ADVANCE YOUR OUTDOOR CAREER
November 19 - November 22, 2024 | New Orleans, LA
About the Conference
The Outdoor Professional Conference (OPC) is the gathering for professionals from across the industry who facilitate participant-facing outdoor recreation. This event is designed for attendees to be empowered, get connected, and stay relevant.
Through workshops, education sessions, networking opportunities, and the exhibit hall, the OPC focuses on addressing the trends, issues and challenges within facilitated recreation and also allows for shared learning for those who lead others.
We are working to intentionally connect employers with potential employees, brands with decision makers, and attendees with fellow trailblazers. We invite seasoned professionals to share their insight and experience with emerging professionals as we all come together to advance the outdoor profession and professional.
The Outdoor Professional Conference strives to empower participant facing outdoor recreation and education providers and facilitators by:
expanding collaboration between the outdoor industry and outdoor recreation and education
offering high quality educational opportunities
building and strengthening professional skills and knowledge
broadening networking opportunities
educating on advocacy and public policy efforts within the industry
amplifying the value and impact of outdoor recreation
Interested in being a speaker?
Our proposal window is closed! We will be announcing speakers soon.
Registration Rates
Package | Early | Regular | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
Professional Member | $450 | $500 | $600 |
Professional Non-Member | $475 | $525 | $625 |
2nd & 3rd Person* | $425 | $500 | $575 |
4+ People* | $200 | $300 | $400 |
Supporter Member | $465 | $515 | $615 |
Military^ | $199 | $199 | $199 |
Student Professional Member** | $125 | $125 | $125 |
Student Supporter Member** | $140 | $140 | $140 |
Student Non-Member** | $150 | $150 | $150 |
Daily Registration | $200 | $250 | $299 |
Get the Best Rate for YOU
Register Early - be sure to lock in the lowest rate possible by registering no later than August 14th, before the rates increase
Group Registration - bringing 4+ people from your organization reduces the registration fee for all attendees from your group
Payment Plans - you can pay your registration fee over the course of a few months vs all at once; the earlier to start the payment plan the lower you have to pay each month
To set it up, register for the OPC like normal, then select ‘Pay by Check’, once this is done, complete this credit card authorization form for AORE to automatically process your payments each month as you designate
Justification Letter - use this letter to make a case to your boss on why you should attend the Outdoor Professional Conference
Fundraising - there may be more funding and resources out there than you think, consider 55 Ways to Raise $500.
*These packages allow multiple people from your organization access to the full conference which includes education sessions and the expo hall. To receive this multi-attendee discount, attendees from the same organization must register at the same time and pay with one credit card.
**Education & Expo Access Included (socials not included)
^To verify military status, please present a copy of your military ID when picking up your badge
Remove Financial Constraints to Grow the Industry
We can’t offer the conference for free, as that would be perpetuating the cycle of low cost, low value. We offer this conference as an opportunity for outdoor recreation professionals to grow their skill sets and know their worth in the industry. We know how important it is for outdoor professionals to have experiences like attending the OPC where they can use their voice to create change, inspire others, and continue to grow in the industry.
OPC is a valuable experience for all attendees who make the most out of their experience. We need your help to ensure that we can bring every facilitator who wants to be a part of the industry's growth and future. You can help by donating to our scholarship fund — this helps sponsor professionals trip to New Orleans to learn from industry experts and connect with fellow trailblazers. Attendees will find plenty of networking opportunities, job opportunities, workshops, and a robust exhibit hall.
Quick Information
Schedule at a Glance
Opening Plenary + Networking
Rooms 244/245
Education Sessions
Rooms 252-257
Social
Urban South
Education Sessions
Rooms 252-257
Exhibit Hall Opens
Exhibit Hall
AB Welcome Reception
TBA
Education Sessions
Rooms 252-257
AB Keynote
Ballroom B/C
Exhibit Hall Opens
Exhibit Hall
Closing Plenary
Ballroom B/C
About the Opening Plenary
Tuesday, November 19 | 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM CT
Forget the Ice, Build Bridges
Kick off AORE’s 2024 Outdoor Professional Conference with the engaging and participatory session, Forget the Ice, Build Bridges, led by Sasha Griffith, Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs at James Madison University (JMU) and Owner and Chief Experiential Officer for Ferelith Consulting, LLC. This session will set the stage for a great week of networking with your colleagues (both new and old). Not only will this experience be used to ensure a great week in New Orleans, you’ll also have a few takeaways to use back home in your programming right away.
About Sasha
Sasha Griffith is the Assistant Director for Adventure & TEAM Programs at James Madison University (JMU) and is the Owner and Chief Experiential Officer for Ferelith Consulting, LLC.
About the Closing Plenary
Thursday, November 21 | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CT
Higher Ground: Transformative Power and Impact of the Outdoor Recreation Industry
Luis Benitez will deliver the closing plenary session, inspiring attendees to recognize the transformative power of outdoor spaces. Highlighting the "Butterfly Effect," Luis will illustrate how outdoor educators can create lifelong positive impacts on those they instruct—our nation's future leaders, scientists, healthcare professionals, and voters.
About Luis
Luis Benitez is the emerging face of the outdoor industry’s political movement. He is a former international mountain guide who found his calling as an advocate. He currently serves as the Chief Impact Officer at Trust for Public Lands, a national nonprofit that is committed to making the outdoors accessible for all, for generations to come.
About the Social
Tuesday, November 19 | 6:00 - 8:00pm CT
Come savor the south with us and other OPC attendees at Urban South Brewery, which is walking distance from the convention center!
More details coming soon!
About Urban South
At Urban South, we’re combining the heritage of European beer-making with the brashness of new American styles. With deep roots in Louisiana, our award-winning brewery inspires community with excellent craft beers that are easy to drink and perfect for the Southern climate. We operate with fearlessness and integrity in an effort to brew the South’s most respected beer.
Our vision is to build an enduring company that embodies the values and traditions of the Urban South. We seek to be strong community partners and produce world-class beer.
JACOB LANDRY
Founder, President
"The sessions were really great! The content the presenters were speaking to was well thought out and current with trends many of us are facing. In addition, the conference rate this year made the conference more obtainable with university budget cuts!"
Pre- and Post-Conference Opportunities
We are excited to offer additional workshops with our valued partners. Additional registration required for pre- and post-conference workshops.
Date/Time: Nov 17 & 18 | 9 AM - 5 PM CT
Location: To be determined.
Fee: $125.00; Note: this course will not include overnight camping or meals.
Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Courses emphasize skills and techniques essential to Leave No Trace minimum impact outdoor ethics and education. This course is designed for individuals who will be teaching Leave No Trace Skills Courses and Workshops and providing general Leave No Trace outreach. Through classroom discussions, lectures, interactive activities, and a two-day outing, this course will cover the Leave No Trace 7 Principles, discuss outdoor ethics, and give participants tools and techniques for disseminating Leave No Trace skills to others.
Core Components of the Level 1 Instructor Course Curriculum:
- The role and function of a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor.
- The principles and ethics of Leave No Trace.
- Teaching skills and techniques and student learning styles.
- One teaching session led by each participant.
- Overview of the national Leave No Trace program.
- The role and function of the Leave No Trace organization.
TEACHING SESSION: Graduates of the Level 1 Course are equipped to teach others the Leave No Trace 7 Principles through Skills Courses and Workshops of any length. In order to better equip instructors to meet this expectation, each participant will teach one 5-10 minutes long lesson in the field during this course. This provides a hands-on learning experience and the chance to practice Leave No Trace teaching strategies in a supportive, educational environment. Teaching session topics will be assigned in advance, and information to assist with session preparation will be sent to participants.
COURSE COMPLETION: Upon completion of a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course, each participant will become a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor and receive a certification certificate. Completion of the course requires participation in all course activities and teaching exercises. Those who complete the Level 1 Instructor Course are equipped to:
- Facilitate Leave No Trace Skills Courses and Workshops.
- Understand, demonstrate, and teach Leave No Trace minimum impact techniques to others.
- Lead a discussion on outdoor ethics and help others explore their own outdoor ethic.
- Serve as a co-instructor for Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Courses with a qualified Level 2 Instructor.
Pre-Requisites: None
Contact: Jenny Hill | jhill@aore.org
Date/Time: Online; In Person: Nov 17 & 18 | 9 AM - 5 PM CT
Location: To be determined
Fee: $375.00
The Hybrid WRC format offers 8 hours of self-paced, online instruction followed by two consecutive days in the classroom. The online component is hosted on Canvas, allowing students to work at a personalized pace. The online material consists of reading assignments, case studies, videos, photos, animations, quizzes, and a midterm exam and is available approximately 1 month before the in-person classroom section.
During the classroom section, course participants integrate their knowledge via drills, skill stations, scenarios, simulations, and discussions with the same instructor team that supports them during the online component.
Registration for the Hybrid WRC includes both the online and classroom sections. In the event that an individual is unable to meet in-person, or a classroom section is canceled, course participants have the flexibility to transfer to another 2-day classroom section as long as it is within 1-year of completing the online component.
Pre-Requisites: Valid WFR completion card. Online-only WFR certifications are not accepted.
Contact: Jacob Rothrock | jacob@desertmountainmedicine.com
Date/Time: Monday, November 18th | 1-5 PM CT
Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Fee: $65.00
Join me for a few hours of fun with activities that help you accomplish a goal. First we will learn about setting a goal for the day then we will tailor make a program full of team building, communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution activities to get us to that goal. You will get a chance to participate in the activities as well as hear the thoughts of why and how to use that activity. We will define sequencing and its importance in building trust within a group. By the end you will have a full list of new activities to help you sequence a low and no prop program for the group of your choosing.
This workshop will be utilizing low prop/no props to accomplish this. (Low props is referring to less actual items or homemade items, No prop is referring to doing an activity without any items).
New trip leaders and facilitators are encouraged to attend to learn how to create and hopefully maintain good group dynamics. Seasoned trip leaders and facilitators are also encouraged to attend to learn new tips, tricks, and help to put a spin on things.
Pre-Requisites: None. Participants need to submit any limitations they may have to physically participate so that the instructor can be prepared with adaptations.
Contact: Sasha Griffith | ferelithconsulting@gmail.comDate/Time: Nov 6 - Dec 4, 2024 | 11 AM - 1230 PM ET
Location: Online
Fee: $649.00
Viristar's Risk Management for Outdoor Programs course provides a comprehensive training on safety management for outdoor and experiential professionals.
The course is 40 hours in length, over four weeks, and takes place online.The course is suitable for managers and those with administrative or other leadership responsibilities for experiential, outdoor, wilderness, adventure, or travel programs, or those who plan to be managers. No prior knowledge is required.
Course Components:
The course is composed of both self-study and video-conference sessions. These live calls include seminar-style discussions, participant presentations, question and answer periods, and learning activities held in large and small groups.
In between video-conference sessions are Independent Work Periods. During these times participants complete independent work including readings, video presentations, quizzes, discussion forums, video-based role-play simulations, assessments, and writing assignments such as a Risk Management Plan outline.
Course topics include:
- Laws
- Safety standards
- Human factors
- Equipment
- Transportation
- Insurance
- Safety audits
- Systems thinking
- and much more
Textbook:
The course includes lifetime access to an electronic, online-based copy of the course textbook Risk Management for Outdoor Programs: A Guide to Safety in Outdoor Education, Recreation and Adventure.
Certification:
Participants take short quizzes throughout the course and a final written exam. Individuals who fully participate in learning activities and successfully complete the final exam receive a certificate from Viristar valid for three years.
For more information, visit courses.viristar.com.
Pre-Requisites: High speed internet access (sufficient for Zoom calls), computer and headphones/microphone
Contact: Annie Linhart | annie@viristar.com
Date/Time: Monday, November 18 | 9 AM - 4 PM CT
Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Fee: $293.00
The Behavioral First Responder Level 1 Workshop, exclusively offered by Alpenglow Education, is a groundbreaking certification program designed for educators, outdoor leaders, administrators, and mental health professionals seeking to elevate their expertise in managing behavioral and mental health crises within educational and outdoor settings. This workshop is the only one of its kind, focusing on the nuanced challenges of behavioral management and mental health support in the diverse and dynamic environments we face as outdoor professionals.
Over an intensive curriculum, participants will delve into a rich tapestry of theories, models, and practical strategies drawn from the fields of psychology, social work, and counseling. This comprehensive approach is tailored to equip attendees with the skills necessary to recognize, understand, and effectively respond to behavioral issues and mental health crises. Through a blend of interactive lectures, case studies, role-playing, and scenario-based learning, the workshop promotes a hands-on learning experience that ensures participants can apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
Attendees will learn to navigate the complexities of behavioral crises with sensitivity and confidence, employing evidence-based interventions and proactive measures to support individuals in distress. The program's unique focus on integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into risk management further enriches the learning experience, preparing participants to create supportive environments for all.
Pre-Requisites: None
Contact: Curt Davidson | curt@alpengloweducation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
For attendees, your registration will include:
- Education in the form of workshops, plenary sessions, a research symposium and general education sessions
- Intentional and meaningful networking opportunities
- Career Showcase featuring networking, education & 1:1 time with employers;
- Exhibit hall with live vendor presentations and 1:1 meetings;
- Both AORE’s Social & AB’s Welcome Social
Currently AORE does not have the funding to offer scholarships for attendees. We welcome brands and organizations who are invested in promoting the outdoor recreation and education industry to sponsor scholarships for attendees. If you are interested in sponsoring scholarships, please reach out to the AORE team at nationaloffice@aore.org.
We offer this conference as an opportunity for outdoor recreation professionals to grow their skill sets and know their worth in the industry. We know how important it is for outdoor professionals to have experiences like attending the OPC where they can use their voice to create change, inspire others, and continue to grow in the industry.
We are excited to offer a wide range of professional development opportunities at the 2024 Outdoor Professional Conference!
We opened our call for proposals February 2024 for anyone (members, non-members) to submit. The call for proposals closed March 31, 2024
Those who submitted proposals agreed to the following:
1. In order to increase access to AORE, the association has always operated with a strong reliance on volunteers and with a lean budget. This means, all presenters and volunteers pay to attend the conference. If accepted, all presenters must register and pay for the attendance at the 2024 AORE Annual Conference (daily rates are available).
2. All presenters understand that they must be willing to present any day of the Conference, during any time slotted under the direction of the Conference Planning Action Team. Efforts will be made to avoid conflicts listed by the presenters at the time of submission.
3. All presenters will demonstrate high standards of professional conduct and will not discriminate against participants on the basis of gender, age, socioeconomic or ethnic background, sexual orientation, or disability. As the Lead Presenter, I verify that I have communicated with all other presenters. By Signing below, we acknowledge that, if accepted, our presentation will adhere to the requirements listed above.
Once the proposal window was closed, we worked with our volunteer review team. Approximately 20 volunteers went through multiple proposals and grade the proposal on the follow criteria:
Any identifying information, such as presenter, was removed during the review process.
- The content is current and of interest to the target audience.
- The topic will and should affect the industry.
- The topic aligns with one or more of the goals and objectives for the conference.
- Organization and Structure
- Easily identifiable goals/outcomes appropriate for the audience.
- Argument/evidence clearly grounded in research and/or experience.
- Acknowledges a range of perspectives, learning preferences, and abilities.
- Clear and logical progression of topics.
- Ability to Inspire Action
- Transferability to a range of settings.
- Clearly articulates practical application strategies in a significant and thorough manner.
- Encourages and motivates audience to achieve more.
- Overall Quality
- Relevance: Original and engaging content.
- Organization: Creative and innovative presentation.
- Inspiration: Promoting growth and excellence.
This year we also worked with many partners, including the Leave No Trace, LoopNOLA, and Desert Mountain Medicine to curate topics that were missing from the conversation.
If you are interested in presenting with AORE with our virtual programming or at our future Outdoor Professional Conferences, please email us at NationalOffice@aore.org.
Yes! We will be hosting the Research Symposium again this year. Details on included abstracts coming soon!
Learning credits will be available to attendees [FOR FREE] thanks to a partnership with American Trails and are included in the registration fee. In order to be eligible for learning credits, presentations must run at least 15 minutes to be eligible for AICP CM, and at least 60 minutes in length to be eligible for LA CES and NRPA CEU equivalency petition, as well as CEU/PDH equivalency petition for other accepting organizations. The length of the session will determine the number of hours/credits given.
In order for sessions to qualify for these credits and if a certificate if requested, attendees must fill out an evaluation survey for each session they attend, as well as complete and have their learning credit tracking sheet signed by the conference host or American Trails (the survey and tracking sheet will be provided to attendees at registration as well as available electronically).
There are 12 area hotels secured for you to choose from. Please be sure to select AORE in the dropdown!
See the hotel options here: https://compass.onpeak.com/e/012606557
Conveniently located near the Crescent City Connection, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center provides safe and convenient parking for our guests for a daily fee.
You can learn more about parking and rideshare options to the convention center.
Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring?
If you provide products or services that can be used in the outdoor or recreation industries, this is an expo floor you can’t afford to miss. Coming to OPC will allow you to:
- Meet face to face with key decision makers to discuss, demonstrate and answer questions about your product or service.
- Broaden your contacts and develop new relationships on the expo floor.
- Think Big and Get Bigger! Find new revenue streams, grow your customer base, and expand the reach of your brand.
- Introduce new products and announce special promotions.
Why Co-Locating with the AB Show?
We are here to serve our members. As we have watched our membership change and grow over the years, we have taken note of how we can best support you. This partnership will give our members access to the same great networking opportunities and education you all know and love — but also expand opportunities with leadership and management. This will give you the opportunity to learn how to grow yourself - and the business of getting outside! Talking about ourselves, to ourselves is not going to advance our work — it is time to spread our wings and fly!
We are joining a 40 year conference with over 2,300 facility and program managers from around the world. These decision-makers come to the AB Show every year to learn new solutions from industry leaders, find new products and services and build community.