International Greeter Association

Come as a guest – leave as a friend!

The Greeter concept started in 1992 when Lynn Brooks founded Big Apple Greeter in New York City. More Greeter programs started in Australia, Argentina, Canada, and more cities in the United States, and, in 2005, some of these programs met in New York City to form an informal roundtable they called “Global Greeter Network.” The concept spread around the world.

In 2019, the network members decided to create a legal entity, renamed International Greeter Association. Today, with over 150 member programs in 40 countries on 6 continents, all IGA members proudly share the same Core Values:

• Greeters are volunteers, a friendly face for those visiting a city/destination.

• Greeters welcome individuals and may serve small groups of up to six people.

• Meeting a Greeter is free of charge.

• All visitors and volunteers are welcome without any kind of discrimination.

• Greeters support sustainable tourism. They respect natural and man-made environments, bringing both cultural and economic enrichment to local communities. Greeters aim for a lasting positive image of each destination.

• Greeter organizations create a mutually enriching opportunity for cultural exchange; create links between people in creating a better world.