Confluence Of States Leaders Gather In Montana, Elect New Leadership From Arkansas And Pennsylvania
MONTANA - The Confluence of States recently met at the Outdoor Media Summit in Missoula, Montana. The conference brought together government officials, industry leaders, media representatives, and outdoor brands. The summit, the largest congregation of state directors of outdoor recreation to any one event in the history of the movement, featured shared programming and networking opportunities, including keynote speeches, panels, and interactive sessions. Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions and workshops, focusing on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in outdoor media
During the convening, Katherine Andrews, Director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, was re-elected Chair of the Confluence of States Coalition for 2025. Nathan Reigner, Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation, was elected to serve as Co-Chair.
"Thank you to my colleagues for entrusting me once again with the role of Chair of the Confluence of States," said Katherine Andrews, Director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation. "This past year has been monumental, marked by the incredible addition of four new states joining our coalition. As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with optimism and determination to further our work across the country. With the support of my esteemed Co-Chair, Nathan Reigner, we are ready to propel the Confluence forward. I am grateful for the unwavering support and collaboration of my colleagues, and I am eager to build upon our successes for another remarkable year."
"I am deeply honored and proud to have been entrusted by my fellow states to help lead the Confluence of States as Co-Chair,” said Nathan Reigner, Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation. “This role represents a powerful opportunity to tell the compelling story of our collective impact when we come together and speak with a unified voice. I am excited to collaborate with our members to enhance their effectiveness in their respective states, and to support our collective mission of helping America accomplish great things in the realm of outdoor recreation and beyond.”
As the Natural State, Arkansas boasts a vast array of natural resources, including mountains, rivers, forests, and parks that are perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), outdoor recreation generated $4.1 billion dollars in economic output, comprising 3.3% of Arkansas employees and 43,422 jobs.
In Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation generated $16.9 billion dollars in economic output, comprising 2.7% of Pennsylvania employees and more than 164,000 jobs according to the BEA. The mission of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation is to unite, grow, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy.
20 states are currently members of the Confluence of States, having committed to supporting the outdoor recreation economy on behalf of their respective governors. Since the formation of the Confluence of States in 2018, the Chair position of the organization has been held by the leaders in Arkansas, Colorado, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, and Michigan. Additional members include Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
Working alongside outdoor recreation industry leaders, the Confluence of States member states are guided by five pillars of outdoor economy success:
Conservation and Stewardship
Education and Workforce Training
Economic Development
Public Health and Wellness
Opportunity and Experience
"It has been a remarkable journey to serve as Co-Chair of the Confluence of States over the past two years," expressed Carolann Ouellette, Maine’s Director of Tourism, Film and Outdoor Recreation. "Collaborating with emerging members and strengthening our national partnerships has been a testament to our shared vision. Together, we've empowered leaders and fostered connections that ensure the Confluence remains a pioneering force in the outdoor recreation movement. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a dynamic and influential network."
For 2022, U.S. federal data showed that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for $1.1 trillion in gross economic output, supporting 5 million jobs.