Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism

    About

    The Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism is an annual conference that features a strong line-up of expert speakers, as well as exciting social events to enhance your networking opportunities with top leaders and innovators.

    Mark your calendar for next year’s conference being held October 20-22, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Springfield.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Springfield

    Registration

    Full Conference Pass October 20-22 (meals included) | Early Bird $350 / Standard $400
    One-Day Pass October 21 (meals included) | Early Bird $300 / Standard $350
    Awards Banquet Pass Only | $100
    Lunch Pass Only October 21 (subject to Governor’s attendance) | $50


    Early Bird Registration closes September 18. Final Registration closes on October 2.


    The room block at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Springfield is currently open through September 19. The room rate for conference attendees is $139 + tax.

    Book your hotel reservation(s) using this link, adjusting the dates to reflect the length of your stay.


    Destination Experience

    Details coming soon!

    Sponsored by Lake of the Ozarks CVB

    Choose your Experience:

    Lake Experience

    Join us on Tuesday, October 7, for a boat ride on the Celebration Cruise to experience the Lake from the water. We will meet at The Encore Lakeside Grill & Sky Bar at the host hotel and depart via shuttle at 11:30 a.m. The Celebration Cruise will depart from land at noon for a 90-minute scenic cruise. During the cruise, drinks and appetizers will be provided. We will return to the hotel by approximately 2:00 p.m.

    RSVP for this experience.  (hyperlink RSVP to the form on industry portal)

    OR

    Golf Experience

    Enjoy a complimentary round of golf at The Cove course at The Lodge of Four Seasons, one of the Lake’s premier golf destinations. To book your tee time on Tuesday, October 7, please contact The Cove Pro Shop at 573-365-8532. When booking, be sure to mention that you are attending Missouri’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism to receive your complimentary round of golf. Transportation is on your own.


    Agenda

    Tuesday, October 20

    10 am – 5 pm

    Registration

    Sponsored by KH + Madden

    10 am – 5 pm

    Exhibitor Trade Show Set Up

    11:15 am – 2 pm

    Destination Experience

    Sponsored by Visit Springfield, Missouri

    *RSVP required

    4 pm – 6 pm

    Marketplace Reception

    Sponsored by Midwest Living [People Inc.]

    Join us for a Marketplace Reception before the Welcome Reception. The event will provide valuable time to network with your peers and establish connections with vendors at the conference. Light refreshments will be served.

    6 pm – 8 pm

    Welcome Reception

    Sponsored by Visit Springfield, Missouri

    Wednesday, October 21

    8 am – 5 pm

    Exhibitor Trade Show

    Visit with business professionals and service providers who help support the tourism industry.

    8 am – 6 pm

    Registration

    Sponsored by KH + Madden

    8 am – 9 am

    Breakfast

    Sponsored by OBP Agency

    9 am – 9:50 am

    General Session 

    Sponsored by Tripadvisor

    9:50 am – 10 am

    10 Minute Break

    10 am – 10:50 am

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan I

    10 am – 10:50 am

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan II

    10 am – 10:50 am

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan III

    10:50 am – 11:20 am

    Break and Exhibitor Trade Show

    Visit with business professionals and service providers who help support the tourism industry.

    11:20 am – 12:10 pm

    All Breakout Sessions Repeat

    This is your chance to see another breakout session.

    12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

    Luncheon

    Sponsored by OBP Agency

    1:15 pm – 2 pm

    General Session

    2:10 pm – 3 pm

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan I

    2:10 pm – 3 pm

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan II

    2:10 pm – 3 pm

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan III

    3 pm – 3:30 pm

    Break and Exhibitor Trade Show

    Visit with business professionals and service providers who help support the tourism industry.

    3:30 pm – 4:20 pm

    All Breakout Sessions Repeat

    This is your chance to see another breakout session.

    4:20 pm – 4:30 pm

    10 Minute Break

    4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

    Missouri Tourism Commission Meeting

    Seating is limited.

    6 pm – 7 pm

    Awards Reception

    Wine compliments of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board.

    7 pm – 9 pm

    Awards Banquet & Presentation

    Wine compliments of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board.

    Thursday, October 22

    8 am – 11 am

    Exhibitor Trade Show

    Visit with business professionals and service providers who help support the tourism industry.

    8 am – 11 am

    Registration

    Sponsored by KH + Madden

    8 am – 9 am

    Breakfast

    9 am – 9:50 am

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan I

    9 am – 9:50 am

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan II

    9 am – 9:50 am

    Breakout Session

    Rathdangan III

    9:50 am – 10 am

    10 Minute Break

    10 am – 10:50 am

    All Breakout Sessions Repeat

    This is your chance to see another breakout session.

    10:50 am – 11:20 am

    Break and Exhibitor Trade Show

    Visit with business professionals and service providers who help support the tourism industry.

    11:20 am – 12 pm

    Missouri Division of Tourism Update

    Speaker: Stephen Foutes, Missouri Division of Tourism

    During this session, you’ll see examples of MDT’s work to showcase Missouri as a travel destination, hear programmatic updates and get a sneak peek at the Division’s marketing plans for spring 2027 and beyond.

    12 pm – 12:10 pm

    Giveaways & Closing Remarks

    12:15 pm

    Conference Concludes


    Call for Speakers

    Interested in speaking at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism? Fill out the Speaker Form below and we will review your request. If interested, Visit Missouri staff will contact you directly.


    Speakers

    Keynote Speaker

    Governor Mike Kehoe

    Mike Kehoe has served as Missouri’s 58th governor since January 2025. Among his administration’s highest priorities is economic development, something that calls back to his early days as a business owner. Kehoe began his career washing cars at 15, and later advanced through the automotive industry to become one of the youngest Ford dealers in the U.S. He later turned his focus to Osage Industries, a struggling ambulance manufacturing company in Linn, transforming the business into one of the largest ambulance manufacturers in the nation. His experience in business and leadership drew him to public service, starting with a stint on the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. He was elected to the Missouri State Senate in 2010 and served as majority floor leader before being appointed lieutenant governor in 2018. In that role, he promoted the Show-Me State’s businesses and agriculture and tourism industries, along with supporting seniors and veterans. Kehoe has named safety, education, agriculture and economic growth among his administration’s top priorities.

    Lt. Governor David Wasinger

    Lt. Gov. David Wasinger was sworn into the position in January 2025. A lifelong Missourian and Mizzou Tigers fan hailing from Hannibal, he graduated from the University of Missouri with an accounting degree and earned his CPA before attending the Vanderbilt University School of Law. He later specialized in business law at what would become Wasinger Daming in Brentwood, focusing on representing the interest of main streets. He also previously served on the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri. In his role as lieutenant governor, Wasinger advocates for business, agriculture, tourism, seniors and veterans.

    Andrea Sporcic Klund

    Andrea Sporcic Klund is the film commissioner for Missouri and runs the Missouri Film Office – a part of the Missouri Division of Tourism. She has been in the film biz representing Missouri for over 20 years. Since 2005 she has worked to market Missouri to the film and television industry nation-wide. She has helped coordinate production logistics for more than 30 feature films, and hundreds of television segments and series filmed all over the state. Before joining the film office she spent 8 years with Cinema St. Louis, the producers of the St. Louis International Film Festival as director of operations. She holds BA degrees in Theatre and Corporate Communications from Lindenwood University. She has also acted, written, directed and produced for the stage and screen.

    Heather Brown

    Heather Brown has served as the Executive Director of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau since December 1, 2020. With a strong foundation in communication and business, Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and Marketing, along with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. A lifelong Lake of the Ozarks resident, Heather is dedicated to promoting the region not only as a top travel destination but also as a wonderful place to live and raise a family. She and her husband of 19 years, Travis Brown, are proud parents to two daughters, Coral and Chesney, and a son, Kastor.

    Scott Caufield

    Scott Caufield is a Senior Principal Client Partner at Tripadvisor, where he spearheads efforts to help destinations across a 17-state region boost their visibility to the platform’s hundreds of millions of monthly travelers. Over his 11-year tenure at Tripadvisor, Scott has engaged with thousands of destination and hospitality executives nationwide, guiding them through the rapidly changing landscape of modern travel marketing. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Celina, Texas, Scott brings a strategic perspective shaped by real-world experience and industry leadership. He lives with his wife, Laura, and their two children, enjoying active involvement in the local community

    Stephen Foutes

    As director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, Stephen leads a dedicated team of marketers, communicators, researchers, program managers, legislative and financial specialists, and welcome center ambassadors focused on promoting Missouri as one of the country’s top travel destinations. A lifelong Missourian, he holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Central Methodist College and has worked at the Division of Tourism in varying roles for more than 10 years.


    Sponsorship

    There are multiple opportunities to get involved. Click below for sponsorship details.

    Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors

    Springfield MO CVB Logo
    Karsh Hagan and Madden Media logo
    Midwest Living logo
    Tripadvisor Logo

    Expedia Group

    McDaniels Marketing

    Missouri Broadcasters Association

    Awards

    Nominations have closed.

    The Governor’s Conference on Tourism Awards are open to DMOs, tourism attractions, lodging, restaurants, festivals/events, publications and other entities contributing to the tourism industry in Missouri. Entries should demonstrate exemplary customer service, initiative and have positively influenced the tourism industry.

    Missouri Tourism Hall of Fame
    Presented to an individual who has worked in the tourism industry for a minimum of 10 years and whose contributions have significantly and measurably impacted tourism in Missouri.

    Sen. Emory Melton Legislative Award
    Honors an individual who recognizes the value of tourism to the state and works through the legislative process to support Missouri’s tourism industry.

    Marketing Campaign Award
    Recognizes an effective integrated marketing campaign that results in increased tourism and economic benefit to a region.

    Pathfinder Award
    Recognizes an event or organization that successfully develops a niche tourism market.

    Innovator Award
    Honors a small tourism organization or individual who achieves significant results on a modest budget.

    Navigator Media Award
    Presented to a media outlet that promotes tourism in Missouri and its importance to the state’s economy.

    Rising Star Award
    Honors an individual who has worked for a tourism-related organization less than five years or who has transitioned to a new role and made significant advancements to the organization’s efforts.

    Tracy Kimberlin Hospitality Award
    Recognizes an individual, business or organization that has demonstrated excellent customer service.

    Film Industry Champion Award
    Presented to an individual who advocates for the film industry and works to expand its presence in Missouri.