2026 REGIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT thursday, NOVEMBER 12TH elk creek celebration center, mccall
The West Central Mountains Economic Development Council is proud to host our 9th Annual Regional Economic Summit on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Elk Creek Celebration Center, 14102 ID-55, McCall. We will conclude the day with a networking social at The Cedars Lounge, a new cozy space in the remodeled Evergreen Hotel, located at 210 N 3rd St, McCall.
We are excited for this year’s theme, which will explore the intersection of community, recreation, tourism, stewardship, and economic vitality. The day will bring together local, regional, and statewide perspectives on visitation, public lands, public/private partnerships, destination management, workforce, communication, and the shared responsibility of caring for the special places that support both our communities and our economy.
Programming Highlights:
- Statewide and regional recreation and tourism updates
- Perspectives on destination management and community stewardship
- Conversations about public lands, partnerships, and shared responsibility
- Local hospitality and recreation voices
- Practical breakout sessions where attendees will get to choose their own adventure and engage
- Opportunities to connect with leaders, businesses, organizations, and residents from across the region
The day will conclude with our networking social event at The Cedars Lounge, offering attendees another opportunity to connect and continue the conversation.
Whether you are a business owner, community leader, nonprofit partner, public official, employee, resident, or simply someone invested in the future of the West Central Mountains, we hope you’ll join us.
2026 sponsor thank you
2026 Agenda
2026 West Central Mountains Economic Summit Agenda
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Elk Creek Celebration Center
| 8:15 – 8:45 AM | Check-In, Coffee & Networking |
| 8:45 – 8:50 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 8:50 – 9:15 AM |
Opening Inspiration: Connection to Place — Lyle Nelson, Local Olympian |
| 9:15 – 9:45 AM |
Statewide Perspectives on Tourism & Visitation — Jeremy Chase, Visit Idaho |
| 9:45 – 10:15 AM |
Regional Tourism & Visitor Updates — McKenzie Kraemer, Meadowlark Marketing |
| 10:15 – 10:30 AM | Morning Break |
| 10:30 – 11:15 AM |
Public Lands & Recreation: Partnerships & Shared Responsibility — Panel Discussion |
| 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM |
Voices of the Hospitality & Recreation Workforce — Panel Discussion |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking |
| 1:00 – 1:55 PM | Breakout Session I — Choose One of Five Sessions |
| 1:55 – 2:00 PM | Transition Between Breakouts |
| 2:00 – 2:55 PM | Breakout Session II — Choose One of Five Sessions |
| 2:55 – 3:10 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 3:10 – 4:00 PM |
Concluding Keynote: From Pressure to Prosperity – Jordan W. Smith, Ph.D., Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University |
| 4:00 – 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways |
| 4:15 PM | Summit Concludes |
| 4:30 – 6:00 PM | Networking Social — The Cedars Lounge, Evergreen Hotel, All Are Welcome! |
Breakout Session Offerings: 5 Options, 2 Sessions.
- Holy Shift! Your Message Needs A Makeover – Bring a Challenge, Leave with a Plan I Erin Greaves and McKenzie Kraemer
- Realities of Seasonal Employment I Vonna Torrey and Rachel Wessel
- Investing in Child Care – How Employers and Communities Can Share the Cost with a “Tri-Share” Approach I David Yanoski, Ed.D. and Trace McKellips
- Courage to Connect – Strengthening Support Systems in Our Communities I Ignite Idaho, Redside Foundation, WCM Youth Advocacy Coalition/Hope Squad, and Rise Up 2 Thrive
- Why Water Matters – Water Quality and Water Research in the Region I Valley Soil & Water Conservation District and Friends of Lake Cascade
2026 Registration form
Your $75 registration includes the full day of programming, refreshments, lunch, and the post-summit networking social with beverages and light bites.
Capacity is limited, and the Summit has the ability to sell out, so advance registration is strongly encouraged.
You can register and pay online using the form below.
**Once your registration has been successfully submitted, you should see a confirmation message on your screen.**
If you do not receive this confirmation, your registration may not have been completed. If you experience difficulty submitting the form, please try using a different web browser.
**Need assistance or unsure whether your registration was received? Please contact us. We’re happy to help ensure you’re successfully registered!
2026 Economic Summit Registration
You can register and pay online using the form below! Thank you.
2026 Sponsorship form
After submitting the sponsorship form below, if you selected to pay with a credit card, you will be redirected to PayPal to complete payment. You do not need a PayPal account to register. You can use the drop down menu to select “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” button to bypass the PayPal login.
If you experience any issues or need to arrange an alternative form of payment, please contact Lindsey Harris.
PDF SPONSORSHIP PACKET
2026 Guest Speakers
Keynote Speaker:
Jordan W. Smith, Ph.D.
Director, Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
Professor, Department of Environment & Society
Andrew J. Senti Chair in Environment & Society
Utah State University
Jordan W. Smith, PhD, is a professor in Utah State University’s Department of Environment and Society and director of the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. His work helps communities that depend on outdoor recreation and tourism build resilient economies while protecting the landscapes and local character that make them distinctive.
Smith’s research and Extension initiatives connect data with decisions about visitor use, public-land stewardship, workforce development, housing and community change, climate adaptation, and sustainable tourism. Through the Gateway and Natural Amenity Region (GNAR) Initiative at Utah State, he partners with community leaders, land managers, businesses, and residents to develop shared strategies for navigating growth and change. His collaborations with the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, state agencies, and local governments have strengthened visitor-use monitoring, with recent work focused on transportation and river management within the Payette River corridor. His work has also informed Utah’s Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan and produced many tools and training for gateway communities across the West.
At the Summit, Smith will explore how durable partnerships, responsible stewardship, and sustained collaboration can turn outdoor recreation from a source of pressure into a foundation for shared prosperity.
Guest Presenters:
Lyle Nelson, Former Winter Olympian
McCall City Councilor
Jeremy Chase, Visit Idaho
McKenzie Kraemer, Meadowlark Marketing
room block at the evergreen hotel
We’re thrilled to share that The Evergreen Hotel, our networking social host, is generously offering a special discounted nightly rate ($110 plus taxes/fees) for attendees of the 2026 Regional Economic Summit!
Whether you’re traveling from outside the region or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy a cozy McCall staycation, this is a wonderful opportunity to make the most of your Summit experience!
Enjoy newly renovated accommodations, fantastic amenities, and an indoor pool, all while staying conveniently close to the action!
🛏️ Ready to book your stay?
Reserve your room through our exclusive Economic Summit group booking link!
A big thank-you to The Evergreen Hotel for supporting this year’s Summit and helping us welcome attendees to our beautiful mountain community! 🏔️
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NEXT BOARD MEETING:
The WCMEDC meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and rotates between the West Central Mountain communities.
Current Board Members
President: Dylan Martin
Vice President: Johanna Osterman
Treasurer: Julie Good
Secretary: Vonna Torrey
Judy Nissula
Cynda Herrick
Sherry Maupin
Rachel Wessel
Linnea Hall
Belinda Provancher
Kelly Hill
Executive Director: Lindsey Harris
Early Childhood Program Manager: Trace Mckellips