SYTA Conference 2024

Tour Operator Lounge
2024-08-11 09:30 - 17:00 UTC
Sponsored by: Canada Tourism Partners & Fly My Group.

Location: Empire Ballroom West

Barista Bar
2024-08-11 09:30 - 11:30, 2024-08-10 14:30 - 16:30
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.

SYTA Youth Foundation Auction & Chance Drawing
2024-08-11 09:00 - 17:30
Click here for more information.

SYTA Central and Foundation Networking Lounge
2024-08-11 09:00 - 17:30

Tour Operator Travel Talks
2024-08-11 09:00 - 09:45
Travel Talk 1: Northern Virginia Tourism Partners

Travel Talk 2: Smoky Mountain Partners

Travel Talk 3: Smoky Mountain Partners

Travel Talk 4: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Connection Corner
2024-08-11 08:00 - 17:00

Continental Breakfast for Suppliers
2024-08-11 08:00 - 10:00
Location: Connection Corner

Tour Operator Continental Breakfast
2024-08-11 07:45 - 09:00
Location: Sheraton Times Square Hotel Lobby

Sponsored by: Smoky Mountain Partners, Northern Virginia Tourism Partners, Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Wellness Lounge
2024-08-11 06:00 - 17:30
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 up for services HERE.

6:00 am – 7:00 am Yoga Session in Columbus CircleJumpstart your morning with a gentle yoga flow. Open to all experience levels, this yoga class will focus on mindful mobility and will feature a combination of movements including joint activations, gentle stretching, flows to get your blood moving, strength work and restorative poses. You can also expect to be guided through a simple meditative practice aimed to leave you feeling clear, grounded, and hopeful. Class led by FitToursNYC

6:00 am – 5:30 pm Meditation Room Open in Madison Square

7:30 am – 8:00 am Meditation with Heather DavisHeather is a board-certified art therapist and licensed mental health counselor based out of Indianapolis. She is currently leveraging her decade of military service and over 8 years of work in the mental health field as Vice President of Experience for the Music Travel Consultants family of brands. Heather has spent the last three years consulting with travel industry professionals on bringing mental health awareness, burnout prevention, healthy communication and more into both the workplace and student travel through speaking opportunities and direct consultation.

9:00 am – 5:30 pm Chair Massages in Bryant Park (2 at a time, every 15 minutes)(lunch break for therapists from 11:30am-12:30pm)

Empire State Building Observatory Sunrise Breakfast and Run, Walk, Slumber (RWS)
2024-08-11 05:00 - 08:00
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 a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t want to miss. Buses will depart from the Sheraton New York Times Square hotel at 5:00 am to ensure you arrive on time.

As the city awakens, step into the Empire State Building’s indoor and outdoor 360-degree newly enhanced 86th-floor Observatory where you will be treated to a complimentary breakfast featuring the exclusive Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend Coffee.

After witnessing the sunrise and the unparalleled views of New York City from its very heart, take some time to immerse deeper into the history and allure of the Empire State Building by visiting the NEW interactive Exhibits on the 2nd floor.

Return to the hotel and get ready for a day full of excitement and learning at SYTA!

Transportation provided by: Big Bus New York

Afterglow at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
2024-08-10 22:00 - 2024-08-11 00:00
Location: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. 45 East 42nd Street

The 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 your SYTA experience at the attraction that has taken the Student Travel Market by storm! Named the ‘Most Instagramable Place in the World’ by Elle Magazine, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt blends elements of art and technology within three levels of mind-bending multi-sensory immersive experiences, set against the backdrop of the New York City skyline – elevating the concept of an “observation deck” to entirely new heights. ​

*If you wish to visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt at another time during the conference, please contact Fabio at fabio.monteiro@summitov.com.

Transportation: Academy Bus is providing transportation on a loop starting at Radio Park at 10:00 pm, dropping at SUMMIT, heading back to Sheraton, and continuing the loop.

SYTA Youth Foundation Evening Reception - A Silver Soiree: Celebrating 25 Years of Impact (Fundraising Event)
2024-08-10 19:30 - 22:30
Radio Park at Rockefeller Center, New York City, NY

Join us for a night of food, drink, and entertainment as the SYTA Youth Foundation celebrates 25 years of impacting young lives through travel! Indulge in conversations with old friends and forge new connections, united by a shared passion for creating positive change. Let’s come together to celebrate this significant milestone and the lives we have touched along the way.

SYTA attendees are encouraged to support the Foundation’s mission to connect youth with the resources required for travel experiences that will inspire them to be confident, connected, and socially responsible global citizens by purchasing tickets for themselves and their clients in lieu of hosting a dine around evening.

In honor of the SYTA Youth Foundation, we will celebrate the talents of the next generation! We’ve curated a lineup of student performers, perfectly aligning with our commitment to supporting and highlighting student achievements. A special thanks to Broadway Imagined and The Julliard School for their invaluable assistance in discovering and securing these remarkable young artists for our evening.

Transportation will be provided.

Information: This fundraising event is open to anyone.

Cost: $250 per person (Proceeds support the SYTA Youth Foundation programs and scholarships).

To purchase a ticket for this fundraising event, visit here.

Questions? Email Deb Borgwardt at dborgwardt@syta.org.

Business Appointment Session II Ends
2024-08-10 17:03

Board of Directors Election Closes
2024-08-10 17:00

Education Session: Mastering the SYTA Marketing Toolkit
2024-08-10 16:15 - 17:15
Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower Level

If 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 Toolkit for a practical, interactive session on ways to use the Toolkit to incorporate relevant and easy-to-use video, messaging, pre-prepared press releases, graphics and more into your own marketing materials. Presenters will demonstrate the tools in the kit and brainstorm with you on new ways to use them! This session was organized by the SYTA Communications Committee

Speakers: Kasie Smith from Serendipity Media, Casey Cole from Super Holiday Tours and Music USA Festivals, Catheleen Johnson from CJ Tourism consultants and Matthew Fenton from Bob Rogers Travel.

For more information, click here.

Education Session: International Travel
2024-08-10 16:15 - 17:15
Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower Level

SYTA 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 their destinations. Panel speakers and countries to be available by mid-July. This session was organized by the SYTA International Committee.
Sponsored by Broadway Inbound.

Speakers: Panel speakers and countries to be available mid-July

For more information, click here.

Afternoon Refreshments for Suppliers
2024-08-10 15:30 - 16:30

Education Session: NASA STEAM at Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
2024-08-10 15:00 - 16:00
Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower Level

Sponsored by NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

Speaker: Jose Hernandez

For more information, click here.

Education Session: Designing the Perfect Student Itinerary
2024-08-10 15:00 - 16:00
Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower Level

New (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 workshop is your guide to the best practices for creating trips that wow and avoiding common pitfalls. TripSchool’s Mitch Bach and Alan Armijo—tour directors and operators each with 25 years’ experience—will cover both the timeless psychological principles and new challenges—and opportunities—of tour design.
Sponsored by HI USA.

Speakers: Mitch Bach & Alan Armijo from TripSchool.

For more information, click here.

Business Appointment Session II Begins
2024-08-10 14:30

Branson's Ice Cream Social
2024-08-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-10 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Explore NYC: Lunch on Own (for all other attendees)
2024-08-10 13:15 - 14:15

Tour Operator Lunch
2024-08-10 13:15 - 14:15
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 Technology & Innovation shape the student travel experience.

• Educational Benefits of Travel and the complement to classroom learning with informal education and hands-on experiences

• Innovation in sustainability and responsible tourism

• Future of Student Travel that considers evolving student preferences and global trends such as climate change

• The role of informal educators (like museums and cultural institutions) in supporting the development of “global citizens

• Cultural representation and community engagement across sectors

• Partnerships & Collaboration and the importance of partnerships between educational institutions, travel providers, and service providers

• Diversity & Inclusion in student travel, including those from different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultural sensitivity, and how to promote diversity among participants and staff.

Moderator:

Carylann Assante, CAE, CEO SYTA and SYTA Youth Foundation

Panelists:

Martha Sheridan, President and CEO, Meet Boston

Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer and Interim CEO, NYC Tourism & Conventions

Sean Decatur, President, American Museum of Natural History

Terry Fischer, President, Transportation Charter Services, Inc

Business Appointment Session I Ends
2024-08-10 13:01

Registration
2024-08-10 12:30 - 17:30
Location: SYTA Central

Education Session: Generative AI for Tourism Marketers
2024-08-10 11:15 - 12:15
Location: Sugar Hill Room

Generative 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 creating campaign strategy and analyzing survey data. We’ll also address potential pitfalls and examine the near-term future of AI in tourism marketing. Leave empowered to start small, experiment strategically, and harness generative AI to shape your organization’s success.
Sponsored by Empire State Building Observatory.

Speakers: Janette Roush with NYC Tourism + Conventions

For more information, click here.

Education Session: Planning for Your Next of Kin
2024-08-10 11:15 - 12:15
Location: Chelsea Room

No 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 care of your pets! You’ll sleep better knowing your Next of Kin are prepared for life’s inevitable transitions.

Speaker: Bill Caldwell

For more information, click here.

Business Appointment Session I Begins
2024-08-10 10:00 - 13:01
