2026 National Scenic Byways Conference

Join the Great River Road and the National Scenic Byway Association October 6-8 in Arkansas

The National Scenic Byway Association (NSBA) and the Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC), which promotes and preserves the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, are collaborating to offer the first National Scenic Byway Conference on October 6-8 in West Memphis, Arkansas.

The conference will include networking opportunities with America’s Byway leaders, best practices for financing byway projects, and new ideas and research to enhance the visitor experience on the Great River Road and other National Scenic Byways.

Lodging Information

The lodging block is now open at Southland Casino Hotel. Book by September 6 to lock in early bird pricing. When booking online or via telephone, select dates between Monday, October 5, and Thursday, October 8, and use Promo Code 294. (When booking online, be sure to input Promo Code 294 on all pages.)

Additional details about the conference will be available on this page in the coming weeks. We look forward to connecting and learning together along the Great River Road.

Conference Pricing:

National Scenic Byway Association Members and/or Affiliates with the Mississippi River Parkway Commission/Great River Road

• All Sessions – Early Bird: $195; Regular: $220
• One Day Session (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) – Early Bird: $100; Regular: $120

Non-Member

• All Sessions – Early Bird: $220; Regular: $245
• One Day Session (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) – Early Bird: $120; Regular: $140

Spouse/Guest

• All Sessions – Early Bird: $125; Regular: $150
• One Day Session (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) – Early Bird: $50; Regular: $75

Please note your Spouse/Guest may only attend meals and activities and will not be permitted into educational sessions.
There will be a 3.5% Service Fee for all credit and debit payments.
Registration and payment must be received by September 6, 2026, to receive early-bird pricing.

Early bird registration is now open!

Working Agenda – Subject to Changes

(Download printable PDF)

Tuesday, October 6

Organizational Meetings by Invite – NSBA

• 11am-5pm Greetings and Registration in the Southland Casino Hotel Lobby
• Noon MRPC Board of Directors Meeting
• 1:30-3pm MRPC Opening Session
• 3-4:30pm MRPC Technical Committee Meetings
  • Transporation
  • Marketing
  • Culture and Heritage
  • Environment, Recreation, and Agriculture
• 6-8pm Joint Welcome Reception – Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion, AR

Shuttles available

Wednesday, October 7

• 7:30am Registration opens at the Eugene Woods Civic Center
  Shuttles available to/from the Southland Casino Hotel to the Civic Center Complex
• 8am Byway and MRPC First-Timers Orientation, Eugene Woods Civic Center
• 9am Opening Session, Eugene Woods Civic Center
  • Keynote: “The Byway Report” by Dr. Jennifer Wilding
  • Panel: Enhancing the Byway Visitor Experience
• Noon Lunch
• 1:30-5pm Afternoon Session
  • America the Beautiful Marketing Byways from Sea to Sea – Best Practices
  • NSBA and MRPC Award Winners
    Session sponsored by Overlook Maps
• 6:30pm Reception and activity

Thursday, October 8

• 7:30am Registration opens at the Eugene Woods Civic Center
  Shuttles available to/from the Southland Casino Hotel to the Civic Center Complex
• 8am Byway First-Timers Orientation, Eugene Woods Civic Center
• 9am Morning Session, Eugene Woods Civic Center
  • Creating Cohesive Corridor Experiences by Ryhs Martin
  • Round Table Discussions: led by state/regional byway leaders, expanding on “Enhancing the Visitor Experience”
  • Byway Research Partners: Goals for the Future
• Noon Lunch
• 1:15-3:30pm Afternoon Session
  • Emerging Technology and Its Influence on Byway Outreach
  • Future of the Byway Program

MRPC & NSBA – Joint meeting by invitation