We promise you do not need a GPS to navigate ETC.  A quick review of the Conference program and a bit of up front agenda planning will serve to maximize your conference learning experience. To help you navigate through the comprehensive programming featured, and to take advantage of the sessions designed for disciplines of interest to the diverse constituencies represented at ETC, we provide some key programming descriptions.

Delivering the core curriculum of the Conference, a choice of four concurrent educational sessions is featured in specific time blocks scheduled at multiple times over the 3 days of the conference. Each session typically combines a 40 - 50 minute solo or panel presentation followed by a 15 – 30 minute Q&A between attendees and presenters. In this interchange the objective is to facilitate cross pollination of ideas from the diverse audience segments, as well as allow attendees to contribute their expertise – often one of the most energizing learning experiences at ETC.

Each block of concurrent "am" or "pm" educational sessions are balanced across four subject disciplines called tracks. These four tracks allow delegates the option to pursue one particular discipline in depth, or to pick and choose their own curriculum from a diverse range of subjects offered in any of the four tracks. The end objective of every ETC session is to allow delegates to walk away with at least one point if not more that they can apply immediately and directly in their own businesses. Speaker handouts are distributed in the Conference Handout Book, and a selection of the key resource papers are featured on line at the ETC community library for future reference.

Affinity Forums are offered to provide an exclusive focus and educational sessions relevant to some of the different speciality interests represented within ETC.  This one-day intensive curriculum allows additional time to focus on affinity-related unique programming needs, and the option for a one-day travel planner only registration. 

The Executive Forum is offered exclusively for those Executives to whom travel planners report. A special agenda has been developed to provide focus on issues, trends and opportunities relevant to those overseeing travel programs at universities, alumni associations, museums and other nonprofit institutions. Here is the opportunity for senior executives to spend a day doing a lot of networking with their senior counterparts in alumni, museum and other nonprofit institutions. The agenda format is relaxed and focuses on topics relevant to senior management and marketing issues vis-à-vis travel programs, including development and revenue potential, as well as programming and profit considerations.

At ETC travel planner only networking breakfast roundtables are featured daily as the first session of the day, facilitating cross pollination of ideas, sharing and discussions amongst peers representing large and small program offerings, private and public institutions and specific program focus and offerings.  They are grouped by experience level, size of program and/or affinity or regional affiliations. 

International Bazaar (Exhibit Hall): Most scheduled conference-wide networking with all delegates takes place in the International Bazaar, which serves as the prime networking venue at the Conference, and the central area for refreshment including the cyber café. The International Bazaar hosts display tabletops of official sponsoring partners of ETC, tour operators, destinations, and travel suppliers.  Educational sessions are not scheduled during the offcial Bazaar schedule times. Every travel planner should take advantage of this resource for researching product ideas and program needs with the most diverse selection of special interest, educational and affinity based purveyors of domestic and international travel in one place, at one time.