February 21-25, 2027 Richmond, Virginia
Join the educational travel industry’s premier annual gathering at the 2027 ETC Conference. Each year, members and partners of the Educational Travel Consortium come together to connect, share ideas, and strengthen educational travel programs worldwide.
The conference offers professional development, training, and collaboration opportunities designed to support innovation, sustainability, and enhanced traveler engagement across the industry.
In 2027, the ETC Conference will return to Richmond, Virginia. Known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and welcoming atmosphere, Richmond provides the ideal setting for several days of learning, networking, and discovery.
ETC’s annual conference is THE learning and networking event for professionals in educational, experiential and affinity travel. Get new skills, current best practices, shared knowledge and relationship-building all in one place!
The conference assembles an international group of top-level decision makers from both nonprofit institutions and for-profit companies who focus specifically on special-interest and lifelong-learning group travel. The following three distinct groups attend the conference: 1) Nonprofit Travel Program Managers and Planners; 2) U.S. Tour Operators and Suppliers; and 3) Domestic and International Destination Representatives
Sponsorship opportunities available, please contact etc@educationaltravelconsortium.com.
PRICING
Travel Planner Membership, Registration Rates and Deadlines:
The “Planner” category includes program planners at alumni associations, continuing and international education departments; art, science, and natural history museums; cultural and preservation organizations; zoos, aquariums, and conservation groups; and nonprofit organizations or associations.
| ATTENDEE CLASSIFICATION | EARLY BIRD JUNE 15 – SEPT 30 | REGULAR OCT 01 – JAN 15, 2027 | LATE JAN 16 – FEB 21, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership | $175 | $175 | $175 |
| Conference Registration – 1st Person | $595 | $620 | $650 |
| Conference Registration – 2nd/3rd Person | $495 | $520 | $550 |
Destinations, Operators or Suppliers (DOS) Membership, Registration Rates and Deadlines:
The “DOS” category of registration includes tour operators, destinations, destination management companies, and travel suppliers who serve the educational, alumni, and nonprofit travel market niche.
| ATTENDEE CLASSIFICATION | EARLY BIRD JUNE 15 – SEPT 30 | REGULAR OCT 01 – 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 |
REGISTRATION STEPS
The ETC Annual Conference is a members-only event, so attendees must have an active ETC membership to register. If your membership has lapsed, now is the perfect time to renew and reconnect with the ETC community.
1. APPLY FOR ETC MEMBERSHIP
An ETC membership provides year-round value through professional development, industry insights, networking opportunities, exclusive member resources, and member-only early-bird conference pricing.
2. BOOK YOUR HOTEL
Before you register, make sure you have booked your hotel room. To qualify for the stated conference registration fee, you must book a minimum three-night stay at the downtown Richmond Marriott within the official ETC room block at the official ETC rate.
3. COMPLETE REGISTRATION
Refund Policy: Cancellations received on or before January 7, 2027 (45 days prior to the start of the conference) are eligible for a refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after January 7, 2027.
Travel Planner Certification & Jumpstart
The Educational Travel Planner Certification elevates the professionalism of nonprofit travel planners by formally recognizing expertise in educational travel program management.
Launched at the 2024 Educational Travel Conference, the certification was created to establish a clear standard of knowledge and capability within the field.
As many professions now use certification to demonstrate competence, this program serves a similar purpose for educational travel. It provides tangible validation of a planner’s ability to design, manage, and lead successful nonprofit travel programs while promoting a higher standard of professionalism across the industry.
The certification program does not offer one standardized way of running travel programs. Instead, it offers comprehensive insights into various possibilities and major considerations in the field, so that participants may implement the best practices for their institution’s program. Travel programs vary across the different types of nonprofit travel programs such as, but not limited to, university alumni offices or museums, conservation, and cultural organizations. This certification serves as evidence that participants have acquired essential core competencies to run a nonprofit travel program. It does not mandate adherence to a specific model but rather showcases a broad understanding of the core competencies required including operations, programming, risk management and marketing.
This professional certification will be granted by ETC /Educational Travel Consortium in collaboration with teaching members from ETC’s Executive Advisory Council (EAC) and Emeritus Council, a dedicated group of experienced and seasoned travel planners who volunteer their expertise.
Travel Planner Jumpstart Seminar
A Comprehensive Introduction to Educational Travel Planning — Wherever your travel program is situated in your organization there are fundamental skills and best practices that are important to the success of all programs. Learn the fundamentals of running a travel program from experienced education travel planners.
Attendees will be introduced to the variety of ways programs are managed across educational and non-profit institutions. This course is the first requirement needed for those working towards their Educational Travel Planner certification, but is open to all travel planners who are new to their role, the industry, or the ETC conference. Jumpstart participants will be assigned an experienced mentor who will be available at the conference and beyond.
CONFERENCE HOTEL
Richmond Marriott
500 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219
The Richmond Marriott has extended ETC’s discounted conference rates for the weekend before and after the 2027 ETC Conference, making it easy to arrive early or stay longer to enjoy time with colleagues, friends, or family.
- Richmond, known as the “River City,” offers a wealth of historic past just steps from the hotel. The city provides numerous opportunities for exploration with historic attractions easily accessible from the hotel’s prime downtown location.
- Take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service to explore downtown restaurants, shops, and entertainment within a 2-mile radius of the property, making it easy to discover all that Richmond has to offer without needing a car.
Sustainability Information
Carbon Footprint: 23.93 kg per room night
Water Footprint: 650.10 liters per room night
Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Richmond International Airport (RIC) Richmond International Airport (RIC) is the primary airport serving the Richmond area, located approximately 10–15 minutes from downtown Richmond.
RIC offers direct flights from major U.S. cities and is served by several major airlines, making it a convenient arrival point for conference attendees.
From the airport, downtown Richmond and the conference hotel are easily accessible by taxi, rideshare, or rental car.
Airlines within the USA to Richmond are:
- American Air / Delta / Frontier / JetBlue / Southwest Airlines / United
Nonstop USA Flights to/from Richmond are:
- Atlanta / Charlotte / Chicago / Dallas-Forth Worth / Houston / New York / Philadelphia
International attendees will likely need to connect through major hub airports such as:
Atlanta (ATL) via DeltaChicago (ORD) via American/United
Charlotte (CLT) via American Airlines
New York area airports via various carriers
Washington Dulles (IAD) – 2 hours drive from Richmond
Ground Transportation
Nine rental car agencies are located on site, with counters located near the central entrance of the terminal building on the lower level.
Lyft and Uber rides are available to passengers arriving to and departing from Richmond International Airport.
Taxis are available at the airport in the center section of the lower level curbside, adjacent to the North and South parking garages. Service runs from first flight departure to last flight arrival.
