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Crooks, Coquettes and Conmen, by Helle Sorenson
In the wake of globalization that represents sameness, it is important to embrace diversity and dare to be different. It has become equally urgent to create and preserve a sense of place that brings the tourism experience to life. Kevin Snow, owner of Denver History Tours, brings unique tourism experiences to life for Helle Sorenson's students. Helle Sorenson is an Associate Professor of Tourism Management with Metropolitan State College of Denver. "Crooks, Coquettes and Conmen" is at the center of a partnership between Helle Sorenson and Kevin Snow.
Since 2006, Kevin Snow has graciously helped teach guide management skills, which are important components of Professor Sorenson's course, Managing a Destination, HTE 4811. Learning how to manage a destination goes far beyond guiding a walking tour, which is the glamorous end result. Twice a year, for a very small fee, he takes the class on a two-hour walking tour of downtown Denver. Kevin allows the students to evaluate Denver History Tours' destination management techniques and how he delivers a high quality walking tour program. The students are always fascinated when Kevin imitates a perfect Scottish accent, while admiring his interactive and forgotten stories about the lesser known Colorado crooks. Kevin masters the skill of daring the truth about Denver being founded by conmen with a touch of humor, but always giving utmost respect to his audience and history.
There is no "Hollywoodization" in Gaby Pieroni's tours either. Gaby is a tour guide with Denver History Tours. From Gaby, students receive valuable tips on how to exceed expecations and prepare for unexpected situations through intense obvervations. They analyze her style of story delivery and critique her guide commentary. Her superior tour guide skills include intersecting personal anecdotes about her great grandparents and showing their 1890s photographs. Even though Gaby's great grandmother was not a coquette, she was still among the founding pioneers of Denver. Gaby honors Colorado history and is aware that the fast-paced, globalized classroom may one day completely forget all about these important people and events. After all, such hidden stories will never be twittered, blogged, facebooked or otherwise appear on an ipod broadcast.
Thank you Kevin and Gaby for all you do for my students.
