schedule

7th Annual Outdoor economy conference core schedule

The detailed 2027 Outdoor Economy Conference agenda is forthcoming, but this big-picture-view of the 2027 conference schedule will make your planning a little easier.

If you have any questions about the event schedule, contact our team at staff@outdooreconomy.org.

2025 Conference Tracks: "Investing in the ecosystem"

People

Communities

Businesses

The Natural World

All tracks and sessions are all organized around the greater conference theme of Investing in the Ecosystem. Woven throughout these core Program Tracks are common threads, including:

Community Engagement · Long-Term Planning & Adaptability · Funding · Public Access ·Workforce Development · Leadership · Participation Growth & Retention · Policy · Data & Emerging Trends

Time

events

speakers

Expo Booth Staff registration & packet pickup
Workshops & summit attendees registration & packet pick up

N/A

Workshops, summit & field visit attendees registration and packet pick up

N/A

workshops & EXCURSIONS

TBA

Attendee Conference + Reception Registration Open | Expo Hall Open

TBA

2027 Outdoor Economy Conference Opening Address + Networking Reception"

N/A

Breakout Session 1 (4 sessions, one for each Track)

  • Responsible Product Innovation: Retail Consumer Trends – What’s Driving Innovation?
 
  • Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Tourism: Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Tourism Models & Case Studies
 
  • Outdoor Driven Economic Development – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable “Rural Development Toolkit”
 
  • Balancing Conservation and the Outdoor Economy – Business Driven Conservation Projects

Networking lunch

N/A

WNC Made By Mountains Excursions & Self Guided Experience

TBA

Leave No Trace Workshop

TBA

Advocating for the Outdoor Industry at the State & Federal Level

TBA

Expo Happy Hour

N/A

After-Hours Bowling + Arcade Party

Time

events

SPEAKERS

Expo Hall Breakfast;
Registration Opens

For those checking in on Tuesday morning:

Registration is in front of the Expo Hall on the first floor of the Cherokee Convention Center. Check in to get your conference pass, and ask our staff any questions.

Important reminder: we will not transfer any tickets after September 15th, and we will not re-assign conference badges on site.

Please make sure that all attendees, sponsors and exhibitor booth staff have their tickets secured under their correct name before the Conference begins.

N/A

Tuesday Morning Keynotes + Breakout Sessions

N/A

Networking Lunch in the Expo Hall

N/A

Afternoon Breakouts, Workshops + Excursions

TBA

Happy Hour Networking in the Expo Hall

TBA

Dinner On Your Own;
VIP/Sponsor/Speaker Reception

TBA

Tuesday Night Attendee Networking Party

TBA

Time

events

speakers

Expo Hall Breakfast;
Registration Opens

N/A

Wednesday Morning Keynotes + Breakout Sessions

N/A

Networking Lunch in the Expo Hall

TBA

Afternoon Breakouts

TBA

Closing Ceremony in the Expo Hall

N/A

Expo Hall Exhibitor Booth Break Down Begins

N/A

outdoor cocktail hour +
food trucks

N/A

Pre-Film Festival
Dessert Bar

Film Festival

Post-Film Fest Mingle, snacks, drinks

Advocating for the Outdoor Industry at the State & Federal Level

TBA

Expo Happy Hour

N/A

evening Activities & Delegate Dinners

N/A

Monday, September 18

Tuesday, September 19

Wednesday, September 20

Thursday, September 21

venue and rooming info

harrah's cherokee conference center

777 Casino Dr. Cherokee, NC 28719

Lodging info