Virtual Education Archive
SYTA proudly offers virtual education to members, prospective members and educators on topics that influence the student and youth travel community.
Previously Recorded Virtual Education:
SYTA’s Destination Forum
SYTA is excited to be to share destination updates with you! Throughout May and June, SYTA will host a series of Destination Forums and each one will highlight a city/state that will share how they are welcoming student groups. For upcoming sessions and registration information, please visit our Destination Forum page. For recordings of past sessions, please click on the links below.
Destination Forum:
Keeping Student Travel Healthy and Safe: Hot Topics and Effective Practices
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Each year student travel groups across the globe are faced with the challenge of keeping travelers healthy and safe. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many groups will be required to follow new processes and procedures. Together we’ll discuss the latest guidance and effective practices from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help your group reduce risk.
ACCESS RECORDING AND PDF OF SLIDE DECK PRESENTATION
SYTA’s Global Forum on Student Travel Offers New Perspectives!
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
SYTA and its research partner BONARD hosted the Global Forum on Student Travel to bring new voices and new perspectives to the discussion about re-igniting international student travel. Tour operators, school administrators, supplier and most important, students discuss the opportunities and barriers to student travel around the world.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN, LEARN AND ENGAGE WITH THE PRESENTATIONS FROM THIS YEAR’S FORUM.
Educator Series on Preparing for Student Travel
Part 1
Thursday, March 11, 2021 | 2:00 PM EST
Be prepared for when your school says it is okay to travel. In this session, we learned how student tour operators are preparing their staff, working with service providers, and implementing plans to help you travel safely in a COVID environment.
Part 2
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 | 4:00 EST
Continuing our conversation from part 1, we spoke with an insurance expert on what you need to know when planning student travel again. Travel insurance is an important component of student travel and we help you understand the different components of insurance and the different options provided by the tour operator, what to ask when planning your trip, and how to communicate insurance to parents.
Panel Discussion with International Motorcoach Group
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM EST
Join us and the International Motorcoach Group (IMG) to learn more from your motorcoach partners as we start traveling again. A range of topics will be covered from behind the scenes, to while on board with your clients.
Updates on Government Loans and Tips for 2020 Tax Filing
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 | 2:00 PM EST
Bill Caldwell will be presenting on updates to on government funding, loan forgiveness and offering tips on filing your 2020 taxes. If you have questions you would like Bill to answer during this session, please email them to Katy at [email protected] or include them with your registration.
What should we be thinking about today so we can travel tomorrow?
Thursday, February 11, 2021 | 2:00 PM EST
Jeff Ment, with Ment Law Group, will discuss where the student travel industry is today versus where we were over 9 months ago when he presented to our members in April. During this time, Jeff will address many of the questions SYTA operators have been asking in regard to traveling during a pandemic. As a follow up to his April presentation, Jeff will highlight on what has changed, what do we need to think about to travel again, and what are our options as members of the student travel industry? We recognize every company and every region is different and therefore, are not able to answer every question nor advise on what you must do. This conversation will offer suggestions, resources and answer many of your questions. Please feel free to email questions ahead of time to Katy at [email protected] or include with your registration for the session.
International Virtual Roundtable presented by SYTA and Bonard
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
This round table session focused on the present state of the student travel industry and how we can help each other in the reconstruction phase and exchange information. Thought leaders in the student travel industry joined one of three break out rooms to discuss strategic plans and action items to move the industry forward. You can access the recordings of the three break out rooms below.
Break-out Room One: Lead by Patrick Pavlacic, Head of Research with Bonard
Break-out Room Two: Lead by Steve Maehl of Global Travel Alliance and current President of SYTA Board of Directors
Break-out Room Three: Lead by Carylann Assante, CEO of SYTA
Panel of Performance and Music Education Experts
Thursday, December 10, 2020 | 4:00 PM EST
Performance and music groups are niche travel groups that take special planning in the best of circumstances. Join us, along a panel of educators from performance and music specialties, to explain what we can expect going forward when planning performance travel.
Panel of Education Experts
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 | 4:00 PM EST
Understanding how schools and educators are planning for student travel is vital as we plan our student groups. Join us, along with a panel of educators, to discuss their knowledge of school travel and what the upcoming year may look like.
Past, Present and Future Student Group Travel
Thursday, October 29, 2020 | 11:00 AM ET
This session reports on the findings of SYTA’s 2019 Student Group Travel Business Barometer that shows the last snapshot of the student group travel industry before the Covid-19 outbreak. The Barometer offers a valuable benchmark for businesses to evaluate their progress once the market starts to recover.
After you view this session, we would greatly appreciate your feedback by completing this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bonardwebinar
Ten Lessons Learned From a Pandemic
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
Jeff Ment and Panel of School Board Attorneys
Facilitated discussion led by Jeff Ment with school attorneys. Jeff shares the lessons we have learned through his and members experience in working with school attorneys to navigate refunds and cancellations as a result of COVID-19. Panelists share their perspectives on how we can use these lessons to work together in the future.
The Art of Listening and Communication
Thursday, July 2, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
To be successful at sales, you need to be a good listener. That is easier said than done. Learn some tips and tactics from other tourism professionals on how they developed their listening and communication skills on their road to success.
Re-Imagine
Thursday, June 25, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
In times of crises, we all need opportunities to re-evaluate what is important to us and find inspiration. Join us for a personal development workshop and re-establish your passions and visions and most importantly, how you can make an impact in your life and in your world.
Coaching and Mentoring
Thursday, June 18, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
As tourism professionals, part of our responsibility is to help others in their professional development. What are the expectations you should have as a mentor or coach- and what should you expect from those you will be mentoring?
Presentation Skills
Thursday, June 4, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
Whether you are sharing a sales presentation with prospective clients, or speaking in front of a group, confidence in your presentation skills can make all the difference. In this webinar, we will learn best practices – and maybe have a chance to practice!
Guidance for Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Process
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | 4:00 PM EST
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has just released long-awaited guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness process. Join us to to learn about some of the measures that are intended to ease the forgiveness process.
Real Media Literacy for a Fake News World
Thursday, May 28, 2020 | 1:00 PM EDT
Feeling lost in today’s media landscape? In this session, participants dive into the complexity of digital citizenship, including the threat of falling for fake information. Exploring media literacy through a First Amendment focus, the program will look at practical tools and accessible learning techniques for bolstering information literacy.
You’re Now a Board Member – Now What? Roles and Responsibilities You Need to Know (Part 2)
Wednesday May 27, 2020 | 1:00 PM EDT
Congratulations! You are now a member of a board! Now what?
Time Management
Thursday, May 21, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
None of us have enough time, right? Well, wonder if there was an easy to use tool that helps you decide what to work on and how to best use your time and talents. This webinar will explain the concept and more importantly, how to use it!
Giving Back – Through Volunteering and Board Service (Part 1)
Tuesday May 19, 2020 | 1:00 PM EDT
Have you thought that you would like to get more involved in your community and volunteer for an organization? If so, thank you! It feels great to give back and help out others in your community. Most of us may do this already, but we may do it without much knowledge of what a volunteer and/or board member really should be doing.
Your Baby is Ugly – Live Rapid-Fire Website Reviews
Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
Do you want to improve your website? Do you think that your website stinks? Do you know that it stinks-it’s just a question of degree? You suspect that it has cost you a lot of money and lost opportunity over the years. But no one has been willing to tell you the hard truth about exactly what’s wrong with it – until now.
In order to earn credit towards certification, please complete the post-course assessment found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/babyisugly. If you have any questions, please contact Katy Summers at [email protected].
ACCESS RECORDING
Itinerary Planning
Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
Learn what tour operators are looking for in order to consider your itinerary. We will discuss tips on how to create an itinerary that sells!
Seller of Travel Laws and COVID-19
Thursday, April 30, 2020 | 1:00 PM EDT
Speaker: Jeff Ment, Managing Partner, Ment Law Group
A conversation with Jeff Ment, who will outline key points for tour operators and travel advisors as they navigate cancellations and refunds in the age of coronavirus.
There are five states with seller of travel registration laws: California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa and Washington. All the states require registration if you sell to residents of those states regardless of your company’s location, unless you qualify for an exemption from registration.
In order to earn credit towards certification, please complete the post-course assessment found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/selleroftravel. If you have any questions, please contact Katy Summers at [email protected].
Build your Brand
Thursday, April 23, 2020 | 1:00 PM EST
People like to do business with those they know, like and trust. Your personal brand helps to make that easier. By working on your personal brand, you set yourself up for future success.
