First Time Attendees

If it is your first time attending WYSTC, we recommend arriving before Tuesday 18th so that you can benefit from the First-Time Delegate Session, which will take place from 09:00 till 10:00 (see Tuesday’s schedule below or the full Daily Programme). This session will introduce you to WYSTC veterans who will tell you a bit about what to expect, where to go if you have questions and how to make the most of your conference experience.

Immediately following this introduction, you can join us for the Connections Session. This high-speed networking event will bring you face-to-face with WYSE Travel Confederation Board Members and other youth travel industry leaders, giving you the chance to mingle with key players in the market. It’s specifically designed to allow you to meet with a large number of people in a short period of time - think of it as speed dating for the business world!

Upon arrival at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, please come to the WYSTC Registration Desk.

Need a few helpful tips? Bring more business cards than you think you’ll need, wear comfy shoes and keep your conference badge on at all times.

Some words of wisdom from previous first-timers:

• “As it’s my first time at WYSTC, I am looking for exposure so people know who we are. But mainly right now I want knowledge; I want to learn from other companies like mine.”
  Mxolisi Ndudula, eKasie Backpackers, South Africa
• “As a WYSTC first timer, we were well supported by the event organisers at all levels and every effort was made to connect us with appropriate organisations where our skills, advice, guidance and support could be best utilised.”
  Chris Gould, Travel-Safe
• “As a first-timer, WYSTC has been very helpful for our business. Today at my business appointments, I travelled around the world.”
  Debra Moody, Life Adventures
• “The first conference we went to, Wake Up! was not yet opened and we took a huge financial risk. The fact that we attended WYSTC that year gave us so many contacts that within 3 weeks of opening the hostel, it was 80% full (of 500 beds). I have been the world’s biggest fan of WYSTC ever since.”
  Margaret Millett, Wake Up! Australia
• “I think it’s really important for new businesses to come here. WYSTC is great for helping companies to recognise their potential and explore new directions they would never previously considered.”
  Olya Antonova, taxback.com