Civic pride is nothing new to the people of St. Louis. Much of it dates from the St. Louis World's Fair, officially the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which took place for seven months in 1904. Imagine residents boasting of new sidewalks and streets, clear drinking water and the up-to-date transportation which greeted visitors even before they entered the gates of the Fair.
Through the years, many residents have continued to brag about this unique city. They enjoy pointing out landmarks and the wealth of free attractions to visiting friends and family. Others have discovered a passion for the city, its nooks and crannies, its people both past and present, which has led them to conduct tours on a more formalized basis.
While those working as guides have always considered themselves professionals, there was never any formal recognition of that status. A small group met in January of 2003 to discuss the possibility of forming an organization that would promote the common interests of tour guides.
As the months went by, more and more tour guides and representatives of tour related associations offered their assistance and input to the organization. The upper most goal was to ensure a consistent level of professionalism while encouraging an exchange of knowledge and experiences.
By the time the first formal meeting of the Professional Tour Guide Association of Metropolitan St. Louis was held on January 21, 2004, a mission statement, objectives and by-laws had been written and discussion of a certification course was well underway. In the process, a high level of cooperation and camaraderie developed and an arena for the exchange of information and ideas materialized.
It was fitting that the group's first official meeting was held in 2004 - 100 years after the St. Louis World's Fair. It was also 200 years since Lewis & Clark and their Corps of Discovery pushed off to chart new lands. The organization has come full circle - showing off our city to the best of our abilities much as it was in 1904 and exploring new areas and goals for ourselves in the process.
