Schedule

  • Day 1 l Monday, Oct. 14


  • Day 2 l Tuesday, Oct. 15th


  • Day 3 l Wednesday, Oct. 16th


  • Check in and grab your badge and program!
    Where
    Entrance of the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown

  • New Gear Speed Date kicks off Outdoor Media Summit with gear journalists rotating through 24 outdoor brand booths, checking out the latest gear innovations. It's a fast-paced opportunity for journalists to get hands-on with new outdoor gear, giving them the scoop for upcoming articles and features.

    Current brands include: Osprey, Patagonia, COAST Products, Korkers, Scarpa, CamelBak, NEMO Equipment, SIMMS Fishing, Nikwax, ENO, OM System, Minus 33, Mountainsmith, Teren Designs, LIVSN, Camp Chef
    Where
    In the ABCD ballrooms in the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown

  • Dive deep into the world of affiliate marketing with Avantlink's intensive 4-hour workshop. This unique session combines expert presentations with personalized one-on-one guidance, tailored to elevate your brand's affiliate program.

    Whether you're new to Avantlink or looking to revitalize an existing program, Avantlink's technical experts will provide hands-on assistance to optimize your setup and strategy. Learn how to transform dormant programs into dynamic revenue streams through proven techniques and insider tips.

    Key focus areas include:
    - Technical setup, optimization and reporting training
    - One on one program management training from a strategic and tactical perspective
    - Share creative ideas that other brands have used to maximize ROI from affiliate partnerships

    Don't miss this unique opportunity to work directly with Avantlink's specialists. They'll be bringing their A Game with their best ideas to help take your affiliate marketing efforts to the next level. Space is limited, so secure your spot for this transformative workshop today!

  • Join us for Opening Night Reception at (a location that we can't wait to share), where we'll have dinner, drinks (both alcoholic and non), games, and a good time!
    Where
    An amazing Missoula location that we can

  • Join us for a dynamic breakfast session at the Outdoor Media Summit, where each table is hosted by a director representing different states. This unique format provides an opportunity to delve into state initiatives and learn insights from across the country.

  • 19 years ago, former Field & Stream editor, Sid Evans, entrusted a top 10-list style manifesto to Colin, in hopes that he would continue to grow the tradition of the magazine. Colin will share these secretive nuggets of wisdom to fellow media and marketing professionals at Outdoor Media Summit, while adapting some new rules that he's created to adjust to the ever-changing media landscape. While not actually editing tips, Evans' sage advice serves as a guide to any person who holds, or hopes to hold, the title, Editor in Chief.
    Where
    TBD

  • Get insight on the tried and tested playbooks for propelling your podcast to the coveted #1 spot. This session will cover essential strategies from some of the outdoor industry’s most notable podcast experts – the hosts behind the Backpacker Radio, Rock Fight, and Forever Chemicals podcasts – as they share insider tips on audience engagement, content creation, marketing tactics, and storytelling secrets to skyrocket your podcast’s performance. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, this session promises invaluable insights to help you achieve podcasting success.
    Content Monetization
    Where
    Ballroom B

  • Is SEO Dead? Well, no. But, according to our speakers, your business will be if it’s all you rely on. This session will delve into alternative strategies and tactics to diversify your traffic sources. Hear from Chase Fly of Outdoor Empire, Tim Romano of Flylab, and Kraig Becker of WILDSAM and RV.com who will share their secrets to sustainable growth that doesn’t rely on SEO strategy alone. Whether you’re an outdoor marketer, content creator, or editor or journalist, discover how to future-proof your traffic in an ever-changing digital landscape.
    Where
    Ballrom C

  • It’s no secret today’s media landscape is volatile, especially for freelancer journalists and editors. But what does to stand out and keep a stronghold on editorial opportunities in the outdoor industry today? Hear from seasoned freelancers Bethany Beathard, Amelia Arvesen, and Doug Paton on topics ranging from leveraging LinkedIn to build a personal brand to using Substack for personal storytelling and monetization to kindling fresh editorial relationships that will last. Attend this session if you’re curious about what’s top of mind for outdoor freelancers and walk away with tangible takeaways and tools to amplify your freelance presence, strengthen industry connections, and thrive in a competitive market.
    Where
    Ballroom A

  • Let's talk YouTube. In this session you'll learn about bite-size storytelling, thumbnail strategy, and audience growth from three unique YouTube creators – Ken Whiting of Heliconia, Kyle O'Grady of Kyle Hates Hiking) and Gordon Crum of Grim Granite. These experienced outdoor content creators will equip you with practical insights and techniques to elevate your YouTube strategy and maximize your digital presence.
    Where
    Ballroom B

  • Deciding where to allocate your marketing budget is no small feat. Our expert panel will take their knowledge and real-world successes to illustrate strategies that will maximize your ROI.

    Chloe Moen from icebreaker will share he work shifting ad spend to reach new audiences, while Katie Hughes from Big Agnes and Ryan Andrist from Sea to Summit will walk through tools that will help you stay on budget while keeping up with emerging marketing trends.
    Where
    Ballroom C

  • Julia Clark, Executive Director Business Development, Sports at Circana will share sales data for outdoor product categories for the fall and winter seasons. Learn about which product categories and brands are doing well, while also listening to their forecasts for the year ahead, and how you can leverage retail sales data to make informed decisions and drive revenue growth. Gain exclusive insight into the market, hear strategies for success from leading outdoor brands, and learn how you can adapt quickly to a changing outdoor market.

  • Spoiler: Athletes and content creators aren’t just influencers—they can be key players in the sales process too. Uncover how brands can creatively leverage athlete ambassadors and content creators to generate impactful stories that build authentic connections with customers – and ultimately drive sales. Hear from speakers representing KT Tape, Jetboil, and KAVU who will cover simple formulas for working with brand ambassadors, best practices for collaborating with athletes, and strategies for sourcing and repurposing content across social media.
    Where
    Ballroom A

  • Print isn’t dead, it’s evolving. Hear how niche publications may be the future of the medium and how today’s print magazines finding success in navigating the digital age. Editors from Paddling Magazine, Ori Magazine, and Adventure Journal will share their take on what it takes to run a print magazine in 2024 and share their predictions on how modern magazines are changing the way readers engage with media today – and in the future. This session will explore how print publications are expanding beyond familiar formats to capture attentive audiences, shift readers’ habits, and drive a resurgence in niche print markets. Attend this session to uncover the secrets of the trade – exploring how print magazines are thriving and attracting readers and advertisers with relationships that go beyond the paper.
    Content Amplification
    Where
    Ballroom B

  • Unlock the potential of AI for content creation in this in-depth breakout session on AI’s transformative capabilities for writing, podcasting, and graphic design. Hear from Sara McCarty, the founder behind Run Wild My Child, on legal hot topics for brands and creators when using AI followed by insights from Rick Saez, host of the Outdoor Biz Podcast, and Darryl Hunter, strategic brand and engagement lead of Black Folks Camp Too, who will dive into how AI can help save time, streamline workflows, and automate tasks. Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or designer, this session will provide actionable insights on harnessing AI’s power to stay ahead in today’s competitive digital landscape.
    Where
    Ballroom C

  • Dive into the world of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’ and their impact on outdoor brands and consumers. Discover what these chemicals are, why they’ve become a hot-button issue in the outdoor industry, and how they affect product performance and environmental concerns. Our speakers will explore the challenges and opportunities for marketing teams as they navigate consumer education about PFAS-free alternatives and caring for gear now that brands are making the shift due to government regulations and retailer policy. Learn strategies for effectively communicating product changes, addressing consumer concerns, and positioning your brand in an evolving marketplace.
    Where
    Ballroom B

  • What are editors looking for in freelancers today? Authenticity and expertise. Hear from editors at some of the biggest media titles in the outdoor industry. They’ll share their advice for how freelancers can break through the noise and build more authentic and intentional relationships with editors. From understanding the need to write in a voice that speaks to both expert and beginner audiences to writing eye-catching pitches that break through inboxes filled to the brim, this session will shed light on what it takes to make it as a freelancer today.
    Where
    Ballroom C

  • Vying to go viral? Hear from a panel of notable content creators who’ve mastered capturing viewers’ attention across their unique niches – from bird watching to Colorado adventures to disc golf. Social media masterminds Spencer McKee of OutThere Colorado, Alison Kondler of Birding by Ear, and Jesse Stedman of Trash Panda will dive into insights on what works (and what doesn’t) in stopping the scroll, content creation tactics that translate across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, and tips for designing eye-catching and click-worthy thumbnails that drive views.
    Where
    Ballroom A

  • What does community mean to you? For our panel of speakers from the Matador Network, Overland International, and beloved outdoor brand, Sawyer, their unique communities are a crucial piece to each of their brand’s success. Hear from these community marketing leaders who will reveal their strategies for fostering engaged and loyal communities that drive brand growth. You’ll get a peak under the hood of community-building methods – from online forums and creator networks to in-person meetups – that help create meaningful connections and turn customers into passionate brand advocates.
    Where
    Ballroom B

  • Lean into the art of compelling conservation storytelling. Hear from experts at leading podcasts, traditional media, and outdoor brands as they share how inspiring narratives can captivate audiences and lead to action. From learning how to differentiate your conservation story to leveraging government data to choosing relatable characters in your storytelling, this session will dive into strategies that maximize engagement, and ultimately, cultivate care for environmental causes and drive activism.
    Where
    Ballroom B