Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

12:00pm CDT

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

8:00am CDT

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

12:00pm CDT

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

TBA

Dinner on your own

8:30am CDT

OWAA Board Meeting

10:00am CDT

Pre-Tour: Pedals & Parks

4:30pm CDT

First Timers Welcome by ChezChez Chesak

6:00pm CDT

Dinner for the OWAA Board Exhibitor Table Setup Grand Terrace

7:30pm CDT

Casual Gathering at the Embassy Suites Hotel Bar

7:45am CDT

Event Registration/Check-in Capitol Promenade

9:00am CDT

Welcome Announcements & Keynote #1: "The 5 'R's: A Journalist's Guide to Words and Wayfaring in Indian Country" Madison BallroomPatricia Loew, Ph.D.

10:00am CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

10:30am CDT

Breakout 1A: Discover the Past, Present, and Future of Wisconsin’s Iconic Ice Age National Scenic Trail Hall of Ideas E&HMelissa Pierick • Missy VanLanduyt • Rob Gard Breakout 1B: Inside the Fight for the Boundary Waters Hall of Ideas F&ILand Tawney • Nate Ptacek • Matthew Schultz • Aaron Kania Breakout 1C: More Than a Free Ride: How DMOs and Journalists can Work Together to Make Press Trips Pay For Everyone Hall of Ideas G&JJesse Wiederhold • Jessica Paige Baltzersen • Eric Knopsnyder • Brandy Jo Hastings

12:00pm CDT

Break & Networking

12:15pm CDT

Lunch & Announcements Madison Ballroom

1:00pm CDT

Keynote #2 - Akiima Price Madison BallroomAkiima Price

1:45pm CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

2:15pm CDT

OWAA's 'Speed Connection' Grand Terrace

3:00pm CDT

Circle of Chiefs Meeting - Chiefs Only

4:15pm CDT

5:30pm CDT

Host Welcome Reception - "Summer in Madison" - Sponsored by Destination Madison Rooftop at the Pyle Center

9:00pm CDT

Presidents' Hospitality Event

6:30am CDT

Roll 'n Run/Walk

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 Madison BallroomHunter McIntosh

10:00am CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

10:30am CDT

Breakout 2A: How to Make Friends & Influence People (On Social Media) Hall of Ideas E&HColleen Miniuk • Christopher Paparo • Lina Lintemuth Breakout 2B: The Living Legacy of Aldo Leopold Hall of Ideas F&ICurt Meine • Emily Stone • Buddy Huffaker • Maia Buschman Breakout 2C: What to Expect--and Write About--During the Upcoming Midterm Elections Hall of Ideas G&JLand Tawney • Aaron Field • Ben Gubits • Mark Oliva • Amy Kapp

12:00pm CDT

Lunch & Announcements Madison Ballroom

12:45pm CDT

Keynote #4: Meet the Editors Panel Madison BallroomLisa John Rogers • Jesse Hirsch • Alex Robinson • Andy McGlashen

1:00pm CDT

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

2:15pm CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

2:45pm CDT

WORKSHOP - Be a Better Beginner: How to Break into the Outdoor Media Without Breaking DownKatie Hill WORKSHOP - Because You’re Worth It! If You’re Good at Something, Never Do It for FreeJames Edward Mills WORKSHOP - Beyond Snapshots: A Guided Image Review SessionColleen Miniuk WORKSHOP - Don't Miss the Point: AI and Automation for CreativesMarvin Cash WORKSHOP - Elevate your Outdoor Meals: Hands on Cooking WorkshopChef Corso (Steve) WORKSHOP - Energize Your Writing Through Movement and MetaphorCarolyne Whelan WORKSHOP - Intentional Craft: How to Create Work that Achieves its PurposeAmmi Midstokke WORKSHOP - Media Relations 101: How Outdoor Writers Can Work with PR & Comms TeamsMelissa Benhaim WORKSHOP - Photography for WritersLefty Ray Chapa WORKSHOP - What We Can Learn from the Old MastersMark Neužil, Ph.D. WORKSHOP - Why Podcasts & Audio Content Are Ideal for Reaching Active Outdoor & Adventure EnthusiastsRick Saez

6:00pm CDT

Pizza & Beer in the Park Lakefront Porch

8:00pm CDT

Hospitality Event - Sponsored by Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters

9:00am CDT

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

10:00am CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

10:30am CDT

Breakout 3A: Rewriting the Playbook: Who Manages – and Who Pays for – America’s Public Lands? Hall of Ideas E&HNeil Kornze • Adam Cramer • Tracy Stone-Manning • Christopher Wood Breakout 3B: Authenticity in the Age of AI: What's Next for Outdoor Photographers? Hall of Ideas F&IHannah Stonehouse Hudson • Heather Physioc • Tom Oliver • Paul Queneau Breakout 3C: The Weight We Carry: Mental Health in Outdoor Careers Hall of Ideas G&JAkiima Price • Lisa Y. Collins, Ed.D • Zackary Butterfield

12:00pm CDT

12:15pm CDT

NSSF's Lunch & Announcements Madison Ballroom

1:00pm CDT

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

1:45pm CDT

Coffee Break & Networking - Sponsored by Visit Bentonville

2:15pm CDT

WORKSHOP - Be a Better Beginner: How to Break into the Outdoor Media Without Breaking DownKatie Hill WORKSHOP - Because You’re Worth It! If You’re Good at Something, Never Do It for FreeJames Edward Mills WORKSHOP - Beyond Snapshots: A Guided Image Review SessionColleen Miniuk WORKSHOP - Don't Miss the Point: AI and Automation for CreativesMarvin Cash WORKSHOP - Elevate your Outdoor Meals: Hands on Cooking WorkshopChef Corso (Steve) WORKSHOP - Energize Your Writing Through Movement and MetaphorCarolyne Whelan WORKSHOP - Intentional Craft: How to Create Work that Achieves its PurposeAmmi Midstokke WORKSHOP - Media Relations 101: How Outdoor Writers Can Work with PR & Comms TeamsMelissa Benhaim WORKSHOP - Photography for WritersLefty Ray Chapa Workshop - Tour of UW Arboretum WORKSHOP - What We Can Learn from the Old MastersMark Neužil, Ph.D. WORKSHOP - Why Podcasts & Audio Content Are Ideal for Reaching Active Outdoor & Adventure EnthusiastsRick Saez

3:00pm CDT

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

5:15pm CDT

6:00pm CDT

EIC & Awards Dinner Madison Ballroom

8:30pm CDT

Hospitality Event: Final Proof - Sponsored by Alabama Beaches

8:45pm CDT

Virtual Auction Closes at 9PM Eastern Time!

9:00am CDT

All Day Post-Tour: Parallel Play in Paoli - FULL All Day Post-Tour: Lake Legacy All Day Post-Tour: Walking Through Time

10:00am CDT

4 DAY/3 NIGHT Post-Tour: A Legacy of Conservation: The Past and Present of Wisconsin’s Wild Spaces 4 DAY/3 NIGHT POST-Tour: Angling for Adventure in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region - FULL