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Save the Date!
The 2025 Extension Annual Conference: One Extension, One College — Linking the Land of Lincoln will take place November 18-20 at I Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign.
Nov. 18: Program Team Meetings and Strategic Planning Workgroups
Nov. 19-20: Extension Annual Conference
Extension Annual Conference is on the horizon!
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Extension Annual Conference
Get Ready to Be Inspired
Our conference is getting closer! From energizing keynotes to interactive experiences, all Extension professionals will have the chance to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the power of collaboration across Illinois. Join us under the theme One Extension, One College – Linking the Land of Lincoln to learn, grow, and make an impact together.
Celebrating Excellence
We are truly inspired by the incredible submissions for the Extension Excellence Awards this year! From creative innovations to meaningful community impact, your work reflects the passion, dedication, and ingenuity of Extension professionals across Illinois. Every submission highlights the remarkable contributions of our Extension community and motivates us all to strive for excellence together. We look forward to announcing our winners during Annual Conference!
Stay Tuned for More
Breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops are on the horizon. Keep an eye out - exciting updates and registration are coming soon!
Meet Our Featured Speakers
Karl is a keynote speaker, facilitator, and leadership expert who empowers individuals and teams to lead with clarity, purpose, and emotional intelligence. Since joining the Extension Foundation in 2020 after 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, he has inspired 32,000 Cooperative Extension professionals through coaching, team development, and program support to create meaningful experiences for communities across the country. Karl is also a proud spouse and father of two.
Sydney Loflin is a 2025 graduate of North Carolina State University in Agriculture Science. She is currently working on her master’s degree. Sydney is a past 4-H state officer as well as a BASF Collegiate Ambassador. She is pursuing a career in agricultural communications or public relations and co-authored the book Focused as a Bee.
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Extension Excellence Awards
The Extension Excellence Awards honor the dedication, innovation, and collaborative spirit that drive our mission forward. These awards are a way to recognize the individuals and teams who go above and beyond—whether through exceptional service, creative solutions, or strong partnerships that make a difference in our communities.
We know the work you do matters. Now’s the time to share your story—or lift up the great work of your colleagues. Whether you have achieved significant milestones, exceeded targets, led innovative projects, or demonstrated exceptional collaboration, we want to hear your story. Apply or nominate a team or individual to be recognized for their meaningful contributions brought to Extension every day.
Hotel Accommodations
Click "Annual Conference 2025" to make your reservations or call using the reservation phone number below. When reserving, you must use the group/block code to get the room block rate. If booking online, the block is automatically set to two nights and will need to be changed if only staying for one night.
I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center - FULL
Hotel Location: 1900 S, 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820
Booking link: Annual Conference 2025
Reservation phone number: 217-819-5000
Block code: UIEXT25
Guest password: UaG%9
Book before: 10/20/25
Room block rate: $149/night
Drury Inn & Suites
Hotel Location: 905 Anthony Dr, Champaign, IL 61821
Booking link: Annual Conference 2025
Reservation phone number: 1-800-325-0720
Block code: 10104455
Book before: 10/19/25
Room block rate: $107/night
Holiday Inn
Hotel Location: 101 Trade Center Dr, Champaign, IL 61820
Booking link: Annual Conference 2025
Reservation phone number: 217-398-3400
Block code: EXT
Book before: 10/18/25
Room block rate: $107/night
Other Accommodations
For other hotel options, please reference the Preferred Hotel Listing for hotels that honor the state rate in Champaign, Illinois. While we do not have blocks at these other locations, there are many excellent lodging options in the area.
The Conference will begin at 9 AM on November 19, and we know that for many of you, this would require you to be on the road traveling to Champaign at an early hour. If your office is located more than 100 miles from Champaign, you are eligible for support for overnight accommodations at your hotel using central funds. Your Fiscal Office Support or supervisor will receive more information about this soon.
Those headquartered within the 100-mile radius and wish to arrive the night before will still need to use unit funds to cover this expense as you normally would. This should be cleared with your supervisor before making the reservations.
You can view your office mileage from Champaign on the portal's "Intranet Mailing Lists and Directories" page under "Office Addresses" (toward the bottom, in the Extension Directories section) or by clicking the button below.
Information about previous keynotes speakers, award recipients, recorded sessions, and conference photos.
2024 Extension Excellence Awards Recipients
For more information
