Daily Conference Schedule
Shuttle Information
Note: Shuttle times indicate start times only. Shuttles will loop at least a few times to ensure all attendees can be transported. Please arrive at the pickup point promptly to avoid delays. Shuttles will pick up and drop off at the Ramada only. The Best Western is a 4-minute walk from the Ramada.
Pre-Conference Activities
Hosted by Visit Grand Island
7:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Activity
Explore Grand Island’s Big Backyard
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Activity
Modern Agriculture – Where Innovation Meets the Land
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Activity
Step Into History: Grand Island’s Historic Homes Tour
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Activity
Peek Behind the Curtain
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Activity
The Prairie and the Platte – Conservation in Action
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Activity
Downtown Revival: Grand Island’s Historic Districts Tour
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
6:45 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Ramada to Raising Nebraska Building at Fonner Park
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Opening Reception
State Fair Spectacular
The Nebraska State Fair is hosting an unforgettable welcome reception where you can get up close and personal with all things Nebraska!
Savor your favorite Fair treats, sip on some Nebraska brews, and explore one of the most iconic agriculture education centers in America. Come as you are, stay as long as you wish. There is only one rule at his party: No one is too old to partake in the fun! Kicking off the conference with the best of Nebraska will be the perfect way to get your creative energy in motion. Join us in the Raising Nebraska building for food, fun and TONS of great networking! [Free to attend]
Raising Nebraska Building at Fonner Park
8:00 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Raising Nebraska Building at Fonner Park to Ramada
Raising Nebraska Building at Fonner Park
6:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Breakfast (Included if staying at Ramada Midtown or Best Western Plus)
Hotel or Local Option
8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
Power of Podcasting: Telling Your Story Through Audio
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
Visual Storytelling: Elevating Your Photography & Video
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
From Hello to the Story – On-the-Go Interviewing for Content Creators
Pre-registration required
Depart from Ramada Midtown
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
VENDOR SET-UP
Bosselman Conference Center
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
LUNCH (ON YOUR OWN)
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION
Bosselman Conference Center
12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Welcome Session
Featuring a welcome from Grand Island Tourism and opening remarks from the Midwest Travel Network co-founders
Reignite Room
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Keynote
Colleen Williams | “Anchored No More: Navigating Change and Finding New Purpose”
Reginite Room
2:00 – 2:20 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
2:20 – 3:20 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Unearthing Success: How Storytelling Turned Robber’s Cave into an Award-Winning Destination
Speaker: Joel Green
Rediscover Room
2:20 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Pitching with a Purpose: How to Craft Pitches that Pay Off
Speaker: Megan Bannister
Reimagine Room
3:20 – 3:40 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
3:40 – 4:40 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION
AI Toolkit: Balancing Creativity, Ethics and Efficiency
Speaker: Jacob Mann
Rediscover Room
3:40 – 4:40 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION
You Are the Media: Owning Your Story & Amplifying Your Impact
Speaker: Spencer Schubert
Reimagine Room
4:45 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Bosselman Conference Center to Ramada
5:15 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Ramada to Stuhr Museum
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
STUHR BY STARLIGHT
Join us for a Night at the Stuhr Museum; enjoy a scavenger hunt on the grounds and photo ops before dinner. Have a down-home meal inspired by those who settled on the prairie, plus have homemade pie. You might even get selected to be on the Blue Ribbon panel to choose your favorite pie.
Stuhr Museum
8:00 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Stuhr to Ramada
7:15 a.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Ramada to Bosselman Conference Center
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
BREAKFAST
Sponsored by Visit Omaha
Reignite Room
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION
9:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
9:20 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Spark Your Adaptability – Thriving Through Change
Speaker: Darci Davis
Reimagine Room
9:20 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Thriving with Multiple Income Streams: Affiliate Programs & Beyond for Consistent Revenue
Speaker: K. Paige Engle
Rediscover Room
10:20 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
10:40 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.
BreakOut Session
The Death of Social Media: Navigating the New Attention Economy
Speaker: JT Martin
Rediscover Room
10:40 – 11:40 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Collaboration is Key to Success for Destinations and Travel Writers
Speaker: Rosie Smith
Reimagine Room
11:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
Sponsored by Visit Omaha
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
BreakOut Session
Making Magic Happen: The Playbook for Small – Town Tourism with Big Results
Speaker: Julie Roller Weeks
Rediscover Room
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
BreakOut Session
The Foundations of Pinterest Success: How to Use Pinterest to Grow Your Brand
Speaker: Abraham Busick
Reimagine Room
2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
2:20 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
General Session
Beyond the Visit: Maximizing the ROI from Content Creator Partnerships
Speaker: Shannon Carter and Brandy Gleason
Reignite Room
3:20 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
3:35 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Speed Networking
Pre-scheduled appointments required
3:35 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Headshots By Veronica Baremen
3:35 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Media Marketplace
3:30 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Bosselman Conference Center to Ramada
5:30 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Ramada to Liederkranz
6 – 10 p.m.
A CULTURAL CHEERS AT LIEDERKRANZ
Discover one of Grand Island’s most treasured cultural gems—the Liederkranz, a 155-year-old German Club that still houses its original 1870s bar. On this tour, you’ll explore the rich stories and vibrant spaces that have made this club a local icon for generations.
From the cozy Biergarten and nostalgic 1940s bowling alley, to the vintage 1950s cocktail lounge and the impressive Ziegelhalle (Brick Hall), every corner tells a tale of tradition, community, and celebration.
Before and after dinner, enjoy games and interactive fun while learning about German customs and heritage. You might even pick up a few German phrases from friendly members who are proudly preserving the past, while welcoming in a new era of memories.
Liederkranz
8:00 p.m.
SHUTTLE BEGINS LOOPING
Shuttle from Liederkranz to Ramada
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast (on your own)
Hotel or Local Option
9 – 10 a.m.
Round Table Discussions
Ramada
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
BREAK
10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Closing Session
2025 Midwest Travel Network Awards & 2026 Conference Announcement
Ramada
Note: Schedule is subject to change.