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Intercity information hub

Thank you for registering for the 2026 InterCity Leadership conference. It is a significant investment of time and money, and the Chamber wants to maximize the experience for you. Details are below and two orientation sessions will be held.

BRIEFING BOOK
Click here to view the 2026 Florida Briefing Book. It contains the full itinerary with helpful links, speaker list, attendees, sponsors and more.

flight details

GROUP DEPARTURE FLIGHT – Tuesday, April 28
9:15 a.m. Arrival time at Austin airport if you will be leaving a car in long-term parking.
(Note: Make a parking reservation in advance. Lots fill up. Plan on ample time to shuttle to the terminal.)

9:45 a.m. Arrive inside Austin airport approximately two hours before departure time. Go to a Southwest Airlines counter/kiosk. Our group Confirmation # is CR6ZT9. If at at kiosk, SELECT your own name to add/pay for luggage and PRINT your BOARDING PASS and BAGGAGE TAG(S). Otherwise, the agent will do this for you. (Luggage fees were not pre-paid. Follow Southwest Airlines policies for carry-on and checked baggage.) Attach your InterCity Conference luggage tag to make your bags easy to spot during this trip.

Proceed through security and meet the group AT THE GATE.

NOTE: if you are enrolled with TSA Precheck and have not already provided your Known Traveler Number to the Chamber, you may still do so at least 48 hours prior to departure. You will then be able to use the TSA Precheck security line at the airport.

11:05 a.m. Deadline to meet up with the group at the GATE.
11:35 a.m. Flight departs from Austin – Southwest flight #3252 (nonstop)
3:10 p.m. Flight arrives in Orlando MCO airport
4:00 p.m. Board our conference motorcoach at Orlando airport
5:30 p.m. Arrive in Lakeland to check in to lodging at The Terrace Hotel

GROUP RETURN FLIGHT – Friday, May 1
9:15 a.m. Check out of hotel, board bus, drive to Orlando and UCF presentations
4:15 p.m. Arrive at Orlando airport.
6:15 p.m. Return flight to Austin – Southwest flight 3077 (nonstop)
8:10 p.m. Land in Austin

key information

LODGING: The Terrace Hotel-Tapestry Collection by Hilton
329 E. Main Street, Downtown Lakeland. Phone 863-688-0800.
We will check-in as a group the evening of April 28. Everyone has a private room.
Your lodging & hotel taxes have been pre-paid. You will need to provide a credit card for incidental expenses.

TIPS
All tour/site fees are pre-paid with your registration. However, please bring some cash to tip housekeeping at the hotel and for the bus driver at the end of the four days ($5-$10 per person is suggested).

ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE
This is a quick link to a PDF of the InterCity Conference Itinerary only.

ATTENDEES
This is the full list of 2026 InterCity Leadership Conference attendees.

GROUP COMMUNICATIONS with WHATSAPP
We will use this app during the trip to stay in contact with everyone, and provide updates that may occur. The itinerary and attendee list will be saved here for convenient access. If you do not already have WhatsApp loaded, please download it now and create an account. (It is free.)

ATTIRE
Wear comfortable clothes for traveling on Tuesday, April 28.
On Wednesday through Friday, business-casual attire is appropriate with comfortable walking shoes.
(Ladies, sandals/open shoes are fine if they are good for all-day walking.)
No formal or dressy attire is needed for any of our scheduled events.
Dress in layers to be ready for temperature changes during the day, and be prepared for rainy weather.

ITEMS TO PACK
A reusable water bottle to fill up each day
An insulated travel mug (free coffee & tea in the hotel lobby)
Business casual attire and comfortable shoes for walking at tour sites
Your I.D. for airport check-ins
Business cards and perhaps a small supply of your business/organization’s brochure
Chargers for your mobile device(s)
Rain coat (slight chance of need!)

PREPARE FOR SITE VISITS AND PRESENTATIONS
Visit the links included on the Itinerary for the speakers and sites. Review the “Smart Questions to Ask” section of the Briefing Book. Take notes and keep track of insights gleaned.

DEBRIEFING
On Friday morning of the conference, there will be a short debriefing session at the hotel.
You will receive an online Evaluation Survey after the conference ends.
A group Debriefing Session will be held a few weeks later on Thursday, June 4, at 8:45 a.m.
Our goal is to bring valuable insights back home to our region and ultimately turn insights into action.

PHOTOS & SOCIAL MEDIA
Please use this primary hashtag in all social media posts about the conference: #InterCityLeaders2026
Secondary hashtags: #I35Leadership, #CorridorLeaders, #LeadLearnReturn
You are highly encouraged to write about this leadership experience on LinkedIn and other platforms, and the Chamber will provide a template for your posting convenience. It will be shared in our WhatsApp group files.

BEST PHOTO CONTEST
For post-trip publicity and sharing with colleagues back home, we plan to assemble all the best photos possible. There will be 5 categories in which you can submit entries: Best Group Photo, Best Learning Moment, Best Community Snapshot (of Florida locations), Best Connection Moment (collaboration/networking in action), and Overall Best Photo (a standout image that captures the spirit of the conference). There will be prizes and bragging rights!

QUESTIONS?
Please reach out to Page Michel by text or email: 979-203-0622, page@sanmarcostexas.com

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