2025 Engler Trek Intinerary!

Sunday, August 10 – Depart Omaha – Head to Waco 

5:30 AM – Arrive at Omaha Eppley Airfield
7:00 AM – Flight departs Omaha
11:45 AM – Arrive in Austin
12:15 PM – Depart for Waco by bus
1:45 PM – Stop at Buc-ee’s (depart no later than 2:15 PM) 

  • Buc-ee’s
  • 4155 N General Bruce Dr, Temple, TX 76501 
  • Pick up water, food, and items for the week 

2:30–2:45 PM – Arrive in Waco and Check in to Hotel 

5:30 PM – Leave hotel for dinner 

6:00 PM – Dinner & Setting Expectations 

Monday, August 11th – Waco, Texas

Theme: Start Before You’re Ready 

8:00 AM – Depart SpringHill Suites
8:45 AM – Arrive at Huffman Farms 

  • Heath Huffman
  • 5605 Mother Neff Pkwy, McGregor, TX 76657 

10:00 AM – Load bus and depart for Retreat 254 RV Resort
10:45 AM – Arrive at Retreat 254 RV Resort 

  • Caden Eary
  • 9630 US-190, Rogers, TX 76569 

12:00 PM – Depart for Waco
12:45 PM – Lunch at UnionBrands (on your own) 

  • 720 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701 
  • Free time for walking or coffee 

2:00 PM – Depart for downtown visits
2:15–4:15 PM – Business visits

4:30 PM – Return to hotel
5:45 PM – Depart for supper 

    6:00 PM – Dinner at DeMaria’s BBQ – Blake DeMaria

      Tuesday, August 12 – Waco, Texas 

      Theme: Hospitality & Customer Experience 

      8:45 AM – Depart hotel
      9:00 AM – Arrive at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee 

      • 110 Franklin Ave, Waco, Texas 

      10:00 AM – Depart for Buc-ee’s
      10:45 AM – 12:15 PM – Buc-ee’s Hillsboro

      • Buc-ee’s Hillsboro165 US-77 
      • Hillsboro, TX 76645 

      12:15 PM – Depart Buc-ee’s
      1:00 PM – Arrive at Startup Waco

      2:00 PM – Magnolia Visit

      • Marissa Ward, VP and Chief of Partnerships and Merchandising
      • Silos and Castle

      5:15 PM – Return to hotel 

      • SpringHill Suites Waco 
      • 115 S Jack Kultgen Expy, Waco, TX 76706 

      6:00 PM – Dinner with group

      Wednesday, August 13 – Waco to Austin 

      Theme: Legacy 

      7:30 AM – Check out of hotel and depart Waco
      9:00–11:00 AM – Tour of 44 Farms 

      • James Burks
      • 963 Private Rd 44, Cameron, TX 76520 

      12:00–12:45 PM – Lunch and Southside Market BBQ Visit

      • Bryan Bracewell
      • 1212 US-290, Elgin, TX 78621 

      1:30–2:30 PM – Alpha Painting & Decorating

      • Amber Sells
      • 904 Tradesmen Park Loop, Hutto, TX 78634 

      3:00–4:30 PM – Visit with H-E-B

      • Makenna Peevey
      • Tech hub and store 
      • 2416 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 

      5:00 PM – Check in to hotel 

      • Hampton Inn Austin North 
      • 7619 N I-35 @ Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78752 

      6:30 PM – Depart for dinner
      7:00 PM – Dinner and Dancing at Broken Spoke

      • 3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 
      • Two-step dance class at 8pm. $10/person.   

      Return Options: 

      • First group: 8:30 PM bus back to hotel 
      • Final bus: 10:00 PM pick-up 
      • After 10:00 PM, students responsible for own transportation back 

      Thursday, August 14 – Austin / Return to Nebraska 

      Theme: Fire in the Belly 

      8:30 AM – Check out of hotel after breakfast
      9:00–10:00 AM – Texas Capitol Tour + Policy Panel with Q&A

      10:45 AM – Visit Berdoll Sawmill 

      • Brandon Berdoll
      • 4754 FM535, Cedar Creek, TX 78612 

      12:15 AM – Depart for lunch

      12:45–2:15 PM – Lunch, Welcome & Entrepreneur Panel with The Cook’s Nook 

      2:30 PM – Arrive at Austin Airport
      4:30 PM – Flight departs Austin
      10:55 PM – Arrive in Omaha