusiastically share what they know with the classes, that Granite State Ambassadors are a sociable and knowledgeable group,” commented Judi Window, managing director and a founder of GSA. “We make the training fun as well as practical to maintain our reputation as New Hampshire’s Information Specialists.

"Everyone benefits from the Granite State Ambassador training. Whether you're front line staff or a volunteer at a visitor contact center in the state, an employee of the New Hampshire tourism industry, or a college student majoring in hospitality, being a certified GSA enhances what you already know about New Hampshire. It opens networking opportunities through the tourism industry and visitor contacts, tourism-related events, tours around New Hampshire and expanded volunteer opportunities. The Granite State Ambassadors have been named the ‘Very Best Volunteers in New Hampshire’ - and they're always looking for others to join the team!" said Betty Gagne, certified GSA and Customer Service Assistant, New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development

About Granite State Ambassadors, Inc. (www.nhgsa.com)
Since 1996, Granite State Ambassadors Inc. has promoted and protected New Hampshire's sense of place by valuing both built and natural environments, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being our residents and guests alike. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization serving hundreds of travel and tourism related businesses including key partners, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and the NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development, GSA, Inc. has certified over 900 residents and employees who staff front line visitor centers supporting the authentic culture of New Hampshire, its people, places and products.