2027 CONFERENCE
Save the Date! OWAA is Heading to the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Aug 23-25, 2027
About OWAA’s Annual Conference
Outdoor media and other professionals attend OWAA’s annual conference to connect, mingle and learn from more than 250 outdoor storytellers – and the brands that support their work. They will network with other professionals, hone communications skills, find mentors/mentees and discover more and better ways to sell their work or promote their brand.
Conference attendees meet with some of the best outdoor communicators in the country and absorb presentations on writing and editing, photography and videography, broadcast and digital media, the latest tech and newest tactics, and more. Delegates also join pre- and post-tours to get the latest story on (and shots of) outdoor adventures in the region, be it hiking, climbing, hunting or other outdoor pursuits.
And since we were founded in 1927, we’ll use this event to celebrate our 100th anniversary with the theme of “Breaking Trail for the Next 100 Years”. Plan to join us for this amazing milestone!
Stay tuned to this space to check in on:
- Registration dates
- Discounted hotel rates
- The draft agenda
- Speakers, as they’re confirmed
- Details on the annual Editor’s Panel
- Pre- and post-tour
- Spouse/partner tours
- Marketplace information
- Travel info, and more!
Click here to learn more about past OWAA conferences, including:
- Past agendas
- Speaker lists
- Testimonials
- Pre- and post-trips offered
- Breakdowns of attendees by type and more!
About Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge
OWAA is heading to the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge! This metro mountain destination combines outdoor adventure with the energy of a vibrant mountain city, while offering easy access to over 1,000 miles of trails.
The Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is made up of the City of Roanoke at its heart and surrounding communities within an hour-radius, including the City of Salem, Botetourt County, Franklin County, and Roanoke County. Roanoke is the largest city on the Appalachian Trail and the largest city on Virginia’s portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge has received numerous accolades in recent years:
- Best Urban Kayaking Spot in North America – USA TODAY10Best
- America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2026 – CNN
- Virginia’s Best Mountain Towns – Travel + Leisure
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will be our “home base” for the conference. Located in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, this historic property has been hosting guests in the region for over a century, and is only a 20-minute drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, trailheads for bucket list hikes like McAfee Knob (one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail), and an in-river park (set to open in 2027).
Interested in hiking?
There are more than 700 miles of hiking trails in the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, including the Appalachian Trail, offering everything from easy strolls to challenging climbs. To take on some of the region’s best hiking, conquer the Triple Crown, consisting of McAfee Knob, Dragon’s Tooth, and Tinker Cliffs.
Interested in biking?
Between elite mountain biking trails, scenic roadways for road and gravel cycling, and an urban greenway system for casual riding, the region offers fun for any type of mountain biking and cycling enthusiast, ranging from easy to expert. No shortage of outfitters or guides here, either!
Interested in fishing or paddling?
You’ll find exceptional opportunities at spots like the Upper James River Water Trail, Roanoke River Blueway, and Smith Mountain Lake. No boat? No problem. There’s no shortage of outfitters and guides in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Interested in camping, conservation, wildlife photography, hunting, or climbing?
Experience all of it and more in the Roanoke Region of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Keep an eye out for local pre- and post-tours.
Virginia is for outdoor lovers of all kinds—offering over 25 beaches, 5 certified International Dark Sky Parks, a number of caverns, and more than 1.6 million acres of George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. So be sure to keep an eye out for multi-day pre- and post-tours around the state.
About the Hotel Roanoke
Built in 1882, the Tudor-style Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a member of the International Association of Conference Centers. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is located in the Gainsboro neighborhood of Roanoke, Virginia.
It features 329 guestrooms and a 63,000- square-foot, high-tech conference center. It is a joint project of Hotel Roanoke LLC, the City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech. In the beginning, Roanoke was a little town named Big Lick when enterprising railroad magnate Frederick J. Kimball chose it as the site of a railroad juncture and a major city. After Kimball combined two of his railroads into the Norfolk and Western Railroad, he built his vision of a comprehensive community with the Hotel Roanoke as its grand centerpiece.