SYTA Summit 2027

Board of Directors Meeting
2025-01-19 14:00 - 16:30, 2025-01-19 09:00 - 12:30 UTC
Location: Paloma I

Board of Directors and Certification Lunch
2025-01-19 12:30 - 13:30
Location: Paloma II

Certification Workshop
2025-01-19 08:30 - 16:00
Location: Paloma III

Join 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 your company is at the beginning stages or highly experienced with risk and safety management, this workshop is tailored to meet your needs. Don’t miss this chance to develop your policies and processes while working with peers and content experts!

Complimentary Hotel Buffet Breakfast (on own)
2025-01-19 07:00 - 10:30
Location: AZUL Clubhouse

Summit Reception and Dinner
2025-01-18 19:00 - 22:00
Location: Silverman Terrace, Embassy Suites Hotel

Saddle 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.

Transportation to Hotel
2025-01-18 17:00

Musical Instrument Museum Educational Tour and Experience
2025-01-18 14:00 - 17:00
Location: MIMS

Experience 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 focus on the kind of instruments played every day by people worldwide.
Summit attendees will learn, experience and make music together followed by afternoon cheer as we celebrate SYTA’s rich musical culture.

For more information, click here.

Transportation to Afternoon Activity
2025-01-18 13:30
Location: Transportation Area – Conference Center

Supporter Forum: Preview of 2025 Events and Activities (Session 2)
2025-01-18 12:30 - 13:15
Location: Paloma 1

Innovations in Engaging Students in Climate Issues in the Field
2025-01-18 09:00 - 09:45
Location: Kiva Hacienda

Clare 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 travel.

For more information, click here.

SYTA Youth Foundation Welcome
2025-01-18 08:30 - 09:00
Location: Hacienda l – Paloma lll

Morning Joe
2025-01-18 08:00 - 09:30, 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
2025-01-18 07:30 - 14:00, 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
2025-01-18 07:00 - 10:30, 2025-01-17 06:00 - 09:30

Summit Meet Up: Walk/Run
2025-01-18 06:00 - 07:00
Location: Hotel Lobby

Walk 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.

Reception and Dinner
2025-01-17 18:00 - 20:30
Location: Talking Stick Golf Club

Transportation to Evening Event
2025-01-17 17:00

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
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

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.

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.

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.
