2022 CONFERENCE
175 media and other outdoor pros convened in
Casper, Wyoming at the Ramkota Hotel, May 21-23, 2022
Overview
Some of America’s best in outdoor communication attended seminars on writing, photography, broadcasting, book publishing, technology and more. National spokespeople and local experts provided the facts and the quotes needed by media during newsmaker sessions, panels and presentations. Breakout Day provided opportunities for hands-on learning while attending media took advantage of pre- and post-conference trips to experience world-classing fishing or mountain biking, hiking, paddling and more. Attendees used these trips to generate story material and build stock photo files. They also explored the downtown, craft breweries and local restaurants, nature centers and walking and biking trails to experience the local flavor of Casper.
The Stats
175 total attendees
- 84 Individual media members
- 29 Not-Yet Members (includes several more media)
- 34 Supporting Groups
- 12 Guests
- 10 Keynote speakers
- 6 staff
Most popular events, in order:
- Welcome Dinner with CJ Box, sponsored by Visit Casper
- Meet the Editors, sponsored by Roadpass Pro
- Excellence in Craft (EIC) Awards Dinner, sponsored by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
- Honorary Awards Banquet, sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management
42 brands, organizations and agencies sponsored the event and/or exhibited, including these major sponsors:
For outdoor media, brands, destinations, service providers, conservation organizations and other outdoor professionals, OWAA’s conference is an event not to be missed!
And if you’re with a brand, destination, industry supplier and interested in sponsorship of our next event, check out our sponsorship deck here.
Visit Casper
Casper is home to unmatched opportunities to get outside and enjoy the best of Wyoming’s wide-open spaces. Found in the heart of Wyoming, nestled into the North Platte River Valley, Casper is within 20 minutes of some of the region’s best sightseeing, blue-ribbon fishing, trails for hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and more. Nearly 100 miles of multi-use trails crisscross through downtown Casper, up to the top of Casper Mountain, west to Alcova Lake and Fremont Canyon, and right up to the North Platte River banks. In any area around Casper there is a good chance of crossing paths with wildlife. Edness K. Wilkins State Park is home to many rare bird species, Casper Mountain and Muddy Mountain claim to be home to mountain lions, and all over Casper hill sides are antelope, deer, and migratory birds, and the North Platte River is teeming with trout species worth your time and effort. No matter what you do outside in Casper, you’ll be immersed in Wyoming’s fresh air and stunning landscapes, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience.
Praise for the 2021 Conference
"While I have long interacted with some of your members, this was my first time to interact with the organization, and I was impressed with both the diversity of your membership and the passion and commitment for a sustainable future for nature and people."
Doug Ladd
Former director of conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Missouri
"I loved the conference. I made so many valuable connections and new friends. The keynotes were excellent."
Greg Schwipps
Professor of English at DePauw University
"I had such fun at the OWAA conference! What a sharp, friendly group of people."
Tamara Dean
Author
"The panels and seminars were excellent across the board, but what really made the conference special was the people. From the moment I arrived at the Jay Peak Resort until I stepped off the shuttle at the airport in Burlington, I was made to feel more welcome by fellow attendees than any conference I have attended, including ones with my own professional colleagues. I ended up leaving with some new colleagues and friends and I would love to attend again."
David Yamane
Professor of Sociology at Wake Forest University
"It was truly a fantastic opportunity--in an intimate and friendly setting--to make new and strengthened connections with so many great professional movers and shakers in the communications and journalism field."
Amy Kapp
Editorial Director/Editor-in-Chief, Rails to Trails