The Educational Travel Conference 2027 brings ETC’s global community to Richmond, Virginia, February 21–25, 2027. Each year, ETC’s Premier Annual Gathering for educational & affinity travel brings together institutional travel planners, destinations, tour operators, and industry partners from around the world to exchange ideas, build relationships, and collaboratively shape future educational and affinity travel programs.
Join ETC’s professional community to access high-quality educational programming, structured networking opportunities, curated one-to-one meetings, and year-round connections across the educational travel sector.
Who this is for: Higher education, alumni associations, museums, zoos, aquariums, conservation organizations and other nonprofits.
| Early Bird Extended June 15 – | Regular Oct 16, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 | Late Jan 16 – Feb 21, 2027 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership | $175 | $175 | $175 |
| Conference Registration 1st Person | $595 | $620 | $650 |
| Conference Registration 2nd or 3rd Person | $495 | $520 | $550 |
Who this is for: This membership category is intended for tour operators, DMCs, tourism boards, cruise companies, and travel industry service providers.
| Early Bird Extended June 15 – | Regular Oct 16, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 | Late Jan 16 – Feb 21, 2027 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership | $475 | $475 | $475 |
| Conference Registration 1st Person | $1,395 | $1,620 | $1,875 |
| Conference Registration 2nd person | $720 | $820 | $920 |
The Educational Travel Consortium will host the 2027 Annual Conference at our official headquarters hotel in the heart of historic Richmond, Virginia. ETC attendees receive access to exclusive conference room rates through ETC’s official hotel block for the duration of the conference.
Please note that access to ETC’s published conference registration rates is contingent upon booking accommodations within the official ETC hotel room block. Hotel reservations will be verified by ETC, and reservations booked through third-party websites, points programs, or outside the official booking link do not qualify for the discounted conference rate.
Official Event Venue: Richmond Marriott, 500 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
ETC Discounted Nightly Rate: $202/night
Room Block Cut-Off Deadline: January 15, 2027
Each Educational Travel Consortium conference concludes with ETC’s signature Learning Labs — experiential, field-based sessions designed to connect conference themes with real-world practice.
These small-group experiences take participants beyond the conference setting and into local communities, cultural institutions, historic sites, and community-led initiatives. Learning Labs are designed to explore the principles of educational and affinity travel through direct engagement with topics such as cultural heritage, storytelling, sustainability, preservation, interpretation, and community partnership.
Please Note: Learning Lab is an offsite experience and is not included with the general conference registration. Participation requires separate registration of $95. A ticket is required for check-in.
Timing: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Timing: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Educational Travel Consortium offers a limited number of sponsorship opportunities tied to key conference experiences, educational programming, networking events, and delegate resources. Sponsorship provides meaningful visibility among institutional travel planners, destinations, operators, and industry partners actively developing educational and affinity travel programs. Many sponsorship opportunities are renewed annually by longstanding ETC partners, and remaining inventory is limited. Available sponsorships are allocated on a first-paid, first-confirmed basis.
All sponsors receive enhanced visibility throughout the conference, including recognition within the International Bazaar and Partners’ Boulevard, conference materials, digital communications, and the ETC member network. Sponsorship opportunities may also include hosted networking events, plenary recognition, expanded delegate participation, and year-round exposure through ETC platforms and communications. To learn more about current sponsorship opportunities and review current availability, contact caliopy@educationaltravelconsortium.com
