Educational Travel Conference 2011 February 16-19th • Providence, RI

Mark your calendar for the 25th anniversary Educational Travel Conference! ETC 2011 will take place at the Westin Providence Hotel and the Rhode Island Convention Center. Online registration will open in September.
  • Educational Travel Conference 2011 February 16-19th • Providence, RI
  • International Bazaar


Sixth Annual Executive Forum to Take Place at ETC 2011
Successful Educational Travel leaders will present a series of discussions at ETC 2011 specifically designed to assist Alumni Association Chief Executives and Senior Managers on how best to oversee and manage an educational travel program in the current environment.

ETC's Twitter and Travel Webinar Exceeds Expectations
Given the strong interest in ETC's first webinar on Twitter and Travel, ETC has made a recording of the webinar available to ETC members. Find out everything you need to know about Twitter from social media expert Sree Sreenivasan.

The Educational Travel Conference is celebrating 25 years of advancing, supporting, and promoting affinity and nonprofit educational travel!

ETC 2011 registration will open online in September. 

Programming Regional Roundtables Wrap Up Successfully and Set Meaty Agenda for ETC 2011
The ETC is launching into its 25th anniversary Conference with a fresh flow of perspectives thanks to 120 travel planners, tour operators, suppliers, and destination managers who attended one of seven Programming Regional Roundtables held nationwide from April through June 2010. The participant turnout for the Roundtables was ETC’s highest ever and made for lively discussions and brainstorming on conference sessions and speakers. Many new ideas and formats will be incorporated into ETC 2011.

Not surprisingly, with the slow economic recovery and uncertainty about a "double dip" back into the recession, the economy is still the number one concern among industry professionals. Marketing challenges remain a close second, with most in the industry trying to determine an appropriate and audience-relevant strategy in an age of mixed and ever-evolving media. Third are budgeting, staffing, and organizational restructuring, with many citing the need for assistance with time management and staff management.
»To keep reading this article, click here.

ETC 2011 Programming Regional Roundtables Report Available for Members
ETC members can log onto the website and click the "Resources" tab to access this report. The report offers a glimpse of the affinity and alumni travel industry’s most pressing issues and opportunities, as well as the challenges colleagues are experiencing in today's economy and workplace. The survey data that contributed to this abbreviated report is  being used more extensively to shape the ETC 2011 Conference agenda. 


 
  • Why Attend ETC

    “Sessions are top-notch and information-packed.” —Alea Cot, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Univ. of New Orleans
  • Why Attend ETC

    “I have recommended ETC for its quality, not quantity of contacts, to other destinations and tour operators that have products appropriate for this audience, and will continue to do so.” —Katrina White, Travel Trade Mgr., Rhode Island Tourism Div.
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "The conference has given me a great couple of days to step out of the trenches, refocus, and get new ideas...meet new colleagues, and talk about benchmarks." -Katie Maschman, Travel Programs Manager, National Parks Conservation Association
  • Why Attend ETC

    “I always leave with a renewed sense of purpose and new ideas, which then has a trickle-down effect in my office. Others get inspired to try new travel programs or techniques learned at ETC.” —Amy Uhde, Dir. of Prog. Dvlp., Alaska Wildland Adventures
  • Why Attend ETC

    “Extremely specific and very high quality educational experience for those involved in educational, non-profit, specialty travel programming.” —Annie Lucas, Vice President, MIR Corporation
  • Why Attend ETC

    “The information and the networking opportunities are exceptional year after year. This is a very valuable conference for me.” —Mark Garland, Travel Program Coordinator, Audubon Naturalist Society
  • Why Attend ETC

    “Wonderful networking opportunities and stimulating educational sessions…
a must if you are working in the affinity market!” —Karen Kuttner-Capato, Vice President of Affinity & Charter Sales, Lindblad Expeditions
  • Why Attend ETC

    “The quality of the speakers at ETC far surpasses that of any other professional conference or educational event I have attended.” —Susan Goodale, Prog. Dir. & Gaucho Getaways Coord., U.C. Santa Barbara Alumni Assoc.
  • Why Attend ETC

    “The conference offers superb, relevant information that is useful year-round.” 
—Melissa Gresh, Dir. of Alumni Travel Prog., MIT Alumni Assoc.
  • Why Attend ETC

    “Trends conversations help you think outside the box and try to take your program in a new 
direction.” —Jenna Mace, former Product Design & Development Specialist, Habitat for Humanity Int'l
  • Why Attend ETC

    “ETC is a wonderful opportunity to meet with like-minded professionals who also share a passion for educational travel. I always come away from the conference with more ideas than I know what to do with.” —Meredith Mason, COO, Global Adrenaline
  • Why Attend ETC

    “Great opportunity to not only network but educate oneself.” —Catherine Merrill, Founder and Owner, Epiculinary, Inc.
  • Why Attend ETC

    “Alumni and Museum travel programs are a unique market. Because this conference focuses on this niche, it is the best venue to learn more about enrichment, and educational travel.” —Judee Kaplan, Director of Sales, Select Travel Service
  • Why Attend ETC

    “ETC gives us a sense of unity, healthy competition, and an opportunity to develop lasting friendships in a fun environment. ETC is the highlight of my working year!”—Elizabeth Bigwood, Asst. Dir. for Travel, Alumnae Assoc. of Smith College
  • Why Attend ETC

    "I have high expectations for this conference, and ETC always delivers. It hits all the marks on providing practical information and great opportunities to network.” —Heidi Quiram, Study Travel Director, St. Olaf College
  • Why Attend ETC

    “At ETC I gain a broader sense of how affinity travel programs are faring in the 
marketplace.” —Karen Ledwin, V.P. of Programming & Operations, National Geographic Expeditions
  • Why Attend ETC

    “[ETC provides an] opportunity to meet with the key players in this market segment.” 
—Lou Macaluso, Director-U.S. Leisure Sales, Canadian Tourism Commission
  • Why Attend ETC

    “ETC affords a space for learning about new operators and destinations, interacting with the people we do business with, and getting to know each other better.” —Michelle Bell, Asst. Dir., Univ. of Arkansas Alumni Assoc.
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "We really felt welcomed by the warm, enthusiastic, and engaged ETC community. I’ve never seen a conference quite like ETC!" —Stephen Reily, Founder/CEO, VibrantNation.com
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "Thank you…for the opportunity to attend such a helpful, informative session for executive directors. I returned to Auburn with a wealth of information and quite inspired." —Debbie L. Shaw, Vice Pres. Alumni Affairs & Exec. Dir., Auburn Alumni Assoc.
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "ETC 2010 was a great conference. Great speakers, good meeting space, and definitely lots of attention to detail. It’s always one of the highlights of my year." —Clark Oldroyd, Associate Director, University of Colorado at Boulder Alumni Association
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "Many thanks for the Mentor Meet and Greet session. I benefited a lot from my mentor's experience and guidance. I am indebted for this arrangement. It was an excellent conference!” —Samuel Seyoum, CTC, Manager Marketing and Groups, Picasso Travel  
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "Wanted to congratulate you on yet another successful ETC in Rhode Island. Overall the substance was solid! That's what matters. I look forward to attending many more ETCs.” —Rumit Mehta, Founder, Immersion Journeys
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "The conference was very well organized and offered a great range of subjects. The topics that focused on technology and social media will prove very valuable."—Barbara Anglisz, Adept Technologies
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "Congratulations on putting on a fantastic conference this year. I felt like I got my money's worth x 10." —Matt Kareus, Director of Events and Special Projects, Global Explorers
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    "One of the best conferences in ETC history. It was especially useful now with so many programs and the industry in general in transition. I've heard nothing but praise for the great interaction and gutsy topics." —Roberta M. Moore, Dartmouth College
  • ETC 2010 Kudos

    “Congratulations on a wonderful ETC 2010! I got so much work done. Having all my tour operators in one place, I completed my 2011 booking schedule (7 trips) and renewed old friendships!” 
—Betsy Stevenson, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
 


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