Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions . . . we've got answers.
Where is the conference?
We’re so glad you asked! Tourism Academy 2019 will be held in Pittsburgh, PA. The venue is beautiful Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, which is located within walking distance to dining and nightlife, PNC Park, the Andy Warhol Museum, local theaters and more!
How can I register?
We welcome you to register online at www.tourismacademy.com. If you need any assistance or have additional questions, please contact us by email or phone: (800) 274-8774 ext 5.
Is there an early bird discount for Tourism Academy 2019?
Save $75 off of the regular ticket price and get yours for $825 when you register before January 14, 2019. Please use the code TA2019Early. After January 14th, tickets will increase to the regular price of $900.
What's the best way to travel to Pittsburgh for Tourism Academy?
Pittsburgh is a convenient drive or Amtrak train ride away from nearby destinations and an easy flight into Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). For more transportation information including helpful driving and flight times, click here.
What's the best way to travel from the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to the hotel?
The best way to travel from the airport to Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel is to use a car service, taxi or ride-sharing platform like Uber or Lyft. The ride will take about 30 minutes and the average taxi fare is $40 per trip. Our venue hotel does not offer an airport shuttle but there is a Super Shuttle providing travel to and from the airport for $27 each way. Please be advised that the Super Shuttle will make several stops at various hotels and this may add time to your trip. For more ground transportation information click here.
The hotel's address is:
Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
107 6th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
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.
What kind of sessions will be offered?
Tourism Academy will offer three full days of educational content. We’ll offer 35% more additional programming at this year’s event including iDSS training and thought-provoking sessions and keynotes for destination marketers.
Will there be an iDSS Boot Camp for beginners in 2019?
Thank you to everyone who shared valuable feedback with us. We’ve listened and this year’s Tourism Academy will not start with a separate beginner Boot Camp day. Instead, we will feature one ticket and three full days of educational content. We will offer a dual-track approach to iDSS content this year, allowing you to choose the mix of sessions that works best for you. Whether you are looking for a beginner overview on a particular topic, an advanced deep-dive, interactive round-table discussions, or one-on-one time with an iDSS expert - it's all available to you in the 2019 agenda.
Who should attend?
Tourism Academy is an opportunity for iDSS users and Tempest clients to meet, share ideas, and learn about the latest in travel and tourism technology and marketing. Join more than 150 of your professional peers for learning, networking, and of course a lot of fun!
Can I download a print copy of the agenda?
The agenda on our homepage is printer-friendly. Just go to "print-screen" when viewing the Tourism Academy homepage and your printing protocol should pop-up with a nice PDF version of the agenda. If you have any difficulties, please get in touch!
What is the 2019 Tourism Academy Hashtag?
#TourismAcademy19. Use it well my friends.
What are other people in the industry saying about Tourism Academy?
We invite you to check out some testimonials from previous attendees.
I have an idea for a session or topic. Can I share my idea or present at Tourism Academy?
We invite members of the travel and tourism community to participate and share the stage. If you have an idea for a session or you would like to present at Tourism Academy 2019, then please contact our team.
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.
Will there be parties?
Yes! There will be parties. We fully support the adage "Work hard, play hard." We will host a Tourism Academy opening reception beginnig at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21st at PNC Park followed by complementary entry for all attendees to see the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Colorado Rockies! On Wednesday, May 22nd, we'lll host our big party with our famous "house" band rocking out. Definitely bring your dancing shoes and stay tuned for more party details.
What is the cancellation policy?
Should you need to cancel your attendance, we will offer a 50 percent refund on conference tickets until April 14, 2019. We will not offer any refunds after April 14, 2019. Your hotel reservation will be 100% refundable without penalty up until 48 hours of your stay. If you need to cancel your tickets after the April 14, 2019 deadline, then please contact us for assistance. We will handle each request on a case by case basis.
We look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh. If you have additional questions, please email or call us at (800) 274-8774 ext 5.