Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

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

Exhibitor Table Setup 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Pre-Tour: Vortex Optics: Behind-the-Scenes Facility and Production Tour 10:00am - 11:30am

Event Registration/Check-in 7:45am - 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

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

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... 9:00am - 10:00am

Lunch & Announcements 12:15pm - 1:00pm

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

Host Welcome Reception - "Summer in Madison" - Sponsored by Destination Madison 5:30pm - 8:00pm

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

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

Breakout 2C: What to Expect--and Write About--During the Upcoming Midterm Elections 10:30am - 12:00pm

Pizza & Beer in the Park - Sponsored by Gunpowder 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Announcements & Keynote #3: What the Repeal of The Roadless Rule... 9:00am - 10:00am

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

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

Honoring the Legacy the Previous President's Mee... 8:00am - 8:45am

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

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

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

Announcements & Keynote #5: Hunters and Anglers, Public Lands, a... 9:00am - 10:00am

NSSF's Lunch & Announcements 12:15pm - 1:00pm

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

EIC & Awards Dinner 6:00pm - 8:00pm