Join Us in McHenry County, IL!
June 11-13, 2026
We’re excited to announce that in 2026 the Midwest Travel Network Conference will be hosted by Naturally McHenry County!
McHenry County perfectly captures the spirit of the Midwest. From charming small towns and historic gems to lively downtowns full of locally owned shops, restaurants, and craft beverage spots, there’s something for everyone. Agritourism also shines here, with farms, orchards, and markets offering hands-on, immersive experiences. It’s a storyteller’s dream destination — authentic, inspiring, and full of content opportunities.
We look forward to connecting and getting “Naturally Inspired” with you in McHenry County!
Join us for the 2026 Midwest Travel Network Conference — the premier event for travel writers, bloggers, content creators, and tourism professionals. This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, collaborate with like-minded creators, and immerse yourself in the unique charm of the Midwest. Enhance your skills, expand your network, and uncover new opportunities. Don’t miss out — secure your spot today!
What to Expect
• 3 Days of Educational Sessions
• Speed Networking Appointments
• Pre- & Post-FAM Trips
• 2026 Midwest Travel Network Awards
WILL WE SEE YOU THERE?
Purchase your attendee ticket today to join us for the 2026 Midwest Travel Network Conference in McHenry County, IL.
Conference Week at-a-Glance
Wednesday, June 10
• Optional, morning and afternoon locally-hosted experiences and activities
• Informal networking for early arrivals
Thursday, June 11
• Conference officially kicks off in the afternoon
• Opening sessions and welcome evening networking event
Friday, June 12
• Full day of conference programming, including sessions and networking
• Evening off-site experience highlighting the destination
Saturday, June 13
• Morning conference sessions
• Conference concludes by noon
Note: This is a preliminary outline to help attendees plan travel and lodging. Full session details and timing will be shared closer to the event. There will be several options available for pre- and post-FAM trips. Details and interest sign-ups for these will be available closer to the event.
Getting There
Located just 60 miles northwest of Chicago, our conference venue is only 40 minutes from downtown and conveniently accessible from both Chicago Midway and O’Hare International Airports.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR?
Are you a brand or destination that would like to participate in the 2026 Midwest Travel Network Conference?
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT #MWTRAVELCON
Emily Bertram who attended the 2018 conference in Iowa came back raving about this event. We have seen such a great ROI from this conference and travel bloggers interested in visiting St. Cloud.
I loved the intimate setting. A smaller conference makes it easy to connect with people; I never felt lost in the crowd. The quality of the speakers was excellent and took home plenty of inspiration. It was my first time at the conference and I will be back.
Attending the 2018 Midwest Travel Network Conference was one of the best investments I’ve ever made in my career as a travel blogger. I really appreciated the chance to connect with fellow travel bloggers — some of whom I’ve been following online for years online and chatting with via the Facebook group. In addition, conference organizers Sara Broers and Lisa Trudell did an excellent job of working with the local CVB to highlight the conference destination of Clear Lake, IA including catering delicious local food and coordinating a fascinating tour of the historic conference venue (the Surf Ballroom).
It was a great way to network and to hear ideas to grow travel in the midwest.
I loved how both DMO’s and bloggers get to participate in the entire conference. Appreciate the sessions for both DMO’s and bloggers – any time I can learn from a conference I am more likely able to attend.