On Nov. 11, exactly 100 years after the commissioning of Route 66, the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway will host its inaugural Mother Road Conference at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield.
The conference will bring together Route 66 business owners, tourism professionals, preservationists, enthusiasts, elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the highway’s centennial while setting the stage for its next century.
Educational sessions and networking opportunities will focus on preservation, economic development, heritage tourism and strengthening Illinois’ Route 66 corridor.
“This conference isn’t just about celebrating 100 years of Route 66 — it’s about creating the roadmap for the next 100,” said Casey Claypool, executive director of the byway. “This inaugural event gives everyone who cares about Route 66 a seat at the table as we work together to preserve its history, strengthen local economies, grow tourism and shape the future of the Scenic Byway.”
Business owners will hear practical strategies for leveraging the momentum of the Route 66 centennial to attract new visitors and build long-term success.
Tourism professionals will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, develop partnerships and collaborate on ways to keep America’s Main Street a travel destination.
Route 66 enthusiasts and preservation advocates will learn how they can play a greater role in protecting the Mother Road, while community leaders from Route 66 towns across Illinois can help shape initiatives that preserve history while driving future economic growth.
The Mother Road Conference will feature nationally recognized Route 66 leaders, preservation experts, tourism professionals and economic development advocates sharing insights on the past, present and future of America’s most famous highway.
Speakers include:
- Bill Thomas, chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
- Frank Butterfield, director of Landmarks Illinois’ Springfield office
- Scott Dahl, director of the Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Bob Navarro, president and CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations
- Liz Vincent, director of Community Enrichment, City of Pontiac
- Melissa Chrisman, president and CEO of Visit BN
- Cory Jobe, president of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau
- Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association
- Ryan McCrady, president of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance
- Jim Hinckley, author, historian and tour guide
“The centennial gives us an extraordinary opportunity to reflect on what Route 66 has meant to generations of travelers while asking an important question: How have its first 100 years positioned the Mother Road for the next 100? Bringing the Route 66 community together allows us to build on that history, learn from its successes and look ahead to the opportunities that will keep Route 66 thriving,” Thomas said.
Stephanie Stuckey will serve as emcee for the event. She is the granddaughter of Stuckey’s founder W.S. “Sylvester” Stuckey and serves as chair of the board of the iconic roadside brand, which became synonymous with the American road trip. She brought Stuckey’s back into family ownership in 2019 and has led its revival, making her a voice on roadside culture, entrepreneurship, and the preservation and reinvention of the American road-trip experience.
Conference registration includes breakfast, lunch, educational sessions and networking opportunities.
Tickets are $75 for Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway members and $125 for nonmembers.
The conference agenda and additional event information are available at illinoisroute66.org.
For more information about the Mother Road Conference, membership, or sponsorship opportunities, visit the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway website or follow the organization on Facebook.