Bring Outdoor Media to Your City in 2015
OutdoorHub 06.07.12
Outdoor Writers Association of America has opened their 2015 conference bid process. Making an effort to regularly move their annual conferences around the country, they are targeting the West and Midwest for the 2015 conference, though bids will be accepted from across the U.S.
OWAA will accept proposals until Aug. 1, 2012.
Direct economic returns to the site city have reached $300,000-$500,000 in recent years. More importantly, long-term economic benefits can exceed tens of millions of dollars resulting from articles, artwork, photographs, films, radio programs and videos produced by attendees about the rich outdoor opportunities offered in your location.
The preferred conference site will be rich in varied outdoor activities – not just hunting and fishing, but all outdoor pursuits. Those attending are largely members of the working press who must justify their conference participation with story material and images of regional outdoor-related subjects.
OWAA will work directly with the host city’s convention and visitors bureau during the bid process – please do not have individual resorts or properties contact headquarters. While OWAA’s conference has traditionally been held in June or July, they are open to proposals in shoulder seasons that offer the best rates for OWAA and its members.
OWAA conferences attract 300-400 attendees from a wide array of outdoor communication professions as well as outdoor industry representatives. Conference is structured as a three-day peak night pattern during the course of a weekend with pre- and post-conference trips arranged before and after conference. Space must be available to accommodate a half-day “Shooting Day” program during which attendees become familiarized with the latest and greatest firearms and archery equipment from our supporting groups. Conference will also host a separate half-day “Demo Day” to help showcase non-shooting related hard goods and allow attendees access to test these new outdoor products.
If you are interested in bringing the 2015 OWAA conference to your area, please contact your local CVB. Interested CVBs can download RFP materials at http://owaa.org/conference/rfp or contact Jessica Pollett, membership and conference coordinator, at jpollett@owaa.org or 406-728-7434.
