The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) announced its initial slate of speakers for the first ever Field Fest mini-conference. This event, which takes place July 7-11 at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City, Tennessee, is meant to complement the larger, annual OWAA conference. In particular, the Field Fest mini-conference is designed to specifically to assist OWAA members, supporting groups and other outdoor industry professionals with networking and education opportunities to promote professional growth.
Located deep in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounded by lakes, rivers and trail networks – and situated in close proximity to Cherokee National Forest – Johnson City offers abundant opportunities for a wide range of outdoor recreation activities, making it a perfect location for an OWAA meeting.
“The announced speakers will surely further enhance the craft of and inspire our visiting OWAA members,” said Alec Castro, director of sales and public relations, Visit Johnson City. “Takeaways from our curated keynotes and workshop instructors can be utilized immediately during Field Fest in Northeast Tennessee, post-FAM in Knoxville and all work moving forward. These individuals represent the nation’s premier outdoor communicators and were selected from the association membership and Johnson City area.”
Event speakers will include:
Opening Keynote – Gerry Seavo James – “The Declassified Field Guide to an Outdoors For All”
Gerry Seavo James is deputy campaign director for the Sierra Club’s Outdoors For All Campaign, for which where he works as part of a team focused on securing federal legislative and administrative opportunities that accelerate outdoor access and equity across the U.S.. He is also the founder of Outdoor Recreation Design Lab, a creative think tank home rooted in incubation of inclusive outdoor environments.
Maayan Gordon – “Build and Leverage Your Personal Brand to Unlock Massive Business Opportunities”
A four-times founder and entrepreneur for the past 13 years, Gordon has generated over $1 million in sales through social media and grown her online following to more than 2.3 million followers across Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. She currently works as a consultant and startup advisor, speaker, author and travel influencer.
Marvin Cash – “Artificial Intelligence and Your Creative Journey”
An avid, lifelong outdoorsman, Cash is the host and producer of the fly fishing podcast, The Articulate Fly. In its sixth year, the podcast has 800+ episodes. The Articulate Fly is Marvin’s laboratory for using digital tools to build the fly fishing community. Off the water, Marvin has spent the last thirty years as a lawyer, entrepreneur and businessman.
Howard Fox – “Everything You Need to Know to Be a Guest on a Podcast or Host Your Own”
An outdoor adventure podcaster, Fox hosts the Outdoor Adventure Series. His episodes celebrate individuals and families, entrepreneurs and organizations that seek out and promote the exploration, conservation, stewardship, access and enjoyment of the outdoors.
Closing Keynote – Connie Deegan – “Capturing Nature Connections”
Connie Deegan is the naturalist for Johnson City, where she specializes in herpetology, and in particular snakes. She conducts week-long seasonal nature camps and composes a weekly nature series, “Naturally Yours.” Deegan is responsible for park trail design and construction, signage, maps and maintenance.
The event is open to active OWAA members and their partners, OWAA Supporting Groups and others interested in learning more about the OWAA and the benefits of membership.
Early Bird registration for the Field Fest is now open but fees will increase by $50 on April 8th. The registration fee includes a $400 travel stipend (first 20 active media OWAA members who register), discounted room rate at the Carnegie Hotel, meals, ground transportation, core meeting activities and tours.
Local partners helping to bring Field Fest to life include Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Tri-Cities Airport, Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, Tour Carter County, Explore Bristol, Heart of Appalachia, Real. Wild. Unicoi County, Historic Jonesborough, Visit Kingsport, Visit Morristown, Discover Greeneville, and Visit Knoxville.
To register, click here.
