Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions . . . we've got answers.
Where is the Tuesday night opening reception?
On Tuesday, May 21st we will host an opening reception at PNC Park followed by complimentary admission to the game. The reception starts at 5:30 pm at Picnic Park. Enter through the center field gates (1st gates after the bridge) and it will be directly to the left overlooking the river.
We will walk over to the stadium as a group, so please meet in the lobby of The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel at 5:00 pm. We will cross the river on the pedestrian-friendly Roberto Clemente Bridge. It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the stadium. (Click here for a map with walking directions).
Where is Wednesday night's BIG party?
On Wednesday, May 22nd we will host a bash at Mike' Beer Bar. Mike's Beer Bar is just a seven-minute walk from the hotel. (Here’s a map with walking directions). Mike's has a 500 bottle beer list and 80 rotating taps and there will be snacks and refreshments including soft drinks and some wine and liquor too!). The Wedge Brothers band will be back onstage this year, so bring your dancing shoes and your signing voices. Get ready for a few new surprise band members and a ton of amazing music.
Where is the conference?
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!
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 is the 2019 Tourism Academy Hashtag?
#TourismAcademy19. Use it well my friends.
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.
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.