Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference: Grid

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Destination Madison Boardroom	Embassy Suites Elevated Dining Room	Embassy Suites King Boardroom	Vortex Optics

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Editing Forensics: Hands-On Workshop to Strengthen Editing and Writing with The Open Notebook 9:00am - 3:30pm

First Timers Gathering with Chez 4:30pm - 6:00pm

OWAA Board Meeting 9:00am - 3:00pm

Pre-Tour: Vortex Optics: Behind-the-Scenes Facility and Production Tour 10:00am - 3:30pm

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Argus Underground	Capitol Promenade	Grand Terrace	Hall of Ideas E&H	Hall of Ideas F&I	Hall of Ideas G&J	Madison Ballroom	Rooftop at the Pyle Center

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Presidents' Hospitality Event 8:00pm - 11:00pm

Event Registration/Check-in - Sponsored by Alabama Black Belt Adventures 7:45am - 9:00am

Exhibitor Table Setup 7:00am - 9:00am

OWAA's 'Speed Connection' 2:15pm - 4:15pm

Breakout 1A: Discover the Past, Present, and Future of Wisconsin’s Iconic Ice Age National Sceni... 10:30am - 12:00pm

Circle of Chiefs Gathering - Chiefs Only 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Breakout 1B: Inside the Fight for the Boundary Waters 10:30am - 12:00pm

Supporting Group Gathering 4:15pm - 5:15pm

Breakout 1C: More Than a Free Ride: How DMOs and Journalists can Work Together to Make Press Tri... 10:30am - 12:00pm

Welcome Announcements & Keynote #1: The 5 'R's: A Journalist's G... 9:00am - 10:00am

Announcements & Lunch - Sponsored by Tourism Ireland 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Keynote #2: Beyond Recreation: The Parks That Sa... 1:00pm - 1:45pm

Host Welcome Reception - "Summer in Madison" - Sponsored by Destination Madison 5:30pm - 7:30pm

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Argus Bargrill	Hall of Ideas E&H	Hall of Ideas F&I	Hall of Ideas G&J	Lakefront Porch	Madison Ballroom	Meet at OWAA Registration Desk	Meeting Room K	Meeting Room L	Meeting Room M	Meeting Room N	Meeting Room O	Meeting Room P	Meeting Room Q	Meeting Room R

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Hospitality Event - Sponsored by Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters 8:00pm - 11:00pm

Breakout 2A: How to Make Friends & Influence People (On Social Media) 10:30am - 12:00pm

WORKSHOP - Because You’re Worth It! If You’re Good at Something, Never Do It for Free 2:45pm - 5:45pm

Breakout 2B: The Living Legacy of Aldo Leopold 10:30am - 12:00pm

WORKSHOP - Beyond Snapshots: A Guided Image Review Session 2:45pm - 5:45pm

Breakout 2C: Your Election-Year Story Guide: Conservation Issues to Know 10:30am - 12:00pm

WORKSHOP - Photography for Writers 2:45pm - 5:45pm

Pizza & Beer in the Park - Sponsored by Gunpowder Inc. 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Announcements & Keynote #3: James Edward Mills - Sponsored by Am... 9:00am - 10:00am

Lunch & Announcements 12:00pm - 12:45pm

Keynote #4: Meet the Editors Panel 12:45pm - 2:15pm

WORKSHOP - Energize Your Writing Through Movement and Metaphor 2:45pm - 5:45pm

Past President's Gathering - Past President's On... 8:00am - 8:45am

WORKSHOP - Don't Miss the Point: AI and Automation for Creatives 2:45pm - 5:45pm

WORKSHOP - What We Can Learn from the Old Masters 2:45pm - 5:45pm

WORKSHOP - Why Podcasts & Audio Content Are Ideal for Reaching Active Outdoor & Adventure Enthusiasts 2:45pm - 5:45pm

WORKSHOP - Media Relations 101: How Outdoor Writers Can Work with PR & Comms Teams 2:45pm - 5:45pm

WORKSHOP - Be a Better Beginner: How to Break into the Outdoor Media Without Breaking Down 2:45pm - 5:45pm

WORKSHOP - Have I Got a Story for You: UW-Madison Researchers Pitch Science Stories for the Outdoor Beat 2:45pm - 5:45pm

WORKSHOP - Intentional Craft: How to Create Work that Achieves its Purpose 2:45pm - 5:45pm

WORKSHOP - Elevate your Outdoor Meals: Hands on Cooking Workshop 2:45pm - 5:45pm

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Argus Bargrill	Hall of Ideas E&H	Hall of Ideas F&I	Hall of Ideas G&J	Madison Ballroom	Meet at OWAA Registration Desk	Meet at the Destination Madison Exhibit Table in the Grand Terrace	Meeting Room K	Meeting Room L	Meeting Room M	Meeting Room N	Meeting Room O	Meeting Room P	Meeting Room Q	Meeting Room R

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Hospitality Event: Final Proof - Sponsored by Alabama's Beaches 8:15pm - 11:00pm

Breakout 3A: Rewriting the Playbook: Who Manages – and Who Pays for – America’s Public Lands? 10:30am - 12:00pm

WORKSHOP - Because You’re Worth It! If You’re Good at Something, Never Do It for Free 2:15pm - 5:15pm

Breakout 3B: Authenticity in the Age of AI: What's Next for Outdoor Photographers? 10:30am - 12:00pm

WORKSHOP - Beyond Snapshots: A Guided Image Review Session 2:15pm - 5:15pm

Breakout 3C: The Weight We Carry: Mental Health in Outdoor Careers 10:30am - 12:00pm

WORKSHOP - Photography for Writers 2:15pm - 5:15pm

Special Guest, Rep...

Announcements & Keynote #5: Hunters and Anglers, Public Lands, a... 9:15am - 10:15am

Lunch & Announcements - Sponsored by NSSF 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Keynote #6: Stories with Impact: Strategic Story... 1:00pm - 1:45pm

Closing Night Dinner & Awards: A Roaring Start to OWAA’s Centennial Year - Sponsored by Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 6:00pm - 8:00pm

WORKSHOP - Energize Your Writing Through Movement and Metaphor 2:15pm - 5:15pm

Workshop - Tour of UW Arboretum 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - Don't Miss the Point: AI and Automation for Creatives 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - What We Can Learn from the Old Masters 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - Why Podcasts & Audio Content Are Ideal for Reaching Active Outdoor & Adventure Enthusiasts 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - Media Relations 101: How Outdoor Writers Can Work with PR & Comms Teams 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - Be a Better Beginner: How to Break into the Outdoor Media Without Breaking Down 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - Have I Got a Story for You: UW-Madison Researchers Pitch Science Stories for the Outdoor Beat 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - Intentional Craft: How to Create Work that Achieves its Purpose 2:15pm - 5:15pm

WORKSHOP - Elevate your Outdoor Meals: Hands on Cooking Workshop 2:15pm - 5:15pm

Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

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