Conference
This is the schedule for the TBEX North America 2023 conference in Eau Claire, WI! Keep this page close to know what's going on when and where! Pre-BEX activities will be available Saturday and Sunday (7/15 & 7/16) and FAM trips will depart on Friday, July 21st. View a PDF version of the conference schedule here.
Note: This schedule is subject to change. All updates will be communicated to participants via email.
Monday, July 17, 2023: Pre-BEX Tours
8 AM - 3PM: Tell Your Friends You're Gone Fishin' in Eau Claire
10 AM - 1 PM: Bikes & Brunch!
11 AM - 5 PM: Dive Into the Arts!
12 PM - 3:30 PM: Discover the Small-Town Charm of Osseo, WI!
12 PM - 3:30 PM: Join the Leinie's Side!
4 PM - 7 PM: Get a Slice of the Chippewa Valley!
6 PM - 9 PM: Johnny's Italian Steakhouse Fine Dining Experience
6 PM - 9 PM: Sponsor Party at Pablo Center
Click here to visit the Pre-BEX Tours page!
Tuesday, July 18, 2023: Pre-BEX Tours
8 AM - 2 PM: Tell Your Friends You're Gone Fishin' in Eau Claire! 2.0
10 AM - 2 PM: Set Your Clock to River Time!
10:15 AM - 5 PM: It's a Pontoon Party!
12 PM - 4 PM: All Aboard The Eau Claire Rolling Tap!
1 PM - 5 PM: Experience the Best of Wisconsin: Cheese Curds & Beer!
1 PM - 6 PM: An Evening on the Farm!
2 PM - 6 PM: Seize the Day with Cheese & Beer!
5 PM - 7 PM: Get Your Kubb On!
7 PM - 10 PM: Opening party at Haymarket Plaza | Click here for more info
Click here to visit the Pre-BEX Tours page!
Wednesday, July 19th - Conference Day 1
7:30 AM - 2:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM: TBEX First Timers Session with Tomiko Harvey & Tim Leffel (Riverfront Rehearsal)
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM: Welcome & Opening Keynote - Squirmy & Grubs (RCU Theatre)
10:15 AM - 10:35 AM: Coffee Break (JAMF Theatre)
9:00 AM - 5:15 PM: Sponsor Showcase
10:35 AM - 11:25 AM: Breakout Sessions
1. Traditional Media & Its Impact on Social Media Platforms with Gerald Gruenig (Rehearsal Hall 327)
2. What Content Creators Need to Know about Google Analytics 4 with Sherry Smothermon-Short (Riverfront Rehearsal)
3. Blogging in 2023: What You Need to Know to Grow with Christopher Mitchell (Gallery Room 322)
4. Building Tourism through Small Ecotourism Projects with Christopher Joe (Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall)
11:45 AM - 12:35 PM: Breakout Sessions
1. Growing Your Social Media Through Video with John Weatherall III (Rehearsal Hall 327)
2. Google Analytics 4 Practical Workshop with Sherry Smothermon-Short (Riverfront Rehearsal)
3. Working with DMCs to Create Your Own Tours with Ian Ord (Gallery Room 322)
4. Collaborating with Travel Influencers During National Crisis with Chaminda Munasingha (Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall)
12:35 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM: Breakout Sessions
1. Video Storytelling: Use Your Phone to Tell Your Story with Jennifer Broome (Rehearsal Hall 327)
2. Pitch to Paycheck: Using Your Niche to Land Paid Collaborations! with Chris Lukenbill, Hannah Angle, Haleigh Doyle & Melissa Sabel (Riverfront Rehearsal)
3. How to Stand Out to Brands & Secure Sought-After Podcast Sponsorships: Danielle Desir Corbett (Gallery Room 322)
4. Blending Strategy & Passion Projects for the Best Marketing Results with Shalisa Roland (Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall)
2:50 PM - 3:15 PM: Coffee Break (JAMF Theatre)
3:15 PM - 5:15 PM: Speed Networking/Meet the Experts (Sponsor Showcase)
7:00 PM: Country Jam (buses depart 6:15 PM) | Click here for more info
Thursday, July 20th - Conference Day 2
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Registration Desk Open
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Keynote - Julia McCoy (RCU Theatre)
10:00 AM - 10:35 AM: Coffee Break (JAMF Theatre)
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM: Sponsor Showcase
10:35 AM - 11:25 AM: Breakout Sessions
1. How to WIN with Drones to Differentiate Your Content from The Masses with Christine Lozada (Rehearsal Room 327)
2. Advanced SEO: Hidden Strategies to Compete in Search with Brennen Bliss (Riverfront Rehearsal)
3. Email Marketing Beyond The Newsletter with Lesli Peterson (Gallery Room 322)
4. Be a Long-Term Relationship Instead of a One-Night Stand with Dannelle Gay (Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall)
11:35 AM - 12:25 PM: Breakout Sessions
1. Resilience: Telling Compelling Stories through Photography with Ron B. Wilson (Rehearsal Room 327)
2. The Future of AI in SEO with Brennen Bliss (Riverfront Rehearsal)
3. How to Make Crazy Money with Affiliate Marketing on Your Blog with Shelley Marmor (Gallery Room 322)
4. Leading the Trail in DMO and Influencer Partnership with Jason Derouen & Tara Morvant (Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall)
12:25 PM - 1:40 PM: Lunch
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM: Breakout Sessions
1. Driving YouTube Traffic to Your Website with May Larios & Jim Fricker (Rehearsal Room 327)
2. Adapting to The AI Revolution - Learn How Travel Content Is Being Transformed with Mike Shubic (Riverfront Rehearsal)
3. Internal Systems vs Outsourcing to Grow your Business with TaKenya Hampton (Gallery Room 322)
4. Tips & Tricks for Small DMOs & Content Creator Partnerships with Eric Patrick (Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall)
2:35 PM - 3:00 PM: Coffee Break (JAMF Theatre)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Closing Keynote - Christopher Lau (RCU Theatre)
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Speed Networking/ Meet the Experts (Sponsor Showcase)
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Closing Party at River Prairie featuring an artist market and a variety of food trucks including Tasty Trolley, Dhimiters, Big Papa BBQ, Snowie of Altoona, Olson's Ice Cream, Beez Neez and Richard & Co. Donuts! | Click here for more info
About Our Keynote Speakers!
Shane & Hannah Burcaw
Shane and Hannah Burcaw are relationship vloggers on a mission to change the way society understands disability. On their YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, which has gained over one million subscribers and worldwide media attention, the couple shares a hilarious and authentic examination of what it’s like to be in an interabled relationship. Shane lives with a form of muscular dystrophy that requires him to use an electric wheelchair. Hannah is able-bodied and provides the majority of Shane’s daily care. In addition to their work on YouTube, the couple is co-authoring a nonfiction collection of love stories that involve people with disabilities. Shane and Hannah speak across the country from universities to elementary schools to Fortune 500 companies. They live in Minneapolis, MN with their fluffy labradoodle, Chloe.