International Trails Summit Comes To Madison, Wi, April 15-17
MADISON, WI – The 2025 International Trails Summit, hosted by American Trails and the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA), will be held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin, from April 15-17. This premier event is set to bring together more than 700 trail professionals, volunteers, advocates, and outdoor industry leaders from across the globe. Attendees will gather to share knowledge, explore innovative solutions, and discuss the vital role of trails in local economies, outdoor recreation, and public health.
According to Aaryn Kay, Executive Director of the Professional TrailBuilders Association, Madison was selected as the host city because of its status as a model trail community: “Our attendees can literally access a trail from the Monona Terrace Convention Center. The Wisconsin trails community has been incredibly supportive throughout the planning process, and that’s reflected in the Summit’s content, which highlights many local projects and programs.”
The Summit offers a mix of educational sessions, hands-on field experiences, and networking opportunities designed to equip attendees with practical knowledge and inspiration to bring back to their communities. One of the key highlights is the Offsite Field Day on Thursday, April 17, hosted at Babcock County Park in McFarland, WI. Participants will explore local trails, engage in field demonstrations, and experience the natural beauty of Dane County.
The Confluence of States, a bipartisan network of state leaders advancing the outdoor economy through a collective voice, will also co-convene at the Summit and feature discussions on the growing outdoor recreation economy, valued at $1.2 trillion. Since 2013, 24 offices of outdoor recreation have been established across the U.S., with a mission to support and grow outdoor recreation economies through coordinated state-level policies. The Confluence of States, which advocates for these offices, will play a key role at the Summit, sharing best practices and fostering stronger collaborations between state agencies, local governments, and trail-building professionals.
Confluence of States leaders will join Summit participants to discuss trail development, funding opportunities, and policies that support equitable access to trails and sustainable trail systems. They will also advocate for the role of trails in driving local economies and promoting public health outcomes. Members of the Confluence of States will be featured on a panel discussing the intersection of outdoor recreation offices and trails.
Key goals for Confluence of States at the Summit include:
Building stronger collaborations between state agencies, local governments, and trail-building professionals.
Exploring funding opportunities and policy solutions that support the expansion and sustainability of trail systems.
Strengthening partnerships with industry leaders to support the growth of the outdoor recreation economy.
Highlighting the role offices of outdoor recreation in advancing statewide outdoor initiatives and supporting trail development as a key component of local economies and outdoor infrastructure.
“We are excited to join forces with American Trails, the Professional TrailBuilders Association, and our fellow outdoor recreation leaders at the International Trails Summit,” said Katherine Andrews, 2025 Chair of the Confluence of States and Director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation. “Trails have become essential to the economic and social fabric of our all our communities. By working together, we can continue to enhance trail systems across the country and create more opportunities for individuals to connect with the outdoors. The International Trails Summit provides a critical space for offices of outdoor recreation and the trail-building community to collaborate, share innovative solutions, and shape the future of trails.”
“Any time the members of the Confluence of States are together in one place is a huge showcase of the bipartisan power of the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and the unique role that state offices of outdoor recreation play in catalyzing new growth in their states’ outdoor recreation economies,” said Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs for the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations serving more than 110,000 businesses. “We look forward to joining the Confluence of States, Professional TrailBuilders Association, and American Trails in person to move the outdoor recreation economy forward together at this year’s International Trails Summit.”
“Our trails represent more than paths through our great outdoors—they are the lifeblood of our communities. Every state is blessed with their own extraordinary landscapes, where rolling hills, pristine lakes, and vibrant forests serve as the backdrop for countless recreational activities,” said Mike Passo, Executive Director of American Trails. “Attendees of the International Trails Summit demonstrate a commitment to sustainable infrastructure which not only protects our natural environment but also prepares us for the challenges of an ever-changing climate. Our investments today are paving the way for a stronger, more resilient world—a community that can weather economic storms and environmental shifts with confidence and determination.”
The Summit is honored to feature James Edward Mills as the keynote speaker. Mills, a freelance journalist and independent media producer with over 20 years of experience, specializes in outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, and sustainable living. His book The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors was recognized by Outside Magazine as one of the 10 "Outdoor Books that Shaped the Last Decade," and he co-produced the documentary film An American Ascent.
Adding to the excitement, the World Trails Film Festival will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in conjunction with the Summit. The festival, open to the public and Summit attendees, will showcase an inspiring selection of trail-related films. For more details about the World Trails Film Festival, visit https://trails.film/festivals/its25/.
The meeting is made possible with support from the conference partners, including AllTrails, American Trails, Professional TrailBuilders Association, Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation, and REI Co-op. Additional funding and support has been provided by the Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, and The VF Foundation.
About the International Trails Summit
The International Trails Summit is a joint event hosted by American Trails and the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA) and presented every other year. The location rotates around the United States engaging and showcasing the regional trails community on an international stage.
About American Trails
American Trails is a nationwide coalition of all types of trails organizations, agencies, and individuals (motorized and nonmotorized). Our objective is to connect and assist the professionals and volunteers within the trails community in improving, protecting, and raising awareness of America's priceless trail infrastructure. Offering a broad suite of resources including conferences, professional development opportunities, and trail grants, American Trails fosters an inclusive and cohesive trails workforce, raises awareness of the value of our nation’s trail systems and helps fund sustainable and accessible trail networks across the country. We aim to substantially increase the capabilities and capacity of trail volunteers and professionals, and support trail stewardship and advocacy organizations now and into the future.
About the Professional TrailBuilders Association
The Professional TrailBuilders Association is the trade association for the trail industry, representing private sector companies who plan, design, and build trails worldwide. PTBA works to advance quality and professionalism in the trail industry by establishing industry best practices, workforce development, and building a strong and supportive professional network.
About Confluence of States
The Confluence of States is a bipartisan network of 20 state leaders advancing our outdoor economy through a collective voice. The Confluence Accords embody 15 principles contained in the five pillars of conservation and stewardship, education and workforce training, economic development, public health and wellness, and opportunity and experience. They were developed in 2018 to promote and advance best practices for all states to sustainably grow their outdoor recreation economies.
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