October 2026
Happy 55th Winterfest Fellow IACCBE Members!
On behalf of the IACCBE Winterfest Planning Committee, I am pleased to invite you to the 55th Annual Winterfest. This year's event will again be held at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel and Conference Center from January 26th - 28th, 2027. AGENDA-AT-A-GLANCE HERE!
We are excited to announce our two keynote speakers for the event! First we have Terry Whitson, an independent training and development consultant, who is the owner of TW Training. Second, we have Brad Elder, a professor of ecology at Doane University with over30 years of experience in fire ecology, prairie restoration, and prescribed-fire education across the Great Plains, who also serves as a volunteer structural firefighter in Crete, Nebraska. Both will share their unique perspectives on leadership, purpose, and tricks of the trade in the great outdoors.
SEE FULL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION PACKET HERE!
This year, the committee has scheduled over 30 educational sessions to choose from throughout the event. The topics cover natural resource management, environmental education, law enforcement, and marketing/outreach. We will also be hosting the 21st Annual Collegiate Day on Wednesday, so please welcome the students with open arms, as this will be the first exposure to Iowa's County Conservation System for many of them. We will have a table at the entrance where you can post any potential job opportunities. Please limit the number of copies and use QR codes if possible.
LODGING: A block of rooms has been reserved under "IACCBE Winterfest." The rate for 2026 will be $110. Rooms may be reserved by calling Hyatt Regency at (319) 688-4000 or using THIS LINK! Please reserve your room by January 4, 2027, to ensure availability. With the dates set for January 27th – 29th, we're eagerly counting down the days to another Winterfest Conference.
A late fee of $20 per registrant will be applied starting on January 2nd, with a registration deadline of January 11, 2027. Please register at your earliest convenience to avoid the late fee. I can't wait to see everyone in Coralville for another fantastic year of training, networking, and fun!
OUR THANKS to numerous sponsors who's support of our Winterfest Conference help us to provide this first-class event for a very reasonable cost! Please mark your calendars for January 26-28, 2027 and join your fellow friends in conservation for another Winterfest Conference that will exceed your expectations! We look forward to seeing everyone in Coralville for another great week of training, networking and fun!
Tasha West, President - IACCBE
Trail Technician II, Webster County Conservation Board
