Mark your calendar for the Missouri Governor's Conference on Tourism set for Oct. 8-10 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia.

The conference will include educational seminars and networking opportunities that connect expert speakers with industry professionals.

The annual tourism awards for people and businesses making a difference in the state's tourism industry also will be presented. Nominations are being accepted through June. 14. For information and a nomination form, click here.

Conference registration opens in July.