ARCHITECTURAL CONVERSATIONS
Small, intimate tours, custom designed for the tour takers. This is what CAC calls Architectural Conversations.
Over the years, CAC has provided Architectural Conversations for clients, many of whom are sent our way via concierges at local hotels. Last year, 14 such tours were given. Timing is varied – anywhere from two hours to all day, with breaks for lunch, coffee or refreshments (clients treat the docents giving the tour). Some of these were just our own tours given privately to a group anywhere from one person up to six or eight family members. Others were constructed to meet the desires of the tour takers – interested in a particular type of architecture, looking for in-depth looks at a specific architect, following an historic trail – or a combination of any or all of those.
This year CAC would like to expand its offering of Architectural Conversations. We are seeking to create a cadre of docents who would be willing to work with a private client to create and give these custom-designed tours. To that end, CAC will be offering these types of tours through additional outlets, contemplated but not yet able to be announced publicly.
Until now, Joan Johns of the Tour Committee coordinated this effort. She has retired from tour committee and coordination of these custom tours, and Ellen Shubart and Tom Stelmack will be the new coordinators. We are seeking a list of up a limited number of docents who are willing to give these sorts of tours. Requirements for this group are simply having the time, knowing the material and being flexible enough to work out a route WITH the tour takers. We anticipate that docents will have at least five years of experience giving a range of tours. Breadth of knowledge is crucial, but depth of knowledge in a specific area is also important. Flexibility is a top priority, as these requests sometimes come merely 48 hours prior to the desired tour date.
The Group Sales Department would do introductions, but would step back once a contract is signed and the conversation about the specifics would be between the docent and the tour taker.
Interested in applying? Do you have any questions? Contact Ellen Shubart (es******@ao*.com).
The program should be beginning after March 2020.