Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference: Full Schedule

12:00pm CDT

Pre-Tour: Urban Wild: Exploring Milwaukee’s Great Outdoors

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:00pm - Friday August 21, 2026 5:45pm CDT

Urban Wild: Exploring Milwaukee’s Great OutdoorsDEADLINE TO REGISTER: 7/3/2026Location: Minimum Participants: 2Maximum Participants: 7Host: Visit MilwaukeePrimary Contact: Claire Koenig, [email protected] Who can attend & Cost: Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not EligibleSpouses/partners -...
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Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:00pm - Friday August 21, 2026 5:45pm CDT

Tours

8:00am CDT

3 DAY/2 NIGHT Pre-Tour: Outside the Ordinary in Janesville, Wisconsin

Wednesday August 19, 2026 8:00am - Friday August 21, 2026 3:30pm CDT

Outside the Ordinary in Janesville, WisconsinDEADLINE TO REGISTER: 7/17/2026Location: Minimum Participants: 3Maximum Participants: 5Host: Janesville Area Convention & Visitors BureauPrimary Contact: Katie Tranel, [email protected] can attend & Cost: Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not...
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Wednesday August 19, 2026 8:00am - Friday August 21, 2026 3:30pm CDT

Tours

12:00pm CDT

3 DAY/2 NIGHT Pre-Tour: From Lake to River: A Freshwater Journey Through Northeast Wisconsin

Wednesday August 19, 2026 12:00pm - Friday August 21, 2026 12:00pm CDT

From Lake to River: A Freshwater Journey Through Northeast WisconsinDEADLINE TO REGISTER: Minimum Participants: Maximum Participants: 4Host: Fox Cities CVB and Oshkosh CVBPrimary Contact: Tara Brzozowski, [email protected] can attend & Cost: Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not EligibleSpouses/partners...
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Wednesday August 19, 2026 12:00pm - Friday August 21, 2026 12:00pm CDT

Tours

TBA

Dinner on your own

Friday August 21, 2026 TBA

8:30am CDT

OWAA Board Meeting

Friday August 21, 2026 8:30am - 2:30pm CDT

Any current OWAA member may join this board meeting, but only as an observer (unless they've requested time to present to the board and had that request approved).

Friday August 21, 2026 8:30am - 2:30pm CDT

10:00am CDT

Pre-Tour: Pedals & Parks

Friday August 21, 2026 10:00am - 1:00pm CDT

Pre-Tour: Pedals & ParksDEADLINE TO REGISTER: 7/17/2026Minimum Participants: 6Maximum Participants:10Primary Contact: BCYCLE / Kris Neilson / [email protected] can attend & Cost: Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not EligibleSpouses/partners - Not EligibleStart Location: Lussier Family HeritageMeals &...
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Friday August 21, 2026 10:00am - 1:00pm CDT

Tours

4:30pm CDT

First Timers Welcome by Chez

Friday August 21, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm CDT

Whether you're brand-new to this community or just attending your first OWAA conference, this meet-and-greet is designed to help you start strong. Join us for a brief overview of what to expect, how to navigate the days, and simple ways to connect with fellow attendees.Whether you're extroverted, introverted, or somewhere in between, this session is your gateway to feeling connected from the...
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Speakers

Chez Chesak

Executive Director, Outdoor Writers Association of America

‘Chez’ Chesak is an award-winning adventure travel writer, 20+ year veteran of the outdoor industry, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and board member of the Society of American Travel Writers.
His works have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, B... Read More →

Friday August 21, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm CDT

General Session

6:00pm CDT

Dinner for the OWAA Board

Friday August 21, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT

General Session

6:00pm CDT

Exhibitor Table Setup

Friday August 21, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm CDT

Grand Terrace

Friday August 21, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
Grand Terrace

7:30pm CDT

Casual Gathering at the Embassy Suites Hotel Bar

Friday August 21, 2026 7:30pm - 10:00pm CDT

7:45am CDT

Event Registration/Check-in

Saturday August 22, 2026 7:45am - 9:00am CDT

Capitol Promenade

Saturday August 22, 2026 7:45am - 9:00am CDT
Capitol Promenade

Registration

9:00am CDT

Welcome Announcements & Keynote #1: "The 5 'R's: A Journalist's Guide to Words and Wayfaring in Indian Country"

Saturday August 22, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Madison Ballroom

Longtime journalist and journalism educator Patty Loew comments on how the mainstream media typically cover events in Indigenous communities. She offers practical advice on how to cultivate authentic relationships and report on important environmental issues affecting Native nations and their neighboring mainstream communities. Loew’s keynote reflects 50 years of experience covering climate...
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Speakers

Patricia Loew, Ph.D.

Journalism Professor Emerita; Inaugural Director, Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (retired), Northwestern University

Patty Loew, Ph.D., is professor emerita in the Medill School of Journalism and inaugural director of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at Northwestern University (retired). She also is professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. A citizen... Read More →

Saturday August 22, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Madison Ballroom

General Session

10:00am CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

Saturday August 22, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am CDT

Meal/Break

10:30am CDT

Breakout 1A: Discover the Past, Present, and Future of Wisconsin’s Iconic Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Saturday August 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas E&H

Join an engaging panel discussion about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a breathtaking path that traces the edge of glaciers that shaped Wisconsin over 12,000 years ago. This treasured trail stretches for over a thousand miles and showcases the state’s natural beauty, making it a vital part of Wisconsin’s heritage and outdoor culture.The panel will delve into the fascinating story of how...
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Speakers

Melissa Pierick

Ice Age Trail Alliance

Missy VanLanduyt

Wisconsin DNR

Rob Gard

Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs, Destination Madison

Saturday August 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas E&H

Breakout Session

10:30am CDT

Breakout 1B: Inside the Fight for the Boundary Waters

Saturday August 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas F&I

Few U.S. landscapes are as beloved – and as threatened – as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. This session brings together experts and storytellers for a current look at what’s at stake, ecologically, economically, culturally and recreationally, for America’s most visited wilderness, from proposed sulfide-ore mining to shifting federal policy.

Speakers

Land Tawney

Co-chair, American Hunters & Anglers Action Network

Land is a 5th generation Montanan quite literally born into conservation. From a young age Land got his hands dirty and his feet wet in the wilds of his home state while simultaneously being surrounded by conservation conversations led by his parents and many other leaders of the... Read More →

Nate Ptacek

Senior Film + Video Editor, Patagonia

Nate Ptacek is a Senior Film + Video Editor at the outdoor brand Patagonia, where he has worked for nearly two decades on projects ranging from product and brand videos to documentary films highlighting the intersection of sport and environmental issues.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Ptacek relocated to Minnesota to attend St. John’s University and spend summers as a Boundary Waters canoe outfitter. This sparked a lifelong passion for wilderness canoeing, with expeditions ranging from northwest Ontario and western rivers to the... Read More →

Matthew Schultz

Program Manager, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters

Matthew Schultz is the Program Manager with the non-profit organization Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, where he’s fought to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for the past three years through advocacy, stewardship, and education.

Having grown up in Minnesota, visiting the Boundary Waters every summer, Matthew has had a passion for wild places his entire life. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Navy where he had the opportunity to hunt, fish, and camp on public lands all over... Read More →

Aaron Kania

DFL Candidate, Minnesota House 3A

Aaron served public lands and those who depend on these lands for over 28 years. He has worked a career in Federal Law Enforcement as a Ranger with the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service stationed in Utah and Wyoming. He also served in Wildland Fire leadership with... Read More →

Saturday August 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas F&I

Breakout Session

10:30am CDT

Breakout 1C: More Than a Free Ride: How DMOs and Journalists can Work Together to Make Press Trips Pay For Everyone

Saturday August 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas G&J

Press trips can be powerful story starters for outdoor writers — and not just those covering travel. From paddling and hiking to conservation, wildlife, foodways, and rural communities, many compelling outdoor stories begin with a destination-hosted experience. But let’s be honest: press trips can also be confusing, awkward, or misaligned when expectations aren’t clear.This interactive...
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Speakers

Jesse Wiederhold

Managing Director, Visit Keweenaw

Jesse Wiederhold is the Managing Director of Visit Keweenaw and leads earned media efforts for Michigan’s northernmost destination. He’s known for designing immersive press trips that often become the best trip of a journalist’s life — while strategically spotlighting story-worthy... Read More →

Jessica Paige Baltzersen

Freelance Writer, Self-Employed

Jessica is a freelance journalist who covers nature, the outdoors, and wildlife conservation—plus the occasional detour into food and dogs (because life is better with both). As an Ohio-based writer, she’s especially drawn to stories rooted in the Midwest and Appalachia, shedding... Read More →

Eric Knopsnyder

Director of Public Relations and Community Outreach, GO Laurel Highlands

After nearly two decades as a journalist, Eric Knopsnyder knows how to spot a good story – and how to make people care about it. He now brings that instinct to his role as director of public relations and community outreach for Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, where he connects... Read More →

Brandy Jo Hastings

Freelance writer/OutdoorTravelWriter.com, Freelance Writer

Brandy Hastings is a freelance writer based in Central Florida who specializes in outdoor travel, sustainability, and place-based storytelling. Her work has appeared in publications including Islands, Beach, Sierra, Matador Network, and Men’s Journal. In addition to her writing... Read More →

Saturday August 22, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas G&J

Breakout Session

12:00pm CDT

Break & Networking

Saturday August 22, 2026 12:00pm - 12:15pm CDT

Meal/Break

12:15pm CDT

Lunch & Announcements

Saturday August 22, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Madison Ballroom

We'll also announce who won the and Committee Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Board Member of the Year!

Special Guest - Dane County Executive Melissa Agard

Saturday August 22, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Madison Ballroom

Meal/Break

1:00pm CDT

Keynote #2 - Akiima Price

Saturday August 22, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Madison Ballroom

Speakers

Akiima Price

Saturday August 22, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Madison Ballroom

General Session

1:45pm CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

Saturday August 22, 2026 1:45pm - 2:15pm CDT

Meal/Break

2:15pm CDT

OWAA's 'Speed Connection'

Saturday August 22, 2026 2:15pm - 4:15pm CDT

Grand Terrace

OWAA’s Speed Connection is back—a fast‑paced (yet casual) networking session designed to help you make meaningful professional connections in a short amount of time - all on the very first day.How it works:It's a two‑hour networking event packed with individual four‑minute meetings.Sponsors, exhibitors, agencies and brands are stationed at tables. (Sponsors and exhibitors already...
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Saturday August 22, 2026 2:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Grand Terrace

Speed Connection

3:00pm CDT

Circle of Chiefs Meeting - Chiefs Only

Saturday August 22, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

A relaxed, open conversation with no set agenda for Chiefs only—simply a chance to check in, share updates, and reconnect.

Saturday August 22, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm CDT

4:15pm CDT

Break

Saturday August 22, 2026 4:15pm - 5:30pm CDT

Meal/Break

5:30pm CDT

Host Welcome Reception - "Summer in Madison" - Sponsored by Destination Madison

Saturday August 22, 2026 5:30pm - 8:00pm CDT

Rooftop at the Pyle Center

Join Destination Madison for a “Summer in Madison” celebration on August 22 at the Pyle Center, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Mendota and steps from the iconic Memorial Union Terrace. This lakeside gathering highlights the vibrant spirit of a Madison summer, with scenic views and fresh energy in the heart of campus. Catch the shuttle or take a stroll down lively State Street...
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Saturday August 22, 2026 5:30pm - 8:00pm CDT
Rooftop at the Pyle Center 702 Langdon Street

Meal/Break

9:00pm CDT

Presidents' Hospitality Event

Saturday August 22, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm CDT

Social

6:30am CDT

Roll 'n Run/Walk

Sunday August 23, 2026 6:30am - Saturday August 22, 2026 7:15am CDT

Social

9:00am CDT

Announcements & Keynote #3: What the Repeal of The Roadless Rule Could Mean for Public Lands and for Anyone Who Recreates, Lives Near or Works in National Forests - Sponsored by American Sportfishing Association

Sunday August 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Madison Ballroom

Nearly 59 million acres of protected public lands are at renewed risk as the federal government considers rolling back the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, opening the door to roadbuilding, logging, and mineral extraction as early as 2026. Iconic landscapes—including Alaska’s 17‑million‑acre Tongass National Forest, where 92 percent of the land could be affected, along with major forested...
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Speakers

Hunter McIntosh

President and Executive Director, The Boat Company

Hunter Hartford McIntosh is a passionate conservationist and the President & CEO of The
Boat Company, a mission-driven luxury eco-cruise operation founded by his father, Michael
McIntosh, in 1979. From the start, The Boat Company was created to protect the Tongass
National Forest... Read More →

Sunday August 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Madison Ballroom

General Session

10:00am CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

Sunday August 23, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am CDT

Meal/Break

10:30am CDT

Breakout 2A: How to Make Friends & Influence People (On Social Media)

Sunday August 23, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas E&H

This panel brings together creatives who’ve cracked the code on social media, turning posts into platforms and passion projects into sustainable careers. From building an authentic voice, developing a visual style, growing a loyal following, promoting work to the right audience, and exploring real ways to monetize online, our speakers will share practical strategies to level up your social media...
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Speakers

Colleen Miniuk

Photographer/writer, Colleen Miniuk Photography and Writing

Colleen Miniuk is a corporate-America-escapee turned full-time outdoor photographer, writer, publisher, instructor, and speaker from Chandler, Arizona. Her credits include National Geographic calendars, Arizona Highways, AAA Via, National Parks Traveler, On Landscape, and a var... Read More →

Christopher Paparo

owner, Fish Guy Photos

As a native of Long Island, New York, I've spent over three decades immersing myself in its natural wonders. My journey as a wildlife photographer, writer, and lecturer is driven by a passion to raise public awareness about the island's rich biodiversity. With a Bachelor of Science... Read More →

Lina Lintemuth

Senior Director, Social Media, Development Counsellors International (DCI)

Lina leads the social media team at Development Counsellors International, a full-service international marketing agency specializing in economic development, tourism and talent attraction.

She develops data-informed social media strategies for destinations across the globe and guides executives and industry leaders — from CEOs and governors to tourism commissioners and business development teams — on leveraging platforms like LinkedIn for thought leadershi... Read More →

Sunday August 23, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas E&H

Breakout Session

10:30am CDT

Breakout 2B: The Living Legacy of Aldo Leopold

Sunday August 23, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas F&I

Aldo Leopold, a Wisconsin icon, is considered by many to have been the most influential conservation thinker of the 20th Century as a result of his seminal work, A Sand County Almanac, in which he presents a vision for how to to live on and care for the land. This call for a land ethic -- a conservation ethic -- would eventually serve as the intellectual and emotional foundation for disciplines...
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Speakers

Curt Meine

Conservationist, Writer, Historian, Senior Fellow at the Center for Humans and Nature and Aldo Leopold Foundation, Aldo Leopold Foundation, Center for Humans and Nature

Curt Meine is a conservation biologist, environmental historian, and writer. Meine received his B.A. from DePaul University in Chicago and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He serves as Senior Fellow... Read More →

Emily Stone

Naturalist/Education Director, Cable Natural History Museum

Emily Stone is a naturalist by birth, training, profession and passion. A childhood spent as a “mud and water daughter” in Iowa led to a degree in outdoor education with a minor in geology from Northland College and a Field Naturalist Master’s from the University of Vermont... Read More →

Buddy Huffaker

President & Executive Director, Aldo Leopold Foundation

As executive director of the Leopold Foundation, my work may involve anything from giving a talk, to fundraising, to reviewing financial statements – sometimes all in the same day. Having joined the organization as an intern 20 years ago, I can honestly say I’ve done just about... Read More →

Maia Buschman

Digital Communications Coordinator, Aldo Leopold Foundation

Maia Buschman is a lifelong nature lover and writer whose Leopold journey began in college with the essay "Thinking Like a Mountain." She eventually became a Future Leaders Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation in 2023-24, and during that time she investigated the intersection of... Read More →

Sunday August 23, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas F&I

Breakout Session

10:30am CDT

Breakout 2C: What to Expect--and Write About--During the Upcoming Midterm Elections

Sunday August 23, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas G&J

With just three months to go until the midterms, editors will be looking for timely and in-depth stories about the issues that will dominate the news cycle. This panel will bring together policy experts and advocates from around the outdoor, conservation, and climate space to discuss what’s at stake as Americans head to the polls in November.

Speakers

Land Tawney

Co-chair, American Hunters & Anglers Action Network

Aaron Field

Director of Private Lands Conservation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP)

Aaron Field joined the TRCP as director of private lands conservation in June of 2022.Previously, Aaron worked with North Dakota State University Extension and the North Dakota State Soil Conservation Committee as a leadership development specialist focusing on Soil Conservation District... Read More →

Ben Gubits

VP - Advocacy and Campaigns, Protect Our Winters

Mark Oliva

Managing Director, Public Affairs, National Shooting Sports Foundation

Mark Oliva is the Managing Director for Public Affairs at the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. (NSSF), the firearm industry’s trade association. He is responsible for NSSF’s communications on policy, government relations and legislative issues.

Prior to joining NSSF, Mark served 25 years in the Marine Corps, joining in 1991 and retiring in 2017 at rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Mark served in Public Affairs in the Marine Corps including a tour as a staff writer for Stars and Stripes newspaper on Okinawa, Japan. Mark... Read More →

Amy Kapp

Editorial Director/Editor-in-Chief, Rails to Trails Conservancy/ President of Outdoor Writers Association of America, Rails to Trails Conservancy

Sunday August 23, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas G&J

Breakout Session

12:00pm CDT

Lunch & Announcements

Sunday August 23, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm CDT

Madison Ballroom

Sunday August 23, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm CDT
Madison Ballroom

Meal/Break

12:45pm CDT

Keynote #4: Meet the Editors Panel

Sunday August 23, 2026 12:45pm - 2:15pm CDT

Madison Ballroom

Always one of the most popular sessions at conference, the Meet the Editors Panel brings together editors from leading outoor publications for a candid conversation about how they work with freelancers. Editors will share what they look for in pitches, how they discover new writers and photographers, the kinds of stories and visuals their audiences need right now, and how freelancers can build...
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Speakers

Lisa John Rogers

Editor, Great Lakes Now

Lisa John (like Mary-Kate without a dash) is a journalist and art critic from the Midwest. Currently the News Editor for Great Lakes Now, an Emmy award-winning regional environmental program from Detroit PBS. Most recently a producer for Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson. Form... Read More →

Jesse Hirsch

Editor, Offrange

Jesse Hirsch is head editor of Offrange, a publication exploring farming, ranching, hunting, fishing, public lands, and conservation in the U.S. Every week Offrange produces 3 original stories and a newsletter for 150k+ subscribers, as well as a periodic podcast and print publication. Previously Jesse worked at The Counter... Read More →

Alex Robinson

Editor In Chief, Outdoor Life

Alex Robinson is the Editor-in-Chief of Outdoor Life, a legacy publication that covers hunting, fishing, firearms, public lands, and conservation. Robinson oversees a team of editors and writers who publish new articles daily, along with newsletters, YouTube videos, and weekly podcast episodes. He studied Journalism at the University... Read More →

Andy McGlashen

Senior Editor, National Audubon Society

Andy McGlashen is a senior editor at Audubon magazine, where he has covered conservation, public lands issues, birding culture and more since 2018. He writes and edits features and news stories in print and online and has been part of teams that have won two National Magazine Awards. Andy holds a master’s degree from the Knig... Read More →

Sunday August 23, 2026 12:45pm - 2:15pm CDT
Madison Ballroom

General Session

1:00pm CDT

Spouse/Partner Tour: Explore Madison’s Capitol Square: Food, History & Local Flavor

Sunday August 23, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

REGISTER DIRECTLY HERE - Downtown Mini Best of Wisconsin Food TourSunday, August 23 / 1pm-3pmCost:$55+Explore Madison’s Capitol Square: Food, History & Local Flavor Discover the best of Madison with a guided tasting and history experience around the beautiful Capitol Square. What’s Included Three food stops featuring multiple tastings and a sweet treat Mini tour of the Wisconsin State...
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Sunday August 23, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Spouse/Partner Tour

2:15pm CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

Sunday August 23, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

Meal/Break

2:45pm CDT

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

Sunday August 23, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT

Few things are as daunting as feeling unprepared to chase your dreams. And yet, that's a nearly universal experience for beginners in the outdoor media landscape. This course will cover some harsh realities, early-career hacks, and helpful mantras and mindset tips in a safe, honest environment, led by someone who, in many ways, is still a struggling beginner herself. Attendees can expect to take a...
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Speakers

Katie Hill

Freelance journalist, Six Cranes Media LLC

Katie Hill is a freelance environmental journalist and outdoor writer based in Missoula, Montana. She covers wildlife science and conservation, public policy, hunting, food systems, and agriculture, among other topics. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, High Country News, Field... Read More →

Sunday August 23, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT

Workshop

2:45pm CDT

WORKSHOP - Because You’re Worth It! If You’re Good at Something, Never Do It for Free

Sunday August 23, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT

Valuing Your Work and Negotiating Fair Compensation as a Professional WriterWriters are often told that exposure is payment enough. But professional storytelling, whether through journalism, essays, books, photography, podcasts, branded content, or public speaking, is skilled labor built on years of experience, creativity, and hard-earned expertise. Your work has value. Learning how to advocate...
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Speakers

James Edward Mills

Executive Producer, The Joy Trip Project

James Edward Mills is a freelance journalist and National Geographic Explorer who specializes in telling stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving, and practices of sustainable living. He has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989 as... Read More →

Sunday August 23, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT

Workshop

2:45pm CDT

WORKSHOP - Beyond Snapshots: A Guided Image Review Session

Sunday August 23, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT

What makes a photograph a keeper? It depends, of course, but on what? In this supportive image review session, Colleen will lead a thoughtful discussion aimed at helping you see your photographs—and your storytelling potential—with greater clarity and confidence. Using attendee-submitted images, we’ll examine what’s supporting our intended message, what’s undermining it, and how...
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Speakers

Founder, President, The Outdoor Biz, R Saez Holdings LLC

Sunday August 23, 2026 2:45pm - 5:45pm CDT

Workshop

6:00pm CDT

Pizza & Beer in the Park

Sunday August 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm CDT

Lakefront Porch

Sunday August 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm CDT
Lakefront Porch 201 S. Hancock St ‍Madison, WI

Meal/Break

8:00pm CDT

Hospitality Event - Sponsored by Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters

Sunday August 23, 2026 8:00pm - 11:30pm CDT

Meal/Break

9:00am CDT

Announcements & Keynote #5: Hunters and Anglers, Public Lands, and the Future of Conservation

Monday August 24, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Madison Ballroom

Chris, President & CEO of Trout Unlimited, will speak about the vital role sportsmen and sportswomen play in advancing conservation efforts. He will also emphasize the central importance of public lands—both as essential habitat and as shared spaces that sustain outdoor traditions, recreation, and the broader conservation mission.

Speakers

Christopher Wood

President & CEO, Trout Unlimited

Before coming to Trout Unlimited in September 2001, Chris Wood served as the senior policy and communications advisor to the chief of the U.S. Forest Service where he helped protect 58 million acres of publicly owned land. Chris began his career as a temporary employee with the Forest... Read More →

Monday August 24, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Madison Ballroom

General Session

10:00am CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

Monday August 24, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am CDT

Meal/Break

10:30am CDT

Breakout 3A: Rewriting the Playbook: Who Manages – and Who Pays for – America’s Public Lands?

Monday August 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas E&H

America’s public lands are at an inflection point. Record-breaking visitation, intensifying wildfires and biodiversity loss, along with mounting development pressure, are conflicting with management systems and funding models built for another era. How we proceed is an open question – and a story that couldn’t be more urgent.This panel brings together leading voices to explore emerging...
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Speakers

Neil Kornze

Senior Vice President, Cassidy & Associates

Neil Kornze is a Senior Vice President at Cassidy & Associates. For the past two decades, Neil has worked on the nation’s most vital conservation, land, wildlife, and energy issues from Capitol Hill, the Department of the Interior, and the philanthropic world. Most recently, he... Read More →

Adam Cramer

CEO, Outdoor Alliance

Adam Cramer is the founding Executive Director and present CEO of Outdoor Alliance, a national coalition of outdoor recreation advocacy groups that has breathed new life into the conservation movement by harnessing the outdoor community’s passion for place and combining it with... Read More →

Tracy Stone-Manning

President, The Wilderness Society

Tracy Stone-Manning is a longtime conservationist and public lands advocate who has played a significant role in shaping U.S. land management policies. As President of The Wilderness Society, she leads efforts to unite people to protect America’s wild places. She also serves as... Read More →

Christopher Wood

President & CEO, Trout Unlimited

Monday August 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas E&H

Breakout Session

10:30am CDT

Breakout 3B: Authenticity in the Age of AI: What's Next for Outdoor Photographers?

Monday August 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas F&I

Artificial intelligence can now generate breathtaking landscapes and close-up wildlife shots using only a brief prompt. As these technologies rapidly improve, outdoor photographers are facing an existential question: what makes a real photograph valuable when a convincing alternative can be created in seconds?This panel explores how landscape, wildlife, and adventure photographers can adapt,...
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Speakers

Hannah Stonehouse Hudson

Owner, StonehousePhoto.com

Hannah Stonehouse Hudson is a globally recognized photographer and speaker specializing in the complex narratives of grief and change. Whether she is on the ice as a dedicated angler or behind the lens documenting the human condition, Hannah’s work focuses on how the natural world... Read More →

Heather Physioc

Journalist, Photographer & Search Expert, HP Conservation

HHeather Physioc leads the Discoverability capability at an enterprise global marketing agency, serving the online search needs of enterprise brands across verticals and around the globe. Heather is also an international search industry speaker and writer whose interdisciplinary work... Read More →

Tom Oliver

teoliver photography

Tom Oliver is a photographer, educator, and former wildlife biologist based in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. He leads small-group photography excursions, birding outings, and night sky experiences designed to help people slow down, observe more closely, and engage meaningfully... Read More →

Paul Queneau

Editor, Montana Outdoors, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Monday August 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas F&I

Breakout Session

10:30am CDT

Breakout 3C: The Weight We Carry: Mental Health in Outdoor Careers

Monday August 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Hall of Ideas G&J

The outdoor industry is often associated with adventure, freedom, and well-being. But in reality, many of us who work in or write about the outdoors face long hours, financial uncertainty, climate grief, and burnout. This panel explores the realities of mental health for communicators, conservation professionals, recreation guides, and outdoor creators. Panelists will share personal experiences...
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Speakers

Akiima Price

Lisa Y. Collins, Ed.D

Author • Educator • Trauma Practitioner • Environmental Advocate, Lewis and Clark College

Dr. Lisa Y. Collins, Ed.D.
Author • Educator • Trauma Practitioner • Environmental Advocate

Dr. Lisa Y. Collins is an author, educator, trauma practitioner, and environmental advocate with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and healing-centered work. Her career bridges education, nature, and storytelling—revealing how the natural world supports human... Read More →

Zackary Butterfield

Butterfield Counseling and Neurofeedback

Zack Butterfield is a licensed mental health counselor and founder of Butterfield Counseling and Neurofeedback, a practice dedicated to improving mental wellness in rural communities. With a focus on trauma, anxiety, and brain-based approaches to healing, Zack combines neuroscience... Read More →

Monday August 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Hall of Ideas G&J

Breakout Session

12:00pm CDT

Break

Monday August 24, 2026 12:00pm - 12:15pm CDT

Meal/Break

12:15pm CDT

NSSF's Lunch & Announcements

Monday August 24, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT

Madison Ballroom

We’re glad to share this midday pause with you—full of good food, great company, and even better conversation. This lunch is sponsored by our friends at the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), whose commitment to industry leadership and responsible practices continues to make a lasting impact.

Announcement of Jade of Chiefs Award!

Monday August 24, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm CDT
Madison Ballroom

Meal/Break

1:00pm CDT

Keynote #6: Stories with Impact: Strategic Storytelling for a New Travel Era

Monday August 24, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Madison Ballroom

Join Rob Holmes, Founder and Chief Strategist of GLP Films, for an engaging presentation demonstrating the power of visual storytelling to address some of the leading trends that are shaping tourism today: Sustainable and Regenerative tourism, Stewardship and Conservation, Inclusion and Accessibility, and the role Indigenous communities play in leading local conservation and cultural heritage...
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Speakers

Rob Holmes

Tuesday August 25, 2026 10:00am - Friday August 28, 2026 12:00pm CDT

Angling for Adventure in Wisconsin’s Driftless RegionDEADLINE TO REGISTER: 7/22/2026Minimum Participants: 3Maximum Participants: 5Host: Travel WisconsinPrimary Contact: Logan Wroge, [email protected] can attend & Cost: Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not EligibleSpouses/partners -Not...
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Tuesday August 25, 2026 10:00am - Friday August 28, 2026 12:00pm CDT

Tours

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TBA

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