Two Vesterheim Employees Earn Professional Guide Certification
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recently announced that Vesterheim staff members Chivonne Marlow and Marion Niles have earned the recognition of Certified Professional Guide. Chivonne is the Director of Visitor Services at Vesterheim, and she facilitates a range of visitor experiences, including tours, special events, school and group visits, volunteer activities, and facility rentals. Marion Niles is Vesterheim’s Lead Staff in Guest Services, and you’ll often find her greeting visitors at the front desk of the new Commons building, giving tours, and helping train other Guest Service staff. They participated with Alyssa Ritter, Marketing & Community Engagement Specialist at VisitDecorah, and Meg Storkamp, a longtime Vesterheim volunteer guide who works with the Decorah Chamber of Commerce.
Professional Guide Certification candidates complete a training program of best practices to deliver quality experiences to visitors. The final certification process is conducted at each individual’s place of work, where they must effectively demonstrate the professional guide practices most appropriate for their unique organization or attraction. Individuals who achieve Professional Guide Certification work to provide quality Iowa visitor experiences, and earn certification from Iowa State University.
Chivonne said, “The training was interactive, useful, and validated much of what Vesterheim is already doing. We hope to get more guides certified in the future. It benefits the guides in that it builds confidence and provides feedback, and it also promotes Vesterheim statewide.”
Congratulations to all!
