JC,
I am with Margaret on this one. Your friend needs to find someone who not only knows the swing, but who also communicates and teaches in a manner which the student finds effective. I once took a year-long series of lessons from a "master teacher" who has a tremendous grasp of the game, good communication skills, and a pleasing personality. His primary method of teaching is using video and developing the various parts of the swing with drills and aids. For me, it was a complete disaster, and four years later (as you saw in Chicago), I am still trying to recover.
There are any number of people who can be helpful, though the length of the relationship, BS&T, and aptitude and attitude of the student are probably the most important factors. Andy Hodson, an infrequent poster on this site from Houston, has an excellent reputation as a teacher. Amie Fox here in Arlington, TX is doing some wonderful work with both, beginners and accomplished golfers.
In as far as a place to go for a few days, Hank Haney's facility north of Dallas would be excellent. I've taken a couple of lessons there from Tim Cusick (sp), Hank's director of golf instruction, and can recommend him highly (though he must be very pricey by now). He teaches the same method as Hank, but has a much better bedside manner (somewhere I have a tape of Tim giving me a lesson with Hank in the background telling a student that his swing is on so many different planes that he can't decide which one to look at).
I am convinced that everyone can learn to play better. It is a matter of understanding the fundamentals and practicing them repeatedly. Very few of us can pick up the game when we are adults and become good golfers without proper instruction, focused practice, and frequent application on the course. Fortunately, one can have fun with golf without being a great player. Just one accidental good shot or two can keep us coming back. Stupid game!