ETC - Opening Doors to Open Minds

Why Attend ETC 2012

Watch this video to hear what ETC delegates have to say about their ETC Conference experience. Video footage by Diana Lee Crew.

Why Attend ETC 2012
EAC Mtg, Mexico City 2011
Images from ETC 2011

Apply for the 2012 Responsible Tourism Showcase Award
As part of the Educational Travel Community's com- mitment to advancing responsible tourism, ETC hosts an annual Respon- sible Tourism Showcase Award to recognize the efforts of ETC members and their partners working diligently in the field to develop and implement responsible tourism initiatives. The deadline has been extended to November 15, 2011. Click here to read the 2012 Responsible Tourism Showcase guidelines and to access the application form.

Make a Difference With Your Contribution to the 2012 Silent Charity Auction
Make a donation (gift items and trips) to ETC's Silent Charity Auction and help raise the funds needed to support the Responsible Tourism Showcase. Not only will your donation benefit a good cause, but this is also a great opportunity to showcase your company, institution, or destination in a meaningful way at ETC 2012. The deadline for contributions is Dec. 15, 2011. Click here for more information.

Register Now for the
2012 Educational Travel Conference: January 19-22 at the Renaissance Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld!

Download our new minibrochure by clicking on the appropriate image:

DOS = Destinations, (Tour) Operators, Suppliers

Five great reasons to extend your Orlando stay—and play with kids, family and friends—following the 2012 Educational Travel Conference. The hotel is extending its specially discounted ETC rate for an additional three days after the Conference ends. Read more...

Are you a newcomer to ETC or just starting with a travel program? Sign up now for Jumpstart—a nuts-and-bolts series of pre-Conference webinars starting in October. Read more...

Senior Executives who oversee travel programs—join an Executive Forum on Friday, January 20.

Click here for more information.

Plus ETC's 2012 Seminar on Wheels (SOW) is scheduled for January 22, 11:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., showcasing Rollins College, the Morse Museum, and the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, all in Winter Park, a quaint cultural and art mecca in central Florida.

Travel Planners Invited to Apply for 2012 Educational to the Philippines
The Philippine Department of Tourism, New York, is running an "Educational" to the Philippines, February 22 - March 4, 2012. Twelve qualified Travel Planners will be selected to experi- ence a country that boasts more than 7,107 islands and 8 World Heritage Sites.

Tarsier of Bohol The "Educational" will include joint programs that cover historical sites, volcano-trekking, health & wellness, giving back to a com- munity, and split programs covering: a) adventure, nature, bird-watching; b) culinary, culture, tribes (over 80).

Interested Travel Planners, please click here to complete a brief application.

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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

"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

"Thank you for another great conference! I am still sorting through all that I learned!" —Chase Poffenberger, Executive Vice President, Academic Travel Abroad, Inc.
Why Attend ETC

"No other conference gives you the educational components in travel like this conference." —Karen Anthony, Retired Director of Alumni Travel, University of Notre Dame Alumni Association
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.
Why Attend ETC

"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
Why Attend ETC

"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.
Why Attend ETC

"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
Why Attend ETC

"What an amazing conference! There could not be a better forum to learn and share innovative ideas about best practices and achieving best results in the field of educational travel." —Maria Gross, Consultant, Travel Sales and Marketing
Why Attend ETC

"The contacts I have made and experiences you've provided have been invaluable to our young company. Thank you!" —Gina Carmo, Inspire Travel-Brazil

Why Attend ETC 2012

EAC Mtg, Mexico City 2011

Images from ETC 2011