St. Louis' longest running Receptive Tour Company
Dea Hoover
Dea Hoover has been in the Tourism and Travel industry since 2000, beginning as a tour director to operating two tour companies: Discover St. Louis, a full-service receptive since 2008 as well as founding her outbound tour company, Are We There Yet? in 2005. She combines her knowledge of history and the travel industry, as well as her experience buying and selling cars for Saturn, to create the best tour itineraries for you at the best price. She has developed the company into the type of receptive operator she would choose when planning her own tours. Her excellence in the field of tourism has led to numerous features in the media, from radio and newspaper to magazines and television, including The History Channel "The States." Throughout her career she has been deeply committed to tourism in Missouri, previously serving as a St. Louis Regional Representative to the Missouri Travel Association, as President of the St. Louis Professional Tour Guide Association, and serving on the tour guide certification committee for the PTGA. Hoover also serves her community as current Vice-President of the Hill Business Association and on the board of County Credit Union. A native of Vandalia, Missouri, Dea graduated from of Washington University in St. Louis with a BSBA and a minor in English Literature. She currently chairs the Eliot Society Committee for the Washington University Libraries. Hoover believes growing up in a family business, participating in 4-H from ages 8-18 (and still planning the state's tour to D.C.), completing the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking course at 16 and graduating from Washington University made her the woman she is today.
Maggie Rutherford
Office Manager extraordinaire for both companies, tour director for Are We There Yet?, and tour guide liaison for Discover St. Louis, Rutherford brings her vast organizational skills to the office, derived from her experiences working in the lockbox department for Mercantile Bank (now US Bank) and as a stay-at-home mom for nine years. She serves on the board of the Saint Louis Christmas Carol Association, and is a former Girl Scout leader for two troops. She has worked with Dea since 2005 at the start up of Are We There Yet? and helped make the transition to a new office and adding Discover St. Louis to her duties in 2008. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Fontbonne College with a BA in English and Communication.
Declan Rutan
While attending the Clinton School of Public Service, Declan had a chance meeting with Dea Hoover, who asked him to help plan a tour to Ireland. The job interview became a date, and eventually lead to both a career and marriage. While not leading tours, Declan creates itineraries and designs the website, Medias and flyers like the one you are reading right now. He received a Masters of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, consulted for the Arkansas Division of Family Services, and worked for the East-West Institute in Kosovo, Serbia and Macedonia. You might have seen him on the cover of Groups Today Magazine as one of the "Top 10 Next Gens in Tourism"
People are talking about Discover Saint Louis Tours!
Here are some of the nice things that people have written about us."Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed having Dea as a guide. In addition to being extremely cordial, courteous, and helpful, she certainly knew St. Louis history. She answered many questions and provided a very interesting commentary as we toured various parts of the city. She made our St. Louis visit a truly memorable experience." Tom Brown, Freedom Years Bank Travel Club, Newark, Ohio.
"Hi Dea. I wanted to thank you for taking the time out of very busy schedule to address our Club. Several members mentioned that the program was one of our best." - Gene Adelmann, President and Program Director, International Travel Club of St. Louis
"We would like to thank you for your dedicated service to the students of EMBA-Shanghai Class 4 during their St. Louis Residency on the Danforth Campus. Your expertise, enthusiasm, and care are greatly appreciated." -Collette Feldges, Executive MBA Programs EMBA-Shanghai Programs
"Thank you so much for taking good care of our customers. So many attended you had to add more chairs. This is wonderful news !! Looking forward to working with you again soon!" - Deanna Christie-Wheat, Convention Services Manager, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
"Thanks Dea. The team from Bangkok said they really enjoyed the tour." -Jamie Meyer, Executive/Sales Assistant
"You have made this extremely easy and your professionalism is an asset to your company." -Lloyd Jones
"Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed having Dea as a guide. In addition to being extremely cordial, courteous, and helpful, she certainly knew St. Louis history. She answered many questions and provided a very interesting commentary as we toured various parts of the city. She made our St. Louis visit a truly memorable experience." Tom Brown, Freedom Years Bank Travel Club, Newark, Ohio.