Agenda

Hosted by the Elko Convention and Visitors Authority, these activities highlight our host destination through local cuisine, attractions, and western heritage. Click below to learn more about each activity. Attendees may register for only one pre-conference activity, and space is limited. 

Hosted by Travel Nevada, these hands-on workshops provide attendees with resources and tools to help elevate and market their destinations whether through digital channels, at the Nevada Legislature, at trade shows, or when engaging with elected officials and stakeholders. Click to learn more about each workshop. Attendees may register for only one pre-conference workshop, and space is limited. 

Sponsored by Datafy, KPS3, Miles Partnership, and USDA Rural Development

FOCUS is Travel Nevada’s award-winning photography symposium, where attendees learn from one another, connect, and refine their craft while expanding their Nevada horizons. This one-day event features educational and inspirational sessions, meaningful networking opportunities, and often hands-on experiences with the goal of strengthening Nevada’s exceptionally talented photography community. Separate registration required.

We’re pleased to share that a local food truck, Gracie’s, will be on-site during the event offering lunch for attendees. Enjoy delicious options while supporting a local vendor and connecting with fellow attendees. Please note that meals will be available for purchase, and attendees are responsible for their own food.

Grab lunch from the local food truck on-site and enjoy a special screening of Get a Little Out There with Alex Honnold. In this five-part series, Alex gets his hands on out-there action, offbeat attractions, and other experiences only Nevada can deliver.

From untouched climbing and backcountry dining to burro-filled towns and motels filled with clowns, follow Alex as he uncovers what the Silver State has in store for him—and you.

Please note: A select number of episodes will be screened at the Elko Convention Center.

Hosted by Elko Convention & Visitors Authority

*Shuttle transportation from the host hotels to the venue and back will be provided. Seating is limited.

Sponsored by Noble Studios

Explore how culture can serve as a powerful catalyst for tourism development and marketing. This session will focus on identifying and integrating a community’s unique cultural assets to create authentic destination experiences that resonate with visitors. We’ll also discuss strategies for cultural preservation and revitalization, ensuring that growth aligns with heritage and values. Participants will gain insights into connecting cultural identity with the emotional economy to foster deeper engagement and sustainable tourism practices.

Sponsored by Noble Studios

Visit our sponsors and Travel Nevada team before the morning breakout sessions begin! Enjoy delicious snacks provided by our Silver Sponsors! Sponsored by Backroads Culture, Las Vegas Territory, Visit Carson City, and Visit Carson Valley.

Join us for Exhibitor Bingo! Four lucky participants will win exciting prizes generously provided by our amazing sponsors and Travel Nevada. Winners will be announced during the Awards Dinner on April 23. Do not miss your chance to play and win.

Visit with representatives from each Travel Nevada department, including Marketing and PR, and learn about the many resources available to support your business. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain expert insights, and discover tools to help your organization grow and succeed.

Discover how data-driven intelligence is transforming the tourism industry. This session explores how destinations can leverage advanced analytics to understand real-world visitation patterns, build high‑value traveler audiences, and measure the true impact of their marketing efforts. We’ll break down how a robust tourism-focused data platform cleans, models, and analyzes massive datasets to reveal who is visiting, where they come from, and what behaviors drive travel decisions. Finally, we’ll dive into modern attribution capabilities that connect online ad exposure to actual in‑destination visits, answering the question every marketer wants to know: Did the people who saw my ad show up? 

Sponsored by Datafy

In this presentation, attendees will get a look at the public relations efforts behind the launch of Travel Nevada’s Get a Little Out There with Alex Honnold, apply key lessons from these efforts to their own initiatives, and learn how they can leverage the series in their own destination marketing. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-Extended Destinations, The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Expedia Group Advertising

Sponsored by Fahlgren Mortine

Discover the role small businesses play in tourism development in rural communities, and how Nevada’s tourism industry can support small businesses to help them thrive. This session explores on-the-ground experiences while outlining practical strategies and resources for cultivating a robust small business scene that serves visitors and residents. Learn how to identify local strengths, leverage networks, and turn challenges into opportunities for entrepreneurs in your community. 

Sponsored by Fahlgren Mortine

Join us for the third annual Rural Pitch Day Challenge! This year’s initiative supports new and expanding businesses in rural Nevada. This competition gives rural entrepreneurs the chance to pitch innovative ideas that will enhance tourism and aims to drive rural tourism growth and support local business expansion. Who will walk away with the $20,000 in seed funding to help turn their business idea into a reality?

Take a short break while you make your way to the convention building.

Building on last year’s Steps to Success™ session, this breakout will help DMOs and tourism businesses assess their current trade‑readiness, understand the roles of key travel trade partners, and identify realistic next steps aligned with their resources and market goals. Participants will explore strategies for strengthening packaged offerings, develop bookable & sellable products, improving stakeholder collaboration, and aligning with trade expectations, while gaining practical insight into connectivity models, net rates, and pricing tiers. Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap for progressing from interest to action through achievable goals, smart investment priorities, and the partnerships needed to deepen trade engagement. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-Extended Destinations, The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Expedia Group Advertising

Nevada’s farms and ranches are poised to play a powerful role in the state’s tourism economy—but realizing that potential requires coordinated action, supportive policy, and shared vision. This breakout session explores the key challenges and opportunities shaping agritourism development across Nevada. Participants will examine barriers related to risk, liability, and regulatory complexity; identify needs for technical assistance and capacity-building; and discuss strategies to strengthen marketing, storytelling, and consumer awareness. The conversation will also address access to capital, innovative financing models, and the importance of creating agritourism destinations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what it will take to grow a thriving, resilient agritourism sector statewide. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-Extended Destinations, The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Expedia Group Advertising

Continue completing your Exhibitor Bingo card by visiting sponsors, meeting various Travel Nevada team members, networking with fellow attendees, and enjoying delicious snacks provided by our Silver Sponsors!

Sponsored by Backroads Culture, Las Vegas Territory, Visit Carson City, and Visit Carson Valley

A marketing co‑op is one of the most effective ways destinations and businesses can amplify their reach—pooling resources, sharing costs, and creating unified campaigns that deliver outsized impact for every partner involved. With Travel Nevada’s new co‑op strategy, tourism partners across the state have more opportunities than ever to participate in high‑value, data‑driven marketing programs that elevate Nevada’s story on a national and global stage.  In this session, you’ll learn what co‑op marketing really is, why it matters, and how to plug into Travel Nevada’s refreshed approach. Hear directly from Expedia, Miles Partnership, and rural Nevada partners as they share real‑world examples of successful co‑op campaigns, insights on collaboration, and practical guidance for maximizing your marketing investment. 

Sponsored by Expedia Group Advertising

Join us as we close out an exciting day! Get a preview of what’s coming later in the evening and tomorrow—don’t miss the highlights and opportunities that await.

Wrap up the evening at the networking reception sponsored by Fahlgren Mortine at the Elko Convention & Visitors Authority, then head out for dinner on your own. #ExploreElko, discover a great local spot, and keep the connections flowing—invite someone you met to join you for dinner!

Sponsored by Visit Fallon

After registration closes, we will have a table available where you can drop off your bingo card and/or ask a Travel Nevada representative any Rural Roundup questions!

Gather as we review the day’s agenda and preview what to expect at this evening’s Awards Dinner as we wrap up this year’s conference.

Travel is transforming, and the hottest trends of 2026 aren’t found in crowded cities — they’re unfolding in the hidden corners of America’s small towns.  Trends like town‑sizing are redefining what it means to explore, inviting travelers to swap the noise of urban hotspots for the vibrant stories, traditions, and breathtaking scenery of places like Elko, Nevada. In this dynamic session, we dive into why travelers are craving these intimate, culture‑rich destinations and how small communities are becoming the new frontier for unforgettable, authentic getaways. Discover what makes these towns magnetic, how to craft standout experiences for this growing audience, and why the future of travel might just be found off the beaten path. 

Sponsored by Visit Fallon

Visit our sponsors and Travel Nevada team before the morning breakout sessions begin! Enjoy delicious snacks provided by our Silver Sponsors! Sponsored by Backroads Culture, Las Vegas Territory, Visit Carson City, and Visit Carson Valley.

Visit with representatives from each Travel Nevada department, including Marketing and PR, and learn about the many resources available to support your business. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain expert insights, and discover tools to help your organization grow and succeed.

Keep the excitement going with Exhibitor Bingo. Four lucky participants will win exciting prizes generously provided by our amazing sponsors and Travel Nevada. Winners will be announced during the Awards Dinner on April 23. Do not miss your chance to play and win.

Accessibility is essential for creating inclusive experiences and welcoming all visitors. This session will explore practical, realistic strategies for implementing accessibility practices with a focus on the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities found in rural Nevada. Participants will also learn how to effectively communicate and market their accessibility features to reach audiences who rely on this information. Join us to discover how strengthening accessibility can support local communities, broaden your visitor base, and enhance Nevada’s rural destinations. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-Extended Destinations, The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Expedia Group Advertising

Join us for an engaging, behind‑the‑scenes look at how to successfully partner with Expedia and bring your experiences, attractions, and accommodations to life online. We’ll kick things off with a brief overview from the Expedia team, followed by a candid conversation about how to work with the platform, how to leverage its tools, and what we’ve learned from shared successes. We’ll explore why these partnerships matter, the benefits they unlock, key considerations to keep in mind, and how businesses of all sizes can participate. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-Extended Destinations, The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Expedia Group Advertising

Free time until lunch. Feel free to catch up on work, relax in our quiet room, or continue networking.

We will share a few housekeeping notes, including details about this evening’s pre‑dinner cocktail reception sponsored by Visit Pahrump and awards dinner, as well as the shuttle schedule for those taking the return trip back to Reno.

Ask Travel Nevada and your Territory representatives for insights, resources, and support to help strengthen your role in Nevada’s hospitality and tourism industry. 

Take a short break while you make your way to the convention building.

Nevada’s vast open spaces and world‑class outdoor experiences are magnets for visitors seeking adventure, beauty, and connection. This session dives into the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation’s groundbreaking economic analysis—the first to quantify the full impact of outdoor recreation on Nevada’s economy. Discover how outdoor recreation drives billions in visitor spending, supports tens of thousands of jobs, and fuels economic diversification across both urban and rural communities. We’ll explore how recreation enhances Nevada’s tourism brand, elevates quality of life for residents, and creates new opportunities for businesses, land managers, and community leaders. The insights shared will help shape future investments in access, infrastructure, workforce, and resource stewardship to strengthen Nevada’s position as a global outdoor destination. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-Extended Destinations, The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Expedia Group Advertising

As global tourism evolves, Nevada is proactively defining what responsible, community‑centered tourism looks like. This breakout session introduces the framework behind the state’s first Destination Stewardship Plan—an effort rooted in Travel Nevada’s North Star of enhancing quality of life for residents while welcoming visitors who value Nevada’s culture, landscapes, and communities. Through insights from the statewide Steering Committee and the collaborative process that shaped the plan, participants will explore how stewardship principles can guide destination governance, mitigate visitor‑resident friction, and support sustainable growth in rural communities. This session emphasizes that stewardship is not a finished product but the beginning of a long‑term commitment to balance, resilience, and shared prosperity across Nevada’s visitor economy. 

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-Extended Destinations, The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Expedia Group Advertising

Continue completing your Exhibitor Bingo card by visiting sponsors, networking with fellow attendees, and enjoying delicious snacks provided by our Silver Sponsors! Bingo cards must be submitted by 5 PM today at the registration area!

Sponsored by Backroads Culture, Las Vegas Territory, Visit Carson City, and Visit Carson Valley

Join us before the Awards Dinner for a pre dinner cocktail reception. Connect with fellow attendees, unwind, and enjoy a relaxed evening of networking before we celebrate Nevada’s rural tourism partners at the Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Sponsored by Visit Pahrump

Get ready to shine at this year’s Awards Dinner where Nevada’s rural partners will be celebrated in true “Western Glam” style! Think elevated Western style—cowboy boots with a touch of sparkle, denim dressed up with luxe details, bold accessories, and rich colors with metallic accents. Whether you go all-out glam or add a subtle Western twist, we invite you to have fun with the theme and make it your own!