The schedule below is for general information purposes. For further details, please click on the event title.

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Welcome Desk / Registration

Location: Hotel Lobby Summit Early Arrivals Wednesday night hotel is not included in Summit Registration Fee. Attendees can add this night to their registration for $294.00 plus tax. Extra night can be added through December 16th, 2024. For more information, click here. 

Summit Early Arrivals

Location: Hotel LobbySummit Early ArrivalsWednesday night hotel is not included in Summit Registration Fee.Attendees can add this night to their registration for $294.00 plus tax. Extra night can be added through December 16th, 2024.

Optional Hotel Evening Reception

Location: AZUL ClubhouseUnwind and connect with colleagues at our optional evening reception during happy hour. Join us in the hotel lounge for refreshing beverages and casual conversation in a relaxed setting. Attendance is optional!

SYTA Central

Location: Desert-Encanto l    SYTA Central is your one-stop destination to kick off your event experience! Here, you’ll check in for registration, pick up your badge, tour tickets for Thursday activities, and event materials. Grab a quick snack to fuel your day.

SERG Meeting

Location: Encanto ll - Fiesta

Tour: Self Guided Walking Tour of Old Town Scottsdale

Location: SYTA CentralIncludes a ticket to Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.Enjoy Old Town Scottsdale. Attendees may walk (1 mile) or take a short ride to Old Town Scottsdale.  Along the way you will pass Fashion Square Mall (open until 9:00pm) and arrive at Old Town. The shops […]

Tour Heard Museum and Botanical Garden

Location: SYTA CentralDiscover the rich and vibrant world of American Indian art, from traditional artworks to contemporary creations at the Heard Museum, Phoenix. Then experience the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden and learn about the plants and animals that thrive in the desert. Lunch on own at Museum or at the Garden. For more information on the […]

Guided Sonoran Desert Hike

Location: SYTA Central  Spend some time exploring the Sonoran Desert with a guide. Learn about the plants and animals of the Phoenix area while you hike through the rocky landscape in the desert. The hike is designed for mild to medium levels.A minimum of 12 attendees are required for the desert hike. The hike will […]

Transportation to Hotel Valley Ho

Buses will be available to depart the Embassy Suites at 4:30pm and loop back again for another pick up at 5:00pm

Summit Sunset Reception at Hotel Valley Ho (Rooftop)

Location: Hotel Valley Ho RooftopAdmire panoramic views of Camelback Mountain and Downtown Scottsdale on the rooftop of the legendary Valley Ho Hotel. Sunset is scheduled for 5:44pm so arrive early and experience the beautiful desert sky with your friends and colleagues. Enjoy a heavy cocktail reception with a signature mocktail to kick off the evening. […]

After Glow Old Town Scottsdale (on own)

Location: Old Town Scottsdale Keep the evening going with our optional Afterglow! Take this opportunity to explore the charm and vibrancy of Old Town Scottsdale at your own pace. With its lively nightlife, unique boutiques, art galleries, and a variety of restaurants and bars, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to relax […]

Summit Meet Up: Fun/Run

Location: Hotel Lobby/Walk/Run Scottsdale Join Summit attendees for a fun walk/run of the local area. Dress warmly and meet in the lobby by 6:00am. We will informally connect walkers and runners. No sign up necessary.   

SYTA Central

Location: Desert-Encanto 1, IISYTA Central is your one-stop destination to kick off your event experience! Here, you’ll check in for registration, pick up your badge, tour tickets for Thursday activities, and event materials. Grab a quick snack to fuel your day.

Morning Joe

Location: Silverman FoyerStart your day right with our morning 'Joe' coffee break! Whether you’re fueling up or catching up after a missed breakfast, enjoy freshly brewed coffee paired with a selection of pastries to power you through the morning. It’s the perfect pick-me-up to kick off a productive day!

Summit Welcome

Location: Hacienda 1-Paloma III  Bring your cup of Joe to the traditional Summit Welcome by your SYTA President, Courtenay Betts. Don’t miss your opportunity to be recognized in front of your colleagues.

General Session: Thought Leader

Location: Hacienda 1-Paloma III    Speaker: Sheri JacobsUnleash Your Creativity: Empowering Your Team to Take Risks and Innovate What does it take for an organization to thrive—not just survive—in today's environment? If you think it's connected to the value your organization offers, you're not wrong. The problem is that with increasing competition and a rapidly […]

Networking Break

Location: Silverman FoyerEnjoy your “second cup of joe” and morning healthy snack.

Lunch and Learn

Location: Hacienda l - Paloma lll       This luncheon discussion aims to inspire and equip Summit attendees with practical steps to operationalize meaningful travel initiatives. Each of our panelists has approached their sustainability journeys in a different way and have unique stories to tell about how they started incorporating more responsible practices into their […]

Cultural Tourism and Student Group Travel: Group Activity at Talking Stick Entertainment District. Hosted by Discover Salt River

Location: Medieval Times“Cultural tourism is backed by a desire to discover, learn about and enjoy the tangible and intangible cultural assets offered in a tourism destination, ranging from heritage, performing arts, handicrafts, rituals and gastronomy.” -UNESCOSummit attendees will spend the afternoon with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), an established sovereign tribe experiencing their […]

After Glow: Talking Stick Casino/Return to Hotel

Location: Transportation to Casino, HotelExtend your evening with our optional Afterglow! Head over to Talking Stick Casino to test your luck and enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, or return to the hotel for a more relaxed end to your night. Whether you’re in the mood for excitement or unwinding, the choice is yours to make the […]

Summit Meet Up: Walk/Run

Location: Hotel LobbyWalk or Run Scottsdale! Join Summit attendees for a fun walk/run of the local area. Dress warmly and meet in the lobby by 6:00am. We will informally connect walkers and runners. No sign up necessary.

SYTA Central

Location: Desert-Encanto 1, II  SYTA Central is your one-stop destination to kick off your event experience! Here, you’ll check in for registration, pick up your badge, tour tickets for Thursday activities, and event materials. Grab a quick snack to fuel your day.

Morning Joe

Location: Silverman FoyerStart your day right with our morning 'Joe' coffee break! Whether you’re fueling up or catching up after a missed breakfast, enjoy freshly brewed coffee paired with a selection of pastries to power you through the morning. It’s the perfect pick-me-up to kick off a productive day!

Innovations in Engaging Students in Climate Issues in the Field

Location: Kiva HaciendaClare Sisky will share the results of a multi-year study focused on how educators in schools (and their partners) are equipping and empowering students to take action in response to climate change through travel experiences. Sisky will share real world examples that will help your teams respond to clients asking for more sustainable […]

Lunch and Learn: AI and Responsible Travel

Location: Hacienda l - Paloma lll  In this presentation, Andrew McCauley will explore the critical reasons why embracing AI is no longer optional for businesses in the tourism Industry. He will highlight how AI-driven technologies can streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and provide personalized, data-driven insights that drive growth. Through real-world examples, McCauley will demonstrate […]

Musical Instrument Museum Educational Tour and Experience

Location: MIMSExperience this unique museum with a collection of 7,500 instruments from more than 200 world countries and territories. MIM began with a vision to create a musical instrument museum that would be truly global. MIM’s founder Bob Ulrich (then CEO of Target Corporation) was inspired to develop a new kind of museum that would […]

Summit Reception and Dinner

Location: Silverman Terrace, Embassy Suites HotelSaddle up for an unforgettable evening at our Rodeo Chic reception and dinner! Join us outdoors under the stars for a night of rustic charm and modern flair. Embrace the theme with your best western-inspired attire and enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with great food, refreshing drinks, and good company.

Certification Workshop

Location: Paloma IIIJoin us for an engaging and interactive workshop designed to enhance your skills and knowledge in risk and safety management. This workshop will cover key concepts and practical applications while providing hands-on activities to encourage collaboration and creativity. It is free to attend, and multiple attendees from the same company are welcome. Whether […]

Optional Hotel Evening Reception

Location: AZUL ClubhouseUnwind and connect with colleagues at our optional evening reception during happy hour. Join us in the hotel lounge for refreshing beverages and casual conversation in a relaxed setting. Attendance is optional!