Outdoor Economy Experts from Around the Country (and across WNC)
Our Speakers
Meryl Harrell
Executive Director | Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards
Dwayne Patterson
Director, NC Division of Parks and Recreation
J.D. Lee
Superintendent | Blue Ridge Parkway
Latria Graham
Journalist (Freelancer)
Amelia Arvesen
Assistant Editor, SNEWS
Leslie Cunningham, PHR
Chief Strategy Officer | The Mann Group
Michiko Martin
Director, Recreation, Heritage & Volunteer Resources, USDA Forest Service
Yoon Kim
Founder, Outdoor Media Summit & Blogs for Brands
Danielle Williams
Founder, Diversify Outdoors & Senior Editor, Melanin Base Camp
Kyle Mundt
Vice President of New Product Development, SylvanSport | Vice Chair, Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC
Cory McCall
Co-Owner, Outdoor 76, Rock House Lodge, and Brown Dog Tees
Judy Gross
Owner, LightHeart Gear
Leigh Anne Hilbert
Network Coordinator, Carolina Textile District; Director of Design & Development, Sew Co
Pete Eshelman
Director, Roanoke Outside Foundation; Director of Outdoor Branding, Roanoke Regional Partnership
Tom Sauret
Executive Director, SORBA; Southeast Regional Director, IMBA
Hayley Wells
Chair, Outdoor Sports and Recreation Practice Group, Ward & Smith P.A.
Andy Williamson
Principal, Active Strategies
Peter Metcalf
Founder and CEO Emeritus, Black Diamond Equipment Company
Lauren Rash
COO, Diamond Brand Gear
Rob Vessels
Senior Campaign Representative, Military Outdoors Program at the Sierra Club
Drew Simmons
Pale Morning Media | Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance
Sarah Shrader
Owner and Co-Founder, Bonsai Design