OWAA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
For more than 90 years, OWAA has helped writers, photographers, bloggers and other outdoor storytellers hone their craft. With a membership of more than 600 outdoor media (and 100 supporting brands, destinations and other organizations), OWAA works to improve the professional skills and opportunities of our members and mentor the next generation of outdoor media. A key component of achieving these goals is our annual conference which educates, inspires, shares best practices and establishes meaningful B2B connections.
OWAA’s annual conferences have been held (with some exceptions) since 1928. They bring together hundreds of North American outdoor storytellers, including freelancers, editors, photographers, bloggers and others, as well as destinations, gear brands, and industry partners
2026 Conference – Madison, Wisconsin
For the 2026 OWAA Annual Conference, OWAA is heading to the midwestern outdoor mecca of Madison! Save the dates of August 22-24, 2026 (and leave room for some pre- and post-tours too) and plan to join us in Wisconsin.
This capital city is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering five lakes, 270 parks and 200+ miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, plus access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and stunning Driftless region. Madison is nationally recognized for its outdoor recreation and culture:
- Gold Rated for Walkability (Walk Friendly Communities)
- 1 of only 5 Platinum-Level Bike-Friendly Communities in the U.S. (League of American Bicyclists)
- #8 Greenest City in the U.S. (EcoCation, 2024)
We look forward to having you joins us in the Badger State!
2025 Conference – Chattanooga, Tennessee
The 2025 OWAA Annual Conference was held in Chattanooga, Tenn. at The Read House on Aug. 19-21, 2025.
Outdoor media and other professionals attended OWAA’s annual conference to connect, mingle and learn from more than 230 outdoor storytellers – and the brands that support their work. They networked with other professionals, honed communications skills, found mentors/mentees and discovered more and better ways to sell their work or promote their brand.
2024 Conference – El Paso, Texas
The 2024 OWAA Annual Conference was held in El Paso, TX at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel El Paso Downtown on Sept. 20-22, 2024. Attendees also enjoyed dinner events in the Samalayuca Dune Fields in Chihuahua and at a winery in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
More than 150 outdoor storytellers – and the brands that support their work – came together to enjoy pre- and post-tours, a new speed dating networking session, fabulous evening events (in three different states) and hospitalities, camaraderie, great speakers sharing timely information, and more
2024 Field Fest – Johnson City, Tennessee
OWAA’s inaugural Field Fest will be held in Johnson City, Tennessee from July 7-11, 2024.
Northeast Tennessee borders North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Central Appalachia. With 230 miles of internationally-known rivers and 288 miles of the Appalachian Trail, it’s the true outdoors with endless opportunities to explore and less time in traffic. Johnson City and the communities along the way make up a diverse region of outdoor recreation, music, history, and everything in between.
This event is a hybrid of a conference, marketplace, and regional familiarization tours. Be part of this historical event and immerse yourself in the heart of the Mountain South!
2023 Conference – Gulf Shores, Alabama
It was all about engagement. It was all about community. It was all about connections. And, in the end, it was all about furthering professional skills and business opportunities. Outdoor media and other professionals came to OWAA’s 2023 annual conference to connect, mingle and learn from more than 230 outdoor storytellers and the brands that support their work. They networked with other professionals, honed communications skills, found a mentor/mentee, and discovered more and better ways to sell their work – or promote their brand.
2022 Conference – Casper, Wyoming
2021 Conference – Jay Peak Resort, Vermont
OWAA’s 2021 conference at Jay Peak Resort in lovely northern Vermont was about ‘Seeking Stability.’ In the end, OWAA was overjoyed to welcome more than 150 attendeesl
2020 Conference – Virtual
After monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic situation for several weeks, and careful discussion and consideration of the short-term and long-term implications, the OWAA board decided that the best course of action was to postpone our traditional conference to 2021 and have a virtual event in 2020 (which took place June 26-27). Uncertainty over the future of travel in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact led us to conclude that proceeding with the conference would not be responsible.
OWAA’s 2020 virtual conference offered members and non-members alike an easily accessible chance to improve their skills, collect story ideas and reconnect with familiar faces – all within the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Future Conferences
OWAA staff and volunteers are diving into the proposals to host future years. If you know of an outdoor destination that would be interested in hosting the OWAA’s members in the future please direct them to our RFP page.