The agenda for the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit was released on April 14, outlining plans for the two-day event to be held April 30 and May 1 at the Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga.
The summit is organized by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and the University of Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute. It aims to support collaboration, research, and workforce development in Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy. The theme for this year is “Building Capacity for Tomorrow,” focusing on sharing knowledge across generations, strategic planning, community support, and partnerships.
According to organizers, attendees will have access to sessions, panels, and networking opportunities designed for professionals working in outdoor recreation, tourism, hospitality, education, and public service. The agenda includes field trips around Saratoga—such as museum tours, a guided hike, and a visit to the National Fish Hatchery—which are free to conference participants who sign up through the event website. “Place-based field trips will help attendees connect with Saratoga and highlight the area’s hidden gems,” organizers say.
General sessions begin Thursday afternoon with keynote speaker Stacy Bare—National Geographic Adventurer of the Year—who will discuss how ensuring access to outdoor spaces benefits communities and businesses alike. Thursday also features a session about Wyoming’s outdoor recreation collaborative network followed by a happy hour sponsored by the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance.
Friday opens with a fireside chat between Domenic Bravo from the Wyoming Office of Tourism and Kalene Griffith from Visit Bentonville about how outdoor recreation intersects with tourism. Additional breakout sessions cover topics such as grant funding information and building collaborative partnerships. The day concludes with a presentation from University of Wyoming students studying outdoor recreation and tourism management.
Registration remains open until April 24; fees include participation in field trips as well as meals during both days. More details can be found on the WORS Summit webpage or Facebook event page.
