Earlier this month, a contingent of SYTA members attended the Congressional Caucus in Washington DC with USTOA members in order to represent the student travel industry.
While the issues being discussed across these meetings were important to the travel industry overall, it demonstrated SYTA’s commitment to being an active participant on the Hill, as well as the value we place in our partnerships with other associations.
Here’s what participants had to say about the experience.
George Nimmo
Tour Resource Consultants
It was an honor to represent SYTA on Capitol Hill at the USTOA Congressional Caucus on June 3rd. My group met with staffers on both sides of the aisle in the Senate and House of Representatives, and the conversations were collaborative, thoughtful, and productive. As the majority of the companies in attendance focus on leisure/luxury travel, it was important for the students that we represent to have a voice in “the room where it happens.” I am hopeful that we were able to move the needle on bipartisan bills surrounding National Parks, BRAND USA, continued funding for FAA/TSA during a future government shutdown, and more. I would highly encourage more SYTA members to attend similar events in the future. Your voice matters.
Bruce Rickert
Peak Group Travel
Representing SYTA during the USTOA Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C. was both a privilege and a reminder of how important our industry’s voice is in the legislative process.
Throughout the day, I had the opportunity to meet with congressional staff from both the House and Senate, engaging in meaningful discussions about issues that impact travel and tourism across the country. The conversations were constructive, insightful, and demonstrated a genuine willingness to listen and collaborate.
While many attendees represented organizations centered around adult package travel, I felt strongly that student travel deserved equal representation. The educational and cultural value of travel for young people is significant, and it was important to ensure that the interests of the students, educators, and organizations we serve were part of the discussion.
I left encouraged by the momentum surrounding several bipartisan initiatives, including support for our National Parks, continued investment in BRAND USA, and protecting critical FAA and TSA operations during any future government shutdowns. These issues have a direct impact on the experiences we provide and the opportunities available to student travelers.
I would strongly encourage fellow SYTA members to participate in future advocacy events. The experience is rewarding, the relationships are valuable, and most importantly, your perspective can help shape decisions that affect our industry for years to come. When we show up and share our stories, we make a difference.
Michael Holzer
Educational Travel Adventures
I strongly believe that our industry needs to have a voice with government. The decisions made by legislators and regulators can have a significant impact on student travel, and it is important that our perspectives and experiences are part of those conversations. Last week, I joined several other SYTA members in Washington, DC, to participate in the USTOA Congressional Caucus, and it was a great experience.
What struck me most during the caucus is that so many of us bring students to Washington each year to learn about our representative form of government. We encourage them to participate, speak up, and understand that their voices matter. The caucus was a reminder that we have the same responsibility.
Advocacy can sometimes feel like a long game, and it’s not always easy to see immediate results. Meeting with elected officials and their staff, sharing our experiences, and building relationships over time is important work. I believe these conversations help ensure that the needs and perspectives of the student travel industry are understood, and that engagement and persistence are how meaningful change happens.
I would encourage anyone with an interest in advocacy to participate in the caucus in the future.
Becky Wingfield
WorldStrides
It was a privilege to represent both SYTA and USTOA on Capitol Hill during the USTOA Congressional Caucus. As leaders in student travel, we have a responsibility to advocate for the experiences that enrich and inspire students beyond the classroom. The conversations with congressional offices reinforced how important it is for our industry to have a consistent voice in discussions that directly impact educational travel, transportation, National Parks, and the future of travel infrastructure.
What stood out most to me was the connection between what we teach students and what we practiced ourselves during the caucus. Every year, we bring students to Washington, DC to learn how government works, how policy decisions are made, and why civic engagement matters. Participating in these meetings was a reminder that we, too, must remain engaged and help ensure student travelers are represented in those conversations.
Advocacy is about building relationships, sharing real experiences, and staying committed to long-term progress. I left encouraged by the bipartisan interest in protecting and strengthening educational travel opportunities for future generations. I would strongly encourage other SYTA members to participate in future advocacy efforts because our collective voice truly does make a difference.