Hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN), the First Annual U.P. Outdoor Summit will take place on May 16, 2025, at Innovation Hall inside the Jacobetti Complex on NMU’s campus. This one-day event brings together outdoor industry leaders, students, business professionals, and recreation enthusiasts for a day of insights, innovation, and connection – a gathering, showcasing and celebrating the work accomplished thus far, surveying current projects and trends, and casting a vision for the future.
This year’s schedule features:
● A keynote presentation on ‘Outdoor Recreation & Rural Prosperity’ from Sarah Lucas, Director of the Michigan Office of Rural Development.
● Research-led sessions by TIP Strategies and UPland, offering insight into electrified trails and the growth of the outdoor recreation economy.
● Interactive discussions and demos, attendees will have a chance to engage in hands-on experiences and topic-driven conversations.
Tickets are available now for just $10.00 – which includes access to all programming, a catered lunch, event swag, and a post-event party at Ore Dock Brewing Co. with a special Fresh Coast Film Festival showing. To view the full schedule and secure your ticket, visit upoutdoor.org.
ORIAN was formed by The Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development (CUPPAD) Regional Commission and Innovate Marquette (IMQT) in May of 2024, bringing a diverse group of public and private stakeholders together to collaborate, share information, and oversee the development of a growth strategy for outdoor recreation innovation in the central UP. Learn more about ORIAN here.
