This November the Gateway Outdoor Summit Explores More Access to Outdoor Recreation
The Gateway Outdoor Summit returns in November with nationally recognized speakers and a new grant program designed to jumpstart community-focused outdoor recreation projects.
Last held in 2019, the one-day summit scheduled for Friday, November 22 at the St. Charles Convention Center will explore how the Greater St. Louis bi-state region can be more proactive in creating access to outdoor recreation for all while at the same time benefiting the local economy.
“The Gateway Outdoor Summit is our region’s opportunity to celebrate what we’ve achieved in outdoor recreation, imagine what’s possible, and talk about how we get there,” said event organizer Brad Kovach. “A robust outdoor culture can not only build economy but also help create great places to live, work, and play — and it’s time for St. Louis to embrace the movement.”
The summit is a part of an expanded 2024 Gateway Outdoor Expo weekend. The expo, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 23-24 at the St. Charles Convention Center, is an annual consumer show that features more than 200 exhibit booths from outdoor retailers and service providers, fun kids’ activities, product demos, show specials, food and drinks, and other attractions.
The keynote speaker for the Gateway Outdoor Summit is Lesford Duncan, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, who will explore the evolving landscape of outdoor recreation and discuss how strategic initiatives, like Thrive Outside St. Louis, are breaking down barriers, promoting inclusivity and new ways of engaging the outdoors, and fostering a love for nature across diverse communities.
Gateway Outdoor Summit Keynote Speaker Lesford Dunan.
“Whether you’re a retailer, outfitter, outdoor brand, community-based organization, or outdoor enthusiast passionate about connecting people to planet, this keynote will equip you with actionable insights and inspire you to make a meaningful impact in the world of outdoor adventure,” said Duncan.
The Gateway Outdoor Summit is free for those wishing to attend, though pre-registration is required at gatewayoutdoorsummit2024.eventbrite.com.
A list of sessions to be held at the 2024 Gateway Outdoor Summit include
Driving Outdoor Diversity: Thrive Outside Network Panel — Featuring local and national representatives from the Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside Initiative, this panel will discuss ways to create a more inclusive and accessible outdoor culture for all. Topics covered will include network building, collective impact, best practices and tactics, repeat and reinforcing experiences, and Thrive Outside’s vision for the future.
Blazing Trails That Will Change Outdoor Community and Culture — Highlighting four major trail projects currently under development in our area that are poised to change the face of outdoor recreation in our city and state. Representatives from each trail project will provide an overview and status update, and then will stick around for a moderated Q&A session.
Big Ideas for Outdoor Recreation in the Great Middle West — This session will discuss the future of outdoor recreation in our region and attempt to answer the question: What do we want and how do we get there? Our panel of outdoor industry experts will consider opportunities such as creating Missouri and Illinois offices of outdoor recreation, protecting and improving endangered waterways, building a vital outdoor economy and ecosystem, capitalizing on the mountain biking boom, and more.
Trailblazing Together: Transforming the Landscape of Outdoor Recreation — Keynote address by Lesford Duncan, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation.
Outdoors for All Micro-Grants
As part of the revamped Gateway Outdoor Summit, the event’s organizers, River City Foundation, have announced a new program that will award one-time grants of up to $5,000 for community-focused outdoor recreation projects that benefit the Greater St. Louis bi-state region.
“These grants are intended to help small and grassroots organizations to further programs that can have a direct, dynamic effect on their community,” said Kovach, who is also the deputy director of River City Foundation. “The goal is the help communities help themselves and create more welcoming and accessible outdoor spaces for all.”
The application period for the first round of micro-grants is now open, with instructions available at rivercityfdn.org/micro-grants. The River City Foundation Advisory Board will review grant applications and score for need, feasibility, sustainability, and relationship to the foundations’ mission — to promote outdoor-oriented activities, accelerate equitable outdoor initiatives, and expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the Greater St. Louis bi-state region.
The deadline for applications to be considered in this round of Outdoors for All Micro-Grants is November 1. The first round of micro-grants will be awarded at the Gateway Outdoor Summit on November 22.
About The Gateway Outdoor Expo
The Gateway Outdoor Expo is an annual weekend event that invites everyone to discover and explore outdoor opportunities in the Greater St. Louis bi-state region. gatewayoutdoorexpo.com
About Terrain Magazine
Terrain Magazine delivers entertaining and informative content focused on active outdoor living through its free bimonthly print publication, daily online content, and community events. terrain-mag.com
About River City Foundation
The River City Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation dedicated to expanding outdoor recreation opportunities in St. Louis and the Midwest region of the United States. rivercityfdn.org