MACVB Educational Conference 2026
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
AMG Media
Two Six Digital
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 - TBD 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
