The 5th Annual Outdoor Economy Conference is set for Sept. 18-21, at the Cherokee Convention Center in Cherokee, N.C., to celebrate the outdoor recreation economy.
With a lineup of more than 70 speakers, thought-provoking workshops, immersive outdoor networking excursions, receptions and evening events, the conference is an opportunity to connect and learn with key stakeholders and peers from across the outdoor recreation economy.
The 2023 Outdoor Economy Conference theme, “Connecting the Ecosystem,” speaks to aligning a collective vision across disciplines and seeing and stewarding the outdoor economy as an interconnected system that thrives from the cross-pollination of communities and ideas, paving the way for a sustainable future.
Conference programming includes four core tracks
- Building Vibrant Outdoor Communities’
- Advancing Inclusive and Effective Coalitions
- Leveling Up Outdoor Businesses
- Envisioning Outdoors 2.0.
Common threads that weave throughout the four core tracks include:
- Equity
- Sustainability & Resiliency
- Funding
- Accessibility & Inclusivity
- Workforce
- Leadership
- User Retention & Growth
- Policy
- Data & Trends
Attendees can expect the return of the popular Expo space, the Trail Planning and Development Workshop hosted by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, facilitated networking opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, and outdoor excursions to become immersed in Western North Carolina.
The Outdoor Economy Conference is made possible by the support of many sponsors including the 2022 Presenting Sponsor, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, which will lead with opening remarks. Event partners include the MADE X MTNS Partnership, North Carolina Outdoor Industry Recreation Office, The Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC, and Mountain BizWorks.
For learn more, see the Speaker List and view the full Conference Agenda.
