Nebraska Tourism Conference 2018

Hosted by Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce and Nebraska Tourism Commission

Registration  |  Lodging  |  Agenda  |  Speakers  |  Awards  |  Sponsors


Conference Registration

To register for the conference,

  1. Fill out a Registration Form and mail it back  - or -
     
  2. Fill out the online registration at this link: Online Registration

* Please note that online registrations require a 10% transaction fee in addtion to the amount of the registration.
 

Registration Types

1.) Full Conference (Tues.-Thurs.) Registration 
     (Includes materials, meals, breaks, and all activities)

  • CVB's/Chambers: $225
  • Non-CVB's/Chambers: $175
  • Student: $50

2.) Tuesday Only (Includes materials, meals, and breaks): $100

3.) Wednesday Only (Includes materials, meals, breaks, and Celebrate Nebraska Banquet) : $150

4.) Wednesday Celebrate Nebraska Banquet Only: $60

If you have any questions about registration, contact Bryce Arens at 402-471-3796 or [email protected]


Lodging

Lied Lodge & Conference Center

2700 Sylvan Road

Nebraska City, NE  68410

800-546-5433

  • Ask for the Nebraska Tourism Conference Rate
  • Reservations must be booked by Sept. 15, 2018
  • $131.00 per room single occupancy per night + tax
  • $143.00 per room double occupancy per night + tax
  • This rate includes overnight accommodation and breakfast buffet in the Timber Dining Room

Agenda

Monday October 15-Registration Open 3:00-5:00 P.M.

 

Tuesday October 16-Registration Open 8:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M.

6:30-8:00 A.M: Free Breakfast for Overnight Guests - Timber Dining Room

8:30-10:30 A.M: NTC Commission Meeting

8:30-11:30 A.M: Sports Roundtable with Jon Schmieder

10:00-5:30 P.M: Exhibit & Silent Auction Open

10:30-11:30 A.M: Newcomer's Orientation

10:00-11:15 A.M: Nebraska Festivals and Events Meeting

10:30-11:30 A.M: Nebraska Byways Meeting

11:45-12:15 P.M: Conference Welcome & Lunch

12:15-1:30 P.M: Keynote Session

  • Increase Your Influence: Eight Essential Attributes of Successful Leaders - Dean Savoca, Savoca Performance Group

1:30-2:00 P.M: Networking Break

2:00-3:15 P.M: Session One

  1. Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign, Blocking out the Scenery - Matt Neeman and Jean Todd, Nebraska Department of Transportation

  2. Best (&Worst!) Practices in Sports Tourism Marketing - Jon Schmieder, Huddle Up Group

  3. Producing Videos on a Shoestring Budget - Jameon Rush, Optix Digital Medi

3:15-3:45 P.M: Networking Break

3:15-3:45 P.M: Session Two

  1. Nebraska Tourism 2018-19 Grant Programs - Heather Hogue, Nebraska Tourism Commission and Rebecca Schademann, Nebraska Department of Economic Development

  2. Developing Watchable Wildlife Adventures Panel - Carol Schlegel, McCook/Red Willow County Vistors Bureau; Alie Mays, Nebraska Game & Parks; Patrick Ward, Northwest Missouri State University

  3. Lead Like a Coach: How to Develop and Lead a Rock Star Team - Dean Savoca, Savoca Performance Group

5:00-5:30 P.M: Networking Break

6:00-9:00 P.M: Nebraska City Tourism Showcase-SHUTTLES AVAILABLE

All Nebraska Tourism Conference attendees are invited to the Lewis and Clark Visitors Center for a reception with light appetizers and a taste of local wines. Then, it's fiesta night at the Fox Center Event Space in downtown Nebraska City. Enjoy an authentic Mexican meal, catered by local restaurant El Portal. Then be prepared to be wowed by David Fox, the Midwest Mentalist.


Wednesday, October 17-Registration Open 7:30 A.M.-8:00 P.M.

6:30-8:00 A.M: Free Breakfast for overnight guests - Timber Dining Room

7:30-4:00 P.M: Exhibitors Booths Open

8:00-8:50 A.M: Welcome/Legislative Update/ABA Comments/Sponsors

8:50-9:00 A.M: Stretch break if time allows

9:00-10:00: Keynote Session

  • Unsafe Thinking - Jonah Sachs, Author/Speaker

10:00-10:30 A.M: Networking Break - Visit Exhibtors

10:30-11:45 A.M: Session 3

  1. Things to Know Regarding Lodging Tax - Karen Barrett, Nebraska Department of Revenue

  2. Event Safety - Greg Hollingsead, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

  3. Develop Community Prosperity through Bicycle Tourism - Ginny Sullivan, Adventure Cycling Association

12:00-12:30 P.M: Lunch

12:30-1:30 P.M: General Session - Marketing Update

1:45-3:00 P.M: Session Four

  1. Things to Know Regarding Lodging Tax - Karen Barrett, Nebraska Department of Revenue (Repeat of previous session)

  2. Event Insurance - When is it Neccessary - Shane Ideus, UNICO & Andy Pollock, Remboldt Ludtke LLP

  3. Travel & Editorial Trends - Turner PR

3:00-3:30 P.M: Networking Break - Sponsored by North Platte Visitors Bureau (2019 Conference Hosts) - Visit Exhibitors

3:30-4:45 P.M: Nebraska Tourism Commission 2019 Marketing Unveiling

6:00-7:00 P.M: Celebrate Nebraska Reception

7:00-9:00 P.M: Celebrate Nebraska Awards Banquet


Thursday, October 18

6:30-8:00 A.M: Free Breakfast for overnight guests - Timber Dining Room

8:30-10:30 A.M: NETA Meeting

10:30-11:30 A.M: Store Association Round Table Discussion (Bring list of top 10 selling items & vendors to share with group)


Speakers

See the attached list for speakers at this year's conference. Information will continue to be updated leading up to the conference date.

Conference Speaker Bios


Awards

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • Friend of Tourism
  • Outstanding Event 9,999 or below
  • Outstanding Event 10,000 or above
  • Outstanding Marketing Campaign
  • Outstanding Tourism Attraction
  • Outstanding Agritourism or Ecotourism Entity
  • Henry Fonda Award

Sponsors

Platinum

        Vladimir Jones

 

Gold

 

Silver

AAA Living

Columbus/Platte County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau

Nebraska Life Magazine

Nebraska Rural Radio Association

Nebraska Travel Association - NETA

North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau

Optix Digital Media, LLC

Turner Public Relations

Visit Omaha/Sarpy County Tourism

 

Bronze

American Bus Association

American Road Magazine

Arbor Day Coffee

Cass County Tourism

Certified Folder Display Services, Inc.

CTM Media Group, Inc.

Discover Northeast Nebraska

Gering Visitors Bureau

Grand Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

Kearney Visitors Bureau

Madden Media

Maly Marketing

Meredith Travel Marketing

Midwest Meetings

Nanonation

Nebraska Winery & Grape Growers Association

Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild

Nebraska Lottery

Omaha World-Herald

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Sandhills Natural Water

Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council

True West Publishing