Tony Di Sante,
President, Guides Association of New York City

Tony has been a licensed guide since 1998. In January 2002, he began working with New York City Vacation Packages to build the first ever tour of the World Trade Center site (Ground Zero). For this reason, it makes him the foremost tour guide on September 11 and what has, is and will be happening at the site. This tour has been featured by such media outlets as CNN, The London Times and The New York Times. Since January 2001 he has also held the position of New York City Student Tour Manager for Student Travel Services, of England. In addition to that, he was the sole tour manager for Contiki Holidays’ regular, three-day guided tour of New York City from 1998 though 2003. Since 1999 he has also been working as a freelance, step-on guide for various companies including Brigg's, Explore New York, Consortium Tours of North America, Levy's Unique New York, Raglin Associates, Shackman and Associates, and many more. He also has over 20 years experience working in New York City hotels such as The Grand Hyatt, The Waldorf Astoria and The Hotel Millenium. Tony is the current President of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC). You can visit his personal webpage here.

About the GANYC

Established in 1974, The Guides Association of New York City (GANYC) is one of the oldest and most active tour guides associations in America. All of our members are fully licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs of the City of New York. Collectively they speak over 25 languages and can give every imaginable variety of tour of New York City.

Harald Mootz,
Concierge, St. Regis Hotel

Harald began at the Hotel Plaza Athenee in 1994 as Concierge, and left in 2006 as Chief Concierge. He has been active in the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges (NYCAHC) since 1996, and has served on the Board of Directors since 1999 in various capacities: Social Coordinator, Secretary, President (twice) and now as Director of PR. The organization has grown from a mere 45 members to over 150 members in the span of his time there, and they're always looking for service minded individuals who want to show visitors how wonderful New York City is and all it has to offer.

Harald Worked for almost two years at the New York Palace Hotel and was one of 3 Chairpersons for the USA Les Clefs d'Or Congress that they hosted in 2007. He is currently a Concierge at the famous St. Regis Hotel and is proud to work with a team of 7 excellent Les Clefs d'Or members and is loving it!

About the NYCAHC

The New York City Association of Hotel Concierges (aka NYCAHC) is a not-for-profit organization of professional hotel concierges that serve the guests of the New York city and Tri-State area. Their logo is the skyline of New York City in the grooves of the key - because they are considered to be the 'keys to the city' for their guests. They proudly wear the key, a small gold one, on their uniforms.

The NYCAHC currently has 132 members in 48 hotels, of which over 100 of them are also members of Les Clefs d'Or, the international association of hotel concierges that wear the crossed gold keys on their uniforms. They meet monthly at various locations throughout NYC that wish to host them and know more about their venue, and bring speakers in that tell them about their services/companies that will be of use to them and our guests. They just met at the fabulous New Museum on the Bowery this month!

Their membership is filled with concierges that come from all walks of life; former flight attendants, tour guides, actors/actresses, cruise ship personnel, real estate agents, and more...

Their do their best to get out into the local community and learn as much as they can about what's going on. They are also active charitably, giving back to local charities that they feel strongly about. They support such organizations as Dreams Come True, Habitat for Humanity, Women In Need, City Harvest, NY Times Neediest Cases, and others. It's important for them to give back to their city as it gives them so much!

Chantal Lawrence,
Volunteer, Big Apple Greeter

I joined Big Apple Greeter as a volunteer in September of 2009 and I have met wonderful people from around the world. As a Brooklynite, I host most of my greets in Brooklyn and many visitors are surprised by the beauty and diversity of Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Flatbush, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg, and Borough Park. Many visitors tend to concentrate their visit in Manhattan, so visiting Brooklyn is truly a treat! During my greets, I share with visitors stories of growing up and living in Brooklyn and I tell them of my favorite restaurants, boutiques, farmers markets, museums, and parks. I love volunteering as a greeter because it is fun and a great way to make friends from around the world. Best of all, it is my way of giving back to the city I love.

About Big Apple Greeter

Big Apple Greeter is an organization that works to promote NYC Tourism by matching New Yorkers with visitors to NYC. Volunteers for Big Apple Greeter are known as "greeters" and greeters spend a day with a visitor(s) and together, they explore a neighborhood in the city. Spending time with a greeter gives the visitor a chance to see the city through the eyes of a New Yorker and really helps to enhance their visit to NYC.