Summit Schedule

The West Virginia Outdoor Economy Summit is designed to be more than a series of presentations — it’s a space for conversation, collaboration, and shared problem-solving. Through the four breakout session tracks, you’ll choose the focus that best fits your work and interests, then join others to exchange ideas, share experiences, and help shape the future of West Virginia’s outdoor economy.

Breakout Session Tracks

  • Outdoor Destination Development
  • Managing Outdoor Assets
  • Outdoor Workforce & Business Growth
  • Activating People and Places

Tuesday, Feb 17 - Summit Welcome Reception

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Summit Welcome Reception

Kick off the West Virginia Outdoor Economy Summit with an evening of connection, celebration, and community. Join fellow attendees, partners, and leaders for a relaxed welcome reception featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, an outdoor photography slideshow, and time to network. Guests will receive one complimentary drink, followed by a cash bar.

The evening will include opening remarks, a brief overview of the Summit and its purpose, recognition of partners, and a special awards program honoring individuals and organizations making meaningful contributions to West Virginia’s outdoor economy.

After the awards, stay to enjoy live music, conversation, and a chance to celebrate the people and ideas shaping the state’s outdoor future.


Wednesday, Feb 18 - Summit Main Day

7:30 AM

Check-In


8:30 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Dr. Danny Twilley – Smith OEDC at WVU
Tim Brady – Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Mayor Amy Goodwin – Charleston
Matt Herridge – WV Secretary of Commerce
Gayle Manchin – Federal Co-Chair Appalachian Regional Commission


9:00 AM

Morning Keynote

Nature as Infrastructure: Building West Virginia’s Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

Across the country, economic growth is increasingly shaped by quality of life. In this keynote, Dr. Amanda Weinstein explores how natural assets and outdoor recreation are becoming core components of modern economic development strategies.

Drawing on national and Appalachian data, this session examines why jobs are increasingly following people, how place influences talent attraction and retention, and what these trends mean for West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region. Attendees will gain insight into how investing in outdoor assets can support long term economic opportunity, community strength, and resilience.

Speaker: Dr. Amanda Weinstein, Center for Rural Innovation


9:30 AM

Plenary Panel

Growing Rural Economies Through Outdoor Recreation

Building on the morning keynote, this plenary panel explores how rural communities across the country are leveraging outdoor assets to support economic growth and community vitality.

Panelists will share real world case studies, policy approaches, and investment strategies that support entrepreneurship, workforce development, and place based initiatives. The discussion will focus on what has worked, what has not, and which lessons can be adapted to strengthen West Virginia’s outdoor economy.

This session is designed to connect national and regional experience with practical insights that communities, organizations, and leaders can apply at home.

Panelists:
Tataboline “Ta” Enos, The Pennsylvania Wild Center for Entrepreneurship
Noah Wilson, Mountain BizWorks
Bill Woodrum, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation

Moderator: Andy Williamson


Morning Breakout Sessions


10:30 AM

Track: Outdoor Destination Development  

Connecting the Dots: Building Regional Wayfinding Systems

Effective wayfinding helps visitors move confidently across destinations while reinforcing a shared regional identity. This session explores how coordinated signage, maps, and navigation tools can work across jurisdictions to create a more seamless visitor experience.

Speakers will highlight best practices for developing regional wayfinding systems that improve navigation, enhance safety, and strengthen destination cohesion. The discussion will focus on how thoughtful design and consistent messaging can help communities collaborate across boundaries and present a unified sense of place.

Speakers:
Jonathan Scott, Destination by Design
Rich Edwards, Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at WVU

Moderator:
Logan Chapman, Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at WVU


10:30 AM

Track: Managing Outdoor Assets

Designing & Maintaining for the Long Haul: Infrastructure That Endures

Well designed outdoor infrastructure is critical to managing use, protecting resources, and controlling long term costs. This session focuses on trail design and maintenance strategies that prioritize durability, functionality, and longevity.

Speakers will share practical approaches to building and maintaining trails that withstand heavy use, minimize erosion, and reduce ongoing maintenance needs. The discussion will highlight lessons learned from established trail systems and offer insights communities can apply to extend the lifespan of their outdoor assets.

Speakers:
Charles Evans, Snowshoe Highlands Area Ride Center
Chris Kehmeier, Pisgah SORBA

Moderator: Corey Lilly, Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative


10:30 AM

Track: Outdoor Workforce & Industry Growth

From Idea to Impact: Launching and Growing Outdoor Businesses

This session explores how outdoor businesses move from concept to operation in West Virginia. Drawing on statewide resources, regional support systems, and real-world business experience, speakers will discuss what it takes to launch, adapt, and grow a successful outdoor enterprise.

The conversation will highlight strategies for navigating early challenges, building four season operations, and sustaining businesses in rural communities. Attendees will gain insight into the tools, partnerships, and lessons that can help turn ideas into lasting impact.

Speakers:
Mark Burdette, WV Small Business Development Center and WV Business Link
Matt Knott, River Riders
Noah Wilson, Mountain BizWorks

Moderator: Andy Williamson, Adventure Cycling Association


10:30 AM

Track: Activating People & Places

Programs with Purpose: Building a Culture of Outdoor Engagement

Recurring programs and events play an important role in turning occasional participation into lasting outdoor habits. This session explores how communities design inclusive, purpose driven programming that encourages repeat engagement and builds stronger connections between people and place.

Speakers will share examples of programs that activate local spaces, strengthen community identity, and create welcoming pathways for people to get involved outdoors. The discussion will focus on how thoughtful program design can help communities foster participation, belonging, and long term engagement.

Speakers:
Melanie Seiler, Active SWV
CJ Belnap, Adventure WV
April Elkins Badtke, Stewards Individual Placements

Moderator: Jessica Sutton, Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at WVU


12:00 PM

Lunch & Networking


12:30 PM

Lunch Plenary - Impact and Assessment of WV's Outdoor Economy

Reading the Landscape: Data Insights on Outdoor Recreation

This lunch plenary highlights current research and ecosystem analysis related to outdoor recreation in West Virginia and Central Appalachia. The session will explore key data trends and emerging insights that help communities better understand the scale and role of the outdoor economy.

Speakers will discuss how data can be used to measure impact, identify opportunities, and inform planning and investment decisions. The conversation will focus on translating research into practical insights that support stronger communities and more informed decision making.

Speakers:
Dr. Heather Stephens, WVU Regional Research Institute
Bobby Chappell, TIS Impact Services

Moderator:
Dr. Danny Twilley


1:20 PM

Networking & Exhibitor Time


2:00 PM

Afternoon Breakout Sessions


2:00 PM

Track: Outdoor Destination Development  

Trail Etiquette That Lasts: Building the Next Generation of Stewards of Place

As outdoor visitation grows, destination organizations have an opportunity to shape not only visitor behavior but also the next generation of outdoor stewards and workforce participants. This session highlights how Visit Mountaineer Country uses Leave No Trace principles to engage youth through education and community based programming.

The discussion will explore how messaging, signage, and hands-on learning can build stewardship, foster place Speaker:
Stella Hehnly, Brand Experience Manager
Visit Mountaineer Countrybased pride, and increase awareness of career pathways connected to the outdoor economy. Attendees will gain insight into how visitor education can support long term destination health while helping communities invest in future leaders.

Speaker: Stella Hehnly, Brand Experience Manager
Visit Mountaineer Country


2:00 PM

Track: Managing Outdoor Assets

Stronger Together: Public-Private Partnerships in Action

This session explores how the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) formed and evolved into a successful model for collaboration across public and private sectors in outdoor recreation and rural place based development.

The discussion will examine key lessons in cross jurisdictional coordination, community driven planning, and strategic stakeholder alignment. Attendees will learn how durable partnerships can be built over time to strengthen rural destinations, support shared goals, and turn collaboration into lasting impact.

Speaker: Jessie Powers, Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia


2:00 PM

Track: Outdoor Workforce & Industry Growth

Fueling Growth: How capital moves in the Outdoor Economy

Access to capital is one of the most common challenges facing outdoor businesses and community based projects. This guided discussion focuses on how capital actually moves in the outdoor economy, including loans, grants, technical assistance, and blended financing approaches.

Rather than highlighting individual programs, the conversation will explore how lenders think, what it means to be capital ready, and how public, private, and philanthropic resources work together to support growth. Grounded in real world experience and West Virginia examples, this session is designed to help attendees better understand financing pathways and how to navigate them with greater confidence.

Speakers:
Louis Argento, Partner Community Capital
Kristen Beverage, Partner Community Capital


2:00 PM

Track: Activating People & Places

Engaging the Next Generation: Youth Programs That Stick

How do communities move beyond one off youth programming to build experiences that meaningfully shape future leaders, workers, and stewards of place? This session explores scalable, place based approaches to engaging young people in the outdoor economy.

Using Nature’s Mountain Classroom as a case study, the discussion will highlight how Pocahontas County has developed a countywide outdoor education model that serves every public school student. Attendees will gain insight into how long term youth programming can strengthen connections to place, build skills, and create pathways into future participation and careers connected to the outdoor economy.

Speaker: Tracey Valach, Nature’s Mountain Classroom


Interactive Roundtable Discussion


3:00 PM

All tracks

Stronger Together: Aligning Priorities and Advancing the Outdoor Economy

This interactive roundtable brings participants together to identify shared priorities, strengthen connections, and surface opportunities for collaboration across West Virginia’s outdoor economy.

Through facilitated prompts and live polling, attendees will engage in small group discussions designed to highlight common themes, reveal alignment across sectors, and identify practical next steps. This session is focused on listening, learning from one another, and laying the groundwork for continued collaboration beyond the Summit.

Moderator: Andy Williamson, Adventure Cycling Association


4:15 PM

Closing Keynote

Renewing West Virginia’s Statewide Trail Plan: Readiness for Strategic Investment

This closing keynote provides an overview of key findings from West Virginia’s statewide trail planning process and outlines why renewing the Statewide Trail Plan is a critical next step.

The session will explore how a renewed plan can strengthen connectivity across the state, support local communities, and guide strategic investment in West Virginia’s trail network. Attendees will gain insight into how statewide planning can help align priorities, leverage resources, and position trails as long term assets for communities and the outdoor economy.

Speaker: Sam England, WV Trails


4:35 PM

Closing Keynote

From Vision to Systems: Scaling Outdoor Recreation at the State Level

This closing keynote examines how states move from vision to execution by embedding outdoor recreation into economic development, infrastructure planning, and public finance systems.

The session examines how Tennessee has structured governance, cross agency coordination, and investment strategies to scale outdoor recreation as a durable economic driver. Attendees will gain insight into how statewide alignment and long term planning can turn outdoor recreation into a core component of economic and community development.

Speaker: Jim Bryson, Tennessee Commissioner of Finance and Administration


4:50 PM

Closing Remarks & What's Next

The Summit will wrap up with key takeaways, reflections from Summit leaders, and a look ahead at what’s coming next. Speakers will outline the flow of the remainder of the Summit, including the evening soirée, the following day’s agenda, and opportunities for continued collaboration beyond the event.

The conversation will close by recognizing the collective effort that made the day possible and setting the stage for continued connection throughout the Summit.

Speakers:
Dr. Danny Twilley, Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at WVU
Eriks Brolis, The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia


5:00 PM

Summit Ends


6:30pm - 8:30pm

Summit Soiree at the Capitol Market

Close out the Summit with an evening designed for connection and conversation at Capitol Market, one of Charleston’s most distinctive downtown spaces. Set in a historic market hall, the Summit Soirée offers a relaxed, after-hours atmosphere that reflects the character and energy of the city.

This gathering is a chance to reconnect with the people you met during the day, continue meaningful conversations, and strengthen relationships built throughout the Summit. Enjoy cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres in a casual, welcoming setting that encourages lingering, conversation, and celebration.

The Summit Soirée is less about programming and more about people. Take it as an opportunity to slow down, reflect on the day, and spend time with new and familiar faces before the Summit concludes.


Speakers

  • Gayle Manchin

    Federal Co-Chair

    Appalachian Regional Commission

  • Jim Bryson

    Commissioner

    Tennessee Commissioner of Finance and Administration

  • Matt Herridge

    Secretary of Commerce

    State of West Virginia

  • Amy Goodwin

    Mayor

    City of Charleston, WV

  • Dr. Amanda Weinstein

    Director of Research, Knowledge, & Evaluation

    Center On Rural Innovation (CORI)

  • Bill Woodrum

    ​​Senior Program Officer

    Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation

  • Jessie Powers

    Executive Director

    Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) 

  • Ta Enos

    Founder and CEO

    The Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship

  • Tim Brady

    President and CEO

    Charleston CVB

  • Dr. Heather M. Stephens

    Director

    WVU Regional Research Institute (RRI)

  • Dr. Danny Twilley

    Assistant Vice President-Economic & Community Development

    Brad & Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at WVU

  • Bobby Chappell

    Outdoor Economy Specialist

    TIS - Impact Services

  • Noah Wilson

    Director of Sector Development

    Mountain BizWorks

  • Mark Burdette

    Deputy Director

    WV Small Business Development Center

  • Sam England

    Executive Director

    WV Trail

  • Chris Kehmeier

    Executive Director

    Pisgah SORBA

  • Charles Evans

    Trail Crew Coordinator/Backcountry Recreation Coordinator

    Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative (SHARC)

  • Tracey Valach

    Founder & Director

    Nature’s Mountain Classroom

  • Jonathan Scott

    Senior Project Manager

    Destination by Design

  • Matt Powell

    Director of Communications & Place Branding

    Destination By Design

  • Stella Hehnly

    Brand Experience Manager

    Visit Mountaineer Country CVB

  • Melanie Seiler

    Executive Director

    Active Southern West Virginia

  • Matt Knott

    Owner & President

    River Riders, Inc

  • Kristen Beverage

    WV REI Manager 

    Partner Community Capital

  • Louis Argento

    Business Services Coordinator

    Partner Community Capital

  • April Elkins-Badtke

    Executive Director

    Convervation Legacy, Stewards Individual Placements

  • CJ Belnap

    Director

    Adventure WV

  • Rich Edwards

    Associate Director Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure

    Brad & Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at WVU

  • Eriks Brolis

    Director of Economic Development

    The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia

  • Andy Williamson

    Executive Director

    Adventure Cycling Association

  • Ben Isenberg

    Ben Isenberg

    Principal

    Symmetry Agency

  • Eric Oberg

    Eric Oberg

    Senior Director of Programs

    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

  • Nick Hart

    Director of Business Development

    Inner Action Media

    All programming is subject to change without notice