ESTO Cares 2026
Since 2015, ESTO Cares has been an annual tradition rooted in community, compassion and connection and offers attendees a meaningful way to give back to the local community. This volunteer-led initiative is organized and hosted by the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) Alumni and is one of the most rewarding ways to kick off your ESTO experience.
Continuing the tradition of community impact, attendees will come together to support Mural Arts Philadelphia, a public-private partnership dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. Mural Arts Philadelphia creates art with others to transform places, individuals, communities and institutions.
Start your ESTO with purpose
RSVP by August 24 to join us Monday morning for a live, hands-on volunteer event from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 am. Coffee will be available at 7:00 a.m., and registration opens at 7:15 a.m.
Come for the camaraderie. Stay for the impact.
Unable to attend in person? You can still join the cause by making a donation through the “Friends of ESTO” ticket option.
Through the Years
| Year | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Phoenix, AZ | Assembled travel-themed care packages for Ronald Donald House Charities of Central & Northern Arizona. |
| 2024 | Columbus, OH | Packed and organized materials for FESTA. |
| 2023 | Savannah, GA | Packed materials for the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. |
| 2022 | Grand Rapids, MI | Packed literacy kits for Heart of West Michigan United Way. |
| 2021 | Los Angeles, CA | Packed hygiene kits for Los Angelinos experiencing homelessness in partnership with LA Works. |
| 2020 | CANCELED | Canceled due to COVID-19. |
| 2019 | Austin, TX | Packed food for distribution at the Central Texas Food Bank. |
| 2018 | Phoenix, AZ | Packed food kits to be shipped overseas in partnership with Feed My Starving Children. |
| 2017 | Minneapolis, MN | Planned to clear crown vetch from the banks of the Mississippi at historic Mill Ruins Park. Event was rained out, but funds were raised for the city parks. |
| 2016 | Boca Raton, FL | Beach litter clean up at Spanish River Park to protect sea turtle hatching habitats in partnership with Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. |
| 2015 | Portland, OR | Cleared construction debris from the banks of the Willamette River. |