Event Registration - Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education

Inclusivity in the Outdoors Month

April 2025 will be Inclusivity in the Outdoors month, with three (3) stand alone workshops leading up to the Summit with topics ranging from Principles of DEI and disability and accessibility in outdoor recreation. 

Please use this registration for any of the following:

• (4.3) Webinar: Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors
• (4.10) Webinar: When “Woke” Isn’t Welcome: Embracing a Systems Approach to Justice Work
• (4.17) Webinar: The Declassified Field Guide to an Outdoors For All
• (4.24) Inclusive Summit - LIVE WORKSHOPS
• Inclusivity in the Outdoor Bundle (includes all of the above)
• Group Registration

2025 PRICING

GROUP REGISTRATION

Join us for an engaging and interactive roundtable discussion exploring effective marketing strategies for outdoor programs. This session will spotlight social media engagement and digital outreach, featuring expert insights from Em Dahlgren, University of Central Florida, Anaëlle Wagoner, James Madison University’s UREC, Miles Ramsay, 52Eighty Creative, and Adrienne Band Maxwell, AORE’s Social Media Coordinator and Senior Account Executive at The Hodges Partnership.

This roundtable format invites participants to share what has worked, what hasn’t, and to ask questions about their own marketing challenges. Whether you’re new to outdoor program promotion or looking to refine your digital presence, this collaborative session is designed to provide actionable strategies and foster creative exchange.

About the Experts:

Adrienne (Band) Maxwell, AORE and The Hodges Partnership

Adrienne (Band) Maxwell is a creative and digital strategist who leverages her expertise to help brands deliver the right message to the right people, driving brand visibility and audience engagement across various digital platforms. Since joining Team AORE in 2021, Adrienne has grown the association's social media presence, executed digital campaigns for the annual Inclusive Summit and Outdoor Professional Conference, and helped roll out a brand refresh. In addition to her role at AORE, Adrienne is a Senior Account Executive for The Hodges Partnership (a Richmond, Va.-based public relations agency) and Assistant Director for the Virginia Spirits Board Marketing Office.

Miles Ramsay, 52Eighty Creative

Miles has worked in media and marketing for more than 20 years. In his career, he's worked with small businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and more recently, large national and global brands. In his role as VP of Creative, he led a team whose client portfolio included Meta, AARP, as well as many notable nonprofit organizations. In 2022, he started 52Eighty Creative. Established as a branding and creative storytelling agency, 52Eighty has been recognized for their work including gold awards in the Telly Awards, Marcom Awards, and AVA Awards. Passionate about the outdoors, their client roster includes the Professional TrailBuilders Association and American Trails, amongst many others.

Em Dahlgren, University of Central Florida 

Em is a Florida resident, Maryland native, and enjoyer of poking around on any local park trails. While earning their degree in Human Communication, Em managed the marketing efforts for their Recreation and Wellness Center's Outdoor Adventure program. This, combined with their work as a Challenge Course Facilitator and Lake Attendant, threw them headfirst into their passion for the outdoors, especially when it comes to connecting people to nature. Em has also led presentations on effective feedback, networking strategies for young professionals, and experiential learning tools.

Anaëlle Wagoner, University Recreation at James Madison University

Anaëlle Wagoner is the Assistant Director for Communications and Engagement at James Madison University Recreation. She oversees the marketing student staff and promotional efforts for JMU UREC. Anaëlle received her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from James Madison University and worked as a marketing assistant for UREC during her time at JMU. Anaëlle continued her collegiate recreation career at Texas A&M University-Commerce where she served as the Graduate Assistant for Marketing and earned her Master of Science in Marketing. After graduating, Anaëlle worked at Utah State University as the Coordinator of Marketing for Campus Recreation.

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About the Series: Reaching New Heights: Reaching New Heights: Marketing, Community, and Risk Management

Managing risk is the backbone of any successful outdoor program, and it starts with the people who lead and support it—your staff. This workshop will focus on how to implement a healthy safety culture at your program to equip your leaders, instructors, and staff with the skills, knowledge, and support they need so that risk management is prioritized and understood by all.

In this workshop, we’ll cover:

• What safety culture is and how it impacts your organization’s risk management

• Steps you can take to develop and maintain a healthy safety culture at your program

• The importance of a supportive environment where staff can openly discuss safety issues without fear of judgment or reprisal

About the Presenter

Annie Linhart, Viristar

Annie Linhart (pronouns: she/her) is the Program Manager with Viristar. Annie has a proven track record of leadership in the outdoor industry, working in the experiential and adventure education industry. She attended Southern Illinois University for her B.S. in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management and obtained her M.S. in Outdoor Recreation at Indiana University. Some of Annie’s work experience includes instructing outdoor technical skills programs as well as experiential facilitation programs for collegiate outdoor programs, nonprofits, and instructing for Outward Bound California as well as the Colorado Outward Bound School. She most recently served as the Assistant Director for a nonprofit outdoor recreation and education center in Northern Michigan. Annie is an EMT, a wilderness medicine instructor, and has held a variety of certifications in the outdoor industry ranging from paddling to Leave No Trace. Annie currently resides in Traverse City, Michigan.

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About the Series: Reaching New Heights: Reaching New Heights: Marketing, Community, and Risk Management

Building strong, inclusive outdoor communities doesn’t have to start in the backcountry. From college campuses to local parks, there are countless opportunities to foster meaningful connections in non-traditional outdoor spaces. This session will explore innovative strategies for creating welcoming outdoor experiences that engage diverse participants, encourage long-term involvement, and strengthen social bonds.

Join Steve Sassaman (Arizona State University) and Courtney Schultz, PhD (Outgrown) as they share creative approaches to community-building, including programming ideas, partnership opportunities, and engagement tactics designed for urban and campus-based outdoor recreation. Whether you're looking to revamp your existing programs or start fresh, this session will provide inspiration and practical tools to help you cultivate connection in the outdoors—wherever that may be.
 

About the Presenters

Steve Sassaman

Dr. Steve Sassaman (he/they/ki) is an experiential educator and researcher whose work is centered on enhancing community interdependence through healthy engagement with nature. Steve has over 15 years of experience in outdoor education, including residential summer camp management, professional guiding, and collegiate recreation program development. Steve’s research agenda includes identifying best practices to achieve positive mental health outcomes through engagement with the more-than-human and examining how socialized gender norms influence social and environmental injustice. What drives Steve is guiding individuals to realize their unique talents, skills, and abilities while helping to reconnect humans to our sense of being a part of, rather than estranged from, nature.

Courtney Schultz, PhD

Dr. Courtney Schultz is the Executive Partner at OutGrown, a national nonprofit that for more than a decade has been dedicated to bridging the Baby Nature Gap by helping families with children aged 0–5 connect with nature. With extensive experience leading projects for local, state, and federal agencies, Dr. Schultz specializes in designing behavioral research that improves health outcomes through parks, natural landscapes, and outdoor recreation. Her work emphasizes inclusive design practices and systems thinking to enhance visitor experiences, focusing on underserved communities and ensuring that conservation and recreation support public health goals. Dr. Schultz is also the Executive Director of Health & Technology Partners, a social science research consultancy, and Adjunct Faculty for the University of Missouri. Dr. Schultz holds a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from NC State University, along with a BS and a MS in Parks and Recreation Management from the University of Missouri.

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About the Series: Reaching New Heights: Reaching New Heights: Marketing, Community, and Risk Management

Data on outdoor “is painting a picture of a consumer base in transition,” according to Kelly Ann Davis, head of research for the Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Foundation. Join Kelly and Brad Garmon, Senior Strategic Advisor & Executive Director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, to talk about the changing demographics in the outdoor space, including the changing face of “core outdoor” enthusiasts, the rise of the “casual” consumer, and opportunities to connect more people to outdoor careers and create experiences that offer mental and physical health to a broader cross section of the recreating public.

About the Presenters

Brad Garmon

Brad Garmon is the Senior Strategic Advisor & Executive Director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, a position he’s held since the Office was announced in September 2019. He served as chair of the national organization of state outdoor recreating office directors -- the Confluence of States -- in 2022 and currently facilitates the organization’s data working group. Prior to this post, Garmon spent 18 years in a variety of conservation and environmental policy positions, focused on stewardship of the Great Lakes, sand dunes and forests of the state and building stronger connections between outdoor recreation, economic development and natural resource management. He has held appointed positions on the Michigan State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Blue Ribbon Panel and the Pigeon River Country Advisory Council and served on the Michigan State Parks Advisory Council’s Finance Subcommittee, Michigan’s Sense of Place Council, and the boards of the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, Michigan Mountain Biking Association, and the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance. Garmon is a trail runner, camper, mountain biker, and aspiring fly fisherman, as well as husband and proud father of two outdoorsy kids.

Kellyann Davis

Kellyann Davis has extensive experience in research and analysis across various industries. Kellyann currently serves as the Director of Research at the Outdoor Industry Association. Before that, they worked as the Cross Country Ski Areas Association Research Director. In addition, Kellyann held the position of Senior Director of Research at the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Limited, where they focused on general aviation research and data collection. Kellyann also has experience in the snow sports industry, having worked as the Director of Research at SnowSports Industries America and as a Snow Reporter at Liberty Mountain Resort. Earlier in their career, Kellyann founded and served as the President of BlackSand Research, specializing in social media trends analysis and business intelligence consulting. Kellyann also worked as a Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and as the Director of Research at WarRoom Research.

Kellyann Davis has a strong educational background in the field of political science and policy analysis. Kellyann received their Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a specialization in Quantitative Analysis from the University of Arizona in 1990. Kellyann further pursued their academic interests and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Policy and Empirical Methods from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1993.

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About the Series: Reaching New Heights: Reaching New Heights: Marketing, Community, and Risk Management