Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), a coalition of outdoor recreation associations, convened top business executives, policymakers and technology leaders yesterday for the first-ever Outdoor Recreation Technology & Innovation Summit at Booz Allen Hamilton’s Helix Center for Innovation in Washington, D.C.
The at-capacity event highlighted how technological innovations and public-private partnerships can strengthen land and water management, expand recreation access, and ensure America’s $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy continues to thrive while protecting public lands and waters for future generations.
“The Outdoor Recreation Technology and Innovation Summit is a testament to the momentum and collaboration shaping the future of our industry,” said Jessica Turner, president of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “With the bipartisan EXPLORE Act setting the stage, we brought together visionary leaders from the highest levels of government, business, and technology to spotlight solutions that will expand access for all Americans, strengthen stewardship, and build a more connected and sustainable future for the Great Outdoors.”
The agenda brought together distinguished voices for discussions including:
Opening Remarks – ORR President Jessica Turner, Booz Allen Hamilton COO Kristine Martin Anderson, and SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler set the stage for the informative day.
Remarks where Frank Hugelmeyer, Board Chair, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and Chief Executive Officer, National Marine Manufacturers Association introduced Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum who outlined next steps for EXPLORE Act implementation and harnessing technology in federal recreation management.
Fireside Chat with Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) moderated by Jessica Turner discussing bipartisan policy priorities for outdoor recreation and innovation.
Data-Driven Stewardship and How Technology Can Help Protect Public Lands & Waters – including Erik Mogensen, Director, Indy Pass; Founder, Entabeni Systems; Kai Twanmoh, Head of Brand Engagement, AllTrails; Josh Spitzer, Chief Operating Officer, OnX Maps; and Alex Puskar, Senior Manager of Strategy and Experience, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A, Connected Division/Siren Marine demoing new products supporting the outdoors.
How Technology Can Expand Access to the Outdoors – including Kent Ebersole, President, Outdoor Industry Association; Toby O’Rourke, President & Chief Executive Officer, KOA; Cassandra Prenn-Vasilakis, Team Lead, Government and Community Relations, Hipcamp; and Brian Bell, Vice President of Communications and Social Impact, Strava demoing new products helping to get more Americans outdoor access.
How New Technologies Will Help the EXPLORE Act Propel the Recreation Economy – Featuring Lise Aangeenbrug, Chief Program Officer, National Park Foundation; Bill Groffy, Acting Director, Bureau of Land Management; Jessica Bowron, Comptroller, exercising the delegated authority of the Director, National Park Service; Sascha Ohler, Senior Vice President, Tyler Technologies; and Camilo Barcenas, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, GOES Health.
Building Dynamic Partnerships to Build Collaborative Technology Ecosystems – Featuring Terry Howerton, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, TechNexus Venture Collaborative; William Healy, Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton; I Ling Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for America’s Public Lands; Aneil Kumar, President & Chief Executive Officer, AScIS & iSportsman; and Andy Lewandowski, Chief Digital Experience Officer, Department of the Interior.
Harnessing Private Industry to Support National Wildfire Monitoring – Featuring Sean Byrne, Partner, American Continental Group (ACG); Dr. Cathy Olkin, Vice President, Infrared Missions and Data, Muon Space; Kristin Sleeper, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Alex Diaz, Head of AI for Social Good, Google.org; Mike Morgan, Director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Colorado Department of Public Safety; and Brian Collins, Executive Director, Earth Fire Alliance (EFA).
The day concluded with an evening reception to celebrate the leadership of the bipartisan congressional Public Lands Caucus with U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke.
The Summit underscored ORR’s role as a convener for cross-sector problem-solving and demonstrated how technology can:
- Modernize recreation data and permitting systems;
- Provide real-time information to land managers and visitors;
- Expand equitable access and participation in the outdoors;
- Strengthen wildfire monitoring and mitigation; and
- Sustain growth across the outdoor recreation economy.
ORR will continue to convene stakeholders as EXPLORE Act implementation advances, ensuring that innovations deliver for businesses, agencies, and the millions of Americans who recreate on public lands and waters every year.
The Outdoor Recreation Technology & Innovation Summit was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including Booz Allen Hamilton, INDY PASS, Muon Space, National Park Foundation, National Marine Manufacturers Association, PANO, STRAVA, Tyler technologies, AllTrails, Delaware North, Foundation for America’s Public Lands, GOES Health, iSportsman, Kaizen, KOA, National Forest Foundation, onX Maps, POLARIS, POWDR, RAMBLE, The National RV Dealers Association, TechNexus, and Yamaha. Their commitment underscores the vital role of the private sector in advancing outdoor recreation opportunities and ensuring America’s public lands and waters remain accessible, sustainable, and resilient for future generations.
