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Harbor Springs, MI 49740
41 Other Registered Attendees
MACVB Educational Conference 2026
Monday, September 28, 2026
at 1:45 PM (EDT)
to Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM (EDT)
The Highlands
600 Highland DriveHarbor Springs, MI 49740
2026 MACVB Annual Education Conference
September 28 - 30, 2026
The Highlands at Harbor SpringsAnnual Education Conference Exhibitors
Harbor House Publishers
Greenspring Media/Meetings + Events Group
Travel Ad Service
Advance Travel & Tourism/AdvanceLocal
AMG Media
Two Six Digital
AJR Publishing Inc.
KeyData
Agenda
| September 28 | |
| 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM | MACVB Marketing Shirtsleeves Meeting Blue Room |
| 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM | MACVB Sales Shirtsleeves Meeting Tailgate Room |
| 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM | VENDOR MOVE IN Green Room |
| 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | MACVB Membership Meeting Blue Room |
| 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Check in to hotel Reservation Desk |
| 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Shuttle Buses to Pond Hill Dinner Hotel Entrance |
| 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau Dinner
Pond Hill Farms 5699 S Lake Shore Drive Harbor Springs, MI 49740 |
| 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Shuttles back to hotel |
| 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM |
Afterglow (on own)
Slopeside Lounge The Highlands |
| September 29 | |
| 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM | Vendor Set Up Green Room |
| 7:30 AM - 8:20 AM | MACVB Breakfast with Exhibitors Green Room |
| 8:20 AM - 8:45 AM | MACVB Welcome, Opening Remarks and History Blue Room |
| 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM |
Bill Geist - A New Vision for Community Development
Blue Room |
| 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM |
BREAKOUT - Matt Sowash - Legislative 101: How to Effectively Engage with Your Local, State, and Federal Legislators
Tailgate Room |
| 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM |
BREAKOUT - Holly Laurencelle - The Visibility Ecosystem - How destinations win across search, social & AI
Camelot Room |
| 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM |
BREAKOUT - Bill Geist - Destination Development
Blue Room |
| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
BREAK with Exhibitors
Green Room |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Kalin Sheik - People Don't Share Ads But They Do Share Feelings Blue Room |
| 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch with Exhibitors Green Room |
| 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | BREAKOUT - Brian Screptock - The Accessibility Advantage: Insights to Elevate the Visitor Experience Tailgate Room |
| 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | BREAKOUT - Mike Price - The State of Sports Tourism: Trends, Opportunities & Michigan's Competitive Position Camelot Room |
| 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | BREAKOUT - Matt Friedman - The Fundamentals of Crisis Communication for the CVB Blue Room |
| 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Break with exhibitors Green Room |
| 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM | BREAKOUT - Brad Barnett - The critical role we all must play in our communities as DMOs Tailgate Room |
| 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM | BREAKOUT - Nick Danowski - Ask the Machine: Understanding and Shaping Your Destination's AI Narrative Camelot Room |
| 2:45 PM - 3:30 PM | BREAKOUT - Kim Corcoran - Winning More Meetings: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Destinations Blue Room |
| 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM | On Own |
| 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM | Shuttles to Country Club of Boyne for Dinner *note you may also drive yourself |
| 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | MACVB Reception - Country Club of Boyne *2 drink tickets per registrant, then cash bar for the evening |
| 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | MACVB Dinner - Country Club of Boyne |
| 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM | MACVB PAC Silent Auction tbd |
| September 30 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Breakfast with Exhibitors Green Room |
| 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Panel Discussion - TBD Blue Room |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Greg Peters - Hello and a Handshake: Unleash Your Networking Superpowers Blue Room |
| 11:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Lunch Boxes to Go Green Room |
Everything you need to know before registering is right here! Explore registration rates, sponsorship opportunities, and event details. Once you've found the option that's right for you, click Register Now to complete your registration or sponsorship purchase.
Please if you have any questions, reach out to visitmichigan@gmail.com
MACVB Overnight Room Reservations
Reserve your Highlands Harbor Springs Lodging here
for the MACVB AEC Event September 28-30, 2026!
Attendees Please Note: The Group Reservation cut off is Saturday, August 29, 2026. Attendees will have to call Central Reservations at 800.462.6963 and ask for the MACVB AEC to book reservations based on availability.
Highlands Shipping information
Shipping Label Information:
Name of the guest to receive the package
First and Last Name
MACVB/Keelin Hall
Box # of #
The Highlands at Harbor Springs
600 Highland Drive Harbor Springs, MI 49740
The group must provide filled-out shipping labels with the company account number listed for returns. Any packages delivered 7 or more days prior to the function date will be charged $25.00 per box per day
Registration
Attendee & Speaker Registration
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Attendee Registration
First person $350.00, second and subsequent registrations $325.00 Please if you have any questions, reach out to Marcy at visitmichigan@gmail.com |
$350.00 |
|
2nd & Subsequent Attendee Registration
|
$325.00 |
|
Speaker Registration
|
FREE |
Exhibitor Registration
Exhibit Registration & Additional Exhibitor Attendee Registration
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Exhibitor (Includes 1 Registration)
- 1 complimentary registration to the conference - Exhibit Booth Includes: One (1) 6-foot skirted table with Two (2) chairs *Any additional exhibitors w/paid booth $300. Register remaining exhibitor registrations through "Exhibitor Registration" Box |
$1,300.00 |
|
Additional Exhibitor Attendee Registration
|
$300.00 |
|
Sponsor Exhibit Booth (only for paid sponsorships)
|
FREE |
Additional Sponsor Registration
This is only for conference sponsorships that include free registration
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Additional Sponsorship Registration(s)
Conference Sponsor- Register your 2 additional attendees here Keynote Sponsor- Register your 1 additional attendee here Dinner Sponsor- Register your 1 additional attendee here Reception Sponsor- Register your 1 additional attendee here Breaks Sponsor- Register your 1 additional attendee here |
FREE |
Sponsor Registration
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Conference Sponsor
- Introduction of the company with opportunity to speak for 3 minutes at opening remarks OR a 3-minute video to play during opening remarks - Logo in conference communications - 3 included registrations. Register 1 here and remaining 2 registrations through "Additional Sponsorship Registration(s)" Box - Exhibit Table *Any additional exhibitors w/paid booth $300 |
$10,000.00 |
|
Keynote Sponsor
- Introduction of the company and opportunity to introduce the keynote speaker - Logo in conference communications - 2 complimentary registrations to the conference. Register 1 attendee here and remaining 1 registrations through "Additional Sponsorship Registration(s)" Box - Exhibit Table *Any additional exhibitors w/paid booth $300 |
$6,000.00 |
|
Dinner Sponsor
- Introduction of the company during dinner - Logo in conference communications - 2 complimentary registrations to the conference. Register 1 attendee here and remaining 1 registrations through "Additional Sponsorship Registration(s)" Box. - Exhibit Table *Any additional exhibitors w/paid booth $300 |
$6,000.00 |
|
Reception Sponsor - SOLD - Advance Local
- Logo in conference communications - 2 complimentary registrations to the conference. Register 1 attendee here and remaining 1 registrations through "Additional Sponsorship Registration(s)" Box - Exhibit Table *Any additional exhibitors w/paid booth $300 |
$5,000.00 |
|
Lunch Sponsor
- Signage acknowledgment on buffet - Logo in conference communications - 1 complimentary registration to the conference. - Exhibit Table *Any additional exhibitors w/paid booth $300 |
$4,000.00 |
|
Break Sponsor -1 of 2 SOLD - 1. Experience Jackson
- Acknowledgment of the company on stage during the program - Logo in conference communications - 2 complimentary registrations to the conference. Register 1 attendee here and remaining 1 registrations through "Additional Sponsorship Registration(s)" Box |
$3,000.00 |
|
Conference Tote Sponsor - SOLD - Petoskey Area CVB
- Availability to pre-stuff bags with your company logo items - 1 complimentary registration to the conference |
$2,800.00 |
|
Breakfast Sponsor (2 Available - 1 Per Day)
- Signage acknowledgment on buffet - Logo in conference communications - 1 complimentary registration to the conference |
$2,500.00 |
|
Conference Survival Kit - SOLD TwoSix Digital
- 1 Liquid IV for hydration, 2 device cleaning wipes, and 1 blister bandage to address common issues. It also features 1 antacid for stomach relief, 1 Shout Wipe stain remover, and 1 Purell wipe for hygiene. Keep discomfort at bay with 1 Advil and 1 Queasy Drop, plus 4 bandages for minor injuries. |
$2,500.00 |
|
Water Bottle Sponsor - SOLD - MMGY
|
$2,000.00 |
|
Lanyard Sponsor - SOLD - Epsilon
|
$1,500.00 |
|
Breakout Session Sponsor
SPONSORS: Sweetwater Floral Advance Travel & Tourism Longwoods International |
$1,000.00 |
|
Speaker Gift Bag Sponsor - Sold
|
$1,000.00 |
Benjamin Ben Larson
Vice President, Moyle Companies
Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area
Lora Brown
Executive Director
St. Ignace Visitors Bureau
Rachel Buchanan
Experience Jackson
Stephanie Burdick
Executive Director
Coldwater Country CVB
Melissa Burgett
Experience Jackson
Cori Ann Cearly
Munising CVB
Alma Lou Crossley
Executive Director
Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau
Scout Delicato
Two Six Digital
Jennifer Feris-Jones
Mecosta County CVB
Jane Ghosh
Discover Kalamazoo
Ken Hayward
Visit Detroit
Michael Hensley
Discover Michigan's Thumbcoast
Ellen Hillier
Social Media & Content Manager
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Mary Chris Hotchkiss
Group Sales Director
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Milly Hudgins
Holland Area CVB
Tim Hygh
Mackinac Island CVB
Courtney Irish
Explore Flint and Genessee
Erin Kellstrom
OSCODA AREA CVB
Janet Korn
Senior VP Strategic Initiatives
Experience Grand Rapids
Anne Kurburski
Office Admin
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Kate Lieto
Experience Grand Rapids
Sammie Lukaskiewicz
Executive Director
Manistee County Tourism Authority
Bob Lukens
Visit Muskegon
Amber Mae Petersen
Visit Muskegon
Hillery McAlpine
Holland Area CVB
Eve McKeown
Saugatuck/Douglas Area CVB
LaShelle Mikesell
Visit Muskegon
Brandy Miller
Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sarah Miller
President & CEO
Destination Ann Arbor
Brittany Obetts
Project Coordinator
Saugatuck Douglas Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Renata Olson
Executive Director
Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
Julie Pingston
President & CEO
Choose Lansing
Jim Powell
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Debra Prater
Coldwater Country CVB
Michael Price
Destination Ann Arbor
Sherri Protasiewicz
Manistee County Tourism Authority
Mike Pulgini
Experience Jackson
Amber Ressl
Group Sales Manager
Ludington Area CVB
Chris Rowley
President & CEO
Mount Pleasant Area CVB
Kelly Sharrer
Director of Internal Operations
Experience Jackson
Anthony Sitko
Sports Sales Manager
Explore Flint and Genessee
Katie Stepp
Discover Michigan's Thumbcoast
Amari Steward
Explore Flint and Genessee
Abby Warmuth
Finance Director
Holland Area CVB
Whitney Warra
COO
Traverse City Tourism
Sarah Wiese
Marketing & Communications Director
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
