Miles of possibility, that would be an apt descriptor for Route 66 as we prepare for the dawn of the storied highways second century as the Main Street of America. The possibility for memory making road trip adventures. Entrepreneurial possibilities. Historic district revitalization possibilites. Community and economic development possibilities.

If you see Route 66 in the context of miles of possibility, set your calendar and turn your nostalgia compass toward Joliet, Illinois this autumn! From October 9 to 11, 2025, the Tenth Annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference with the theme “Road to the Centennial” will be the portal to a world of possibilities.

Hosted at the Joliet Area Historical Museum on Route 66, this conference blends community development and networking opportunities as well as information about preservation, history, culture, and tourism as a catalyst for economic development. And as might be expected from a Route 66 focused event, a whole lot of fun with friends and friends yet made.

Location & Cost

The Joliet Area Historical Museum, located at 204 N Ottawa Street, is ideally suited as a conference venue. It is located near the junction of the historic Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway, and Route 66. That is perfect for inspiring discussions about great American road trips.

Conference cost and host hotel information is available of the website. The 2025 conference is made possible by Heritage Corridor Destinations Convention & Visitors Bureau, Joliet Area Historical Museum, City of Lockport, Joliet City Center Partnership, and Lambert 1957 Mobil.

Who’s Talking: Your 2025 Speaker Lineup

From preservation to tourism, community development, history and digital security this year’s Miles of Possibility Route 66 conference will provide information needed to ensure the relevancy of Route 66 into the centennial and beyond. The line up of speakers represent most aspects of the Route 66 community.

• Rhys Martin (Keynote) – Author, photographer, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and manager of the Preserve Route 66 Manager at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He’ll explore “Route 66: The Next 100 Years.” Martin was the guest on the September 7 epsiode of Coffee With Jim.
• Amy Bizzarri – Chicago-based writer; “Culinary History of Route 66” promises to tempt taste buds and imaginations.
• Scott Dahl – Director of Springfield, Illinois CVB; presenting “Looking Ahead to the Route 66 Centennial in Springfield, Illinois.’
• Jim Featherstone & Olivia Golaszewski – Co-presenting “The Secured Road”, a deep dive into cybersecurity for travelers and small businesses along Route 66.
• Tracy & Peter Flucke – Cycling enthusiasts and safety experts. Their talk, “Looking at Historic Route 66 Through Bicycle and Pedestrian Eyes,” recounts their tandem Route 66 journey.
• Jim Hinckley (that’s me!) – “A 65-Year Relationship with Route 66.” A darkly comedic, smile inducing personal odyssey of my Route 66 beginning with a family trip in 1959 roots. The story continues through truck driving, family road trips, and transforming a gift for telling people where to go into a career.
• Bob Navarro – CEO, Heritage Corridor Destinations Bureau: “Heritage Corridor Destinations and the Route 66 Centennial.”
• Greg Peerbolte – CEO of JAHM: “Joliet History, Prison, and Attractions”—from Blues Brothers lore to local lore.
• David J. Schwartz – Photographer and Lead Editorial Photographer for ROUTE Magazine: “The Road to the Centennial: Photographic Reflections of Two Decades on Rte 66.”
• Amy Steidinger – Teacher/genealogist: “Old Joliet Prison: If Those Walls Could Talk.”
• John Weiss – Pioneering preservation champion: “Illinois Route 66 Preservation Efforts.”

Evenings That Sparkle

When talks wrap, the fun revs up:

• SINGO (music bingo) & hospitality at the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Route 66.
• A guided tour of the iconic Joliet Prison—classic blues meets cinematic stardom.
• Informal group dinners plus live music from The Flatbed Fords (“Best of the Eagles”) at the Roxy in nearby Lockport, led by Ron Romero, Todd Loizzo, Dean Schuldt, Jim Coleman, Erik Enervold, and Jim Sokachitch.

Who Makes It Happen?

This conference is a labor of love by the nonprofit Route 66 Miles of Possibility. Directors Cheryl Eichar Jett (Edwardsville), Terri Ryburn (Normal), and Debyjo Ericksen (Joliet) use their expertise in education, fundraising, tourism, preservation, and a passion for the Route 66 community to infuse the conference with enthusiasm.

Cheryl Eichar Jett and Debyjo Ericksen are scheduled as guests on the Sunday, October 5 episode of Coffee With Jim.

A Legacy Revived: From 1930s Conventions to Today’s Conference

Back in the early 1930s at the height of the Great Depression, the evolution of Route 66’ from highway to cultural icon was nurtured by annual conventions held by the U.S. Highway 66 Association. Founded in 1927 by Cyrus Avery in Tulsa, Oklahoma this association pioneered innovative promotional initiatives that made the highway a destination in itself.

These gatherings forged a shared identity, a network of cooperative partnerships, and development of a sense of community all along the highway corridor. They also promoted tourism, encouraged pavement improvements, and rallied for Route 66 economic development opportunites.

Today’s Miles of Possibility Conference carries that torch. The blending of historical reverence with forward-looking energy, while emphasizing preservation, economic development, and community connections is the legacy of the U.S. Highway 66 Association.

And in the tradition of those early conventions the conference in Joliet will create alliances among historians, travel writers, photographers, preservationists, artisans, and economic developers. This in turn will lead to the revitalizing of historic districts and fueling tourism-driven community growth as a component of economic development.

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Why This Conference Matters for Your Community

• Bridges past and future: Honors Cyrus Avery’s legacy while racing toward the centennia and laying the foundation for the highways second century.
• Spotlights Joliet and beyond: Elevates local economies through heritage tourism.
• Catalyzes storytelling and outreach: A perfect fit for your network’s mission of making history lively, fun, and inspiring.