Executive Track
September 28, 2026 @ 9:03 am - August 29, 2027 @ 4:00 pm
$199.00 – $1,899.00
Executive Tickets are for…
– Executive leaders of product companies or retailers
– Executives of non profit, please purchase an Industry Ticket
– Executives of agencies or other service provider, purchase a Service Provider Ticket
All Inclusive Tickets Include
– Nights of 9/28 & 9/29 at Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville
– All meals and receptions ($400+ value)
– Excursions
– Airport shuttles
– The best education for CEOs in the outdoor industry
Schedule for The Executive Track
Monday, September 28
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration
12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Education Speed Date
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Opening Night Reception at Sierra Nevada Mills Campus
Tuesday, September 29
8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Opening Keynote
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
A Lesson in Valuations and Other Founder Advice
Scott Holley (sold Eddyline Kayaks to Jackson Kayak now director at Lassonde Entrepreneurial Institute)
Ryan Hayter (sold Hayter Life to Williams-Helde now founder of Hayter Life)
Stephen Regenold (sold Gear Junkie to AllGear now founder of Regenold.co)
Moderated by Eoin Comerford (sold Moosejaw to Walmart now founder of Outdoor Unfiltered)
Scott Holley (sold Eddyline Kayaks to Jackson Kayak now director at Lassonde Entrepreneurial Institute)
Ryan Hayter (sold Hayter Life to Williams-Helde now founder of Hayter Life)
Stephen Regenold (sold Gear Junkie to AllGear now founder of Regenold.co)
Moderated by Eoin Comerford (sold Moosejaw to Walmart now founder of Outdoor Unfiltered)
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
3 Policy Issues Keeping Executives Up at Night: Public Lands, PFAS, and Public Lands
Travis Campbell (Eagle Creek)
Aaron Ambuske (HEST)
Heidi Allen (Nikwax)
Moderated by Carly Fox (The Conservation Alliance)
Travis Campbell (Eagle Creek)
Aaron Ambuske (HEST)
Heidi Allen (Nikwax)
Moderated by Carly Fox (The Conservation Alliance)
12:00 PM – 12:50 PM
Lunch Keynote: Circana Industry Trends
Matt Tucker (Circana)
Matt Tucker (Circana)
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM
Issue Processing Workshop
Moderated by Deanne Buck (BRANWYN)
Andrew Gibbs Dabney (LIVSN)
Moderated by Deanne Buck (BRANWYN)
Andrew Gibbs Dabney (LIVSN)
2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Excursions
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Night 2 Reception at Crown Plaza Resort
Wednesday, September 30
7:00 AM – 7:40 AM
CEO Morning Coffee
8:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Ask Me Tell Me Group Activity
Get answers to your toughest questions from peers who’ve already solved them.
Get answers to your toughest questions from peers who’ve already solved them.
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
State of the Industry & A Look Ahead
Gabe Maier (Grassroots Outdoor Alliance)
Matt Tucker (Circana)
Claus Moberg (Gaia, Trailforks, Map My Fitness)
Gabe Maier (Grassroots Outdoor Alliance)
Matt Tucker (Circana)
Claus Moberg (Gaia, Trailforks, Map My Fitness)
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
State of M&A and Fundraising in the Outdoor Industry
Matt Elberts (Baird)
Matt Elberts (Baird)
12:00 PM – 12:50 PM
What the 2026 Midterms Mean for the Outdoor Industry
Charles Cooper (Brumidi Group)
Charles Cooper (Brumidi Group)
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Outdoor Media Awards
2:30 PM
Conference Over
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Yappy Hour Dog Social (+ Adoptions!) with Wilderdog
2026 Speakers
Deanne Buck, CEO, BRANWYN — Experienced executive with a track record in outdoor-industry turnarounds and transformational growth. Previously led the PNW’s largest VC conference.
Gabe Maier, President, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance — Catalyst for independent specialty retailers and vendors through education, events, and collaboration.
Eoin Comerford, Former CEO of Moosejaw, Outsize Consulting — Advising outdoor industry brands on growth strategies and writing a column on outdoor business.
Aaron Ambuske, Founder & CEO, HEST — Developing premium portable mattresses and sleep systems that bring residential comfort to the outdoors.
Jennifer Krupey, Vice President of Marketing, HydraPak — Overseeing global brand strategy, product marketing, and growth initiatives across run, outdoor, and cycling.
Matt Tucker, Executive Director & Industry Analyst, Circana’s Sports Equipment — Delivering data-driven insights and strategies that help outdoor and sporting goods brands drive growth.
Alex Hemmerlein, Ventures Associate at Plug and Play – Driven over $175M in follow-on funding and facilitated 32 startup-brand partnerships with Fortune 500 brands like Gatorade, New Balance, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Stephen Regenold, Journalist and entrepreneur; founder of GearJunkie.com; 50+ NYT outdoor adventure articles.
