GroupCollect President Bud Geissler Receives SYTA Youth Foundation Visionary Award

PITTSBURGH, PA - August 31, 2026 - GroupCollect is proud to announce that President Raymond "Bud" Geissler has been honored with the SYTA Youth Foundation Visionary Award, recognizing his decades-long commitment to student travel, youth development and service to the group travel industry.

The award was presented during the 2026 Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) Annual Conference in Pittsburgh.

The SYTA Youth Foundation Visionary Award recognizes an individual from the Annual Conference destination who demonstrates a commitment to enriching students' lives through travel and/or advancing the industry through education, volunteer activities or community service.

For Geissler, receiving the award in Pittsburgh brings together several chapters of a career that has been deeply connected to both the region and student travel.

A graduate of Duquesne University, Geissler has spent nearly three decades working in the student and group travel industry. He spent more than 20 years as a student tour operator before moving into travel protection and, ultimately, travel technology. He joined GroupCollect in 2021 and was named President in 2022.

Throughout that career, Geissler has also devoted significant time to industry and community service. He served as President of the Student & Youth Travel Association and later as Chair of the SYTA Youth Foundation Board of Trustees. His community involvement has included serving as a youth football coach, mentor, church leader and Treasurer of the Consortium for Public Education.

At the center of that work has been a consistent belief in the transformational power of student travel.

Geissler has long advocated for travel as a way for young people to connect what they learn in the classroom with the world around them, exposing students to different people, communities and perspectives while building confidence, understanding and curiosity.

"There is no one in the industry more passionate, caring and committed.  Congratulations, Bud!" said GroupCollect CEO Corey Black. "You continue to inspire me and countless others each and every day.  We are incredibly proud of you!"

Today, as President of GroupCollect, Geissler brings that same industry perspective to the company's work developing technology designed specifically for multi-day group travel. His experience as a tour operator and industry leader continues to inform GroupCollect's mission to make planning and operating group travel simpler, more connected and more collaborative.

The recognition is particularly meaningful given Geissler's long relationship with the SYTA Youth Foundation. As a former Chair of its Board of Trustees, he helped advance the Foundation's mission of providing young people with access to travel experiences that build confidence, connection and a broader understanding of the world.

Receiving the Visionary Award in his hometown brings that journey full circle.

"Student travel has never just been a business to me," said Geissler. "I've spent most of my career watching what happens when young people get the opportunity to step outside what they know and experience something new. Travel changes their perspective, builds confidence and connects what they learn to the world around them. To be recognized by the SYTA Youth Foundation, an organization and mission that means so much to me, and to receive this award here in Pittsburgh, is incredibly special."

About GroupCollect

GroupCollect develops technology built specifically for the multi-day group travel industry. Through its connected suite of products, GroupCollect helps tour operators, suppliers and other group travel professionals manage the work behind every trip, from traveler registration and payments to quoting, operations and supplier collaboration.

GroupCollect's mission is to make group travel planning simpler, more connected and more effective for everyone involved.

For more information, visit GroupCollect.com.

About the SYTA Youth Foundation

The SYTA Youth Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the Student & Youth Travel Association. The Foundation connects young people with resources and opportunities for travel experiences designed to inspire confidence, connection and social responsibility.