Stories
Celebrating the Outdoors: Recap of the 2025 Missouri Outdoor Communicators Conference in Pulaski County
Celebrating the Outdoors: Recap of the 2025 Missouri Outdoor Communicators Conference in Pulaski County
The Pulaski County Tourism Bureau was honored to host the 2025 Missouri Outdoor Communicators (MOC) Conference from May 30 to June 1 in St. Robert, Missouri. Held at the welcoming Hampton Inn Conference Center, the event brought together journalists, authors, bloggers, photographers, videographers, biologists, naturalists, and outdoor communicators—all with a shared passion for telling the stories of Missouri’s great outdoors.
To learn more about MOC and its mission, visit missourioutdoorcommunicators.org.
A Warm Welcome & Community Service
The conference kicked off on Friday, May 30, with registration and lunch from Jimmy John’s, followed by a meaningful community service project—The Thayne Smith Memorial Service Day—in partnership with the Roubidoux Fly Fisherman and Missouri Stream Team at Laughlin Park in Waynesville.
Immersive Experiences in Pulaski County
Attendees had their pick of diverse, hands-on experiences showcasing Pulaski County’s outdoor assets. Despite high river levels altering some of the sessions, the spirit of adventure prevailed. Even with changes, attendees enjoyed an enriching and engaging schedule, and were able to research and experience at their leisure museums, and additional outdoor and activity options. Friday's highlights were:
- A historic walking tour of Downtown Waynesville led by Jax Welborn
- Indoor shooting and outdoor archery at Bow & Barrel Sportsmen Center
- Cultural insights at the Trail of Tears Cherokee Encampment and MaHaffey Museums
- The Tourism Bureau’s Antique, Thrift & Sweets Tour
- A daytime stroll through the vibrant Route 66 Neon Park
“Oh What a Night” on Route 66
Friday evening’s theme, “Oh What a Night: Get Your Kicks on Pulaski County’s Route 66,” brought everyone together at the Hampton Inn Conference Room. Highlights included:
- A warm welcome from MOC President Lucas Bond and Pulaski County Tourism Executive Director Beth Wiles
- Presentation of the 2025 Scholarship to Erika Kovach from St. Louis, a senior at Butler University in Indianapolis.
- A lively keynote, “Route 66 – Get Your Motor Runnin’,” by Route 66 expert Terry Primas
- Social hour with TK’s Pizza, a salad bar, and classic root beer floats
- A twilight visit to the Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert
Saturday: Stories, Skills, and Discovery
Saturday began with a special disc golf demonstration by Vic and Diane Bentels of Hanna Hills. The day continued with Story Starter Sessions, including:
- “The Great Outdoors of Pulaski County” by Tommy Bench, Gasconade River Guide
- A hands-on talk about land and aquatic trapping by Jim Palmer and Johnny Prewitt of the Missouri Trappers Association
- A dive into pollinators with “BeeWell Beekeeping” by Jax Welborn
- Local history insights from author Luge Hardman
- A geological and cultural look at Roubidoux Spring by MOC member Jo Schaper
- “The Nasty Pulaski Gravel Grind” presentation by Dave Kessler, of Split-Second Timing
Lunch was provided by Amy’s Smokestack BBQ, keeping the energy high for more field experiences, including visits to area resorts and outfitters, the Uranus Entertainment Complex, experiencing the Route 66 Historic Driving Tour and numerous other ideas shared with the group regarding Pulaski's outdoor and activity options.
Though swollen rivers paused water activities, local outfitters graciously extended invitations for journalists to return later this summer for rescheduled adventures.
An Evening of Celebration and Recognition
Saturday night’s banquet featured a catered dinner from Vidie’s Catering and recognized individuals in the following categories:
- Community Generosity Award, sponsored by the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation was awarded to the Roubidoux Fly Fishermen and Stream Team
- Youth In The Outdoors Award (media/story), sponsored by MOC and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. This year's winner was Larry Whiteley who wrote a story about sharing the outdoors with family and friends of all ages.
- The Karen Hood-Simpson Memorial Destination Award, sponsored by MOC and presented to the person who had the best coverage from the previous year's conference host. In this case, it was given to Kenny Keiser for his story on Cape Girardeau.
Beth Wiles also presented Tourism Challenge Coins to MOC President Lucas Bond and Executive Director Kyle Stewart in appreciation of the impact their members and organization have on promoting outdoor tourism for destinations across Missouri and to publicly recognize them for the renaming of the Destination Award in memory of Karen Hood-Simpson.
The evening’s keynote, Larry Helms, President of the Pulaski County Outfitters Association, delivered an inspiring talk on Pulaski County’s river heritage and introduced the county’s new 911 Riverway Mile Marker Program. The night concluded with a silent auction supporting the MOC mission.
Wrapping Up
Sunday morning featured the MOC Membership and Board of Directors meetings, followed by final area experiences before attendees departed.
This marked the first time Pulaski County hosted the annual conference since 2017 (Float, Fish & Fun Workshop in 2021), and we were proud to once again welcome this incredible group of storytellers and outdoor advocates.
Looking Ahead
The Pulaski County Tourism Bureau is grateful for the opportunity to sponsor and host the 2025 MOC Conference. We look forward to seeing the stories and media coverage inspired by this event unfold in the months and years to come.
If you’re planning a conference or group event and looking for a scenic, central Missouri destination with strong hospitality and unique indoor and outdoor experiences, we’d love to host you. Learn more at:
visitpulaskicounty.org/groups/meeting-planners