Programme - WYSTC

2025 Programme

In between business appointments, the educational sessions provide up-to-date insights on the state of global youth and student travel, whilst the many opportunities to network offer a relaxed environment in which to get to know better your peers.

Tuesday, 23 September

Time	Activity
09:00 - 12:00	Local volunteer project
14:00 - 20:00	Registration open, Hyatt Regency Lisboa Hotel
15:00 - 17:00	WYSE Travel Confederation AGM, Hyatt Regency Lisboa Hotel
17:00 - 18:00	Invitation only: WYSE Members reception Hyatt Regency Lisboa Hotel
21:30 - 00:00	Conference bar, Hyatt Regency Lisboa Hotel sponsored by WISE Foundation

Wednesday, 24 September

Time	Location	Activity	Session title	Speaker(s)
8:00	CCL	Registration opens
9:00 - 9:30	Auditorium 5, CCL	Welcome	Welcome to WYSTC	Vera Margarida Cunha, Tourismo de Portugal David Chapman, WYSE Travel Confederation
9:30 - 10:15	Auditorium 5, CCL	Keynote	A City on Mars: Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?	Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, Rice University Facilitator: David Chapman, WYSE Travel Confederation
10:15 - 10:40	Trade hall, CCL	Coffee break sponsored by Hanover
10:40 - 11:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	Global market outlook for youth travel	Prof. Greg Richards, WYSE Travel Confederation
10:40 - 11:20	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
11:20 - 12:00	Auditorium 5, CCL	Session	Ask the buyers: Outlook on youth travel	Panellists: Philip Russell, Plan My Gap Year Laura Sampedro, Klook Clare Weston KILROY Facilitator: Greg Bows, Impact Travel Group
11:20 - 13:00	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
12:20 - 13:00	Auditorium 5, CCL	Session	Why the US is still open for business through BridgeUSA	Panellists: Bill Gertz, AIFS Modesto Reyes, OFIT Karen Ward, US Department of State Bettina Wiedmann, Experiment e.V. Moderator: Carmen Iezzi Mezzera, CAPDL
13:00 - 14:00	Trade hall, CCL	Lunch sponsored by Intrax
14:00 - 15:00	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
14:20 - 15:00	Auditorium 5, CCL	Session	Curation and the future of youth travel	Panellists: Etienne Matichard, JO&JOE Kim Callender, SoloTrvlr Sofia Ferraz, Tasteology Moderator: Greg Richards, WYSE Travel Confederation
15:00 - 15:40	Trade hall, CCL	Coffee break sponsored by Hanover
15:40- 16:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	The rise of coffee tourism: Mapping culture, curiosity and community	Sofia Ferraz, Tasteology
15:40- 17:20	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
16:20 - 17:00	Auditorium 5, CCL	Session	The critical connection: Mobilising change	Speakers: Chris Arnold, Made Impact Jackson Mvunganyi, Journalist Facilitator: David Chapman, WYSE Travel Confederation
17:15 - 18:45	Lisbon	WYSE Travel Safety Panel walking tour
18:30	Hyatt Regency Lisboa	Coach transfers to Welcome Reception*
19:00 - 20:30	Estufa Fria, Parque	Welcome Reception sponsored by Cultural Homestay International
21:30 - 00:00	Hyatt Regency Lisboa	Conference bar sponsored by WISE Foundation

* Transfers are available for delegates staying at the Hyatt Regency and Vila Galé only

Thursday, 25 September

Time	Location	Activity	Session title	Speaker(s)
8:30	CCL	Registration opens
9:00 - 11:00	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
9:20 - 9:40	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	From purpose to paycheck: Can cultural exchange and career progression coexist?	Crystal Bunts, Alliance Abroad Marlenny Peña, OFIT
10:00 - 10:20	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to make international agency partnerships work and last	Patricia Brunner, IAPA
10:40 - 11:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to build long-term partnerships with purpose	Muzo Unluel, GEC Marianny Aquino, ACE International
11:00 - 11:40	Trade hall, CCL	Coffee break sponsored by Hanover
11:40 - 13:00	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
12:00 - 13:00	Auditorium 5, CCL	Session	Update from the US Department of State	Karen Ward Facilitator: Casey Slamin, InterExchange
13:00 - 14:00	Trade hall, CCL	Lunch sponsored by Intrax
14:00 - 14:20	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
14:20 - 15:00	Auditorium 5, CCL	Keynote	“Tourism is dead…”	Speaker: Luís Araújo, Global Tourism Leader Facilitator: David Chapman, WYSE Travel Confederation
15:00 - 15:40	Trade hall, CCL	Coffee break sponsored by Hanover
15:40 - 18:00	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
15:40 - 16:00	Workshop area, CCL	WYSTC Rogue
16:00 - 16:20	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to shape resilient leaders for tomorrow: The camp counselors’ adaptive playbook	Marina Onaca, LifeTRAVELED
16:20 - 16:40	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to synergise with community partners	Grant Millar, HI Canada
16:40 - 17:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to use context effectively to enhance AI in cultural exchange	Rob Burchell, Hanover
17:00 - 17:20	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to lead and succeed using two ears and one mouth	Tim Alpe, LyLo
21:30 - 00:00	Hyatt Regency Lisboa	Conference bar sponsored by WISE Foundation

Friday, 26 September

Time	Location	Activity	Session title	Speaker(s)
8:30	CCL	Registration opens
9:00 - 10:40	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
9:00 - 9:20	Workshop area, CCL	WYSTC Rogue
9:20 - 9:40	Workshop area, CCL	WYSTC Rogue
9:40 - 10:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to maximise flexibility and minimise footprint	Matthew "Muddy" Toohey, Kiwi Experience
10:00 - 10:40	Auditorium 5, CCL	Session	The state of exchanges after 6+ months of the Trump Administration	Mark Overmann, Alliance for International Exchange Facilitator: David Chapman, WYSE Travel Confederation
10:40 - 11:00	CCL	Awards	Dr. Taleb Rifai Outstanding Volunteer Award sponsored by Alliance Strategies
11:00 - 11:40	Trade hall, CCL	Coffee break sponsored by Hanover
11:40 - 13:00	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
11:40 - 12:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to spark lasting impact for your travellers	Mary Wanjiku Njuguna, Hostel Hoff
12:00 - 12:20	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
12:20 - 12:40	Workshop area, CCL	WYSTC Rogue
12:40 - 13:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to improve local relevance and sustainability of cultural exchange	Diego Lopez, Let's Live USA
13:00 - 14:00	Trade hall, CCL	Lunch sponsored by Intrax
14:00 - 15:20	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
14:00 - 14:20	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to meet participant expectations for internships and work abroad placements	Aplav Saxena, STEP Beyond Borders
14:20 - 14:40	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to ruin your career through travel	Sibu Szymanowska, Go Global with Sibu
14:40 - 15:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to build greater opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to travel, work and connect	Liz Hong-Farrell, International Experience Canada
15:20 - 16:00	Trade hall, CCL	Coffee break sponsored by Hanover
16:00 - 17:00	Trade hall, CCL	Business appointments sponsored by JO&JOE
16:00 - 16:20	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to be a more inclusive accommodation	Izaskun Quilez, INOUT Hostel
16:40 - 17:00	Workshop area, CCL	Workshop	How to inspire trust between higher education institutions and the student travel industry	Chaz William Brown, Dimi's Adventure
19:00	Hyatt Regency Lisboa	Coach transfers to the Global Youth Travel Awards*
19:30 - 23:00	Quinta da Pimenteira	Global Youth Travel Awards
23:00 onwards	Boavista 83 Hostel	After party sponsored by Boavista 83

* Transfers are available for delegates staying at the Hyatt Regency and Vila Galé only