Sarah Merusi, executive director at The Polar Tourism Guides Association (PTGA), said that the upcoming 2026 AECO/IAATO Polar Field Staff Conference (PFSC) in association with the PTGA is designed for guides and expedition leaders (ELs) in Arctic and Antarctic expedition tourism.

The conference provides the opportunity to connect, share insights and grow, with an agenda featuring:

• Skills development in risk management
• Group communication
• Cross-cultural awareness
• Presentation and interpretation skills, and
• Giving and receiving feedback and more.

Merusi said in an interview with Cruise Industry News that, in addition to the conference, PTGA is offering what’s said to be the first industry-specific expedition leadership course for ELs and assistant ELS. The course will be opened before the conference’s inauguration.

“This course will enhance individual capacities to a capable and influential expedition leader, aligned with modern standards in teamwork, communication, safety and expedition excellence,” said Merusi.

“This program sets a new benchmark for excellence in expedition leadership: It is tailored to seasoned guides seeking to enhance their team leadership skills, as well as to emerging leaders ready to rise up.”

The course has been developed in partnership with PTGA, Nivation, specialist consultants and leading guide-educators from the adventure tourism industry, Merusi said.

The key deliverables from the course include:

• Understanding team dynamics
• Leadership identity
• Enhanced communication
• Managing change, and
• Navigating legal and industry responsibilities.

“The EL role has evolved significantly in recent years, whereby expectations extend well past operational management. Today’s ELs are cultural torchbearers who understand and promote team cohesion, skills development, industry association expectations and contemporary safety requirements,” Merusi explained.

“Rather than being envisioned solely as executive guides who oversee excursions and report to head office, ELs should be equipped through targeted education to fulfil a wide array of critical leadership responsibilities.”

According to Merusi, the course is addressing these identified challenges in the industry, actively serving the industry and the association’s 750 members and travel operator partnerships.

“PTGA’s standards and programming serve as the cornerstone of industry-leading practices. It is serving as a hub of professional development and certifications, with guides and members from across the polar industry,” Merusi said.

She added that, looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the association is focusing on strengthening its partnerships and making standardized professional development and certifications widely available to all polar guides.