July 8, 2026 — Small Nation founder and CEO Jason Duff will serve as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Ohio Conference on Travel, taking place October 7-9 at Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. The Ohio Conference on Travel is the state’s premier gathering of tourism professionals, bringing together destination marketing organizations, attractions, museums, lodging providers, restaurants, retailers, state agencies, and other leaders from across Ohio’s travel and tourism industry.

Duff’s keynote, Make Them Hit the Brakes: Turning Pass-Through Towns into Must-Stop Destinations, will explore how communities can transform from places travelers pass through into destinations people choose to visit.

“In today’s travel economy, visitors are looking for destinations that are authentic, unexpected, and worth talking about,” said Duff. “The communities seeing the greatest success aren’t trying to be like everyone else. They’re finding creative ways to celebrate what makes them different.”

Drawing on examples from communities across the country, including the transformation of Downtown Bellefontaine, Duff will share practical strategies for turning pass-through traffic into meaningful visitation. Attendees will learn how changing travel habits and the growing daytrip economy are creating new opportunities for communities to attract visitors through unique experiences, local food and beverage offerings, walkable districts, placemaking, and authentic storytelling.

The session will introduce Duff’s “Pull-Over Power” framework and provide actionable ideas communities can implement to create energy, increase visitor spending, and build stronger destination identities. The keynote aligns with this year’s conference focus on tourism marketing, destination development, social media strategy, and content creation.

“Jason Duff brings exactly the kind of perspective we need at the Ohio Conference on Travel. His work reminds us that places are not products first,” said Melinda Huntley, Executive Director, Ohio Travel Association. “They are living stories shaped by people, pride, memory, investment, and belief. As Ohio communities think about how to grow visitation, strengthen local economies, and build resident pride, Jason can help us see that the most powerful destination strategies begin by honoring what is authentic, engaging the people who call a place home, and giving communities the confidence to tell a truer, stronger story about who they are and what they can become.”

Small Nation has become nationally recognized for its work helping communities revitalize downtowns, support entrepreneurs, and create memorable places that attract residents and visitors alike. Through projects in Bellefontaine and beyond, the organization has demonstrated how entrepreneurship, placemaking, and storytelling can drive economic growth and community transformation.

Registration for the 2026 Ohio Conference on Travel is now open. For more information and to register for the conference, visit ohioconferenceontravel.com/registration.