Educational Travel Planner Certification & Jumpstart Seminar
Jumpstart is ETC’s foundational training program for travel planners pursuing Educational Travel Planner Certification or who are new to their role, new to the educational travel industry, or new to ETC. Through a combination of live virtual sessions and an in-person pre-conference seminar, Jumpstart introduces you to the fundamentals of running a nonprofit travel program — from operations and vendor selection to risk management and marketing. You’ll learn directly from experienced peers at leading institutions, and you’ll be paired with a personal mentor who will guide you through the conference and beyond.
Solidifying My Foundation After Two Years in the Role
“As a first-timer, it’s been really foundational being a part of the Jumpstart program. Leading up to the conference, the virtual classes gave me a great core understanding of the business.
I have a unique perspective—I’m a first-time attendee, but I’ve actually been in the business for about two years. Jumpstart has completely solidified my foundational understanding of educational travel. Plus, meeting the partners
I’ve been working with for the first time in person has been really solidifying to the work I’ve done and will keep doing.”
Marieke Cappa
Advancement Associate
University of Virginia
Earning Your Nonprofit
Educational Travel Certification
Jumpstart is the first step toward earning the ETC Educational Travel Planner Certification – the only professional credential dedicated to nonprofit educational travel. The certification validates your competence across four core areas:
Operations & Program Management
Programming &
Itinerary Design
Risk Management
& Insurance
Marketing &
Audience Growth
Professional Training Designed
Specifically for Educational Travel Planners
- You are attending ETC for the first time and want to arrive with a stronger understanding of the community, terminology, and professional network.
- You are pursuing the Educational Travel Planner Certification, for which Jumpstart serves as the required introductory course.
- You have recently assumed responsibility for your institution’s travel program and want a stronger foundation in educational and affinity travel.
- Your organization is exploring the launch of a travel program and you want to better understand the field, operational models, and partnership landscape.
- Travel planning is one of many responsibilities in your role, and you are seeking practical, structured training from experienced peers.
The Industry's Only Nonprofit Travel Program Training
Educational and affinity travel is a highly specialized field, yet most professionals enter it with little formal preparation. Traditional tourism programs rarely address the realities of managing institution-based travel programs, and mainstream travel industry certifications are not designed for the nonprofit, alumni, museum, or educational travel environment.
As a result, many travel planners learn through experience, navigating everything from operator partnerships and traveler expectations to institutional risk management and program development along the way.
Jumpstart was created specifically to support professionals working in this unique space. The program combines practical training, peer learning, and mentorship from experienced travel planners who understand the operational, institutional, and relationship-based complexities of educational travel.
Certification Curriculum
& Timeline
Step 1: Virtual Sessions
Four live Wednesday sessions (3:30–4:30 PM ET) in January and February 2027. Dates are Jan. 20 & 27 and Feb. 3 and 10. Attend at least 3 live; view one by recording. These sessions build your foundational knowledge before the conference.
Step 2: In-Person Seminar in Richmond, VA
Sunday, February 21, 2026 — an evening of working with through case studies directly with Jumpstart leaders and small group discussions. Certain sessions at the conference will be required attendance as part of certification.
Step 3: Mentorship
You’re paired with a seasoned travel planner who guides you through the conference, makes introductions, and serves as an ongoing resource for 9 months.
Step 4: Conference Participation
Attend and document a wide range of sessions you choose to attend, and what you will apply when you return to the office.