The Outdoor Economy Conference returns for a third year in a new, virtual format. However, rather than occurring in a two- to three-day event, this year’s conference will be split into five half-day virtual workshops occurring Thursdays in October between noon and 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
The theme of this year’s conference is “the future of the outdoors,” and topics will include healthy communities through recreation; growth through diversity, equity and inclusion; outdoor innovation and entrepreneurship; next generation outdoors; and building outdoor communities.
“This year’s conference reflects the most relevant issues in our outdoor industry ecosystem,” says Noah Wilson, program director of the Growing Outdoors Partnership and lead conference organizer. “That’s why we’re excited to have a diverse and powerful group of leading thinkers and doers from across the country coming together to map out and build our shared future. We’ve been intentional about providing inspirational stories, powerful connections and networking, and tangible tools and resources people can take home and put to work. Long story short, this isn’t just another webinar.”
The Conference’s speaker lineup includes Teresa Baker, founder of the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge; Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of the Outdoor Industry Association; Jessica (Wahl) Turner, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable; and Ray Rasker, executive director at Headwaters Economics.
“At a time when the outdoor industry as a whole has been grappling with questions around access, barriers, and inequities, we have been doing the same,” Wilson said. “By going virtual this year, our hope is the conference will be able to reach a much wider audience, lower the barriers to attendance, and expand the impact of this event to reach even more states and communities.”’
All-access passes are available for $149, and single-session passes are also available. Attendees will also have access to recordings of all conference materials for at least six months. Click here to view the full agenda or to purchase tickets.
