SYTA Conference 2024

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

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
Location: Connection Corner

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.

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

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

Education Session: Elevated Leadership for a Performance Culture
2024-08-10 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Sugar Hill Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower Level

Perfect 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 soars. Discover how to align your team’s efforts seamlessly, ensuring that all members are rowing in the same direction towards common goals. The discussion will highlight the importance of striking a perfect balance between skill and commitment, fostering a workplace where each individual’s strengths are maximized. We will also talk through the necessity of clear accountability, empowering teams to take ownership of their roles and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s objectives. Join us to learn actionable strategies that will elevate your team’s performance and drive sustained excellence.

Speaker: Andrea Ross with Cultivate Advisors.

For more information, click here.

Education Session: What Should I Do?
2024-08-10 10:00 - 11:00
Location: Chelsea Room, Executive Conference Center, Lower Level

A 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 you can suggest a topic for conversation and discuss a situation that concerns you.

Speakers: Jeff Ment & Ken Whitman.

For more information, click here.

Connection Corner
2024-08-10 09:30 - 17:00
Location: Empire Ballroom East

Tour Operator Lounge
2024-08-10 09:30 - 17:00
Location: Empire Ballroom West.

Sponsored by: Canada Tourism Partners & Fly My Group

SYTA Youth Foundation Auction & Chance Drawing
2024-08-10 09:00 - 17:30
Click here for more information.

SYTA Central and Foundation Networking Lounge
2024-08-10 09:00 - 17:30

General Session and Welcome by NYC Tourism + Conventions
2024-08-10 08:15 - 09:45
Location: New York Ballroom

Sponsored 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 Space Center.

Hernández is the author of the book Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut. And in 2023, Hernández’s story inspired the Prime Video released the film A Million Miles Away. The film tells a story of a man’s drive & determination which culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal.

Registration
2024-08-10 07:30 - 12:30

Morning Joe & Light Breakfast
2024-08-10 07:00 - 08:15
Join us for coffee and a light breakfast before the General Session.

Location: New York Ballroom

Wellness Lounge
2024-08-10 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 Circle

Jumpstart 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)

Opening Night - Edge at Hudson Yards
2024-08-09 19:00 - 22:00
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 sky. Be sure to attend this unique event and networking opportunity as you kick off #SYTA2024.

If you arrive too late to grab your badge from Registration, we don’t want you to miss out, please still come to the event. We will have a list of registered attendees at the door.

Transportation: Limited shuttle transportation will be available for those who are unable to take the Subway or walk. Attendees will be given an MTA (Subway) card to get to/from the event. If you wish to walk, the Edge is 1.6 miles from the Sheraton.
