The Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) held its 2026 Educational Conference at The Highlands in Harbor Springs Sept. 28-30. Convention and visitors bureau representatives, tourism leaders, and related vendors and exhibitors attended the event, which featured several keynoters along with multiple breakout sessions. Topics included the critical role destination marketing organizations play in their communities, accessibility, search optimization as it applies to artificial intelligence, how to attract more meetings, enhance engagement with legislators, sports tourism, and destination development.
Bill Geist, an expert in destination marketing and leadership based in Madison, Wisconsin, presented case studies on ways that destination marketing organizations across the country have succeeded in leading initiatives that enhance tourism and quality of life through collaboration with other community stakeholders. Other featured speakers included Kalin Sheick, a speaker, podcast host, and founder of Sweetwater Floral in Walloon Lake, and Greg Peters, aka “The Reluctant Networker,” a business networking speaker, trainer, and author based in Ann Arbor.
MACVB honored recently retired Laurie Burger, longtime account executive and associate publisher of Michigan Meetings + Events, for her long career advocating for the hospitality industry.
“Laurie has been our partner for many years,” MACVB President and Choose Lansing CEO Julie Pingston told the audience. “She has always understood her clients and taken care of their needs without even asking. She is a great promoter of Michigan and everyone in this room.”
The 2027 MACVB Educational Conference will be held in Ann Arbor. The date has not yet been finalized.
