Tourism & Hospitality Council

Description

April is a month dedicated to Autism Awareness. Join us and learn how they can better serve and support individuals with autism.The idea of being Autism Certified can open up a lot of doors for inclusivity and better understanding in the tourism and hospitality industries. Dave Chatterton's story of how Old Town Trolley Tours became Autism Certified could offer valuable insights for others looking to make a positive impact in their own businesses.

For tourism and hospitality businesses, being Autism Certified means not only opening the door to a new market but also creating a more welcoming environment for guests with neurodiverse needs. This could include training staff to better understand autism, adjusting certain features to make the experience more comfortable, and providing resources for families traveling with loved ones who may need extra support.

It’s a powerful reminder of how businesses can make a real difference in their communities by fostering inclusion and empathy. 

Dave Chatterton, General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours and Attractions of St. Augustine

Dave Chatterton is the General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours and Attractions of St. Augustine. He began his hospitality career in St. Augustine in the early 1990's. In 2003 he joined Historic Tours of America, Old Town Trolley’s parent company, as Savannah's Operations Manager.

Dave considers St. Augustine, his hometown. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, he moved to St. Augustine at a young age. After his time in Savannah, he returned in 2007 to St. Augustine as Operations Manager for Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine, the Authentic Old Jail, the St. Augustine History Museum, the Oldest Store Museum Experience, and Potter’s Wax Museum.

Some of Dave’s civic involvement includes: Serving as a former Treasurer of the Executive Board of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the current Chairperson for the Tourism & Hospitality Council for the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the current Chairperson on the Hospitality and Advisory Board of Flagler College, Member of the Year 2013-2014 of the Chamber of Commerce, served as Treasurer and member of the Executive Board of the Visitor’s Convention Bureau and he was the former Director of the St. Augustine Easter Parade for the past 10 years.

Working with Old Town Trolley, there are many partnerships and initiatives that Dave is very proud of. Too many to name. Supporting an overarching mission of Historic Tours of America to support causes that support children and education, Dave is the co-founder of the Jailbreak 5k. In its first 6 years, the 5k has quickly become the fastest-growing 5k race in Northeast Florida. All proceeds from the race are donated to INK! Investing in Kids which provides innovative programs to promote academic success for St Johns County Public School System.

Additionally, Dave is the co-founder of the official St. Augustine Light Up the Night Display Contest. This contest provides the winners of the light display a monetary prize that includes a generous media package. The contest was put in place to encourage businesses to keep their lights up for the month of January to allow our residents and guests to enjoy the lights of St Augustine, helping to make our city one of the top 5 places to view holiday lights in the country, including the famous Nights of Lights Trolley tour.

Dave resides in St. Augustine, with his wife and two children and outside of business, enjoys time with his family most.

The Tourism & Hospitality Council of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is committed to strengthening the local tourism and hospitality sector by enhancing the ability of businesses to provide exceptional service to visitors. The council serves as a resource for industry-specific training, professional development and educational opportunities, helping members stay informed on the latest trends and best practices through collaboration and shared expertise.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Gold Sponsor - $250

• Recognition as sponsor of 1 session
• Complimentary seat (1) at session
• Opportunity to offer promotional items/information to attendees
• Opportunity to address attendees and promote company (3 minutes)
• Post-event, receive a list of attendees with email addresses
• Name/logo recognition in promotional emails
• Logo and link on chamber website