SYTA SUMMIT 2027

January 19 – 22, 2027 | Honolulu, Hawai‘i

A Leadership Summit in Honolulu

Student travel continues to demonstrate resilience in a rapidly changing world, creating opportunities to lead with greater intention and better serve the students and communities at the center of our work. Against this backdrop, the SYTA Summit 2027 in Honolulu will explore how Hawai‘i’s communities have navigated change with strength and innovation—and what that means for the future of student travel.

This summit brings together student travel professionals and industry leaders to learn directly from local voices in Hawai‘i, while gaining a deeper understanding of Hawai‘i as a premier student travel destination. Attendees will see how destination programming, cultural engagement, and community partnership enhance student experiences and create greater impact for student groups.

The goal is an immersive leadership experience that builds professional skills while deepening perspective, empathy, and adaptability in ways that strengthen student travel programs.

By connecting leadership principles with real-world examples from Hawai‘i, attendees will gain practical insights they can apply within their organizations and use to design more impactful, educational, and community-centered student travel experiences.

Why Attend Summit

Attendees will:

- Experience Hawai‘i’s culture and spirit through intentional, community-centered programming designed for student travel professionals.
- Gain a deeper understanding of Hawai‘i as a student travel destination, including how cultural, historical, and community experiences enhance student learning.
- Engage with Hawai‘i leaders and organizations to learn real-world examples of resilience, adaptability, and innovation—and how they apply to student travel programming.
- Participate in service experiences that allow attendees to give back to and support the local host community.
- Translate lessons from Hawai‘i’s communities into practical strategies for building stronger, more resilient student travel programs.
- Connect with industry peers through shared learning focused on the evolving needs of student travel.
- Strengthen leadership skills in empathy, adaptability, and purpose-driven decision-making within student travel operations.
- Summit registration includes three (3) nights of accommodations (January 19–22, 2027). A discounted group rate is available for up to three (3) nights before and after the event (see “Extending Your Stay” for details).

Our 2027 Host Hotel

The Summit will take place at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, located in the heart of Waikīkī just steps from Waikiki Beach.

Attendees will enjoy convenient access to the beach, dining, and local experiences, along with a setting designed to support connection and conversation throughout the program.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

2552 Kalākaua Avenue

Honolulu, HI 96815

808.922.6611

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.

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.

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.