2026 MILES OF POSSIBILITY ROUTE 66 CONFERENCE Springfield, IL Oct. 8-11
Presented by
Visit Springfield
Registration Open April 6th! Join us in Springfield, Oct. 8-11, 2026.
Miles of Possibility 2026 host city: Springfield, illinois
Springfield IL’s Route 66 Renaissance: More Than Lincoln’s City
Enjoy the 11th annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference in Illinois' capital city!
Visit Springfield and Miles of Possibility Announce Springfield, Illinois as Host City for the 2026
Springfield, IL (April 6, 2026) — Visit Springfield and the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference announce Springfield, Illinois as the host city for the 2026 conference, taking place October 8–11 during the historic Route 66 centennial year. The event will bring together historians, preservationists, tourism leaders, authors, artists, and enthusiasts — and welcomes everyday travelers, locals, and Route 66 fans who want to be a part of the celebration.
Organizers are also thrilled to confirm that one of the most influential voices in the Route 66 movement, Michael Wallis, will serve as this year’s conference keynote speaker. An award‑winning author, historian, and voice of the Sheriff in Disney‑Pixar’s Cars films, Wallis has long been a leading figure in preserving and promoting the Mother Road. Wallis will be joined by executive director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, Ken Busby. Ken brings decades of leadership in arts, culture, and nonprofit advancement to one of America’s most iconic preservation efforts.
“Springfield is excited to host the 2026 Miles of Possibility Conference in this epic year,” said Scott Dahl, Director of Visit Springfield. “Our city’s deep ties to Route 66 make it the perfect place to celebrate the road’s 100th anniversary, and welcoming Michael Wallis as keynote speaker elevates this event to an extraordinary level.”
Conference founder Cheryl Eichar Jett added, “Michael Wallis has been a guiding voice for Route 66 for decades. Having him and Ken join us in Springfield for this landmark year is truly special. And Springfield is the ideal host city — there is so much to see, experience, and learn here along the Mother Road. We can’t wait to welcome the Route 66 community to a place that embodies the heart and history of the highway.”
The 2026 Miles of Possibility Conference will feature expert presentations, panel discussions, tours of Springfield’s Route 66 landmarks, workshops, and centennial‑themed events. Registration opens April 6.
About Visit Springfield
Visit Springfield is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Springfield, promoting tourism, events, and experiences that highlight the city’s rich history, culture, and attractions — including its iconic Route 66 heritage.
About the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference
Founded in 2015 by author and historian Cheryl Eichar Jett, the Miles of Possibility Conference is the only annual event dedicated to the history, preservation, and promotion of Route 66. Cheryl is joined by fellow MOP board members Dr. Terri Ryburn—scholar, preservationist, and operator of Ryburn Place at Sprague’s Super Service in Normal—and Debyjo Ericksen, whose decades of tourism experience include directing the Red Carpet Corridor, managing tourism at the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Route 66, and now serving as Tourism Coordinator at Heritage Corridor Destinations. Together, they bring deep expertise and passion to the conference’s mission of celebrating and sustaining the Mother Road.
Experience the Miles of Possibility conference!
Miles of Possibility 2026 Conference Host City
For generations, Springfield, Illinois, has been defined by one name: Abraham Lincoln. His legacy is undeniable, and his presence permeates throughout the city. Yet in the shadow of Lincoln’s greatness, another heritage sat quietly neglected—our deep, authentic connection to Route 66. After all, Springfield’s Route 66 claims to fame run deep—from being home to the very first drive-thru in America (Maid-Rite) to the original hot dog on a stick (Cozy Dog Drive In), both quirky milestones that remind visitors how the Mother Road shaped not only travel but everyday American culture. That began to change in 2018, when Scott Dahl, Director of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, rescued a fading neon sign once destined for obscurity. The single act of preservation became the spark that reignited Springfield’s Route 66 story and declared that the city would no longer ignore its place on America's most famous highway.
Since then, the city has reclaimed its Route 66 heritage with vigor. Forgotten sites like Shea's Gas Station have been revived, neon has returned in the form of the Route 66 Experience Neon Sign Park, and immersive experiences like the Ace Sign Company's Sign Museum invite visitors to step into the golden age of the Mother Road. New icons--the world's largest Route 66 Shield, the towering muffler man, "Big Ron," (Motorheads) and murals and wayside trails--add to the city's living museum of mid-century Americana. Each September, the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival fills downtown with classic cars, music, and celebration, reminding us that Route 66 is not just history--it's a tradition.
This resurgence is more than nostalgia. It is a recognition that Route 66 is part of Springfield’s identity, woven into the fabric of our culture alongside Lincoln. To embrace Route 66 is to embrace the stories of travelers, dreamers, and entrepreneurs who defined an era of American mobility and optimism.
Today, Springfield is more than Lincoln’s city. Mr. Lincoln now shares the stage with the Mother Road, and together they tell a story that is alive, authentic, and unforgettable. As the world enters the centennial year of Route 66, Springfield stands at the heart of the celebration—offering a rare chance to experience so much in one place, a welcome pause packed with history, landmarks, and immersive experiences, all within easy reach. We can’t wait to welcome you!
by Darrin Thurman, Tourism Manager
Past and current presenters:
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), Bloomington-Normal (2023), Edwardsville (2024), and Joliet (2025). 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 eleventh year in 2026!
Contact Us
Do you have questions or comments about the event? Do you need special accommodations? Send me a message, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.