A Warm Welcome

Conference delegates were welcomed by David Adams, EGDF President, and by Christel Sogenbits, representing our hosts, NPO Challenge Your Senses, Estonia.

Peter Roose, Chief Executive of Tallink Hotels praised the efforts of Christel and her team for training and educating 128 members of the hotel staff, and improving the service quality and awareness of the needs of guide dog handlers and people with visual impairments.  He added that this had become a valuable moral booster and team-building exercise for the staff.  He promised to share the ideas with his peers in the hotel industry and to lead by example.

Sixty-five attendees with nine guide dogs, representing 15 European countries took part in three days of thought-provoking and engaging debate arising from 24 inspiring presentations.

A celebratory Gala Dinner arranged by the hosts gave delegates more opportunities to enjoy each other’s company and they were entertained by four of Estonia’s most talented cellists: C-JAM with their unique style of performance.