Upcoming Events
August 2025
Outdoor Writers Association of America Annual Conference
August 19 – 21, 2025 | Chattanooga, Tennessee
Outdoor media and other professionals will attend the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s annual conference to connect, mingle and learn from more than 250 outdoor storytellers – and the brands that support their work. They will network with other professionals, hone communications skills, find a mentor/mentee and discover more and better ways to sell their work or promote their brand.
September 2025
North Carolina Outdoor Economy Conference
September 15-18, 2025 | Cherokee, North Carolina
The Outdoor Economy Conference brings together thought leaders, industry experts, and enthusiasts from across the nation to explore, learn, and collaborate on fostering a sustainable and thriving outdoor economy. As the nation’s largest outdoor recreation-focused economic development gathering, the Outdoor Economy Conference aims to provide a holistic understanding of the intricate relationship between outdoor recreation, community health, and economic vitality.
New Mexico Outdoor Economics Conference
September 17 – 19, 2025 | Road Church Rock, New Mexico
This conference will highlight successful community economic development efforts within and outside of New Mexico that are connected to protected lands and focus on the development of governmental policies and local entrepreneurship connected to these opportunities. The conference will actively involve the attendance of leaders across the state and elsewhere interested in developing and enhancing opportunities to grow our outdoor recreation economy.
Michigan Outdoor sUMMIT
September 30-October 1, 2025 | Traverse City, Michigan
Michigan Outdoor Summit is a gathering for all sectors of the outdoor economy in Michigan to connect, learn, grow, and build together with a vision for the future, health, and vitality of Michigan’s outdoors.
October 2025
Colorado Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit
October 1-3, 2025 | Estes Park, Colorado
This is a free three day conference that brings together professionals across Colorado's entire outdoor industry to learn, connect, and collaborate in an organic way, creating lasting relationships that unify and strengthen our collective industry.
KORE Outdoors Summit
October 2-3, 2025 | East Kootenay, British Columbia
The KORE Outdoors Summit is Canada’s only conference dedicated to the outdoor rec-tech manufacturing and product design sector. It will be held October 2-3, 2025 at the Kimberley Alpine Resort’s Conference Centre in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. Anyone interested in outdoor rec-tech manufacturing and product design in BC, Alberta, Pacific Northwest and the U.S. Western States are invited to attend.
The Outdoor Recreation & Trail Summit
October 2-4, 2025 | Columbus, Georgia
The Georgia Outdoor Recreation & Trail Summit is the event for outdoor enthusiasts to learn, experience & advocate for the outdoors. Stellar mobile workshops, influential speakers & excellent networking make the Summit the place to be for those who care about connecting people to the outdoors.
American Sportfishing Association’s Sportsfishing Summit
October 7-10, 2025 | Key West, Georgia
The Sportfishing Summit is ASA’s premier gathering — where industry leaders come together to celebrate our shared passion, strengthen our community, and chart the course for the future of sportfishing.
Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit
October 14-15, 2025 | Orem, Utah
The Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit will take place October 14–15, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Utah County, offering a dramatic backdrop along the Wasatch Front. This year’s theme, Building Bridges: Explore. Connect. Sustain., focuses on strengthening connections between people, communities, and landscapes. The two-day event will feature hands-on workshops, keynotes, and panel discussions exploring how outdoor recreation can unite stakeholders, support local economies, and promote long-term stewardship of natural resources. The Summit brings together land managers, policymakers, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts to shape the future of outdoor recreation in Utah.
National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers Annual Conference and Business Meeting
October 14-17, 2025 | Girdwood, Alaska
Gathering for state recreation liaisons and is focused on administering and advocating for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) state assistance program.
Montana Outdoor Recreation Summit
October 21-23, 2025 | Billings, Montana
Co-hosted by the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research (ITRR), the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, and Outdoor Community Partners, the Summit will bring together leaders, innovators, and outdoor enthusiasts to collaborate, learn, and create partnerships that will shape the future of Montana’s outdoor recreation landscape.
Outdoor Media Summit
October 27-29, 2025 | Durango, Colorado
Outdoor Media Summit is where the brightest minds in outdoor media and marketing gather to share their secrets, forecast the future and—at the end of the day—make more money. If you are a marketer at an outdoor brand or an editor, freelancer, YouTuber, podcaster, or other creator, this is the conference for you.
TrailNation Summit
October 27-29, 2025 | Cleveland, Ohio
Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNation™ Summit is where the vision of trail networks at the center of healthy, thriving communities becomes reality. October 27 – 29 in Cleveland, participants will be immersed in a learning experience designed to gain the skills and build the necessary connections with professionals and advocates from different fields, geographies, and areas of expertise to accelerate the development of country’s 150+ trail networks.
Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit
October 28-30, 2025 | Baltimore City, Maryland
The Outdoor Rec Summit is an opportunity to connect with recreation enthusiasts, leaders, and business owners to network, collaborate, learn, and enjoy the outdoors together. Over a few days, attendees will bolster existing relationships and build new connections with partners from around the state.
November 2025
Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education’s Outdoor Professional Conference
November 4-8, 2025 | San Diego, California
The Outdoor Professional Conference (OPC) is the gathering for professionals from across the industry who facilitate participant-facing outdoor recreation. This event is designed for attendees to be empowered, get connected, and stay relevant.
Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit
November 6-8, 2025 | Pendleton, Oregon
The 2025 Summit will take place Thursday-Saturday, November 6-8, in Pendleton, Oregon and surrounding areas. The summit combines fun and high impact in-person networking opportunities with conference programming on the important issues of the day, educational content, trails stewardship work parties, and in-field tours and workshops.
7th Annual VOBA Outdoor Economy Summit and Membership Meeting
November 13, 2025 | Burke, Vermont
The outdoor industry’s signature gathering of the year with over 150 businesses, organizations, partners, and policymakers for networking, education, and business development. Speakers and workshops will put a spotlight on data, trends, practices, and initiatives that continue to drive Vermont’s $2.1 billion outdoor economy.
December 2025
America Outdoors Conference
December 9-12, 2025 | Salt Lake City, Utah
The America Outdoors Conference & Outfitter Expo is the national gathering for outfitters and outdoor recreation providers and their staff. This gathering is designed for owners and managers of organizations that deliver outdoor experiences.
January 2026
Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show
January 20-23, 2026 | Las Vegas, Nevada
The SHOT Show is the premier, business‑to‑business platform for firearms, hunting and outdoor trade—where industry professionals gather to exhibit, learn, and connect.
Maine Outdoor Economy Summit
January 21-23, 2026 | Portland, Maine
The Maine Outdoor Economy Summit is a forum for professional development, ideation, and discussions on essential topics impacting Maine’s outdoor industry in the areas of economic development, workforce, access, and equity.
May 2026
7th LGBTQ Outdoor Summit
May 2026 | Denver, Colorado
The event will bring together 250 attendees for two full days of panels, workshops, storytelling, and celebrations, with a focus on equity leading into the Outside Festival weekend. Day 1 will feature opening sessions, keynotes, panels, and a mixer, while Day 2 will include workshops, strategy labs, and a celebration. Day 3 will transition into the Outside Festival. Participants will include LGBTQ+ leaders, organizers, educators, brand representatives, policymakers, as well as allies and partners committed to advancing equity in the outdoors. Location and access details will be announced soon.
January 2027
Outdoor School Summit
January 2027 | TBD
The ANCA Outdoor School Summit brings together directors and management staff from overnight outdoor schools, residential environmental learning centers, and nature-based camps across North America. These organizations share the unique challenges of housing and feeding program participants for multiple days, and the Summit fosters a space to solve problems and build connections in this particular field. ANCA holds the Outdoor School Summit in person every two years.