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ETC 2012 Programming Regional Roundtables Wrap Up Successfully, With Record Participation

The Educational Travel Conference (ETC) is launching into its 26th annual conference with plans for a dynamic agenda thanks to the input of 144 travel planners, tour operators, suppliers, and destination managers who attended one of seven Programming Regional Roundtables held nationwide from April through June 2011. The participant turnout for the Roundtables was ETC’s highest yet and made for lively discussions about conference sessions, speakers, and events. Many new ideas and formats will be incorporated into ETC 2012, which is being held in Orlando, Fla., from January 19-22, 2012.

A record number of Roundtable attendees (72%) completed the ETC 2012 Roundtable Survey, which will help ETC plan its Conference and track aggregate industry trends. Those who completed the survey will receive an aggregate report of the responses gathered from this survey.

If you have session and speaker ideas, and/or if you wish to join other ETC members in planning, facilitating, and moderating sessions, please contact the ETC Speaker Coordinator. Thank you!

Click here to read more about the Roundtables.

Photos from top to bottom: ETC 2012 Programming Roundtables in Washington, D.C., Boston, and Chicago.

Thank you to Avalon Waterways/Globus for hosting the ETC Roundtable luncheons in Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

Thank You to the ETC 2012 Programming Regional Roundtable Hosts!

Seattle: April 26
Host: Pauline Ranieri, UW Alumni Tours, University of Washington
Lunch provided courtesy of Avalon Waterways/Globus

San Francisco: April 27
Host: Jackie Olson, CAL Alumni Association, UC Berkeley
Lunch provided courtesy of Avalon Waterways/Globus

Los Angeles: May 2
Host: Christel Pailet, UCLA Alumni Association
Lunch provided courtesy of Avalon Waterways/Globus

Washington, D.C.: June 1
Host: Meg Annacone, National Trust for Historical Preservation/National Trust Tours
Lunch provided courtesy of Avalon Waterways/Globus

Chicago: June 7
Host: Joe Small, AHI Travel
Lunch provided courtesy of AHI Travel

Boston: June 9
Host: James Moses/Steve Lembke, Road Scholar
Lunch provided courtesy of Avalon Waterways/Globus

New York City: June 14
Host: Emma Ruth Yulo, Philippine Department of Tourism
Lunch provided courtesy of ETC

Thank you to AHI Travel for hosting the Chicago
ETC Roundtable and luncheon.

About ETC's Programming Roundtables
In the early years of ETC several annual regional roundtables were convened for the purpose of colleague-to-colleague networking and discussion of programming ideas for upcoming ETC conferences. Picking up on these invaluable networking venues, we elected to start these regional meetings again in 2006. Held annually in the spring, these regional "grassroots" meetings are a fun networking resource and a great "ideas exchange" for colleagues to informally talk shop and share trends in the industry, as well as thoughts on conference programming. There are timely trends discussions in the morning, a complimentary luncheon, and small group breakouts in the afternoon. Roundtable locations have included: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

Photo: ETC 2012 Programming Roundtable in Boston.

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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