Viola and Sonia discuss the recent addition of new NT trainers to the database and plan to issue certificates. They also talk about the upcoming conference, mentioning that the organizers have secured additional funding. Sonia offers to create a Wise payment link for Grace to process payments. The group then discusses the training committee meeting and tour scheduled for the following week. As more participants join, they exchange greetings and briefly touch on topics such as allergies and earthquakes in Greece.

The team gathered for an Expo meeting, with Ivana recovering from an illness. Viola shared updates about her ongoing training convention preparations in Malaysia, and Kapi mentioned trying to persuade original guides in Rhodes to take a Wftga course. J. discussed her busy work schedule during the low season, and WFTGA James expressed excitement about spending time with a grandchild. Sebastian, who had been traveling, is now dealing with the jet lag and some family business. The team also discussed the ongoing political unrest and potential natural disasters in their respective locations.

In the meeting, Sebastian and WFTGA discussed various action points from their previous meeting. They focused on the Convention 2026 site visit, a technical meeting, admin tasks, social media strategy, and partnerships. They also discussed the Chamber of Economy, the Canva account, and the need for a social media strategy meeting. WFTGA mentioned reaching out to the past president for artwork and designs. The conversation ended with a decision to start with the site inspection of Japan and discuss other topics later.

In the meeting, Sebastian and Viola expressed concerns about the lack of English-speaking tourist guides in Japan, impacting their ability to effectively conduct tours. They proposed organizing English training sessions to improve the guides' communication skills. They also discussed the possibility of bringing in guides from other Japanese cities or using interpreters. WFTGA added suggestions to encourage English language practice among the guides. They also mentioned plans to simplify bidding documents and detail management processes for the upcoming convention. The team agreed to address these issues before the convention to ensure a smoother event.

Sebastian provides an overview of the convention planning for a tourism-related event in Japan. The convention venue is described as modern and capable of meeting all requirements. The catering team is considering sustainable meal options to align with the event's sustainability theme. Hotel accommodations are mostly small, with some offering smoking floors, which will require clear communication during registration. Accessibility in hotels is limited, with only two accessible rooms available during the main convention. The program follows a similar layout to previous events, starting with a welcome ceremony featuring Japanese culture and history. Keynote speakers are still being finalized, with a focus on relevance to the profession. The event includes workshops, excursions, and social activities, including a sustainability-focused day trip and a gala dinner. Pre- and post-tour options are being planned, with a focus on nature and cultural experiences.

Sebastian discusses ongoing preparations for the upcoming convention in Japan. The team is working on simplifying the registration process and addressing payment issues related to currency differences. They are also drafting the next convention newsletter and aiming to have the convention website ready by mid-April. Sebastian plans to use insights from this experience to improve the bidding process for future conventions, including simplifying procedures and rethinking financial aspects. Ivana mentions she has started working on a new bidding document and suggests a meeting to discuss changes. The team is considering hosting a webinar to explain the bidding process to potential bidders. They also discuss the need for about 20 English-speaking guides and 60 guides and assistants in total for the convention.

Sebastian and Viola discuss the recent training session they conducted in Japan. They highlight the success of the basic communication seminar, which introduced presentation and interpretation skills to a small group of participants. The training focused on keeping content simple and engaging, which was well-received. For future training, they plan to include language training for native English speakers and work on improving heritage interpretation skills. Sebastian emphasizes the importance of designing experiences and proposes a series of online sessions, followed by a hands-on course in autumn, and a refresher before the convention. They also discuss the challenges of finding and retaining qualified tourist guides in Japan, and how their training program can help address this issue. The conversation concludes with a mention of the growing cruise ship tourism in Japan and the need for English-speaking guides to cater to this market.

The Training Committee is preparing for the upcoming Trainer Convention, with members arriving next week. Dimitra has resigned from the committee, and the team will meet for the first time without her. The convention program has been adjusted, with the Training Committee now joining the study tour on the 18th to experience local guiding standards. There are 32 online participants registered for the convention. The resignation of Dimitra is attributed to challenges with digital processes and communication issues, which were addressed but ultimately led to her decision to step down.

The team discussed a small convention they are planning, which will include a panel discussion on technology and AI, and how to reach the minimum standard for training. They also discussed the need for an open discussion on the future of training, and the possibility of making the hot course more digital. There were also discussions about expanding to different regions and languages, and the need for a more inclusive approach. The team also mentioned ongoing contracts in the pipeline, and the appointment of new area representatives.

The board discusses the issue of area representatives and potential changes to their roles. Cristina proposes splitting the coordination responsibilities between Marika and Marian, giving them oversight of different regions to avoid conflicts. Sebastian suggests talking to Marika about potential changes and being careful not to diminish her role. The board also briefly discusses the application of a new Bulgarian association to join WFTGA, which appears to meet the requirements. Sebastian asks Cristina to follow up with Marika and Marian to find a solution for the area representative roles.

The board discusses several topics related to WFTGA operations and upcoming events. They approve Bulgaria as a new full member. Ivana provides updates on various invitations and opportunities, including an MOU with Uzbekistan, an invitation to IMEX Frankfurt, and her attendance at ITB Berlin. The board discusses participating in a speaking engagement for My Pro Guide platform. They also review membership applications from individual guides in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Viola mentions attending the Interpret Europe conference. The board discusses plans for International Tourist Guide Day, including sending out a newsletter, potentially live streaming a session from the Trainer Convention, and highlighting the day's significance on their website and social media.