Southeast Tourism Society Celebrates New Travel Marketing Professionals at Connections Conference in Richmond, Virginia

Graduates earn the Travel Marketing Professional designation after completing the three-year program

RICHMOND, Va. (September 2026) – Southeast Tourism Society (STS) celebrated its newest class of Marketing College® graduates during STS Connections, on September 9–11, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. The graduates join a growing network of travel and tourism professionals who have completed the three-year program and earned the Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) designation.

Since 1992, Marketing College has given tourism professionals practical, industry-focused training that sharpens their skills, broadens their professional networks and prepares them to lead the Southeast's tourism industry forward. Held each year at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, the program brings together professionals from destinations, attractions, festivals and events, hotels, state tourism offices and other corners of the travel industry for coursework in destination branding, strategic partnerships, social media, tourism development, research, leadership and crisis communication. During their time at Marketing College they develop relationships with peers and mentors that carry on long after graduation.

“Marketing College represents one of the most important ways STS invests in the future of our industry,” said Nan Marchand, President & CEO of Southeast Tourism Society.

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