More than 200 faith-based buyers and sellers gathered August 6–8 in the Cincy Region for the 2025 Going OnFaith Conference, where they were treated to an evening dinner cruise hosted by BB Riverboats and an afternoon tour of the Ark Encounter. The conference was held at the Marriott Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, Kentucky, and two busy marketplace sessions yielded hundreds of appointments between attendees from the United States, Ireland and Italy.
“The entire crew from the Cincy Region did a magnificent job for our delegates,” said Going On Faith Conference general manager Jennifer Ferguson. “We’d like to recognize Lorey Hall and Stacey Howell of the Cincy Region, Nancy Willhoite of BB Riverboats and Eddie Lutz of the Ark Encounter for all their hard work to host this exceptional meeting.”Captain Guy Gruters, a Vietnam War jet pilot who spent five years in a prison camp after being shot down, kicked off the conference with an inspirational recounting of his years during the war. His retelling of the bravery that his personal faith inspired during that conflict earned a standing ovation. The BB Riverboats Ohio River dinner cruise took place on a sunlit evening, and, after dinner, delegates gathered on the top deck to take in both sides of the surrounding cityscape. Cincinnati and its landmark stadiums were on full display, and smaller vessels sped by the elegant riverboat in both directions. The Ark Encounter is one of the most popular Christian sites in America, and delegates spent a couple of hours in the immense structure that immerses guests in the biblical story of Noah, his family and the animal kingdom during the Great Flood. Afterward, many enjoyed the park’s petting zoo or a live performance during the park’s annual 40 Days of Christian Music event. Dinner was served at the on-site restaurant, Emzara’s Buffet. Other meal sponsors included The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs and Visit Owensboro, next year’s host city.“I’m tired, but I’m happy,” said Cincy Region’s Lorey Hall at the conference’s close. “I think we’ve been able to introduce these planners to some great faith-based stops, including the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, Patriots Landing, area churches, the American Sign Museum, the Freedom Center and the Kentucky Faith Trail.”For details on the 2026 Going On Faith Conference in Owensboro, Kentucky, visit gofconference.com.
What Travel Planners are Saying
“This year, we did nine days in South Dakota with 40 people. We did a girls’ trip to Jamaica that included scuba diving asa bonding thing. I’m a diver, so I had women — including a 73-year-old — who tried it. There’s a spiritual aspect for me when I get people out of their comfort zones. I had a woman who wanted a ‘one love’ tattoo — I made sure someone good did it. I left the next day for Ireland and had 22 farmers and teachers there. I do my research. We learned about ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. Then I had a group of 38 in Scotland for seven days. I finished with 16 in London. I was gone for five and a half weeks.”
Tabitha Reeves
R&R Travel, Higginsville, Missouri
“This year, I did a ladies group of 25 to New York. I’m already putting a trip together back here to the Cincy Region forMarch 26 next year. I put these places on my social media, and I can fill trips as I go. People follow me and sign up.We’ll do BB Riverboats, the Ark Encounter, the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati and other sites. I’ll have 25 or more, and we’ll do it by bus. I just got back from a cruise to Alaska with 35 or so. That was a cruise/land trip.”
Tonya Matthews
Starstuff Travel, Monticello, Mississippi
“A few years back, I had a midlife crisis and bought a tour company — I should have bought a car! Actually, I love it.Let’s see — in 2025, we took 13 to Utah in June for eight days. We took 14 to Scotland for 11 days. I had 51 inLancaster, Pennsylvania, for five days, and I had 50 in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel for five days. We took 50 toBranson for six days. In 2026, I have a trip to Hawaii on the books for 12 days and already have 51 signed up.”
Deb Nicholson
Spectrum Tours, Macatawa, Michigan
“Currently, we do a lot of smaller trips, like to French Lick, Indiana, using our own resources. For longer trips 0r international trips, we’re using major tour companies like Collette or Tauck. We have group clients in Owensboro,Kentucky; Cleveland, Ohio; Pennsylvania; and other places. We do a lot of senior groups and church groups. We also create trips for a group we call ‘Women on the Go.’ We’ve taken them to Charleston, South Carolina; London and Paris and on an Ohio wineries trip.”
Suzanne Connolly
Provident Travel, Cincinnati, Ohio
What Travel Destinations & Travel Companies are Saying
“This is exciting for us. We’ve been sponsors for years, but this is an opportunity. This time I can show buyers the ArkEncounter and Creation Museum. Once I get someone here, I can bring them back. Everyone in this region benefits from hosting this conference. We also have our 40 Days Christian Music Festival here right now, so that’s a huge bonus.Many groups will do the Ark in the morning, have lunch at Emzara’s and then do Christian music that afternoon. Their admission covers 40 Days.”
Eddie Lutz
Ark Encounter, Williamstown, Kentucky
“Like many attractions, 2019 had been our benchmark year. We beat that in 2023 and beat 2023 in 2024. We had 600 motorcoach groups in 2024. We work together with the Ark Encounter, so much so that we use the marketing phrase,‘Two boats in one day.’ I copy all our attractions on our groups — I sell the boat by selling the area. Having these buyers on the boat on a beautiful evening this week was wonderful. We have nine riverboats coming in this October forAmerica’s River Roots Festival. They’ll all be doing three to four cruises per day.”
Nancy Willhoite
BB Riverboats, Newport, Kentucky
“We’re having another record year at Collette. After Italy, Iceland and Ireland, I’d say Portugal, Spain, Kenya,Tanzania, South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana are all top sellers. The price point for African destinations does not seem to be a factor. It’s a bucket-list trip that many people are doing this year. Our small group Explorations brand is very hot. We’re adding nine more destinations right now. Cruise fans will do our Spotlight tours because they fit their mode of travel. They unpack once and explore their destination.”
Mitchell Mack
Collette, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
“We’re not really known for faith-based tours, but we have several that are selling well here. We offer trips to the Ark and Amish Country that include this area, and our Catholic Heritage Tour showcases the Maryland/Washington, D.C.,area. We currently work with about a dozen churches, so I’m excited to see all the interest in this room by so many new churches. We’re adding a tour in 2026 we call ‘History and Humanity: Red Cross’ that highlights the life of Clara Barton.It’s very inspirational.”
Damon Anderson
MARS & Companies, Stevens City, Virginia
“I’m new, and I’m impressed by this group. In Monroe/West Monroe, Louisiana, we offer faith-based groups two focal points — the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens that includes the Coke Museum, and the Duck Commander headquarters from the popular television show a few years back. It is also now the headquarters for a women’s faith-based conference that draws thousands of women annually. I am a vocalist in my church, and I’m interested in young adult groups as well.”
Hollis Walker
Discover Monroe/West Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana
“This is my first time attending this conference, and I’m surprised by the interest I’m getting. Half the buyers here have been to Ireland, and the other half want to go. Some of these buyers are doing multiple trips to Ireland each year. We can package anything these buyers want in Ireland. We customize trips much more than the large operators can. That’s our niche. I have to build a relationship first, then I can put together an itinerary and price it.”
Sean Reilly, Joe O’Reilly
DMC Ireland, Overland Park, Kansas
Thanks to these Sponsors!
Thursday Breakfast: Ark Encounter and Creation Museum
PhotoBooth Sponsor: Branson Restaurant Inc/IMAX
Thursday Grab & Go Lunch Sponsor: BB Riverboats
Host City: Cincy Region
Name Badge Sponsor: Circle Wisconsin
National Gold Star Sponsor: Collette Showcase
Phone Charging: Dolly Parton’s Stampede – Pirate’s Voyage Dinner Show
Last Year’s Host: Explore Branson
Magazine Showcase: Going On Faith Magazine
Friday Breakfast: Great Passion Play
Magazine Showcase: The Group Travel Leader
Host Hotel and Conference Center: Marriott Cincinnati Airport
Showcase: Naples—Marco Island—Everglades CVB
National Gold Star Sponsor: Southwest Adventure Tours
Mobile App Sponsor: Sweet Home Alabama
Friday Lunch: Visit Owensboro
Marketplace Sponsor: Visit Lubbock
Conference Padfolio: Visit Oxnard
