A well-planned kickoff meeting is more than just an informational session—it’s your first big opportunity to build momentum, generate excitement, and get buy-in from students and parents alike. Whether it’s your first time leading a trip or your tenth, a strong start sets the tone for everything that follows.
Keep reading to learn why your kickoff matters—and how to make the most of it.
TRUST IS EVERYTHING
Your kick-off meeting should immediately build trust. Parents need to feel confident that their children will be safe, supported, and well-prepared. Use this meeting to introduce your travel partner (ETI), highlight our safety protocols, and outline what makes this trip a meaningful experience—not just a vacation.
REV UP THE EXCITEMENT
The kickoff meeting is your moment to generate some real excitement and anticipation about your upcoming trip. Use visuals, share stories from past trips, and paint a picture of what students will do—from theme park performances to hands-on science adventures. When students are pumped, they help spread the word.
SHARE INFO RIGHT FROM THE START
A strong kickoff helps reduce follow-up emails and confusion down the road. Important things to cover could include costs, deadlines, fundraising ideas, behavior expectations, sample itineraries, a call for chaperones, etc. Be sure to leave time for questions and offer handouts or links to FAQs and ETI’s online tools.
Ultimately, when families understand the value of the trip—and how easy it is to sign up—they’re more likely to commit early. Ensure you offer a simple way for parents to sign up their child at the meeting. And remember, a great trip starts with a great kickoff—so make it count!
Courtesy of ETI.
