IITA Summit 2026 to Welcome Students and Educators

By Kim Fisher

Building on IITA’s mission to strengthen the international inbound travel industry through education and collaboration, the Membership Committee has developed an exciting new initiative for student and educator participation at the 2026 Summit in Niagara Falls, USA.

This idea grew out of the Steps to Success™ training program, which focuses on preparing today’s tourism professionals to work effectively with the global travel trade. The committee saw an opportunity to extend that same educational benefit to students preparing to enter the hospitality and tourism field—helping build the industry’s future workforce and inspiring the next generation of inbound leaders.

Summit participation will give students access to IITA’s education sessions, valuable networking opportunities with industry representatives, and firsthand exposure to the business side of inbound tourism during the Power Hour Networking Appointments.

Niagara University, home to respected undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management, will serve as the pilot partner for this initiative. Tina Mt. Pleasant, who has connections with the university, will assist with the development of the program. Looking ahead, the 2027 Summit in Birmingham, Alabama, also offers strong potential for student engagement through local colleges with tourism programs and Auburn University’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management.

Program Structure

The Board approved the participation of six students and one educator for the 2026 Summit. The group will spend a full day on-site—Wednesday of Summit week—with a structured schedule that includes:

• A morning orientation introducing IITA and the international travel trade
• Attendance at education sessions
• Participation in the luncheon
• Sitting with inbound operators during one session of Power Hour Networking
• Concluding the day with afternoon education sessions

To make participation meaningful and competitive, students will be selected through a written proposal competition. Each student will submit a two-page (or minimum word-count) paper outlining a program that connects students with inbound tour operators or proposes the creation of a student organization, internship, or collaborative initiative bridging travel and tourism with hospitality and hotel management.

Proposals should outline an idea, planning approach, strategies, activities, and expected outcomes, demonstrating practical application and industry awareness. To prepare students for their submissions, they will receive a video resource introducing inbound travel—potentially including the Julie Katz presentation on how hotels can work effectively with inbound operators.

All participating students and the accompanying educator will be provided with complimentary attendance. Following the event, the Committee will review the program’s outcomes, evaluate its impact, and determine whether adjustments or participation fees are needed for future Summits.

This new student and educator initiative represents an important step in IITA’s broader commitment to education, industry development, and workforce readiness—ensuring the inbound sector continues to thrive well into the future.