Traverse City, MI | Sept 30-Oct 1, 2025
COME CURIOUS, LEAVE INSPIRED.
TICKET PRICES INCREASE September 29th!
The Summit
Michigan Outdoor Summit is a gathering for all sectors of the outdoor economy in Michigan to connect, learn, grow, and build together with a vision for the future, health, and vitality of Michigan’s outdoors.
When
Sept 30-Oct 1, 2025
Where
Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort
4050 E Hammond Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
think of us like a
base camp for the
outdoors — we’ve
got a big tent,
so everyone should
fit just fine.
Where to Stay
We’ve teamed up Best Western Plus and Cambria Hotels & Suites to bring you a great deal or stay at Timber Ridge.
Best Western Plus
305 Munson Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
Reservation Info
A block of standard rooms is available at a discounted rate of $165 (Single King/Queen) or $180 (Double Queen Room) per night Monday-Thursday. Make reservations by September 5th.
Call 231.778.7000 or book with this link to receive the discount.
Group Name: Land of Outsiders
Cambria Hotels & Suites
255 Munson Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
Reservation Info
A block of standard rooms is available at a discounted rate of $195 (King Suite) or $215 (Double Queen Suite) per night Monday-Thursday. Make reservations by September 5th.
Call 231.778.9000 or book with this link to receive the discount.
Group Name: Land of Outsiders
Timber ridge rv & Rec Resort
4050 E Hammond Rd
Traverse City, MI 49686
Reservation Info
Pitch a tent or rent a cabin right where the action is! Camping reservations are available during the Summit.
Call 231.947.2770 or book online.
Agenda Overview + Focus Areas
Through programming, networking, and outdoor activities, the Summit focuses on how we strengthen our communities and the outdoor economy and improve health and quality of life for all Michiganders.
Summit programming is anchored by focus areas in Conservation + Stewardship, Education + Workforce Training, Economic Development, Public Health + Wellness, and Diversity + Inclusion.
SEPTEMBER 30TH
Pre-Summit
1PM-4PM | EXPERIENTIAL SESSIONS
▲ River Restoration Guided Kayak Float with Grand Traverse Conservation District
▲ Lake Ann Gravel Ride with Benzie Conservation District
▲ Trails as the Third Space with TART Trails
6PM-8PM | KICKOFF WITH BOARDMAN REVIEW + LAND OF OUTSIDERS
OCTOBER 1ST
MI outdoor summit
8:30AM-10AM | SOCIAL MEET-UPS
▲ Vasa Trail Hike with AllTrails
▲ Vasa Trail Ride with Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association
10AM-11AM | REGISTRATION
▲ Picnic Brunch
▲ Pitch + Pine Walkthrough
▲ Network with Friends
11AM-12:45PM | SHAKEOUT SESSIONS
▲ Welcome from Land of Outsiders
▲ State of the Outdoors with Eoin Comerford
▲ Panel Discussion – Are We Even Friends?
1:15PM-4:00PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS
4:20PM-5PM | TAKEOUT SESSION + NA HAPPY HOUR
▲ Power of Nature with Ian Solomon and Dan Wanschura
Pitch + Pine
A new kind of pitch competition—built for outdoor-minded innovators, not just polished presenters. We’re flipping the script on traditional stage-style competitions and inviting Michigan outdoor entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas through real conversations, hands-on demos, and community connection.
This fall, ten finalists will host interactive booths at the 2025 Michigan Outdoor Summit, sharing their product, service, or venture with judges and attendees alike. No awkward spotlight. No clunky slides. No one lobbing impossible questions while you dance uncomfortably on stage. Just a 6-foot table, a good product or service, and the kind of energy you bring to campfire conversations.
Dig into the sessions
Time: 11:00am-11:20Am
Welcome to the michigan outdoor summit
Opening remarks from Land of Outsiders.
Room: Campfire
Presenter
Jonathan Jarosz – Executive Director, Heart of the Lakes
Sponsor
Time: 11:20am-12pm
State of the Outdoors
The outdoors is changing, and fast. From shifting demographics to climate pressures to the rise of new user groups, the outdoor sector is facing big questions and even bigger opportunities. Join Eoin Comerford, a leading voice in the industry, for a dynamic look at where things stand and where we’re headed.
Room: Campfire
Presenter
Eoin Comerford – Principal, Outsize Consulting
Sponsor
Innovate Marquette + Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund
Time: 12Pm-12:45pm
Are we even friends?
The outdoors doesn’t live in a silo, and neither should we. From trails to tables, wellness to wilderness, many of us in the recreation, conservation, food, health, and outdoor sectors are already working toward shared goals. So why does it sometimes feel like we’re on parallel paths instead of walking together?
This candid conversation with thought leaders sit at the intersection of these overlapping worlds. We’ll unpack the hidden connections that already exist between our fields and explore what it really takes to activate a more visible, inclusive, and powerful outdoor movement — from the inside out. Expect big questions, honest talk, and a few laughs as we ask: Are we even friends…and if not, what’s stopping us?
Room: Campfire
Presenters
Eoin Comerford – Principal, Outsize Consulting
Danielle Todd – Founder, Make Food Not Waste
Katie Cruickshank – VP Advertiser Solutions + Client Service, Outside
Rory Thibault – Land Protection Specialist, Land Conservancy of West Michigan
Sponsor
Time: 1:15PM-2PM
Accessing Adventure – Part 1
Outdoor recreation should be open and welcoming to everyone. This session will
explore the diverse needs of people with disabilities, practical strategies for building
partnerships with the disability community, and ways your organization or business can
embrace the principles of Universal Access. Through real-world examples from land
trusts and other organizations, you’ll discover how to improve both physical access to
natural spaces and programmatic approaches that ensure the outdoors truly are open
for all.
Room: Park Bench
PresenterS
Craig Saunders – Business Relations Consultant, Michigan Rehabilitation Services
MaryKay O’Donnell – Midwest Senior Program Manager, Land Trust Alliance
Sponsor
Time: 1:15PM-2PM
Leveling Up in the Outdoor Industry
Back by popular demand, Northern Michigan University students, faculty, and alumni will build on last year’s conversation, which spotlighted NMU’s outdoor-focused degree programs. This year, the focus shifts toward real-world application and next steps, including feedback from outdoor pros on what’s working and missing in leadership prep, creative routes to professional development outside of the classroom, and the potential for meaningful partnerships between outdoor education and Indigenous communities. Swap ideas, share experiences, and walk away with new inspiration (and maybe even a plan) to take your career to the next level.
Room: Winding Trail
PresenterS
Dr. Jacquie Medina – Professor, Northern Michigan University
Dr. Scott Jordan – Professor, Northern Michigan University
Dr. Jes Thompson – Assistant Vice President for Sustainability, Northern Michigan University
Andrea Daar – Adjunct Continuing Faculty, Northern Michigan University
Andie Balenger – Crew Leader, Great Lakes Tribal Conservation Corps
Sponsor
Time: 1:15PM-2PM
Maximizing Trail Connections for Community Growth and Generational Impact
This panel discussion explores aspects of the West Michigan Shoreline Trails and Greenways Planning Process for Trail Development, Management, and Community Benefit. Join our panelists on the scenic route as we explore the shoreline system of multi-modal connections and learn new techniques to engage stakeholders. The result? An informed and empowered community focused on generational prosperity. By the end of the session, participants will better understand the intersectionality between infrastructure, healthy communities, equitable outcomes, and neighborhood transformation.
Room: Northern Lights
PresenterS
Latesha Lipscomb, JD – Urban Planner, Community Engagement Specialist, Progressive Companies
Carrie Rivette – Project Manager + Senior Civil Engineer, Progressive Companies
Aaron Bodbyl-Mast – Park Planner, Ottawa County Parks
Joel Fitzpatrick – Transportation Planning Director, West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission
Sponsor
Time: 1:15pm-2pm
Trails As The Third Space
What happens when trails become more than a path from A to B? Explore how public art transforms trails into “third spaces”—places where people gather, reflect, and connect outside of home and work.
Through case studies, visuals, and discussion, dive into the cultural significance of trailside art, its impact on community identity, and how it invites deeper engagement with both people and place. We’ll also touch on the role of community in shaping these installations, and the benefits they bring to mental health, movement, and belonging.
Room: Campfire
PresenterS
Kate Lewis – Director of Communications, TART Trails
Dana Pflughoeft – Community Engagement Coordinator, TART Trails
Sponsor
Time: 2:15PM-3pm
Accessing Adventure – Part 2
Explore how people of all abilities can enjoy the outdoors through innovative tools and thoughtful design. This interactive session features demonstrations of adaptive gear — from e-bikes and fishing equipment to accessible gardening tools, bird-watching technology, hunting gear, and more. You’ll also see real-world examples of accessible amenities and hear stories that show how thoughtful planning and design can transform outdoor spaces into places where everyone feels welcome.
Room: Yurt
Presenter
Jileesa Irwin – Outdoor Recreation AT Specialist, Michigan Assistive Technology Program
Michelle O’Kelly – Fund Development Officer, Michigan DNR
Sponsor
Time: 2:15pm-3pm
Don’t Get Sued in the woods
Running an outdoor business in Michigan is exhilarating, messy, and full of risk—in all the best ways. But legal blind spots can turn an epic season into an expensive mistake. Learn to navigate the legal landscape of Michigan tourism and outdoor recreation without losing your entrepreneurial spark.
Break down key topics like liability waivers, seasonal employment, land use permissions, LLCs and
insurance, independent contractor pitfalls, and what actually happens if a customer gets hurt on your
watch. The goal isn’t to turn you into a lawyer—it’s to arm you with the real-world knowledge you need to ask better questions, make smart decisions, and sleep better at night.
Whether you’re launching a bike rental business, expanding your paddleboard tours, or just want to
make sure your back-of-the-napkin idea doesn’t end up in court, this session will meet you where you
are. Bring your questions, your wild ideas, and your appetite for keeping things both legal and awesome.
Room: Park Bench
Presenter
Josh Traeger – Founder + Attorney, True North Legal Group
Sponsor
Time: 2:15pm-3pm
Finding Your Path: Starting + Growing a Business in the Outdoor Industry
What does it really take to start and grow a business in the outdoor industry? In this honest,
behind-the-scenes session, you’ll hear from founders at different stages of building purpose-driven brands rooted in a love for the outdoors. This is not a highlight reel. It’s a real conversation about the messy, rewarding, and sometimes downright wild process of turning passion into a product or service.
Explore how to decide what you actually want to make, do, or start, and discuss the many different ways success can take shape. Expect tangible insights on everything from PR and social media to branding, product development, knowing when to pivot, and dealing with the common feeling of not being ready.
Hear the unfiltered parts. The unexpected moments, the time and patience it takes to stay the course, and the emotional rollercoaster of bringing a business to life. This session offers resources, real talk, and lived experience. Whether you walk away inspired or wondering what kind of person signs up for this journey, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what it takes to build something meaningful.
Room: Winding Trail
Presenters
Susie Grace – Founder, Valor Skincare
Nate Grace – Co-Founder/Chief Design Officer, G5 Outdoors
Jim Wirth – Founder/CEO, Giant Mouse Knives
Courtney Lorenz – Founder, Cultured Kombucha Co.
Sponsor
Time: 2:15pm-3pm
A Framework for Outdoor Industry Growth
It’s no secret that the Upper Peninsula is a hub of all things outdoor recreation, but there hasn’t been a comprehensive strategy to grow the outdoor recreation industry in the region – until now. Over the past year and half, Innovate Marquette and Central UP Planning and Development have pulled together the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN), a group a public and private stakeholders working in the outdoor recreation space throughout the 6 counties of the central UP. This group oversaw the development of an outdoor recreation industry growth strategy and an electrified trails feasibility study, which were both published and presented at the inaugural UP Outdoor Summit.
This session will cover the process of engaging stakeholders through ORIAN, lessons learned, results of the growth strategy and feasibility study, and next steps for the region.
Room: Northern Lights
PresenterS
Phil Britton – Chief Ruckus Maker, Fresh Systems, LLC
Vaughn Rodriguez – Marketing Coordinator, Innovate Marquette
Sponsor
Time: 2:15PM-3pm
From Compliance to Connection
Accessibility shouldn’t end with a ramp. In this interactive, story-rich workshop, we’ll explore how to
move beyond compliance-based thinking and into a deeper, more human-centered model of disability
inclusion.
Using personal narratives, small group reflection, and real-world examples from outdoor programs
and adaptive events, we’ll introduce a simple but powerful framework: one that centers relationships,
not regulations. You’ll learn how disabled adventurers—like blind hikers, adaptive athletes, and
neurodiverse nature lovers—are not only navigating trails, but redefining what’s possible on them.
Room: Campfire
Presenter
Jill Hinton-Wolfe – Founder, Outdoor Book Club
Sponsor
Time: 3:15pm-4pm
Make It Matter: Messaging Strategy That Builds Trust and Sparks Movement
You’ve got a great mission, brand, or idea… but so do a lot of other people. So why should someone
choose yours? And why now?
In a world where attention is scarce and priorities compete, the right message makes all the difference.
Break down how people really make decisions, drawing from neuromarketing and behavioral science to help you speak to your audience’s deeper motivations, values, and fears. Explore how to craft messages that rise above the noise by connecting emotionally, creating urgency, and showing relevance. Whether you’re trying to grow your community, boost donations, or build brand loyalty, the principles in this session can help you cut through the clutter and drive real action.
Room: Park Bench
Presenter
Sara Wesche – Co-Founder + Editor, Midwest Vertical Journal
Sponsor
Time: 3:15pm-4pm
Bridging the Adventure Gap: Great Lakes Adventures for All
“Big Red” is a mobile wilderness program on wheels, a brightly-colored adventure bus that has trundled
gear, food, and 2,000 people over 50,000 miles and 6,000 days of adventure. More than a bus, Big Red and the team behind it are trying to close the adventure gap – the racial and economic disparity in who does (and doesn’t) go outside.
From the hills of South Dakota to the beaches of the Atlantic, and the deep forests of our own Great Lakes, learn takeaways on making adventure more inclusive from the team that’s doing it. Along the way, you’ll reflect on your own outdoor ethic and camping roots, and place them within the bigger picture of outdoor recreation’s history and growth. You’ll leave with real strategies for making outdoor spaces more inclusive — whether you’re planning programs, shaping policies, or just showing up in community. This won’t be a lecture, it’s a conversation. Come ready to share, listen, and connect with others who care about building a more equitable outdoor future.
Room: Winding Trail
Presenters
Micah Leinbach – Executive Director, Bus for Outdoor Access & Teaching
Jaylyn Gough – Founder, Native Women’s Wilderness
Sponsor
Time: 3:15pm-4pm
Small towns, big potential
Many rural communities have everything they need to attract visitors — except the tools to identify and organize those assets. That’s where Michigan State University Extension’s Rural Tourism Assessment (RTA) comes in.
This four-phase, community-driven model helps rural areas map their tourism potential, gather feedback from fresh eyes, and build a strategic, locally led plan for growth. Walk through the RTA process and hear how it played out in Roscommon County, where more than 120 stakeholders — from villages to DMOs — came together to create a shared tourism vision.
Room: Northern Lights
PresenterS
Andy Northrop – Sustainable Tourism-Community Vitality Educator, MSU Extension
Garrett Ziegler – Community Food Systems Educator, MSU Extension
Brenda Bachelder – Director of Business & Economic Development, Roscommon County Economic Development Corporation
Sponsor
Time: 3:15pm-4pm
Indigenous Knowledges Project: A Collaborative Approach to Conservation
What does it mean to care for the land in a way that honors its original stewards? Join the Leelanau Conservancy and New Leonard Media for a discussion centered on The Indigenous Knowledges Project — an ongoing effort to elevate Anishinaabe voices in conservation through authentic, relationship-based collaboration.
Through a series of short films featuring Anishinaabe knowledge carriers, you’ll hear firsthand perspectives on land, language, and the future of stewardship in the Great Lakes region. Following the screening, take part in a conversation with Leelanau Conservancy staff and filmmaker Mark Wilson to learn more about the partnerships behind the project, how trust was built, and the lessons they continue to carry forward.
Room: Campfire
Presenters
Mark L. Wilson – Founder, New Leonard Media
Jenee Rowe – Land Protection Project Manager, Leelanau Conservancy
Sara Michael – Senior Charitable Giving Manager, Leelanau Conservancy
Sponsor
Time: 4:20PM-5PM
Power of Nature
Nature shapes us, grounds us, and sparks the stories we carry. For Detroit-based artist-journalist and organizer Ian Solomon, the outdoors is more than a backdrop, it’s a driving force in his art, community work, and vision for belonging. In this closing keynote, Ian sits down with Dan Wanschura, host of Interlochen Public Radio’s Points North podcast, for a conversation about how nature inspires creativity, fuels resilience, and connects us to each other. They’ll explore the intersections of art, access, and the transformative power of being outside.
Room: Campfire
Presenters
Ian Solomon – Artist + Communications & Engagement Manager, Detroit Parks Coalition
Dan Wanschura – Host + Executive Producer, Points North
Sponsor
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
presenters
Meet Our Friends
We’re working to bring outdoor companies and organizations across the state together to solve the unique challenges Michigan faces and create a thriving outdoor economy for years to come.
Eoin Comerford
Principal
Outsize Consulting
Ian Solomon
Artist + Communications + Engagement Manager
Detroit Parks Coalition
Jill Hinton Wolfe
Founder
Outdoor Book Club
Dan Wanschura
Executive Producer + Host
Points North Podcast
Danielle Todd
Founder + Executive Director
Make Food Not Waste
Josh Traeger
Founding Attorney
True North Legal Group
Dana Pflughoeft
Community Engagement Coordinator
TART Trails
Micah Leinbach
Founder + Executive Director
Bus for Outdoor Access & Teaching
Phil Britton
Chief Ruckus Maker
Fresh Systems LLC
Kate Lewis
Director of Communications
TART Trails
Nate Grace
Co-Owner + Chief Design Officer
G5 Outdoors
Latesha Lipscomb, JD
Urban Planner, Community Engagement Specialist
Progressive Companies
Mark Wilson
Founder
New Leonard Media
Jenee Rowe
Land Protection Project Manager
Leelanau Conservancy
Aaron Bodbyl-Mast
Park Planner
Ottawa County Parks
Sara Michael
Senior Charitable Giving Manager
Leelanau Conservancy
Joel Fitzpatrick
Transportation Planning Director
WM Shoreline Regional Development Commission
Carrie Rivette
Senior Civil Engineer
Progressive Companies
Scott Jordan
Professor
Northern Michigan University
Sara Wesche
Co-Founder + Editor
Midwest Vertical Journal
Jes Thompson
Assistant Vice President for Sustainability
Northern Michigan University
Jim Wirth
Co-Founder + CEO
GiantMouse Knives
Jacquie Medina
Professor
Northern Michigan University
Garrett Ziegler
Community Food Systems + Sustainable Tourism Educator
MSU Extension
Susie Grace
Founder
Valor Skincare
Andrea Daar
Adjunct Continuing Faculty
Northern Michigan University
Andie Balenger
Crew Leader
Great Lakes Tribal Conservation Corps
Katie Cruickshank
VP, Advertiser Solutions + Client Service
Outside, Inc.
Andy Northrop
Community, Food, + Environment Educator
MSU Extension
Marykay o’donnell
Midwest Senior Program Manager
Land Trust Alliance
Andie Balenger
Crew Leader
Great Lakes Tribal Conservation Corps
Katie Cruickshank
VP, Advertiser Solutions + Client Service
Outside, Inc.
Amplified By
Sponsors
Plantinum Sponsors
Gold sponsors
Silver sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
NA Happy Hour Sponsors
Stoke Sponsors
In-Kind sponsors
Sponsors welcomed!
We’re down to get creative — check out our sponsorship packages and give us a shout!
What to expect
FAQs, who’s going, maybe some trivia…