Heart of the Lakes

Tickets for the 2024 Michigan Outdoor Summit are LIVE!  Experience a one-of-a-kind event that fosters important conversations on the role the outdoors plays in our economy and daily lives. Tickets include technical sessions, a night of inspiring stories and networking, and a full day of educational content and discussions. The Summit provides a chance to reconnect with friends, discuss critical issues, forge new partnerships, and, of course, have fun outside together. Don’t miss this annual opportunity to be part of our outdoor community. tickets -> michiganoutdoor.org

It was an inspiring trip to the Michigan Outdoors Summit last week. Heart of the Lakes convened another fantastic gathering of outdoor enthusiasts and leaders. Our Detroit Outdoors and SOS Outreach crew wrapped up the visit with an overnight at one of our favorite places, Crystal Mountain. We were awed by the northern lights at night, then went for a fall-color mountain bike ride with Marcus Matthews, and finished with an off campus meeting with Hunter Steinkamp. Our winter visit with the Hamtramck High School Outdoor Adventure Club can’t come soon enough. And now we have more ideas for visits in every season!

Michigan Outdoor Summit kicks off tomorrow, and there's still time to snag tickets! Here's what you don't want to miss: Intro to Wilderness Medicine @ MI Moves Fitness (Oct 9, 1PM-4:30PM): Good news—there's still space! Learn how to handle outdoor emergencies like a pro, from major bleeds to musculoskeletal mishaps. You’ll spend half the time practicing skills and running real-life scenarios. No certification here, just pure, essential knowledge! Boardman Review Fall Release Party @ Loco Boys Brewing (Oct 9, 6PM-8PM): Free event! Kick off the Summit with the launch of The Boardman Review's Fall '24 issue. Network with fellow outdoor enthusiasts and meet some of our Summit presenters featured in the mag. Michigan Outdoor Summit @ Hickory Hills Ski Area (Oct 10, 10AM-6PM): We’ve got 10+ sessions, keynotes, partnership building, and opportunities to hang with familiar and new faces. If you love the outdoors, this is your scene — don’t miss out! Tickets to all the above here: https://lnkd.in/d6fPU37U SOLD OUT: River Restoration Guided Kayak Float (Oct 9, 1PM-4:30PM) Better luck next time!

The Michigan Outdoor Summit is this week! Here are some unbiased reasons why you, definitely, 100% NEED to be there. michiganoutdoor.org

Joining our 2024 Michigan Outdoor Summit presenter line-up, Amanda Westra! Amanda is a Senior Program Manager at the Chill Foundation, overseeing multiple sites across the U.S. and leading a team to ensure successful program delivery. With expertise in Trauma-Informed Care, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and experiential learning, Amanda brings a compassionate approach to youth development. A citizen of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Amanda recently embraced Jingle Dress Dancing as a healing practice connected to their cultural roots. Amanda’s background includes a B.A. in Graphic Design and leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including hosting Burton Snowboards first BIPOC retreat. Hang with Amanda at the Michigan Outdoor Summit October 9-10th at Hickory Hills Ski Area in Traverse City. More on presenters, sessions, and tickets --> michiganoutdoor.org

Joining our 2024 Michigan Outdoor Summit presenter line-up, Cara Cross, Bo Brines, and Tracy Mayer! Cara Cross has been part of Gazelle Sports since 2011, where she is now CMO and Co-Owner. Gazelle Sports is a Michigan-born and raised run specialty retailer with 7 store locations, a specialty channel-leading ecommerce platform, and a Team Sports outfitting division, called Team Gazelle. Cara leads all channel marketing as well as event and community engagement strategy. She also leads Gazelle Sports’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion priorities. Bo Brines saw an opportunity in 1995 and opened Little Forks Outfitters, a fly-fishing based retailer in downtown Midland, Michigan. Thirty years later the business continues to evolve and adapt, helping anchor revitalization efforts in a vibrant downtown and providing jobs for a small band of fly-fishing fanatics. Bo has been an active community member on the local and state level throughout his career. He is currently a director of the City of Midland, Michigan Downtown Development Authority, is the immediate past chair of Michigan Retailers Association, and sits on the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council for the state of Michigan. Tracy Mayer is the owner of Backcountry North in Traverse City, Mich. After completing both her undergraduate and law degree, and a brief stint practicing law, Tracy’s father convinced her to join his independent outdoor specialty sales agency that he established in 1978. In 2000 she and her husband Stephen had the opportunity to purchase Backcountry North from its founders. She has also served as Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s board chair for the last two years. Hang with Cara, Bo, and Tracy at the Michigan Outdoor Summit October 9-10th at Hickory Hills Ski Area in Traverse City. More on presenters, sessions, and tickets --> michiganoutdoor.org

Come curious, leave inspired. Expedition Detroit, LLC penned this article on the most important takeaways from last year's Michigan Outdoor Summit. You can expect high-level themes like the impact of regional outdoor initiatives, creating an accessible and inclusive outdoors, leveling up the outdoor economy, and envisioning outdoors 2.0 at the 2024 Michigan Outdoor Summit. See ya there! https://lnkd.in/d6fPU37U https://lnkd.in/gyTM8Pda

Jill Hinton Wolfe and Sara Wesche are joining our 2024 Michigan Outdoor Summit presenter line-up! Jill Hinton Wolfe is the Chief Heroine of the Outdoor Book Club, an organization dedicated to empowering women through outdoor adventures and literature. A legally blind US Army veteran, Jill has over a decade of experience in creating inclusive outdoor experiences. She has been instrumental in fostering a diverse community of women who find strength, courage, and leadership through nature. Passionate about making the outdoors accessible to everyone, Jill’s work focuses on breaking down barriers and creating welcoming spaces where all individuals feel seen and supported. Sara Wesche grew up chasing adventures from Lake Michigan’s shores to the ski hills “Up North.” After leaving corporate marketing to embrace motherhood, she discovered life could be even crazier, balancing it all as a freelance marketing strategist and writer. Through Midwest Vertical, she brings the stories of Midwest outdoor legends, locals, and landscapes to life. Off the clock, she’s probably skiing, running, paddling, driving her kid to an activity, or chatting with trees. Yes, they talk back. Hang with Jill and Sara at the Michigan Outdoor Summit October 9-10th at Hickory Hills Ski Area in Traverse City. More on presenters, sessions, and tickets --> michiganoutdoor.org

SPONSOR SHOUTOUT!⁠ ⁠ Expedition Detroit, LLC is a proud bronze sponsor of the Michigan Outdoor Summit and a partner in strengthening and protecting Michigan's Outdoors.⁠ ⁠ Expedition Detroit is a leading platform for Detroit's emerging outdoor recreation industry. From producing original adventure and cutting edge marketing content for regional retailers to leading guided hiking trips across 11 Michigan state parks near the city, Expedition Detroit's aims to support, inspire, and expand Detroit's outdoor community. ⁠ Connect with Expedition Detroit at the Michigan Outdoor Summit and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gZfKZ58a

Ryan Tarrant and Jacob Hurt are joining our 2024 Michigan Outdoor Summit presenter line-up! Ryan Tarrant is the President and CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Experience Jackson. Jacob Hurt joined the Region 2 Planning Commission in 2020 as an Economic Development Planner and became Executive Director of the organization in the fall of 2021. In addition to the overall management of R2PC, he oversees regional land use and recreation planning projects, transportation planning, including the Jackson MPO, the Region 2 Economic Development District, and the Southern Michigan Outdoors initiative. Hang with Ryan and Jacob at the Michigan Outdoor Summit October 9-10th at Hickory Hills Ski Area in Traverse City. More on presenters, sessions, and tickets --> michiganoutdoor.org