GroupCollect SYTA 2026

Innovation Station Schedule
 

Saturday, August 22

9:30 a.m. — Connect Better: How Operators, Suppliers, & Destinations Succeed Together

Every organization in group travel has valuable information, but no one organization has the complete picture.

Operators, suppliers, destinations, travelers, and technology partners all contribute different pieces of the journey. When those pieces remain disconnected, opportunities are missed, relationships become harder to manage, and work becomes more complicated than needed.

This session explores how better communication, stronger partnerships, and connected systems can create better experiences for the entire group travel community.

10:30 a.m. — Become the Supplier Operators Choose

What separates the suppliers operators use again and again from those they only use once?

This discussion explores what truly makes a supplier easy to work with, from communication and responsiveness to product knowledge, flexibility, and operational support. It isn’t about lowering prices or winning more bids. It’s about building stronger partnerships that create better experiences for everyone involved.

11:45 a.m. — Share Better. Grow Together: How Destinations & Suppliers Win Together

Great partnerships aren’t built on information that’s kept in separate systems. They’re built on information that’s shared.

When suppliers and destinations better understand what’s happening in their markets, they can identify new opportunities, support one another more effectively, and create greater value for the operators they serve together.

This discussion explores how sharing the right information at the right time can lead to stronger partnerships, smarter decisions, and better outcomes for everyone.

2:45 p.m. — The Interconnected Flywheel: How Destinations, Suppliers, and Tour Operators Drive Momentum Together

Destinations, attractions, and tour operators are deeply interdependent, each shaping and fueling the collective marketing and sales funnel.

This session explores the roles each stakeholder plays throughout the traveler journey, from sparking initial interest to nurturing engagement and driving bookings, and what happens when the ecosystem works in sync versus when collaboration breaks down.

3:45 p.m. — Behind the Scenes: How Group Travel Suppliers Really Work

There isn’t one right way to manage group business. Every supplier has built a system that reflects their team, their customers, and the way they work.

This discussion looks at how suppliers manage inquiries, organize information, communicate with operators, and keep their businesses running smoothly, from spreadsheets and CRM platforms to purpose-built tools.

4:45 p.m. — Works Exchange: Tourism Cares as Meaningful Innovation

Sunday, August 23

9:30 a.m. — Connect Better: How Operators, Suppliers, & Destinations Succeed Together

Every organization in group travel has valuable information, but no one organization has the complete picture.

Operators, suppliers, destinations, travelers, and technology partners all contribute different pieces of the journey. When those pieces remain disconnected, opportunities are missed, relationships become harder to manage, and work becomes more complicated than needed.

This session explores how better communication, stronger partnerships, and connected systems can create better experiences for the entire group travel community.

10:30 a.m. — Share Better. Grow Together: How Destinations & Suppliers Win Together

Great partnerships aren’t built on information that’s kept in separate systems. They’re built on information that’s shared.

When suppliers and destinations better understand what’s happening in their markets, they can identify new opportunities, support one another more effectively, and create greater value for the operators they serve together.

This discussion explores how sharing the right information at the right time can lead to stronger partnerships, smarter decisions, and better outcomes for everyone.

11:30 a.m. — Works Exchange: What Does It Mean to Be a “Responsible Traveler?”

2:45 p.m. — Behind the Scenes: How Group Travel Suppliers Really Work

There isn’t one right way to manage group business. Every supplier has built a system that reflects their team, their customers, and the way they work.

This discussion looks at how suppliers manage inquiries, organize information, communicate with operators, and keep their businesses running smoothly, from spreadsheets and CRM platforms to purpose-built tools.

3:45 p.m. — Become the Supplier Operators Choose

What separates the suppliers operators use again and again from those they only use once?

This discussion explores what truly makes a supplier easy to work with, from communication and responsiveness to product knowledge, flexibility, and operational support. It isn’t about lowering prices or winning more bids. It’s about building stronger partnerships that create better experiences for everyone involved.

4:45 p.m. — The Interconnected Flywheel: How Destinations, Suppliers, and Tour Operators Drive Momentum Together

Destinations, attractions, and tour operators are deeply interdependent, each shaping and fueling the collective marketing and sales funnel.

This session explores the roles each stakeholder plays throughout the traveler journey, from sparking initial interest to nurturing engagement and driving bookings, and what happens when the ecosystem works in sync versus when collaboration breaks down.

Monday, August 24

10:00 a.m. — Become the Supplier Operators Choose

What separates the suppliers operators use again and again from those they only use once?

This discussion explores what truly makes a supplier easy to work with, from communication and responsiveness to product knowledge, flexibility, and operational support. It isn’t about lowering prices or winning more bids. It’s about building stronger partnerships that create better experiences for everyone involved.

10:45 a.m. — Share Better. Grow Together: How Destinations & Suppliers Win Together

Great partnerships aren’t built on information that’s kept in separate systems. They’re built on information that’s shared.

When suppliers and destinations better understand what’s happening in their markets, they can identify new opportunities, support one another more effectively, and create greater value for the operators they serve together.

This discussion explores how sharing the right information at the right time can lead to stronger partnerships, smarter decisions, and better outcomes for everyone.

11:30 a.m. — Building Cyber Security Into Your Crisis Response Plan

Building Cybersecurity Into Your Crisis Response Plan will explore why cybersecurity should be part of every organization’s crisis plan. In this session, attendees will learn how to prepare for common cyber threats and respond when an attack occurs.

Through real examples and practical tips, the session will cover how to add cyber response steps to an existing crisis plan, train employees, and address the importance of cyber insurance.

Attendees will leave with clear steps to help their organizations prevent, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks.

2:45 p.m. — Prepare for What’s Next: What Will Group Travel Look Like in 2030?

AI is reshaping how we plan, sell, and operate group travel. Staffing challenges continue to evolve. Traveler expectations are changing faster than ever.

This session explores the trends, technologies, and opportunities that will define the next five years and what organizations can begin doing today to prepare for them.

3:45 p.m. — The Interconnected Flywheel: How Destinations, Suppliers, and Tour Operators Drive Momentum Together

Destinations, attractions, and tour operators are deeply interdependent, each shaping and fueling the collective marketing and sales funnel.

This session explores the roles each stakeholder plays throughout the traveler journey, from sparking initial interest to nurturing engagement and driving bookings, and what happens when the ecosystem works in sync versus when collaboration breaks down.