Schedule

Monday, August 16

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET

Lobby Opens

11:00 AM – 11:20 AM ET

General Session – SYTA President, Steve Maehl will be live from the stage to welcome you to the 2021 SYTA Annual Conference. Meet the current SYTA and SYTA Youth Foundation leadership as they welcome the new board members for 2021-2022. CSTO and CSTP graduates will also be recognized for their commitment to the industry and the profession of student travel.

11:20 AM – 11:30 AM ET

Travel Message Sponsored by Coastal Mississippi – Discover The Mississippi Gulf Coast

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET

Keynote: Brian Williams –  Brian Williams, Sales and Presentation expert met with SYTA members to understand the unique challenges facing our industry and the need to rebuild the trust of our customers.  Brian will be live and responding to questions posed by the audience. You won’t want to miss this energizing and fun session.

12:30 PM – 12:50 PM ET

Lunch Break – Grab your lunch and connect with attendees in the Networking Lounge

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM ET

A Covid-19 Silver Lining – D’Evelyn Jaguar High School Marching Band shares their story of practicing and performing during the pandemic. The Jaguars performed at the 80th Anniversary of Red Rocks and the Presidential Inaugural Celebrations. Their stories are inspiring to everyone who wants see students traveling and performing again.

1:15 PM – 1:45 PM ET

SYTA Youth Foundation – Hear the inspiring stories of students whose lives were changed by SYF during the pandemic. Stories continue at the SYF Lunch and Learn on Thursday.

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM ET

Passing of the Gavel – Meet the New SYTA President – A 25 year SYTA tradition of welcoming the new SYTA President, Adele Youngs. She will  share her vision for the future and how we can connect our community globally to advocate for student travel.  

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET

Afternoon Tea – A conversation with members facilitated by Corinne Hancock, SYTA Summit Speaker. Some will share their experiences traveling students through under COVID-19 protocols and an international perspective by members from around the globe.

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM ET

Break

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM ET

The Best of Broadway presented by Group Sales Box Office at Broadway.com – Broadway is Back – An all -star program awaits you as we all look forward to returning to Broadway and sharing these incredible experiences with students.

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM ET

Branson Ice Cream Social – Sponsored by Branson CVB – What’s your favorite flavor? This is when you would be at the Branson Ice Cream Social  having a delicious treat scooped by our friends from Branson.   Don’t miss this “virtual” break with Carylann, Steve, Urte and Branson.

Tuesday, August 17

9:30 AM – 9:55 AM ET

Business Appointment Kick-off & Morning Joe – Keynote speaker, Brian Williams is back live to pump you up with sales techniques for “win win” business appointments

10:00 AM – 10:58 AM ET

Business Session 1

10:58 AM – 11:15 AM ET

Break

11:15 AM – 12:13 PM ET

Business Session 1

12:13 PM – 1:30 PM ET

Lunch Break

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM ET

Lunch & Learn Sponsored by We Travel – Lucas Ennis leads an interactive discussion on three solid  ideas to help travel recover: Technology Tool Kit, tips for implementing a more sustainable travel company post covid and how to leverage your social media accounts to build trust and push your travel brand forward.

1:30 PM – 2:28 PM ET

Business Session 2

2:28 PM – 2:45 PM ET

Break

2:45 PM – 3:43 PM ET

Business Session 2

Wednesday, August 18

9:30 AM – 9:55 AM ET

A Conversation with Rick Steves – In a conversation with Carylann Assante, Rick Steves shares his perspectives on why students should travel and how we can change the world through young travelers. He firmly belives in the mission of the SYTA Youth Foundation and donated his time so that others  would donate to SYF.  

10:00 AM – 10:58 PM ET

Business Session 3

10:58 AM – 11:15 AM ET

Break

11:15 AM – 12:13 PM ET

Business Session 3

12:13 PM – 1:30 PM ET

Lunch Break

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM ET

Lunch, Learn & Entertainment Sponsored by Nashville CVC – SYTA’s conference tradition includes introducing new attractions for student groups and incredible musical entertainment for attendees. This session is no different. Grab your lunch and join Carylann and LouAnna as they introduce you to one of Nashville’s newest attractions the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM)  and a special performance by Louis York. Louis York is the musical creation of Claude Kelly & chuck Harmony who’ve worked with celebrity artists and released their debut album, American Griots, January 2020 and have made Nashville their home.

1:30 PM – 2:28 PM ET

Business Session 4

2:28 PM – 2:45 PM ET

Break

2:45 PM – 3:43 PM ET

Business Session 4

Thursday, August 19

9:30 AM – 9:55 AM ET

A perspective on To Kill a Mockingbird and its relevance for students today. Sponsored by Broadway Inbound – On February 26th, 2020 To Kill a Mockingbird made history when the play was performed in Madion Square Garden in front of approximately 18,000 New York City public school students. The producers felt the play needed to open up to a younger and more diverse audience knowing the positive impact it would have on their lives.

9:55 AM – 10:00 AM ET

Morning Joe Sponsored by Discover Puerto Rico – We last enjoyed a Morning Joe by Discover Puerto Rico in Birmingham, when we lined up for an incredible espresso or café latte.  Grab your own cup of Joe and enjoy a personal island message from our friends in Puerto Rico.

10:00 AM – 10:58 AM ET

Business Session 5

10:58 AM – 11:15 AM ET

Break

11:15 AM – 12:13 PM ET

Business Session 5

12:13 PM – 1:00 PM ET

Lunch Break

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM ET

Lunch & Learn Hosted by SYTA Youth Foundation – Building on Monday’s SYF program, you’ll hear how the Foundation is impacting students through “virtual” travel and new opportunities to support students who achieve their goals through travel . Meet Deborah Borgwardt, SYF Chair and Teresa Crews, SYF Vice Chair as they share SYF’s goals for 2021-2022.

1:00 PM – 1:58 PM ET

Business Session 6

1:58 PM – 2:15 PM ET

Break

2:15 PM – 3:13 PM ET

Business Session 6

3:13 PM – 3:30 PM ET

Break

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Closing Session: Kick-off to SYTA’s 25th Anniversary Sponsored by NYC & Company – SYTA: Past, Present and Future with an Introduction by Fred Dixon, NYC & Company. Celebrate the kick off of SYTA’s 25th year with stories, videos and remembrances by SYTA members.   Celebration closes with a look to the future and the 2022 SYTA Annual Conference, Washington DC and a message from Elliott Ferguson, Destination DC