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Registration

Location: Sheraton Times Square Hotel Lobby

Sightseeing Tours (Ticketed Event)

We cannot wait for you to enjoy some of the best experiences that the five boroughs have to offer. Click here for more information. 

Meet and Greet

Join your friends and colleagues at a fun Meet and Greet at Dave & Buster's, Times Square. Light food will be provided with a cash bar.  Wear your badge to join the party!Location: 234 W 42nd St 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036Meet and Greet sponsored by Dave and Buster's. 

Evening on Broadway (Ticketed Event)

    SYTA’s Strategic Partners, Broadway Inbound and Group Sales Box Office at Broadway.com, are thrilled to invite all SYTA attendees to take in a Broadway Show while they are in town. Please review the FAQs for more information.Tickets are limited so register today! Registered attendees who register their non-industry guests with their registration, may attend the […]

Sightseeing Tours (Ticketed Event)

We cannot wait for you to enjoy some of the best experiences that the five boroughs have to offer. Click here for more information.    All Sightseeing tours will depart from Applebee's.

General Session: Presidential Welcome, CSTO & CSTP Graduation

Kick Off the SYTA Annual Conference in vibrant New York City with your President, Alex Urdaneta. Meet your Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, and the Conference Committee who will share tips for navigating the new conference schedule. Together we will recognize those who have earned their CSTP and CSTO.

Opening Night – Edge at Hudson Yards

You’ve never experienced New York like this before. Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere with a one-of-a-kind design, giving you 360-degree views you can’t get anywhere else. Look 100 stories down from the thrilling glass floor, lean out over the city on angled glass walls, and sip champagne in the […]

Wellness Lounge

  Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg.   Experience rejuvenation at our conference wellness room: greet the day with morning yoga sessions, unwind with chair massages available upon signup, and find tranquility in our serene meditation room—a haven for relaxation and focus. Elevate your conference experience with moments dedicated to your well-being.  See schedule below and sign […]

Morning Joe & Light Breakfast

Join us for coffee and a light breakfast before the General Session.Location: New York Ballroom

General Session and Welcome by NYC Tourism + Conventions

Location: New York BallroomSponsored By: Kennedy Space and Visitor's Complex José M. Hernández, a Mexican-American engineer and former NASA astronaut. He currently serves as a Regent of the University of California. Hernández was assigned to the crew of Space Shuttle mission STA-128 and also served as the chief of the Materials and Processes branch of Johnson […]

Barista Bar

Discover Puerto Rico is proud to sponsor SYTA’s coffee break. Puerto Rico’s coffee is in itself a unique tradition, and you will be able to savor one of the Island’s authentic flavors as you network and gather with peers and colleagues during the event.

Tour Operator Lounge

Location: Empire Ballroom West.Sponsored by: Canada Tourism Partners & Fly My Group

Education Session: What Should I Do?

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelA Risk Management, Insurance and Travel Law Q & A Session Come hear about incidents which resulted in disputes, claims and lawsuits, and join the conversation about recent travel industry trends. What was the end result and what could have been done better? Join our interactive session, where […]

Education Session: Elevated Leadership for a Performance Culture

Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelPerfect for business owners and managers running a team of 3 people or more, this session will explore why establishing a robust performance culture is paramount for organizational success. We will delve into the intricacies of creating an environment where attrition rates are low, and performance consistently […]

Branson’s Ice Cream Social

Join us for the Branson Ice Cream Social! Get the scoop on Branson at our delightful ice cream cart. Enjoy delicious treats while learning about all the fun and exciting things Branson has to offer. Don't miss out on this sweet experience at the SYTA annual conference! Sponsored by Explore Branson. 

Education Session: Planning for Your Next of Kin

Location: Chelsea RoomNo one likes to think about the phases of life and how, in a time of uncertainty, your Next of Kin will handle urgent matters. This seminar, designed for everyone, makes the process of organizing your entire life, both physical and digital, simple. We will cover topics from organizing financial documents to the […]

Education Session: Generative AI for Tourism Marketers

Location: Sugar Hill RoomGenerative AI is revolutionizing the tourism industry, and marketers must adapt to stay ahead of the curve. Janette Roush, NYC Tourism’s EVP Marketing and global speaker on using these tools, cuts through the hype to provide a clear roadmap for practical implementation. We’ll explore ways you can use this technology today for […]

Tour Operator Lunch

Join us for lunch and an engaging discussion with Presidents and CEOs who share their diverse perspectives on how student travel creates globally-responsible citizens.   Attendees will gain insights from these organizations as they share how they are supporting student tour operators and their student travelers.Discussion Points may include:• Student Travel Trends & Emerging Markets• How […]

Branson’s Ice Cream Social

Join us for the Branson Ice Cream Social! Get the scoop on Branson at our delightful ice cream cart. Enjoy delicious treats while learning about all the fun and exciting things Branson has to offer. Don't miss out on this sweet experience at the SYTA annual conference! Sponsored by Explore Branson. 

Barista Bar

Discover Puerto Rico is proud to sponsor SYTA’s coffee break. Puerto Rico’s coffee is in itself a unique tradition, and you will be able to savor one of the Island’s authentic flavors as you network and gather with peers and colleagues during the event.

Education Session: Designing the Perfect Student Itinerary

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelNew (And Old) Rules for Tour Operators – Between teacher expectations, student attention spans, traffic, and crowds, it’s harder than ever to design a great student tour itinerary. Whether you’re new to itinerary creation or looking for a jolt of inspiration to bring back to your team, this […]

Education Session: International Travel

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelSYTA Research shows that Out-of-country travel is forecasted to grow 240% over last year. Many student tour operators rely on receptive operators to facilitate their groups while traveling abroad. Hear from a panel of international tour operators on how to partner with them and what is unique to […]

Education Session: Mastering the SYTA Marketing Toolkit

Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelIf you are a harried, overwhelmed or under-resourced marketer for your organization, this session is for you! SYTA has developed an excellent resource to make your marketing job easier and it’s just a click away on SYTA.org. Join the developers and enthusiastic users of the SYTA Marketing […]

Afterglow at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Location: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. 45 East 42nd StreetThe Afterglow is closed*. If you have not received a confirmation of your RSVP from SUMMIT, unfortunately, no more guests can be accommodated. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please note, doors will close at 11:00 PM; attending guests must arrive by this time in order to be admitted. Reflect on […]

Empire State Building Observatory Sunrise Breakfast and Run, Walk, Slumber (RWS)

Join us for an unforgettable morning at the iconic Empire State Building Observatory!Experience a breathtaking sunrise with our Sunrise Breakfast and Run, Walk, Slumber (RWS) event, presented in collaboration with the Empire State Building Observatory, Starbucks Reserve®, and Big Bus New York.Whether you prefer running, walking, or relaxing on a bus ride, this event promises […]

Wellness Lounge

  Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg.   Experience rejuvenation at our conference wellness room: greet the day with morning yoga sessions, unwind with chair massages available upon signup, and find tranquility in our serene meditation room—a haven for relaxation and focus. Elevate your conference experience with moments dedicated to your well-being. See schedule below and sign […]

Tour Operator Continental Breakfast

Location: Sheraton Times Square Hotel Lobby Sponsored by: Smoky Mountain Partners, Northern Virginia Tourism Partners, Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Tour Operator Travel Talks

Travel Talk 1: Northern Virginia Tourism PartnersTravel Talk 2: Smoky Mountain PartnersTravel Talk 3: Smoky Mountain PartnersTravel Talk 4: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Barista Bar

Discover Puerto Rico is proud to sponsor SYTA’s coffee break. Puerto Rico’s coffee is in itself a unique tradition, and you will be able to savor one of the Island’s authentic flavors as you network and gather with peers and colleagues during the event.

Tour Operator Lounge

Sponsored by: Canada Tourism Partners & Fly My Group. Location: Empire Ballroom West

Education Session: Bridging the Gap

Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelHow to effectively work with DMOs and tour operators.Speakers: Noelle Piche from Tourism Kingston will be the moderator. Panelists will be announced mid-JulyFor more information, click here. 

Education Session: Communications in a Crisis – Get Ready Now!

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelAs anyone who has lived through a crisis can tell you, you’ll never be completely ready when a crisis hits your firm or a tragedy affects your customers. It’s easy to be caught off guard when the media, government officials, law enforcement, first responders or your travelers start […]

Branson’s Ice Cream Social

Join us for the Branson Ice Cream Social! Get the scoop on Branson at our delightful ice cream cart. Enjoy delicious treats while learning about all the fun and exciting things Branson has to offer. Don't miss out on this sweet experience at the SYTA annual conference! Sponsored by Explore Branson. 

Education Session: Applied DEIA Workshop

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelRoni Weiss of Travel Unity, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that has curated DEI standards for Travel & Tourism, and Harry Alvarez of Offbeat Travel will facilitate a workshop where participants will be invited to create their own roadmap for applied DEI, including how to appeal to travelers of […]

Education Session: Preparing for the Worst

Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelUtilizing Crisis Simulations to Understand Roles and Responsibilities When Disasters Occur – Once your organization has developed a Crisis Response Plan and your team members have been trained in order to understand the role each of them play in a crisis response, it is important to practice […]

Branson’s Ice Cream Social

Join us for the Branson Ice Cream Social! Get the scoop on Branson at our delightful ice cream cart. Enjoy delicious treats while learning about all the fun and exciting things Branson has to offer. Don't miss out on this sweet experience at the SYTA annual conference! Sponsored by Explore Branson. 

Barista Bar

Discover Puerto Rico is proud to sponsor SYTA’s coffee break. Puerto Rico’s coffee is in itself a unique tradition, and you will be able to savor one of the Island’s authentic flavors as you network and gather with peers and colleagues during the event.

Education Session: Customer Journey for the Team

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelExplore the customer journey and think through your role in it. This is perfect for team members in marketing, sales, and operations.Speaker: Andrea Ross with Cultivate AdvisorsFor more information, click here. 

Education Session: Researching the Future of Student & Youth Travel

Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelThe student/youth audience makes up for one-fourth of the entire travel market – and yet research and attention on this segment is lacking. The vibrant youth audience is ready and able to travel but is seeking out experiences that meet their very specific set of values – […]

Education Session: SYTA Youth Foundation

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelCome learn about how the SYTA Youth Foundation has inspired and impacted youth by providing travel experiences and learn how you can support the Foundation!Speaker: Allison French, SYF Chair and members of the Board of TrusteesFor more information, click here. 

Lion King Performance: THE LION KING on Broadway

           Join us for a SYTA Annual Conference exclusive performance of THE LION KING on Broadway! This private performance at the Minskoff Theater is for all Conference attendees. Additional details will come closer to the conference. Sponsored by: Disney on Broadway and Disney Imagination CampusLocation: Minskoff Theatre    

After Show Reception: at Madame Tussauds

SYTA is stepping into the spotlight! Madame Tussauds is hosting an extraordinary evening, where fantasy and reality collide in the most spectacular way. Whether you choose to sip on drinks with A-list celebrities or share a bite to eat with your favorite sports hero, this private SYTA experience promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.Food […]

Wellness Lounge

  Sponsored by Visit Williamsburg.   Experience rejuvenation at our conference wellness room: greet the day with morning yoga sessions, unwind with chair massages available upon signup, and find tranquility in our serene meditation room—a haven for relaxation and focus. Elevate your conference experience with moments dedicated to your well-being. See schedule below and sign […]

General Session: Presidential Speeches/Visit Savannah

Sponsored By: Universal Destinations & Experiences - Kellie McIntyre is a traveler, speaker, and author of THE PASSPORT PROJECT. Her quest for culture and adventure has taken her to 50 countries across seven continents. In 2013, Kellie and her family packed one suitcase each and embarked on a five-month journey around the world. Now, she […]

Barista Bar

Discover Puerto Rico is proud to sponsor SYTA’s coffee break. Puerto Rico’s coffee is in itself a unique tradition, and you will be able to savor one of the Island’s authentic flavors as you network and gather with peers and colleagues during the event.

Education Session: Human Trafficking in the Hospitality and Travel Industries

Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelHuman trafficking is a form of abuse where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. The International Labor Organization estimates there are over 40 million victims globally – 1 in 4 of which is a child. Victims are often sold in hotel rooms and transported […]

Education Session: De-Escalation Training

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelKill them with kindness, right? Well, no, not exactly. How do you feel when an upset guest, client, or employee approaches you? Panic and dread? Calm and confident? Join us to learn additional tools to quickly lower the emotional impact, gain tools that help you build confidence in […]

Branson’s Ice Cream Social

Join us for the Branson Ice Cream Social! Get the scoop on Branson at our delightful ice cream cart. Enjoy delicious treats while learning about all the fun and exciting things Branson has to offer. Don't miss out on this sweet experience at the SYTA annual conference! Sponsored by Explore Branson. 

Education Session: Human Trafficking in the Hospitality and Travel Industries

Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelHuman trafficking is a form of abuse where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. The International Labor Organization estimates there are over 40 million victims globally – 1 in 4 of which is a child. Victims are often sold in hotel rooms and transported […]

Education Session: Beyond the Brochure

Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower LevelMuseums and monuments are boring! Teens don’t want to see things; they want to do things. From attending Gladiator School in Rome to serving in a giant soup kitchen in India, learn Kellie’s tips for making educational travel fun, memorable, and meaningful. Sponsored by Universal Destinations & ExperiencesSpeaker: […]

Tour Operator Lunch: THE BEST OF BROADWAY: UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Group Sales Box Office’s Broadway Cooperative is thrilled to present a celebration of live theatre that could happen “Only in New York.” This tour operator-only lunchtime event will offer an intimate, up close and personal experience with Broadway professionals, exploring the life-changing impact that Broadway has on students and emphasizing the importance of arts education, exposure to […]

Lunch

Branson’s Ice Cream Social

Join us for the Branson Ice Cream Social! Get the scoop on Branson at our delightful ice cream cart. Enjoy delicious treats while learning about all the fun and exciting things Branson has to offer. Don't miss out on this sweet experience at the SYTA annual conference! Sponsored by Explore Branson. 

Barista Bar

Discover Puerto Rico is proud to sponsor SYTA’s coffee break. Puerto Rico’s coffee is in itself a unique tradition, and you will be able to savor one of the Island’s authentic flavors as you network and gather with peers and colleagues during the event.

Closing Event at MoMA

    The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most visited museums in the world. For SYTA’s closing night event, MoMA will open its doors for an exclusive evening celebrating arts and culture in New York City. Enjoy music, food, and drinks in the Museum’s beloved Sculpture Garden before exploring the galleries. Don’t […]

Dance Your Meal Off (DYMO) featuring the SYTA Band (Ticketed Event)

Party like a rock star at SYTA's traditional "Dance Your Meal Off" event. With a very special performance from everyone's favorite SYTA Band, composed of all SYTA members! Purchase your tickets through registration. Each entry comes with 2 drink tickets. Late night snacks and cash bar will be available. Location: Hard Rock Cafe

Local Post-FAM: New York Statue of Liberty 60-minute Cruise

Join Attractions4us on our New York Statue of Liberty 60-minute cruise with breakfast aboard the Majestic Princess. The cruise departs from Slip 3 at Pier 36 in Manhattan. The address is 299 South Street, New York, NY 10002.Please arrive at the pier no later than 10:00 a.m. The cruise will depart at 11:00 a.m. (you […]