2024-2025 SYTA Board Nominations
The Call for Nominations is Now Open for the SYTA Board of Directors!
Board service is a chance to grow personally and professionally, to develop skills, gain unique experience and make lasting connections with a team of other passionate and motivated professionals.
- Enhance your leadership skills and gain valuable experience in strategic planning, governance, and organizational management within a national organization.
- Connect and collaborate with influential leaders in the association community, forging valuable relationships that can benefit your career and organization.
- Contribute to the advancement of the student travel profession and help shape the future, influencing best practices and driving positive change within the industry.
- Expand your knowledge of field, gain insights into emerging trends, and broaden your perspective on the challenges and opportunities; and
- Gain recognition for your commitment to the association community and your contributions to SYTA’s success.
- The SYTA Vice President position is open for nominations and must be an Active member in good standing. The Vice President serves a one-year term and, upon completion of that term, shall automatically succeed to the office of President for a two-year term
- Click here for position description.
- One (1) Active (tour operator) member positions and two (2) Associate (supplier) member positions are up for election. The term of office is three years, August 2025 – August 2028.
- Click here for position description.
Please review the Nomination Process before completing your nomination form. Nominations must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT, Friday, April 18, 2025. Candidates may nominate themselves using the links below. If you would like to nominate another member as a candidate, please email Alex Urdaneta, Past President and SYTA Nominating Committee Chair, at alex@viajesaplus.com.
- Nomination Form for SYTA Board of Directors (Active) or SYTA Vice President (Active):
- Nomination Form for SYTA Board of Directors (Associate):
Next Step – Candidates are notified by the Nominating Committee Chair by May 9, 2025. Once selected as a candidate, please be prepared to complete the following:
- Submit a photo headshot.
- Prepare a personal statement of 150 words to share with membership.
Katy Summers, SYTA staff ksummers@syta.org, will reach out to collect and coordinate the items above by May 16, 2025.
SYTA Marketing Toolkit – To learn more about SYTA’s five brands, click here.
Nomination Process
FAQs
If you have any questions regarding the nomination process, please contact Katy Summers by e-mail at ksummers@syta.org or by phone at 703-672-8530.
Board of Directors Testimonials
“I have only been in the board for a short time but I am excited at the opportunity to give back to an organization that has given me so much. Being able to represent my industry of food and beverage to youth group traveling is a great responsibility.”
Julie DiStefano-Walker – Tin Roof
“I love the Board’s culture of collaboration and support. It is a Board that is focused so well on being an association with a vision of growth, with increased diversity and with current relevance. Its commitment within the travel industry for young people and students is high. I enjoy its culture of welcoming new ideas, improving and providing quality events for our members, offering important educational opportunities, and embracing new alliances and resources to continue with the great mission of sowing the seed of knowledge in young people through travel.”
Alex Urdaneta – Viajes A Plus, Inc.
“I am grateful for the last 3 years, having been part of an incredible team dedicated to improving the experiences our students will have on tour. I am reminded that we are all in this together, not competing against one another, but supporting one another to be successful. Even though I’ve been working in the student travel business for over 30 years; I have learned so much more over the past 3 years, thanks to my friends on the SYTA Board of Directors.”
Tami Rogers – Bob Rogers Travel
“My time as a board member has come with much learning. We work in an industry of great nuance. Not every person or business works the same way. Observing and listening has changed the way I/we go to market. One common thread however is that each person on the board wants healthy student travel with opportunities for every student to learn and thrive. For that reason, I’m so proud to be a member of the SYTA board. You will be too!”
Pete Smith, Smoky Mountain Resorts
“Even though I’m just a first-year board member, I’ve gained valuable experience by learning the ropes of the board and getting a deeper understanding of the entire organization. It’s truly inspiring to see how SYTA unites everyone around the shared goal of student travel. From leadership to members, SYTA is an incredible organization to be a part of, with everything it represents.”
Anjuli King, Visit Savannah
“The people! Being part of a group of dedicated, collaborative, and insightful people has been a real pleasure. As a first-year board member, everyone has been supportive and generous. The other part is knowing we’re working for the betterment of an organization that helps every single one of its members. Come join us.”
Dave Henley, Grand Classroom
“Serving on the SYTA Board of Directors has been one of the highlights of my professional career. Working alongside other passionate advocates of student travel brings an indescribable energy to meetings that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I’ve made so many business connections through the time on the Board in addition to fulfilling the end goal of helping even more students travel. I would highly recommend serving if you are passionate about the industry and would like to network and meet with other like-minded professionals.”
LouAnna Smith, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
