More than 80 members of the National Extension Tourism network (NET) gathered in Milwaukee, WI, in September for four days of networking, learning, and experiencing greater Milwaukee. Hosted by NET 2023 Conference Chair Natalie Chin and Wisconsin Sea Grant, this was NET’s 14th biennial conference since 1995.
The conference featured dozens of presentations, five mobile workshops, two special-topic panel discussions, and by all accounts lived up to its promise to provide fantastic networking opportunities for participants.
For example, one participant wrote in their post-conference evaluation that they valued the “space for connections, networking, chances to talk informally — but also to learn about projects in the sessions/posters to then talk about later.” Another noted, “I really enjoyed the breakout sessions and being able to learn about what other educators are doing in their states. As a newer extension educator, it really helped me to understand my role more and make connections that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t attend those sessions.”
“The conference planning committee strived for the right balance of learning and networking opportunities,” said Natalie Chin. “I’m thrilled that 100% of people who completed the evaluation said they found it to be a good professional opportunity, and 98% reported that the conference equaled or exceeded their expectations.”
Several participants also commented on the value of the closing lunchtime panel discussion, which focused on moving NET’s diversity, equity, access, and inclusion efforts forward. Moderated by Kynda Curtis (Utah State University), the panel featured the voices and perspectives of Susan Slocum (George Mason University); Damian Buchman (The Ability Center); James Edward Mills (The Joy Trip Project); and Tony Snell Rodriguez (VISIT Milwaukee).
Other keynote speakers included Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee; Dr. William “Bill” Norman, Emeritus Professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) at Clemson University; and three members of the USDA who presented a lunchtime panel on “Expanding Recreation Economies across Rural America through USDA Partnerships”: Dr. Sarah Rocker (USDA NIFA); Toby Bloom (USDA Forest Service); and Terry McDermott (USDA Rural Development). Their panel discussion was recorded and is available online.
This year’s conference theme, “Envisioning the Future of Extension in Tourism,” invited participants to imagine the ways in which Extension and Sea Grant can help the tourism industry move forward, given the lessons learned over the past few years, especially around the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice issues.
With funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and National Sea Grant, NET was able to offer 25 scholarships, with priority going to participants from underrepresented U.S. institutions (e.g., 1890s, 1994s, and other minority-serving institutions), county extension offices, and State Rural Development Councils. In addition to providing travel support, the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium also used some grant funding awarded by the National Sea Grant Office to help cover event expenses. The goal of this funding is to increase collaboration between Sea and Land Grant extension professionals working in tourism extension. Of the 82 people who attended the conference this year, at least 20 were first-time participants. Thanks to our sponsors, we were also able to subsidize conference registration costs for all attendees by half.
Photos from the conference are available for a limited time at: https://app.kululu.me/album/yjnket