Outdoor Media Summit is where media/brands/PR agencies in outdoor gather to share secrets, forecast the future and connect deeper. In layman’s terms, OMS is a two and a half day leadership conference with a product exposition and demo component. See below under “Why should I attend” to expand on this.

OMS is in its 8th year and this year’s conference will take place October 14-16 in Missoula, Montana.

We’re expecting a split of roughly of 50/40/10 media/brands/PR Agencies.

On the Media side, we see traditional media like editors and freelancers but also creators like podcasters, YouTubers, TikTokers, IGers, etc. Click Previous Attendees for a full list of previous media publications who have attended.

On the Brand side, we usually see marketing professional at outdoor brands.

Every year, a handful of PR agencies attend. We often have a DMO and a non-profit or two. However, historically, the bulk of the attendance has been media and brands.

This year we will cap the show off at 200. We’ve capped the show every year and have sold out every year (sometimes months before the event). We’d love to grow the show, but not at the expense of quality. And selling out early is one way we make sure we have enough time to prepare!

We will sell out again in 2024, so get in early before we sell out!

Outdoor Media Summit is where top outdoor brands and media gather to share secrets, forecast the future and connect deeper. This is unique to any other media gathering in the outdoor industry.

Share Secrets
Each year, the brightest minds in outdoor media and marketing share what’s working and what’s not in a no-BS format, How-To format. All speakers have to click “I agree” on the speaker agreement that says that they have to be willing to share secrets, not speak in high level terms and not turn their stage time into a sales pitch. Most of our speakers are from high profile outdoor brands and media. Very rarely do we put agencies or service providers on stage.

Forecast the Future
We forecast the future in two ways. During Keynotes, macro-economists, social scientists and policy wonks tell us where the outdoor economy is headed.

Then, during New Gear Speed Date and Scavenger Hunt, media get to preview the products that will be launching next year.

Connect Deeper
We believe business is best with trust and trust takes time and shared experiences. If you look at our videos and imagery, it’ll look like a bunch of grown adults playing in the woods. That’s how we’ve designed our Group Activities – to build the bond of trust in a short amount of time.

There are three formats of content at Outdoor Media Summit: keynotes, breakouts and group activities.

Keynotes
Keynotes focus on three things. 1.) Macro-economics of where the outdoor economy is headed (think inventories, supply chain, inflation, etc.). 1.) Changes in consumer behavior (demographic changes, spending by channels, changes in spending categories and 3.) Outdoor legislation (bills in congress or at the state level that have the potential to disrupt the outdoor industry).

Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions are at the strategic and tactical level for media and marketers. They are highly technical and most sessions are intermediate to advanced. We find that our audience is technically sophisticated and want deeper “how-to” content.

Group Activities
Group activities include the Opening Night Reception, Breakfast with Brands, Scavenger Hunt, Content Campfires and Outdoor Media Awards. These events are designed to facilitate meaningful discussions while getting outside and having fun. We break people into groups or pair people up, and MC/moderate the conversations to encourage partnerships and collaborations.

We are developing a fourth track that is dedicated to issues related to PR.

Our goal is to cover what is trending now and what we think will be mainstream in the next 12 months in media and marketing. We try to uncover everything that is trending in media and marketing.

As always, all our breakout sessions include one of these three components: a How-To, a list of tips or a list of tools. We encourage speakers to do screen shares (to show the audience where to click) and all speakers are required to click a checkbox in their speaker agreement that says that they are willing to “give up their secrets.”

We record each session and they will be available after the conference for ticket holders.

Bring your A GAME for sure. No pitches, plugs or promotions here. We want the real stuff – the secrets, tips and techniques that prove you’re the expert in your field. Show us your stuff here! Speaker Application

The conference will run from October 14-16, 2024

We encourage you to stick around and explore for a day or two! The Outdoor Media Summit Past Present and Future Attendees Facebook Group is a great place to organize something informal.

Outdoor Media Summit 2024 will be held at The Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula, October 14-16.

The Opening Reception and Scavenger Hunt have historically happened outside of the conference center. Stay tuned for more info on specific events.

This chaotic competition is one of the quickest ways to experience the parks in Missoula, Montana in the least amount of time possible. Attendees split up into teams and scatter throughout town, hitting stations where brands await your crew. You’ll collaborate with your newly formed teammates to accomplish their challenges for prizes while also creating content that you can potentially use for your brand/publication’s social handles.

That’s totally up to you. If the content makes sense for your audience, push it out there, if it doesn’t, don’t do something that’ll make you feel fake. That said, we’ll be hitting some beautiful locations in Boise, Idaho so likely you’ll find something that is worth creating content around!

Missoula Montana Airport

Yes. All-Inclusive Tickets include shuttles to and from the airport to the Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula.

Your rate will depend on whether you are a content creator, media, brand, PR agency etc. See ticket prices here

Absolutely, but you’ll miss out on some of the best parts of the show—namely the conversations that happen after hours. We’re offering below-market hotel rates, so you’re unlikely to find anything cheaper in town. At the end of the day it’s up to you!

If you purchase an All-Inclusive Ticket, you pretty much don’t have to pull out your wallet once you get to the airport. You may want to buy an extra drinks after happy hours, or dinner after the conference ends on Day 3. Other than that, the conference is rather all-inclusive

We’re not. The average cost per attendee in 2024 is $1070 per person (for six meals, two nights at a spectacular hotel, happy hours, shuttles, cost of speakers, event space, A/V rentals, programs, marketing materials, and hired hands). The event has not been profitable over the last four years, but we’re creating something special and unique, so it’s worthwhile.

We depend on both DMO’s and brand partners to make the event possible and we look forward to your partnership.

100% refund minus credit card fees by July 1, 2024 and no refunds after that.

If an emergency comes up, let us know as soon as you can.

Whatever you’re comfortable in, even hiking clothes! Most dress pretty casual.

Business cards, a laptop, pants — general conference stuff. One thing to note—this year we are striving towards Zero Waste so if you have a water bottle you’re attached to, this is the place to bring it!

Outdoor Media Awards nominations can be made on this link.

Yes.

Staff and OMS Steering Committee.

2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners and 2 Happy Hours are included.

We will have chef-prepared vegetarian and vegan options! If you have any other requirements, let us know and we will try our best to accommodate.