In early October, colleagues from across the country gathered in Meredith, New Hampshire, for the 2025 NETtra conference — a first-time collaboration between the National Extension Tourism Network (NET) and the Northeast Travel and Tourism Research Association (NETTRA).
The conference was hosted by University of New Hampshire Extension, with UNH Extension State Specialist Jada Lindblom serving as Conference Chair. It convened more than 100 researchers, educators, and practitioners around the theme, “Connecting Through Tourism.” Between numerous networking meals, four mobile workshops, five panel discussions, 18 presentation sessions, and a poster session, the event provided ample opportunities for attendees to connect — with colleagues, with content, and with the New Hampshire tourism experience.
The conference sessions reflected the diverse backgrounds of attendees. For example, titles included “After-Dark Tourism: An Examination of Attitudes, Trends, and Revenue Potential” and “Building a Regional DMO from the Ground Up in Rural New Hampshire.” At the same time, Extension, agritourism, and outdoor recreation were well-represented, reflecting the prominent role these topics play in tourism-related Extension programming.
Five panel discussions explored issues in tourism at the local and global scales, and provided insights on group tourism, effective collaborations for stronger destinations, and key ingredients for ensuring happy visitors.
As always for NET, the biennial conference marked a change in leadership for the network. Xinyi Qian (University of Minnesota Tourism Center), who served a two-year term as NET’s chair, passed the baton to Ann Savage, North Carolina State University Extension. Gwynn Stewart, The Ohio State University Extension, assumed the role of Vice-Chair, previously held by Ann. Mercedes Fraser (University of Kentucky Extension), will serve as the organization’s Secretary, a position previously held by April Turner (South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium) since 2023. Learn more about NET’s leadership team here.
The conference also served as a platform for NET to honor several of its members with awards, announced during a dinner cruise on Lake Meredith, and described in detail here. Congratulations to the award winners, and to the conference organizers on a successful, engaging, and well-organized event!
Check out the Northeast Regional Spotlight article to learn about conference presentations by Northeast attendees.
Photo Gallery
Embarking for the NETtra Awards Banquet! Credit: Bob Manley 
Outgoing Chair Xinyi Qian (left) with incoming Chair Ann Savage. 
L-R: Michele Cota, Michelle Cruz, Amy Landers, Jada Lindblom. Credit: Xinyi Qian 
Poster session participants posing with their poster. Credit: Xinyi Qian 
NETtra Conference Chair Jada Lindblom talking with an attendee of the pop-up poster session. Credit: Xinyi Qian 
Ami Choi with her poster. Credit: Xinyi Qian 
NET Secretary (2023-2025) April Turner at the NET table. Credit: Xinyi Qian. 
Credit: Bob Manley 
Mobile workshop participants at the Hermit Woods Winery. Credit: Kristen Devlin 
Mobile workshop participants getting a history lesson on Meredith, NH. Credit: Kristen Devlin 
Mobile workshop participants at the Meredith Historical Society. Credit: Kristen Devlin 
Doug Arbogast taking questions during a plenary session. 
Daniel Eades sharing his research during a breakout session. Credit: Kristen Devlin 
The Outdoor Recreation workshop participants engaging in discussion. Credit: Jada Lindblom 