Safety & emergencies
How our 24/7 ops desk works, what your Tour Director carries in their bag, and the playbook for the small-stuff scenarios (lost passport, missed train, late flight) that come up most often.
IRELAND · 2026
Dublin Group Leader Training Conference.
Wednesday, November 4 – Sunday, November 8, 2026
Section 01About the half-day training
Section 02Day-by-day in Dublin
Section 03What's included, what's free
Section 04How to earn your spot
The morning training session
A half-day with people who’ve already solved your problems.
Mid-trip on Day 3, the conference settles into a half-day roundtable with Passports staff and veteran group leaders. The agenda is shaped by what you actually deal with — not a sales deck. Six themes anchor the morning, and there’s real time to push on each one.
Recruitment that actually fills a tour
What works in the hallway, at parent night, and on social. Real numbers from leaders who run 30-traveler tours every other year — and the small adjustments that turned 12 sign-ups into 28.
The parent conversation
Scripts for the four hardest questions you'll get from parents — money, safety, food, supervision — and the documents Passports already has to back you up.
Tour Director, gate to gate
What your TD handles so you can be a teacher again. Where the line falls between TD decisions and Group Leader decisions. How to use them well — and what they wish more leaders asked them.
Itinerary tradecraft
Pacing, free-time strategy, the days that always feel long, the museums worth the line and the ones that aren't. Tricks veteran leaders bring back from a dozen trips.
When something goes sideways
Crisis comms with parents back home, working through a sick traveler, what to do when two kids have a falling-out two days into a 10-day trip. Real stories, real responses, plenty of time for your questions.
Roundtable, not lecture. Every cohort sets its own emphasis. If your group is fundraising for the first time, that’s where we spend the time. If you’re taking a tour after a hard year on safety, we’ll dig into that. Come with the questions you can’t Google.
About the city
Dublin, Ireland.
Dublin, Ireland's lively capital, is celebrated for its rich literary heritage, historic landmarks, and warm, welcoming spirit. From the cobblestone streets of Temple Bar to the iconic Trinity College Library, the city offers a perfect mix of tradition and modern charm. As a Passports group leader, you'll have the ideal backdrop to strengthen your leadership skills while soaking in Dublin's vibrant culture and famous Irish hospitality.
This teacher training conference is designed to provide meaningful networking opportunities, expert-led sessions, and practical tips for leading student tours. Plus, you'll have the chance to explore Dublin, dive into Irish culture, and gain a clearer picture of what to expect on your upcoming Passports adventure.
Your free spot
Enroll 15 travelers on your first Passports tour, or use 1,200 Rewards Points.
Agenda
What you’ll do.
- Learn the ins-and-outs of what to expect on a Passports tour
- Meet Passports Tour Directors and Passports staff
- Experience Passports tour services for yourself
What’s included
Everything covered.
- Roundtrip airfare to Dublin, Ireland
- Meet-and-greet transfer from Dublin airport to your hotel
- Hotel accommodations for the duration of your stay
- All breakfasts and dinners
- A half-day instructional session on the finer points of being a group leader
- Welcome Reception, Activities, and a special Farewell Dinner
Tour summary
Five days, at a glance.
Days 1–2: Arrival Dublin
- Arrival Transfer
- Tour Director-led Walking Tours
- Welcome Reception
Day 3: Dublin
- Morning Training Conference
- Free Time
- Dinner
Day 4: Dublin
- Optional Activities
- Guinness Storehouse Tour
- EPIC Irish Emigration Museum
- Trinity College
- Farewell Dinner
Day 5: Departure
- Departure Transfer
Detailed itinerary
Day by day in Dublin.
Sample itinerary — final day-by-day timing and excursion choices are confirmed and sent to attendees before departure.
Arrival Dublin
"Fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen; we're now first in line for departure." A meal and a movie later the sky is orange off the left side, and it's Ireland that looms below. You land in Dublin. Begorra! Settle in, relax and get ready to discover a fascinating city — the hometown of distinguished writers including William Butler Yeats, Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker (author of Dracula), and Samuel Beckett.
Tour Director-led walking tour in the historic Temple Bar district
Explore a fashionable district as you follow cobbled streets dating back to Dublin's medieval city. The residence of Sir William Temple was a landmark in the 17th century, as was O'Neal's Music Hall in the 18th century, when it hosted the first performance of Handel's Messiah (1742). Nowadays, the Temple Bar is a lively neighborhood that is home to several cultural institutions as well as pubs and restaurants.
Photo stop at Ha'penny Bridge
Cross the pedestrian span officially known as the Liffey Bridge, which elegantly arches its way above the River Liffey. When it was built in 1816 to replace ferries, it cost a ha'penny at the toll booth to walk over to the other bank — same as the ferry fare. By 2001, some 27,000 people crossed this bridge daily (for free).
Welcome Reception
This evening, join Passports staff and fellow organizers for a delightful welcome reception. Engage in lively conversations, share your exciting travel experiences, and create new connections while savoring delectable refreshments and mouthwatering canapés.
Group Leader Training Conference
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, our group leader training conference can provide an invaluable opportunity to network with other group leaders and learn from their experiences. Attendees can expect to receive plenty of practical advice on everything from itinerary planning to dealing with difficult travel situations. If you're serious about becoming a successful group leader, our travel training conference is a must-attend event.
Enjoy afternoon free time in Dublin
Spend a relaxed afternoon discovering the effortless charm of Dublin at your own pace. You might choose to wander the cobblestone streets of Temple Bar, browse local shops for Irish woolens, books, or Celtic jewelry, or stop for a cozy cup of tea and a scone at one of Dublin's charming cafés. However you spend your time, Dublin offers the perfect mix of history, culture, and lively charm to enjoy at your own pace.
Dinner in Dublin
Savor a hearty Irish meal at a local restaurant, where you might try classics like beef and Guinness stew, traditional fish and chips, or shepherd's pie — all followed by a delicious Irish dessert.
Optional half-day city sightseeing in Dublin
A city tour highlights landmarks such as Dublin Castle, Ha'penny Bridge, Christ Church Cathedral, Georgian squares and the Dublin Spire, built to celebrate the new millennium and hailed as the world's tallest sculpture at nearly 400 feet. Of course, you'll see the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, which became the headquarters of the rebels in the Easter Uprising of 1916. From its steps, Patrick Pearse announced the establishment of a republic. See how the building still bears scars from the fighting. A half-day local guide, well-educated and specially-trained on the history and culture of Dublin, will accompany you today.
Optional guided tour at the Guinness Storehouse with a complimentary beer or soft drink
Enjoy the guided Visitor Experience at the seven-story Guinness Storehouse located at the site of the brand's former St. James's Brewery. Get introduced to the history of Guinness and its brewery founded in 1759, and to the step-by-step brewing process of its world-famous dark stout while you wind your way around the transparent atrium designed to evoke a pint-size Guinness glass. You'll catch great views of Dublin from the top floor, and sip a complimentary beer or soft drink.
Optional visit to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
On your visit to this fully digital museum housed in an old dockland storehouse, you will get a summary of 1,500 years of Irish history. You will also understand why 10 million Irish men, women and children left their homeland in the mid 1800s, and the impact they had on the world.
Optional visit to Trinity College to view the Book of Kells
At the prestigious Protestant college established by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, you will view the Old Library and its best known treasure, the medieval Book of Kells.
Farewell Dinner
As the perfect finale to an unforgettable Group Leader Training Tour, our Farewell Dinner brings everyone together for an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration. Set in a warm, authentic local venue, this special night is a chance to relax, share stories from the journey, and reflect on everything you've experienced as both a traveler and an educator.
Depart Dublin
The lush landscapes of Ireland fade beneath the wings of your jet as you head home, but the memories of thatched cottages, pubs, and the wit and poetry of its people will last forever. Recline your seat, remember the beauty of the Emerald Isle and plan your future visit. Next time, find that leprechaun and claim his pot of gold!
Sights you’ll see
Dublin, in pictures.
The iconic Temple Bar
Ha'penny Bridge
Trinity College
Guinness Storehouse
St. Patrick's CathedralWe look forward to meeting you soon
Talk to your Tour Advisor.
We’ll walk you through where you stand on Rewards Points and confirm whether the Dublin program is the right fit for your school’s calendar.