Upper Mississippi River Conference 2026
A regional gathering focused on the future of the Mississippi River and its environmental challenges.
RiverCenter, Davenport, Iowa
- Dates
- November 4–5, 2026
- Venue
- RiverCenter, Davenport, Iowa
TL;DR
- The conference is scheduled for November 4–5, 2026, at RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.
- Its program addresses river and climate issues, including how advocates respond to environmental challenges.
- The 2026 gathering is the conference's 20th annual edition and includes a Next Gen Summit program.
Who you'll find in the room
Conservationists
Conservationists are among the audiences the organizer identifies for the conference.
Regional stakeholders
The organizer identifies regional stakeholders as part of the conference audience.
River advocates
River advocates are included in the organizer's stated audience.
Emerging stewards and conservationists
The organizer also highlights the next generation of stewards and conservationists through its Next Gen Summit program.
Featured speakers
21 listedKathy Jo Jankowski
Principal Investigator, Mississippi Restoration LTRM Program
Ted Kratchschmer
Senior Source Water Protection Program Manager, American Water, Iowa and Illinois
Dr. Emily Jenkins
Senior Engineering Manager, Farnsworth Group
Rachel Curry
Agricultural Educator, IL Extension Office
Whitney Clark
Executive Director, Friends of the Mississippi River
Robb Ewoldt
Regenerative Farmer/Director, United Soybean Board
Andrea Knepper
LCSW, Founder, Chicago Adventure Therapy
Reggie McLeod
Editor and Publisher, Big River Magazine
Debbie Anselm
Executive Director, Iowa Newspaper Association
Noah Glasgow
Journalist, North Scott Press
Audrey Tran Lam
Environmental Health Program Director, UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education
Sarah O'Connell
Conservation Educator, Great Outdoors Foundation
Carli J Schlabowske
Geographer, USACE
Whitney Clark
Executive Director, Friends of the Mississippi River
Margaret Frisbe
Executive Director, Friends of the Chicago River
Kamyar Enshayan
Former Director, UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE)
Everett Hamner
Literature, Film, and Science Professor, WIU
David Cwiertny
Department Chair, University of Iowa Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Professor, Dept. of Chemistry
Dan Williams
Principal Landscape Architect, MSA Professional Services
Stephanie Oppel
Executive Director, ICON River Trails
Chris Jones
Hydroscience Research Engineer, Iowa Water Center
Venue & travel
Venue
RiverCenterQuestions people ask
5 answeredThe conference is scheduled for November 4–5, 2026.
It takes place at RiverCenter in Davenport, Iowa.
The organizer identifies conservationists, regional stakeholders, river advocates, and emerging stewards among the intended audience.
It suits river conservation staff, watershed and water-quality professionals, and local advocates, since the speakers span groups such as Friends of the Mississippi River, Friends of the Chicago River, the Iowa Water Center and American Water, so the conversation crosses nonprofit, utility, academic and agency lines. The Next Gen Summit adds a pipeline for younger conservationists, which helps students and early-career stewards; researchers after deep technical peer review, or buyers looking for a vendor-heavy show, would get less from a regional two-day gathering in Davenport.
Attendees at regional conservation and river advocacy conferences usually wear business casual, such as slacks or chinos with a collared shirt or sweater. A layer is sensible for a Mississippi River city in early November.
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