Annual Support Staff Conference
October 1-2, 2026 | Holiday Inn, 110 2nd Avenue, Kearney, NE
Join us for Powering the Front Door: Technology, Tools, and Teamwork in Action—a conference dedicated to the professionals who keep our organizations running smoothly. Discover innovative resources, learn new skills, and connect with colleagues who share your commitment to excellent service. Leave inspired, empowered, and equipped with tools you can put into action right away.
The cost to attend is $125 dollars if registered by 8/31/2026. It will be $135 if registered after that date.
Hotel Booking
Please contact the Holiday Inn at 308-237-5971 and request a room under the 2026 Nebraska Extension Front Door Forum room block.
Rooms are available for $139.95 per night on September 30 and October 1. A limited number of rooms are being held for the night of September 30, and the room block will be released back to the hotel on September 1.
If the room block fills before September 1 and you still need a room, we encourage you to call the hotel directly. In previous years, the hotel has honored the Front Door Forum group rate for guests who mention they are attending the Nebraska Extension Front Door Forum, even after the block has filled.
Hotel check-in begins at 4:00 p.m., and check-out is 11:00 a.m.
If you have questions, you can call any member of the Front Door Forum Committee: Chandra Hawley, Bobbie Hingst, Macy Flesher, Lisa Kaslon, Alexa Pedersen, John Re, Carley Swartzendruber, Lori Wachter, or Wendy Winstead
POST CONFERENCE RESOURCES COMING SOON...
Agenda
*All sessions subject to change
Thursday, October 1
8:30 a.m. Professional Headshots – Available until 10:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. Registration Opens & Professional Headshots
10:00 a.m. Welcome
10:10 a.m. Ice Breaker
10:30 a.m. General Session – “Powering Your Digital Front Door”
11:10 a.m. General Session – “Microsoft Tools Demystified”
11:55 a.m. General Session - “ONIT: Who We Are & What We Do”
12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. General Session – “AI is Here…Now What?”
1:45 p.m. Instruction for Breakouts/Rest of the Day
1:50 p.m. Move to Breakouts
2:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Round 1)
- AI Prompting 101 (group 1- Blue Room)
- The Front Door Engine: Tools and Technology for Success (group 2 - Yellow Room)
- Building Better Social Media: Design, Accessibility and Strategy (group 3 - Red Room)
3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Round 2)
- AI Prompting 101 (group 3 – Blue Room)
- The Front Door Engine: Tools and Technology for Success (group 1 – Yellow Room)
- Building Better Social Media: Design, Accessibility and Strategy (group 2 – Red Room)
4:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Round 3)
- AI Prompting 101 (group 2 – Blue Room)
- The Front Door Engine: Tools and Technology for Success (group 3 – Yellow Room)
- Building Better Social Media: Design, Accessibility and Strategy (group 1 – Red Room)
5:00 p.m. Adjourn for the Day
Friday, October 2
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. General Session - "Expanding Rural Pharmacy Access"
9:00 a.m. Debrief
- What was your biggest takeaway from yesterday's sessions, and why did it resonate with you?
- What is one tool, resource, or idea you learned about that could improve your work or your team's effectiveness?
- What was one insight or perspective shared by a colleague today that challenged or expanded your thinking?
- If you could take one action in the next 30 days based on something you learned today, what would it be?
9:20 a.m. General Session - “Working Better Together in Microsoft 365”
10:00 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. General Session -"Building Confidence as the Local Contact of Extension"
11:45 a.m. Remarks by Dr. Charlie Stoltenow
12:15 p.m. Lunch - Reflection & Debrief
1:05p.m. Years of Service Line Up
1:15 p.m. Service Awards & Door Prizes
1:30 p.m. Thank you for coming – Safe Travels Home