State of the Outdoors and the Pikes Peak Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit 

THURSDAY, MARCH 17 2022 9:00 AM — 1:30 PM MST  

THE PENROSE HOUSE CONFERENCE CENTER  

1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 MST 

Register Here 

State of the Outdoors Breakfast (9:00-10:15 AM) 

As a stakeholder in our community, you care about our region – as a place to do business, raise a family, and provide opportunities for better health and quality of life for our citizens. Because you live here, you already have a certain amount of appreciation for our natural assets, such as Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. What you know intuitively – that outdoor recreation matters to our community – we want to help you understand more fully and provide opportunities to engage with our local outdoor industry.

Keynote Remarks:  

Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation 

Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer took over as president and CEO of Southern Colorado’s largest chamber and economic development organization in 2022. Prior to that, she managed her own consulting firm. Her previous roles include president and CEO of Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati, leadership positions at Duke Energy, Citi, United Way-Cincinnati, OH, and Obion County Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Downtown Development Corporation Tennessee. A champion of the communities where she lives, she serves on several boards and committees. 

Reeder Kleymeyer will share how the outdoors played into her own story of coming to Colorado Springs, as well as why it matters to your business and our community overall.  

State of Our Outdoors Industry Updates: 

Brief Updates on the State of Our Outdoors to be provided by local agency and organization leaders. (Check back for names and organizations) 

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 Breakout Sessions (10:15 AM-12:00 PM) 

Following the breakfast, attendees will have two opportunities to engage with industry leaders on topics of particular interest to them, including: 

Pay to Play: The Shift to Reservations & Pay Models in Managing Recreation  

As recreational use increased to record-breaking numbers, land and recreation managers have implemented new reservation systems and pay models to try to better manage visitors to some of our most popular local destinations. Learn the facts and engage around this topic with both proponents and those opposed to these measures, as well as how these measures impact equity in the outdoors. 

Workforce Connections: Creating a “Win Win” for Students and Industry 

Panelists from the Outdoor Recreation Economy program at CU Boulder, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and Pikes Peak Community College will share about their degree and certificate programs to train up the next generation of outdoor industry workforce as well as how to better connect to the industry through internships and advisory opportunities. There will be an opportunity to engage around the two-sided coin: ensuring students are trained in the skills desired and businesses are providing the opportunities and experiences students are seeking. 

Planning for the Future: Phase One of the Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership  

Planning for the Pikes Peak region’s conservation and recreation future is under way! Come learn about the first phase of the region’s Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership planning process – both the development of a data dashboard, as well as evaluation of existing outdoor plans and potential solutions to some of the challenges we’re facing. 

       Session 1: Pikes Peak Outdoor Regional Planning Efforts 

• Our community has a history of collaboration and planning for our outdoors and we’ve enmassed a number of plans that are fully, partially, or barely implemented. N.E.S. Inc. will share their evaluation of these plans and priorities (wow, we have a lot!) to identify what has and hasn’t been implemented, where there is crossover, and where there are gaps. They will also bring you into the conversation of possible solutions to some of the challenges they’ve identified. Engage with the planning team with your questions and provide feedback on the process thus far.
    

      Session 2: The Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Economy Dashboard  

• Get a first look at the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Economy Dashboard being developed by University Of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) students and faculty, and provide your feedback and thoughts as we move forward. This dashboard will include outdoor activities, tourism, recreational assets, impacts on natural environment and wildlife, and relevant socio-economic dimensions. The purpose of the data dashboard is to communicate outdoor-related information to the public and community leaders of the Pikes Peak region for better understanding, recognition of value, and thoughtful fact-based planning and decision-making. Engage with the development team with your feedback and questions to make this a helpful resource to the region.

Keeping it Wild: Discussion on the State of Our Region’s Wildlife Happenings 

Learn about what’s happening with wildlife in our region from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. What are new developments, concerns, and some key initiatives going forward? Bring your questions to engage around wildlife on the land, in the air, and in the water! 

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Summit Luncheon (12:00-1:00 PM) 

The Summit Lunch will conclude the day’s programming with a panel discussion focused on the future of the outdoor economy. The outdoor industry has experienced a number of changes in recent years – some have certainly been the result of the pandemic and may be temporary but others may be here to stay. Industry experts will share their thoughts on what the future holds and the important role each of us plays in ensuring it’s a future that serves our communities and our industry well.  

Panelists Include: 

Lauren Truitt, Assistant Director Information and Education, Colorado Parks and Wildlife 

Conor Hall, Director, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office 

Andy Neinas, Owner, Echo Canyon Rafting 

Outdoor Community Expo and Networking (1:00-1:30 PM) 

Celebrate our outdoor community and learn the many opportunities available to you through the Outdoor Community Expo, showcasing the Pikes Peak region’s amazing outdoor businesses, nonprofits, and land management entities. Consider how you can volunteer and get involved in protecting our outdoor assets and supporting ongoing community efforts! 

The Expo will be available during breaks as well as from 1:00-1:30 PM. 

Register Here