Join us to Engage deeply, Connect meaningfully, and Influence the future.

Keynote Speakers 

Stacey Hanke

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

Coming from an entrepreneurial upbringing, Stacey learned early on how we consistently show up and interact determines our success in our organizations and in our lives. Starting with a career in voice-over, she quickly realized how every word matters – every movement of your body matters and every sound you make matters (volume, tone and inflection). All of these combined determines who listens, who stays connected with you, who believes you and then acts on your recommendation.

Stacey then jumped into the corporate world as a trainer for Fortune 500 companies, training every possible topic from motivation to customer service to leadership. She traveled internationally researching the difference between a leader who is influential versus a leader who’s simply a good communicator.

Today, Stacey is the CEO of a highly sought-after consulting and training company where she mentors leaders who want to ensure their employees perceive them as an influential leader – those who are working towards a promotion – and sales professionals to ensure their message and style resonates with their clients.

An inductee into the Speaker Hall of Fame, she has been a featured guest on media outlets including: The New York Times, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Thrive, SmartMoney Magazine, The Economist and Business Week. Her client list is vast: FedEx, McDonalds, Google, Kraft Heinz, Nationwide, American Express, Discover and Oracle. Her knowledge leading diverse, high-level teams makes her a sought-after speaker and consultant and she has inspired thousands around the world through her ability to connect with an audience and one-on-one.

With over 20 years of studying influence across cultures and industries, leading large corporate teams makes her the perfect fit for organizations large and small who are ready to influence on a consistent basis. Clients hire Stacey because of her implementable strategies that help leaders get to the point, communicate with confidence and credibility, to build trust and deliver messages that drive action, creating lasting results.

Click here to read her full bio. 

See her in action

Christopher W. Naughton, Esq

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Chief Executive Officer, Edgar CAYCE Foundation and A.R.E. and the Dream Workshop

Naughton is a leader withexperience across business, law, broadcasting, and nonprofit organizations. A former New Jersey prosecutor, Naughton is a six-time Emmy® Award-winning host and executive producer of The American Law Journal, which aired on the Philadelphia CNN affiliate for more than two decades. He also created and hosted the NPR-affiliate program New World Radio on comparative spirituality. Naughton is the author of the recently published book America’s Next Great Awakening, which examines the convergence of mysticism, atheism, religion, and science.

Kevin Todeschi 

Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Our Inner Oracle – the Amazing World of Dreams

Everyone dreams, but few individuals are aware that dreams often provide accurate and detailed counsel into every area of life. Not only physical, mental, and spiritual guidance, but also accurate personal guidance regarding our relationships, our work, our health, our finances, and even our personal future. This one-hour program will show you an easy approach to interpreting your own or anyone else’s dreams. You will discover how identifying a dream’s “theme” greatly simplifies its interpretation. It will also explore how this approach can help you in interpreting easy, intermediate, and even advanced dreams. You will learn how to better remember your dreams, and finally, participants will discover how it’s possible to “incubate a dream,” receiving guidance on any question imaginable.

 
Led by Kevin J. Todeschi, MA, a nationally recognized authority on dreams, who has lectured to thousands of individuals on six continents. He is also the author of more than 25 books, including The Encyclopedia of Dream Images and Symbols, The BEST Dream Book Ever, and Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records.

Education Sessions

Speakers and topics selected by the Summit Commitee and attendees.
Send topics to cassante@syta.org.  

Industry Trends and Advocacy Update

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM

Panel featuring Fred Ferguson, ABA President and CEO

Tour Operator Forum

Thursday, January 22, 2026

2:15 PM – 4:00 PM

Short presentations on key topics followed by Round Table Discussions. Includes open discussion for Tour Operators to talk with their peers.

Forums are dedicated to addressing key issues and concerns facing tour operators in today’s challening environment. Attendees are encouraged to send discussion topics to cassante@syta.org.

Tour Operator and Sponsor Round Tables (Session I and II)

Session 1: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM

Session 2: Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM

Tour Operators are expected to attend each session and meet with the sponsors who are divided up into two sessions. Your participation is extremely important to these sessions. 

Beth Beccone – Peak Group Travel

SYTA Summit is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate and network with my industry colleagues. The education sessions help to expand my understanding of current trends and the activities with my colleagues create friendships that go well beyond the conference. Already looking forward to next year!

Hollie Stevenson – CCIS, Inc.

For me, SYTA Summit is centered on relationship-building, and Scottsdale has met that expectation. Whether hiking on a scenic trail with stunning views or networking with industry peers over cocktails, the experience was memorable and vital in growing our business. The educational session on sustainable travel was particularly informative, inspiring me to reevaluate our office procedures and their potential impact on student travel.

Jessica Johnson – Disney Imagination Campus at Walt Disney World Resorts

This years annual Summit was by far one of the best! The educational components were very robust and relevant to all in the Youth Travel Industry. The engagement opportunities allowed for deep connections amongst our community of professionals that strive to create opportunities for students to Perform, Learn, and Celebrate.

Holly Avino – Destination Niagara USA

It has been fabulous so far! Everyone has been very welcoming with it being my first summit, being able to talk to just about everyone here has been really helpful and resourceful. The education has been impactful and the topics make complete sense for the demographic of the attendees.