- This event has passed.
2026 Educational Summit & Annual Meeting
All are welcomed to this Educational Summit. This Summit focuses on tourism, economic development, working with State partners, tools for more effective project completion, finding your “one thing,” and special ideas to attract and encourage visitors to come to the I-10 region.
September 10, 2026 in Schulenburg, Texas
9:30 am PRE-TOUR: St. Mary’s High Hill Church, 2833 FM 2672, Schulenburg, Texas
10:00 am REGISTRATION & BUSINESS EXPO BEGINS: The Oaks at High Hill, 1800 Bruno Rd., Schulenburg, Texas
10:45 am to 3:00 pm SUMMIT & LUNCH
3:00 p.m. Annual Membership Meeting & Monthly Board Meeting
Full Schedule and Speakers follow the below registration form.
Developing Your Attraction. Driving Tourism. Strengthening Communities Along I-10. That’s what you’ll get from the I-10 Alliance Summit. Join tourism professionals, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, city leaders, nonprofits, and local businesses from across the I-10 corridor for a day of learning, networking, and regional collaboration. A Pre-Tour of a “Painted Church,” the Business Expo, Catered Lunch and Door prizes are included.
**You will receive an emailed invoice from our Treasure to use for online payment AFTER you register.
If you have not received an invoice 5 days after registering, please contact Mike Kuhn at mike@beachgate.com
AGENDA
PRE-TOUR LOCATION: St. Mary’s High Hill Church
9:30 am Pre-Meeting Tour. You drive yourself to St. Mary’s High Hill Church. Noemi will show you the Queen of the Painted Churches for a quick glimpse of Schulenburg’s main attraction. Come back for the other five Churches in the area.
SUMMIT LOCATION: The Oaks at High Hill
10:00 am Registration/Networking Explore booths from Area Attractions and Businesses and enjoy our Coffee Bar from Jack & Mary’s and Kolaches by Kountry Bakery
10:45 am Welcome from the I-10 Alliance, Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce, and County Judge-elect Josh Homan
11:00 am “2026 Trends in Travel & Tourism.” Creating authentic Experiences to attract Visitors & Leveraging our Legislative Muscle to Support Tourism. Erika Boyd, CEO at Texas Travel Alliance
11:45 pm “Your New Favorite Coworker: Practical AI for Small-Town Chambers, Attractions & Tourism.” Jill Walles, Realtor
12:15 pm Team Photo Break.
12:30 pm Lunch. Fried Chicken & sides. Provided by Oakridge Smokehouse.
Lunch & Learn Sessions. Meet the Sponsors and Stroll the Booths.
1:15 pm “Have you Painted Yet?” Attracting Visitors to Church … All 6 of them. What is YOUR Attraction? Diana Mikesky, President, Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce
1:45 pm “Visitor Quest Concepts: Just a Little Off I-10.” Building your Experiences to Targeted Populations to Slow Down, Take the Exit & Explore. Charlie Wade, Tourism Manager for Discover Sealy
2:15 pm BREAK – Snacks Provided by Potters Country Store
2:30 pm “Leveraging the Travel Texas Co-Op for Regional Collaboration.” Madeline Phillips; Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism
3:00 pm Annual Membership Meeting followed by the Board of Directors Monthly Meeting
SPEAKERS
|
|
| Erika is a native Texan, born and raised in New Braunfels. She has worked in nonprofit leadership, communication, and advocacy roles for most of her career, working with travel, law enforcement, and underprivileged children. She recently served on the Texas Statewide Economic Development Plan Advisory Board and the Governor’s Small Business Freedom Council and currently serves on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s State Parks Advisory Board, the Board of the Hospitality Educators Association of Texas, and the San Antonio Visitor Alliance Board. Erika is also actively involved in her children’s schools as a room mom, middle school Band Boosters Board President, and PTA supporter. She is married and has two children, Henry and Grace, a rescue Lab named Rizzo, and is a proud graduate of the University of Texas. Hook ‘em Horns! |
Erika Boyd
|
|
| Jill is a Central Texas REALTOR® who believes every community has a story worth telling. After beginning her career in real estate, she served on the board of her local Chamber of Commerce before stepping into the role of Executive Director, giving her firsthand experience supporting small businesses, tourism, and community development. Today, Jill combines practical AI tools with authentic marketing strategies to help businesses, tourism organizations, and local communities work smarter while staying true to their unique voice. Known for her engaging social media content and approachable teaching style, she’s passionate about showing people how AI can save time, spark creativity, and make small-town marketing more effective while keeping the human touch front and center. |
Jill Walles
Diana MikeskyPresident, Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce |
|
| After a distinguished career in nursing, Diana has dedicated her retirement to serving her community. She currently serves as president of three organizations: the Chamber of Commerce, the Literary Club, and the Friends of the Library. Diana earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and spent many years serving her hometown community. She worked in all areas of nursing before serving as Director of Nurses for 15 years. She later became a licensed Nursing Facility Administrator, where she again worked in many areas, but spent most of her time teaching nurse aide classes and providing staff development.
A devoted grandmother, Diana believes that time with family is life’s greatest blessing. Her passion for service, leadership, and lifelong learning continues to make a positive impact on her community. |
|
|
|
| Charlie brings years of experience in event planning, event execution, conventions, conferences, group travel, and community-based tourism projects. In Sealy, her work includes milestone event planning, regional tourism collaboration, and developing new visitor experiences that are original, one-of-a-kind, and authentic to the community. Under her tourism leadership, Sealy has also earned its Tourism Friendly Texas certification. |
Charlie Wade
|
|
|
|
Spencer Zamora