Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the conference?

Tourism Academy 2026 will be held in Jacksonville, Florida, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Set along the St. Johns River in the heart of downtown, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront offers stunning waterfront views and easy access to the city’s top attractions.

What is Tourism Academy all about?

What began as the iDSS users conference has evolved into Tourism Academy. New technology supports and drives digital success in the destination marketing industry. It is critical for today’s forward-thinking travel and tourism professionals to understand what's coming around the bend, and Tourism Academy fills this educational need.

Who should attend Tourism Academy?

Tourism Academy programming is intended for destination marketing experts and tourism industry professionals from across North America who utilize iDSS CRM, Destination Signals, Tempest Website Design, or Tempest Growth Marketing services. Attendees range from CRM or marketing specialists who may be new to the industry to long-time destination marketing veterans, including CEOs, Presidents, Executive Directors and other individuals from DMO leadership. The agenda is carefully constructed to provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways that are applicable to DMOs of all sizes, budgets, and needs. Agenda topics vary year-to-year, but often include dedicated sessions for iDSS training, advanced applications of iDSS and its integrations, informative case studies on community engagement, the latest marketing trends and strategies, as well as content and SEO tips and tricks.

How can I get budget approval to attend Tourism Academy?

Please visit our "Convince Your Boss" page to download a letter template, find testimonials, and more.

I plan to drive to Tourism Academy 2026. What parking options are available at the conference hotel?

The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront offers overnight self-parking for $34 or valet parking for $44. More information can be found on the hotel's official website.

What is the best way to get to the conference from the airport?

If you're flying into Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), we recommend utilizing rideshare or cab service to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, approximately a 15-mile/30-minute car ride.

Will there be any pre-conference activities on Tuesday, May 12th?

Tourism Academy 2026 will once again feature a pre-conference kick off happy hour at a local venue in downtown Jacksonville on Tuesday evening. If you're arriving earlier in the day, take part in special pre-conference opportunities to explore Jacksonville alongside other attendees and Tempest team members. Stay tuned for more information on additional conference activities!

How can I engage with Tourism Academy on social media?

Share photos, insights and excitement from the conference on social media using the hashtag #TourismAcademy26. Follow Tourism Academy on Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and conference highlights.

Who is behind Tourism Academy?

Tempest and a collection of its strategic partners come together to curate the biggest trends and ideas in digital for travel and tourism industry professionals.

We look forward to seeing you in Jacksonville. If you have additional questions, please email or call us at (800) 274-8774 ext 5.