Educational Travel Conference 2010

More than 480 Educational Travel planners, suppliers, operators, and destinations from 41 countries gathered in Providence, Rhode Island, from February 3-6, 2010, to “Consider the Possibilities” and to chart a new course for affinity and nonprofit travel.
  • Educational Travel Conference 2010

Thank you for making the 24th Annual Educational Travel Conference 2010 a success! Conference attendees and virtual members can log into the website to access more than 30 audio-recorded sessions, as well as conference speakers'  handouts and presentations. To learn more about becoming a Virtual Member, click here.

The 2010 Educational Travel Conference was featured on NBC Channel 10 News in Providence citing that ETC's more than 450 attendees can "potentially bring more visitors to Rhode Island." Director of Tourism at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Mark Brodeur says, "This group will leave here and hopefully package Rhode Island as a destination." The RIEDC and Artist Barnaby Evans created a special WaterFire welcome for ETC 2010 attendees.

ETC 2010 Responsible Tourism Showcase Honorees
As part of the ETC's dedication to advancing responsible tourism, ETC hosts an annual Responsible Tourism Showcase Award to recognize the efforts of those colleagues and organizations that are working diligently in the field to develop and implement sustainable tourism initiatives. Congratulations to Gibb's Farm in Tanzania, The Abraham Path Initiative, and Alaska Wildland Adventures' Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Donating to the People of Haiti
Several ETC members share their thoughts on how to help Haiti and ensure one’s contribution goes directly to those in need at this critical time.

ETC Joins Changemakers as Partner for National Geographic's Geotourism Challenge

ETC is pleased to announce its important new partnership with Ashoka’s "Changemakers," an initiative of Ashoka—an organization with over three decades of finding, funding, and expanding the work of social entrepreneurs across the globe.

ETC Releases the 2009 State of the Affinity and Alumni Travel Industry Report

Get an insider’s look at how the Educational Travel sector fared during the recession, and find out what challenges and opportunities are forecasted for 2010. At stake is “survival or extinction.”

 

 
 
  • 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.
  • Why Attend ETC

    “Best place to network and continue to learn about this business. I don’t care how many years you do this work, there is always someone doing something new and different.” —Roberta Moore, Director, Alumni Continuing Education & Travel, Dartmouth
  • 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
 


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