GSA CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW

Our Granite State Ambassadors Certification is a 2-day intensive certification training course. Classes begin at 9am and end at 4pm each day. You must attend the entire training to become a "Granite State Ambassador".

DAY 1 - THE NH GRANITE STATE AMBASSADOR EXPERIENCE

• Module # 1 - Welcome to NH Granite State Ambassadors (NHGSA, The Company)
  To provide an orientation to students about our company, our programs, our mission, vision and values. As well as providing an understanding of our key partners including NH Division of Travel & Tourism, and their promotional materials and how to use them to support our guests .
• Module # 2 Hospitality The GSA Way (GSAs, The People)
  An exploration of the skills and resources needed to provide hospitality to guests of New Hampshire, by meeting and exceeding their information needs. How New Hampshire residents have always played a role in this process.
•  Module # 3 - How to Participate as a GSA
  To provide the volunteer (or employee) with an understanding of the philosophy, rules, regulations, and inner workings of participating as a "GSA". Learning about how to participate at your own level and the importance and specifics of our extensive communication system.

DAY 2 - BECOMING AN AWARD-WINNING "NH INFORMATION SPECIALISTS"

• Module # 4 - Sports & Recreation
  A panel of experts talk about the importance of sports and recreations opportunities has for New Hampshire residents and guests.
  Panelist Topics include: NH State Parks, White Mountain National Forest, NH Campground Association, Ski NH, and NH Fish & Game
• Module # 5 - Business, Industry & Education
  A panel of experts discuss New Hampshire's business climate, our strong attachment to NH Made and locally grown and harvested products, and the importance of NH's multiple educational opportunities and how they impact tourism .
• Module # 6 - Attractions & Heritage Tourism
  A panel of local experts introduce us to their community and explore their attractions, scenic, cultural and historical sites and how they help to define who we are here in New Hampshire.
• Module #7 - Falling in Love with New Hampshire
  Through a "speed-dating" format of presentations from each of NH's seven tourism Regions (Monadnock, Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee, Northern NH, White Mountains, Lakes, Seacoast, and Merrimack Valley)  will help students develop an understanding of the unique activities and events that draw people to New Hampshire and to "Fall in Love" with each of them!
  

WHY BECOME A GRANITE STATE AMBASSADOR
Certification Training Overview

New Hampshire Granite State Ambassadors adds value to state agencies, local businesses, and individuals through a training and service support network that sustains and enhances the New Hampshire experience. Over the past decade GSAs have worked tirelessly to promote and protect our sense of place by valuing both built and natural environments, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being our residents and guests alike.  As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization, NHGSA serve hundreds of travel and tourism related businesses including  key partners, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and the NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

Our award winning organization has certified over 1,000 residents and employees who staff front line visitor centers supporting the authentic culture of New Hampshire, its people and products.  Since 1996 GSAs have given over 170,000 hours of volunteer service providing personal assistance to millions of guests visiting the Granite State.  Currently more than 400 GSAs serve New Hampshire city, state, federal, and private organizations such as regional associations and chambers of commerce. 

With leaner staffs, organizations demand more well-rounded employees and appreciate the efforts of volunteers within the work environment. Effective, continuous training is the way to stay on top. Granite State Ambassadors is a fun and effective way to incorporate on-going training and sustaining volunteer and employee service for tourism related organizations.

GSA CERTIFICATION TRAINING: Provides 14 hours and 7 training modules of learning activities that reinforce the tools needed to meet and exceed the expectations of guests and support the authentic culture of New Hampshire, its people and products.

GSA CERTIFICATION: Graduates from the program are awarded certification as a "Granite State Ambassador" (GSAs). Granite State Ambassadors can reinforce their certification and update skills on a regular basis by attending GSA certification classes, activities, tours, and specialized trainings. To keep your Granite State Ambassador status you must continue to be an active Ambassador and are asked to volunteer or work at local visitor contact points or centers as well as attend at least one alternative GSA activity per year. It is your responsibility to keep up to date with GSA activities. We encourage you to utilize our private network website as a way to do so. You will receive information on how to access the VPN during training.

CERTIFICATION FEE: $35.00 includes

• Fourteen hours of intensive training including two key GSA trainers & two dozen speakers
• GSA notebook including materials, literature and information on NH’s Tourism Industry
• GSA official name tag
• Graduation certificate from Granite State Ambassadors, Inc.
• Lunch & snacks
• Tour of our host location
• Prizes, gifts and surprises
• “Granite State Ambassador” certification and membership

Thank you to our members, donors, and key partners like NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport for their support. We would love your help keeping our training fees low. Please consider supporting our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

NH Granite State Ambassadors
One Airport Road - Suit 198
Manchester NH 03103-7450