The 6th Annual Outdoor Economy Conference (OEC), will be an in person multi-day event held in Cherokee, NC on October 21st – 24th, 2024. The convening brings together and builds intentional connections amongst stakeholders from across the outdoor economy; catalyzes meaningful action and sparks collaborations; and showcases WNC as the leading region for outdoor industry on the East Coast.
The Conference includes a 16,000sf Expo Hall, sharing a larger ~34,000sf room with our Main Stage and gathering area where meals are served; Conference Sponsors receive Expo Booth spaces as part of their sponsorship packages, and we also offer standalone Exhibitor Registration as well.
These are the folks who will get the most out of volunteering:
If you would like to be a conference volunteer but do not feel that you fit into one of the above categories, or have any questions, please contact our team at [email protected]
Set/Strike
These volunteers will assist with the set-up and tear-down of various spaces used during the conference such as furniture and materials in the Expo Hall, the Registration Desk, and directional signage around the Convention Center.
> Shifts will be Sunday, 10/20 and Thursday, 10/24.
> Volunteers will receive partial to full conference registration depending on number of hours worked. (4-5h for a day pass, 8-10 for a full conference pass.)
Registration Check-In & Guest Services
These volunteers will assist attendees in checking-in to the conference, getting oriented to the space and schedule, and supporting other requests and questions attendees may have.
> Shifts will be Monday, 10/21 through Wednesday, 10/23.
> Volunteers will receive partial to full conference registration depending on number of hours worked. (4-5h for a day pass, 8-10 for a full conference pass.)
Content Capturer
This role is open to current graduate students seeking to immerse themselves more in the content and support the organization in compiling White Papers one each conference track. This person will provide clean notes and capture salient speaker quotes for a complete track’s set of breakout sessions. On Thursday morning, these students will facilitate a Harvest Session for the track in which attendees will have an open, roundtable discussion about learnings and next steps within that track. They will then write and Executive Summary of the track’s contents including the topics discussed in the Harvest Session. These Executive Summaries will be available to attendees and shared broadly with partners and other regional agencies, as relevant.
> Maximum people in this role: 4. Shifts will be Tuesday, 10/22 – the morning of Thursday, 10/24 and Content Capturers must be available for ALL days and session in that track. NOTE: Faculty reference required.
> Volunteers will receive a full conference registration as well as three nights of lodging on-site, Monday – Wednesday.
Session Attendant
These volunteers ensure the run of show is followed in the breakout room, coordinates and provides timekeeping support to speakers, attends to speaker or participant needs during session, ensures A/V is operating correctly and returned after use for next session, maintains contact with hotel staff about room cleanliness, ensures stage and A/V is set correctly in advance of each session. There will be one Session Attendant per conference track and Attendant will be present for all Breakout Sessions under that track.
> Maximum people in this role: 4. Shifts will be Tuesday, 10/22 & Wednesday, 10/23 and Session Attendants must be available for BOTH days.
> Volunteers will receive a full conference registration.
Usher + Exhibitor Support
These volunteers ensure the expo hall is well maintained as well as supports exhibitor needs and questions during the expo. They will be present in and roam the Expo Hall ensuring cleanliness, noise levels, demonstrations are following event guidelines. In addition, these volunteers ensure attendees are directed to sessions and excursions, as needed. Monitor noise in Expo Hall during plenary sessions and communicate to attendees/exhibitors who need reminders of noise.
> Shifts will be Tuesday, 10/22 and Wednesday, 10/23.
> Volunteers will receive partial to full conference registration depending on number of hours worked. (4-5h for a day pass, 8-10 for a full conference pass.)
Workshop Attendant
These volunteers ensure the run of show is followed in the workshop room, coordinates and provides timekeeping support to speakers, attends to speaker or participant needs during session, ensures A/V is operating correctly and returned after use for the next session, maintain contact with hotel staff about room cleanliness, ensures stage and A/V is set correctly in advance of each session
> Shifts will be Monday, 10/21 and Tuesday, 10/22.
> Volunteers will receive partial to full conference registration depending on number of hours worked. (4-5h for a day pass, 8-10 for a full conference pass.
General Event Support
These volunteers will function as “floaters” and maintain availability during their shifts to address any need or run errands on behalf of any staff or manager related to the successful execution of any event function or part. In addition, they will monitor food and beverage service areas to ensure guest needs are being met, liaise with hotel staff to ensure smooth presentation and clearing of food follows run of show and needs of event. They will also provide waste reduction support by moving leftover packaged foods into the greenroom or other spaces, where appropriate. They will also ensure food/bev set-up in green room is in good order.
> Shifts will be Monday, 10/21 through Wednesday, 10/23.
> Volunteers will receive partial to full conference registration depending on number of hours worked. (4-5h for a day pass, 8-10 for a full conference pass.)
Photography and/or Video Capture
These volunteers will provide gratis photography, video, and editing services to the conference and will be given specific shot lists for certain event parts, depending on availability.
> Shifts will be Monday, 10/21 through Wednesday, 10/23.
> Volunteers will receive partial to full conference registration depending on number of hours worked. (4-5h for a day pass, 8-10 for a full conference pass.)+
All Volunteer Applications must be received no later than September 20, 2024.
The Selection Committee will select volunteers and provide notification on a rolling basis, with final decisions/communications provided by no later than October 1st, 2024. Volunteer assignments will be determined on a rolling basis and finalized by October 11th, 2024.
Spaces are limited and volunteers will receive partial or full conference passes depending on their time committment.
Working Together to Ensure a Vibrant Future for the Outdoor Economy and Our Outdoor Communities.
