Hello everyone,

As most of you already know, the Nebraska Tourism Division’s 2012 Nebraska Travel Conference will be held Oct. 24-25 at the Gering Civic Center in Gering. I would love to see all of you there, so to increase attendance and encourage you to attend I’m releasing the agenda for this year’s conference in advance. And between now and October, I’ll periodically send out NEBTOUR notices highlighting particular conference speakers and sessions, and other inormation to help make your decision to come to Gering easier. 

Also, a number of you have expressed an interest in having session tracks at future conferences, and we listened to you. There are five tracks for this year’s conference, you'll find them below.

I encourage everyone to attend this year’s conference. As you can see, we’ve lined up some great speakers and sessions, and we are sure you’ll have an educational, and fun, experience in Gering! Keep checking NEBTOUR over the next few months for more information about the 2012 Nebraska Travel Conference, including how to register, lodging accommodations and Gering’s exciting evening event.

If you’d like to be a sponsor or exhibitor at this year’s conference, more information about these opportunities will be sent out shortly.

Hope to see you in Gering, October 24-25!

Micheal Collins

402-471-3795, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2012 Nebraska Travel Conference Agenda

Tuesday, Oct. 23
1:00-4:00 p.m.—Nebraska Tourism Advisory Meeting

5:00-7:00 p.m.—Nebraska Byways Meeting

Wednesday, Oct. 24
11:15 a.m.-1:45 p.m.—Keynote Speaker/Opening Lunch
Kelly McDonald: Changing demographics and how this affects your business, today and tomorrow

2:00-3:15 p.m.—Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Kelly McDonald: Disaster recovery and crisis management using social media: What to do when the ‘you-know-what’ hits the fan
Kevin Andersen: Funding your tourism ideas through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development

3:45-5 p.m.—Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Kelly McDonald: Relating, not translating: How to market to U.S. Hispanics”
Muriel Clark: Using social media as a tourism tool
Michael Geist: Engaging youth in tourism

5:30-9:30 p.m.—Gering’s evening for conference delegates

Thursday, Oct. 25
7:45-9:00 a.m.—Breakfast General Session
Karen Purves: Communicate with strength-Key words that undermine your effectiveness

9:15-10:30 a.m.—Morning Breakout Sessions
Karen Purves: Develop response ability-Secrets to getting e-mail replies
Melissa Trueblood: How to get the most out of your local lodging tax dollars
Brent Skiles: Insurance and property risk management

11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.—Mid-morning Breakout Sessions
Karen Purves: Throw them a bone-Selling differently to men and women
Connie Francis and Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel: Mickey’s guide to quality service: What you can learn from a mouse
Marshall Murdaugh: The emerging trend of experiential tourism

12:15-1:30—Lunch and Marketing Update

1:45-3:00 p.m.—Afternoon General Session
Marshall Murdaugh: It’s all in the numbers: How to use numbers to create conversion studies

3:45-5:00 p.m.—Afternoon General Session
Kathy McKillip and CSL: Implementation of Nebraska Tourism Division strategic plan recommendations

6:00-7:00—Nebraska Wine and Beer Tasting

7:00-9:00—Nebraska Travel Conference Awards Banquet

Session Tracks for the 2012 Nebraska Travel Conference

Marketing Track
“Relating, not translating: How to market to U.S. Hispanics” [Kelly McDonald]
“Throw them a bone-Selling differently to men and women” [Karen Purves]
“Changing demographics and how this affects your business, today and tomorrow” [Kelly McDonald]
“It’s all in the Numbers: How to use numbers to create conversion studies” [Marshall Murdaugh]

Customer Service/Communication Track
“Mickey’s guide to quality service: What you can learn from a mouse” [Connie Francis/Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel]
“Develop response ability-Secrets to getting e-mail replies” [Karen Purves]
“Communicate with strength-Key words that undermine your effectiveness” [Karen Purves]

Tourism Development Track
“The emerging trend of experiential tourism” [Marshall Murdaugh]
“Engaging youth in tourism” [Michael Geist]
“Insurance and property risk management” [Brent Skiles]

Funding Track
“Funding your tourism ideas through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development” [Kevin Andersen]
“How to get the most out of your local lodging tax dollars” [Melissa Trueblood]

Social Media Track
“Using social media as a tourism tool” [Muriel Clark]
“Disaster recovery and crisis management using social media: What to do when the ‘you-know-what’ hits the fan” [Kelly McDonald]