Summits

Ideas, Action, Impact

One Road, One Plan.

Connect66 Summits bring together leaders, businesses, historians, and communities.

The Connect66 Summits aligns communities from all eight Route 66 states on a shared vision. Through collaborative work sessions, hands-on platform demos, and actionable planning, we leave each Summit with concrete next steps, committed owners, and the resources to make them happen. This is where ideas turn into coordinated action for the next 100 years of the Mother Road.

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Connect66 Summits are shaping the future of Route 66

Where ideas get traction and hit the road.

Collaboration Lab

Align the mission and set priorities.

Fast-paced roundtables with towns, businesses, and associations to align priorities, share ideas, and address common challenges. Leave with clear, actionable next steps to implement after the Summit—ensuring momentum and meaningful progress in communities along Route 66.

Modernization Toolkit

Demos of the Connect66 platform.

Hands-on live demos of 66Happenings, 66Vault, Stories, and the Explore66 app—plus real-world case studies from towns already seeing success with these tools. Walk away with customizable templates, how-to guides, and proven strategies you can put to work the moment you return home.

Turn ideas into projects

Your next 90 days, mapped out.

We co-create local playbooks: event calendars, signage and wayfinding upgrades, content drives, data standards, and marketing plans. Plus, we’ll connect you with grants, sponsors, and partners most likely to support your vision — and explore possible funding through the Connect66 Foundation.

Who Should Attend Summits

Made for those shaping the future of Route 66

Route 66 Associations

State and local representatives of Route 66 organizations.

Historians & preservationists

Individuals and groups safeguarding Route 66’s legengary heritage.

Local & state governments

Policymakers driving tourism and economic growth within their state.

Businesses entrepreneurs

Motels, diners, gas stations, attractions, and venues along Route 66.

Economic Dev. boards

State/regional teams attracting tourism and visitors to their city.

Route 66 Investors

Backers interested in funding Route 66 projects and businesses.

Business Sponors

Brands seeking partnership and visibility across the initiative.

Content creators

Filmmakers, journalists, influencers documenting the Route 66.

Bring a Summit to Your Town

Apply to host, become a sponsor, or exhibit at a summit

Cities, associations, and venues can host a Connect66 Summit. We deliver the programming, materials, and promotion; you provide the location, local outreach, and hospitality connections. Sponsors make it possible by funding travel scholarships, content capture, and small business onboarding.

Frequently asked
questions

Association leaders, small business owners, historians/preservationists, tourism & economic development staff, creators, and sponsors who want to collaborate—not just listen.

Keynote session will share all facets of the Conect66 ecosystem. There will be facilitated work sessions and possibly panels, live demos, and small breakouts that end with decisions and owners.

Readiness + regional balance. We look for an active host partner, accessible venue, and cross state representation. Use the Host form to raise your hand.

Some Summits are free; others carry a modest registration to cover venue and materials. A limited number of scholarships may be underwritten by sponsors.

Some Summits are free; others carry a modest registration to cover venue and materials. A limited number of scholarships may be underwritten by sponsors.

Yes. You’ll provide venue, AV, and local outreach; we bring agenda, materials, and facilitation. Ideal capacity: 60–120 with breakouts.

Keynotes and demos may be recorded. Working groups follow a Chatham House approach to encourage candor; we publish summaries, not transcripts.

Participants retain ownership of anything they bring. Summit outputs (templates, aggregated notes, and playbooks) are shared with attendees for reuse within their organizations; broader publication happens only with consent.

Select media may attend plenary portions; working sessions are closed to press unless a group explicitly opts in.

Venues are ADA friendly. Request accommodations (ASL, captioning, dietary, mobility seating) in the form and we’ll confirm before the event.

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Tell Us How You’d Like to Participate

Share your details and we’ll follow up with the next Summit dates, hosting opportunities, or sponsorship options.