SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 8, 2023) — With outdoor recreation in Utah reaching unprecedented popularity, the Division of Outdoor Recreation successfully hosted the 10th annual Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit, on Sept. 6-7. With more than 300 attendees at Weber State University in Ogden, this year’s event, themed “Outdoors: In Session,” marked the largest gathering in its history, reflecting the continued growth and interest in Utah’s outdoor recreation community.
“The collaborative spirit and dedication demonstrated at this Summit emphasize why Utah’s outdoor recreation is unparalleled,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “Together, we’re laying the groundwork to preserve, promote and enhance our incredible outdoor recreation experiences for generations to come.”
Over two days, participants engaged in outdoor activities, panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops, covering essential themes like conflict management, inclusion and safety outdoors, policy and politics, accessibility, visitation and more. Attendees included outdoor enthusiasts, industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, and outdoor recreation brands.
“The Summit’s success is a testament to the tremendous progress that the outdoor recreation industry has made in Utah over the past decade,” said Tara McKee, deputy director of Grants and Planning for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. “Looking back at the last 10 years, it’s astonishing how far we’ve come. Utah has not only maintained its status as a leader in outdoor recreation but has set new standards for access, sustainability and inclusion. Today is a celebration of that journey and a promise to continue our outdoors forward mission.”
During the first day of the Summit, attendees participated in various outdoor activities, including climbing, a guided off-highway vehicle ride, paddling, and forest bathing, as well as a kickoff dinner and fly fishing demos at the Weber County Archery Park. The second day’s agenda included discussions and workshops, featuring speakers such as Alexander Davenport, director of Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports; Amanda King, president of Utah Adaptive Alliance; Gregory Szewczyk, partner at Ballard Spahr; Rebecca Chavez-Houck, chair of HECHO’s National Advisory Board; Mark Ford, shareholder at Maschoff Brennan; Utah State Representative Jeff Stenquist; and more.
This year’s Summit not only celebrated the achievements of the past but also helped lay the groundwork for the future. It served as a collaborative platform for sharing ideas, building connections and inspiring action to continue making Utah a global leader in outdoor recreation.
For more information about the 10th annual Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit, visit www.utahoutdoorsummit.com. For more information about the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, visit www.recreation.utah.gov.For more information and to register for the Summit, please visit utahoutdoorsummit.com.
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