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Educational Travel Conference 2009

Educational Travel planners, suppliers, operators, and destinations from around the world gathered in New Orleans from February 18-21, 2009, to set a course for business ahead in the face of the global economic downturn. New Orleans, which has rebounded in spite of much adversity, provided a fitting setting for candid and tough, yet lively, conversations and sessions focusing on how to fortify businesses, dig deeper into marketplace challenges, look beyond traditional constituencies for future growth, and utilize new and different applications of programming and marketing services to successfully weather the ongoing economic storm.

While today’s challenges cannot be understated and are creating uncertainty for many educational travel organizations and companies, there are also unprecedented opportunities for educational travel development. Travel industry veterans, economists, and marketing experts utilized ETC 2009 to explore in-depth and from diverse perspectives the ETC 2009 theme—Engaging Travelers in Challenging Times: proactive strategies in a downturn economy. ETC 2009 delegates were asked to take a hard look at how to tap into creativity versus giving into fear, how to proactively market versus reactively waiting for times to improve, how to persevere in purpose and deepen commitments to partners and travelers, and how to re-energize our personal passion for the work of educational travel.

To access ETC 2009’s Agenda, click here.

ETC 2009 attendees can listen to many recorded conference sessions by clicking here.

For ETC 2009 speaker handouts, click here.

Thank you to ETC’s Executive Advisory Council (AEC) and to all colleagues who attended one of eight regional ETC 2009 programming roundtables in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York City (two roundtables), San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Many new session ideas were gleaned directly from the AEC and roundtable participants’ feedback and suggestions. The dates for the ETC 2010 EAC mid-year planning meeting and the programming roundtables will be posted online soon.

Stay connected throughout the year by logging onto ETC’s website, where you can participate in Forum discussions and get educational travel news, articles, reports, best practices, and industry statistics.


 
  • 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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