Miles of Possibility

Route 66 Miles of Possibility's 9th annual conference is in the books!

The Ninth Annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference was held October 31 – November 3 at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois, with the theme “Giants of Route 66.”

Attendees from as far away as British Columbia, New Hampshire, and Arizona greeted old friends and met new ones, enjoyed an exciting lineup of speakers, and networked and socialized within the historic Wildey Theatre. American Giants founder and Muffler Man authority Joel Baker headlined as keynote speaker.

An art gallery featured the work of two of the area's foremost artists – travel and nature photographer Scott Evers and artist/designer Benjamin Lowder.

A book signing featured five of the conference speakers: Jim Hinckley, Bill Iseminger, Rhys Martin, Mark Pierce, and Anne Maro Slanina.

Headlining the weekend's activities was a Friday night concert featuring nationally-known musicians Robby Robinson and the Route 66 Band.

Other activities included: Wildey Theatre Tour and Trolley Tour with a stop at the Madison County Historical Society's Route 66 exhibit led by historian and author Cindy Reinhardt; Cocktail Reception at the West End Service Station hosted by Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau; tour of Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville; and Madison County Historical Society's annual “Dining in History” at the Crystal Garden with a social hour, dinner, and presentation by Route 66 author Cheryl Eichar Jett.

The 2024 conference was made possible by the City of Edwardsville and Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. Additional supporters included: Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, McLean County Museum of History, Ryburn Place at Sprague's Super Service, and Visit Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Event History

The first conference was held at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois, in 2015. Subsequent conferences were held in Bloomington (2016), Joliet (2017), Carlinville (2018), Normal (2019), all-virtual (2021), Pontiac (2022), and Bloomington-Normal (2023). Each event has featured a combination of some of the biggest names on the contemporary Route 66 scene - historians, authors, explorers, photographers, artists, and cartographers - and also experts, academics, and professionals featuring the local history and culture of each host city. Each year, social and networking activities plus great music, film, or other cultural opportunities round out the weekend schedule. The event rotates along Illinois Route 66 to showcase different communities, each supported by the area convention and visitors bureau!

Event Highlights

From the first conference held at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville in 2015, we knew this was a special kind of event. Gathering Route 66 aficionados, historians, authors, artisans, travelers, and explorers from across the U.S. and around the world, the annual event offers presentations, programs, workshops, Route 66-focused arts and entertainment, and social and networking activities. It is the only annual conference that focuses on the history, preservation, and economic development of Route 66. "Route 66 Miles of Possibility" is now a nonprofit organization to provide greater capacity and expertise for future events! Now in its ninth year in 2024!

2024 MILES OF POSSIBILITY ROUTE 66 CONFERENCE was held Oct. 31-Nov. 3

Thank you for attending! Please join us in Joliet in Oct. 2025!

Thank you for attending! Please join us in Joliet in Oct. 2025!

Thank you for attending! Please join us in Joliet in Oct. 2025!

Thank you for attending! Please join us in Joliet in Oct. 2025!

Thank you for attending! Please join us in Joliet in Oct. 2025!

Thank you for attending! Please join us in Joliet in Oct. 2025!

Route 66 Miles of Possibility's 9th annual conference is in the books!

2024 venue the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville IL

2024 concert Robby Robinson & the Route 66 Band

2024 Trolley Tour

Three days of Dynamic Speakers!

The 9th Annual MOP was presented by:

Event History

Event Highlights

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Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference