Summit 2025

Cultural Tourism and Student Group Travel: Group Activity at Talking Stick Entertainment District. Hosted by Discover Salt River
2025-01-17 15:00 - 17:00 UTC
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.” -UNESCO

Summit attendees will spend the afternoon with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), an established sovereign tribe experiencing their history and culture. Learn how you can incorporate these traditions into your student itineraries, while enjoying the art, crafts and food of this local community.

Speakers

Moderator: Dayne Whitehurst, National Sales Director, Medieval Times
Rick McAllister, Principal Planner with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Celeste Lanuza, Medieval Times Senior VP of Sales and Marketing (key contact during building process)
Brian Gewecke, SRPMIC – Community Development Department, Senior Environmental Specialist
Maleena Deer, Discover Salt River Manager, SRPMIC

Transportation to Afternoon Activity
2025-01-17 14:30
Location: Transportation Area-Conference Center

Lunch and Learn
2025-01-17 12:30 - 14:00
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 business operations. Check out our other education sessions here.

Check out our other education sessions here.

Supporter Forum: Preview of 2025 Events and Activities (Session 1)
2025-01-17 11:30 - 12:15
Location: Paloma I

Tour Operator and Supporter Round Up (Session One)
2025-01-17 11:00 - 12:15
Location: Hacienda 1 – Paloma lll

Round Tables.
Tour Operators and Summit Supporters (divided between two sessions) will connect during this interactive session.

Networking Break
2025-01-17 10:30 - 11:00
Location: Silverman Foyer

Enjoy your “second cup of joe” and morning healthy snack.

General Session: Thought Leader
2025-01-17 09:00 - 10:30
Location: Hacienda 1-Paloma III

Speaker: Sheri Jacobs

Unleash 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 changing environment, you need to think and act differently. And that requires risks. However, most people don’t know how to take risks, so they avoid them and continue with what they believe to be the safe route.

Join this pioneering thought leader and award winning wildlife photographer as she shares her images and insights on embracing risk and fostering innovation. Drawing from her remarkable adventures across all seven continents, Sheri will reveal three crucial lessons she learned throughout her career.

Key Takeaways
1. Learn how to unleash your creativity and incorporate trial and error into developing new ideas.
2. Understand a new framework for thinking differently and asking the questions needed to innovate.
3. Hear concrete examples of how organizations have used Sheri’s approach to thinking differently to generate increased sales and revenue.

For more information, click here.

Summit Welcome
2025-01-17 08:30 - 09:00
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.

Morning Joe
2025-01-17 08:00 - 09:30
Location: Silverman Foyer

Start 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!

SYTA Central
2025-01-17 07:30 - 14:00
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.

Complimentary Hotel Breakfast
2025-01-17 06:00 - 09:30, 2025-01-16 06:00 - 09:30, 2025-01-15 06:00 - 09:30
Location: AZUL Clubhouse

Summit Meet Up: Fun/Run
2025-01-17 06:00 - 07:00
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.

After Glow Old Town Scottsdale (on own)
2025-01-16 20:00
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 or dive into the local scene, the night is yours to discover!

Summit Sunset Reception at Hotel Valley Ho (Rooftop)
2025-01-16 17:00 - 19:30
Location: Hotel Valley Ho Rooftop

Admire 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. Dress warmly in layers as the evening may be cool. There will be a brief welcome and entertainment. The sponsor showcase/roundtables will be the next day at the Embassy Suites.
After the reception, attendees are encouraged to walk around downtown Scottsdale and enjoy the local nightlife. The Embassy Suites is 1.6 miles from the hotel if you prefer to walk through town.

Click here for more information about the hotel.

Transportation to Hotel Valley Ho
2025-01-16 16:30 - 17:00
Buses will be available to depart the Embassy Suites at 4:30pm and loop back again for another pick up at 5:00pm

Guided Sonoran Desert Hike
2025-01-16 12:00 - 16:00
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 be confirmed by December 19, 2024. Encourage your colleagues to sign up. If you would like to tour the museums in Old Town Scottsdale and do the hike, select Tour A and Tour B. Lunch on Own before or after hike.

For more information, click here.

Tour Heard Museum and Botanical Garden
2025-01-16 11:00 - 16:00
Location: SYTA Central

Discover 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 Desert Botanical Garden Tour, click here.
For more information on the Heard Museum, click here.

Tour: Self Guided Walking Tour of Old Town Scottsdale
2025-01-16 10:00 - 17:00
Location: SYTA Central

Includes 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 in Old Town are open from 10:00am- 5:00pm.
The museums are in the heart of Old Town. Attendees will receive tickets to each museum and may visit on their own time. Museum hours are 10:00am-5:00pm.
If you finish by 4:00pm, walk over to the the Valley Ho Hotel for a tour at 4:30pm of this iconic hotel. The Sunset Reception is on the rooftop of the Valley Ho from 5:00pm-7:30pm.

Use the links below to learn more.
Experience ScottsdaleScottsdale’s Spirit of the WestScottsdale Museum of Contemporary ArtScottsdale Visitors Guide

SERG Meeting
2025-01-16 09:00 - 12:30
Location: Encanto ll – Fiesta

SYTA Central
2025-01-16 08:30 - 17:00
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.

Dinner On Own
2025-01-15 19:00 - 21:00
Location: Scottsdale

Optional Hotel Evening Reception
2025-01-15 17:00 - 18:30
Location: AZUL Clubhouse

Unwind 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!

Summit Early Arrivals
2025-01-15 15:00 - 18:00
Location: Hotel Lobby

Summit 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.

Welcome Desk / Registration
2025-01-15 15:00 - 18:00
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.
