The Gateway Outdoor Summit returns this fall with nationally recognized speakers and thought leaders addressing the future of outdoor recreation in Missouri and beyond. The one-day event, scheduled for Friday, November 14, at the St. Charles Convention Center, will explore how expanding access to the outdoors can strengthen both community well-being and the regional economy.
The Summit’s keynote speaker will be Eddy Harris, acclaimed author, lecturer, filmmaker, traveler, and St. Louis native. Harris’ books, including the seminal Mississippi Solo: A River Quest, blend memoir and reportage, weaving adventure with themes of race, identity, and belonging. His work challenges audiences to consider a fundamental question: Where does the individual belong?
In addition to the keynote, attendees will hear from a range of experts during breakout sessions, including:
- Recreation with Intention: Building Purpose Through Outdoor Experiences — How physically and mentally demanding activities like backpacking, climbing, and paddling help youth discover leadership and meaning.
- Natural Value: Tourism Audits for Outdoor Recreation Economies — Tools to assess local assets, balance growth with preservation, and translate audits into actionable strategies.
- Equity on the Trail: Expanding Access to Leadership and Prosperity — Addressing barriers and solutions for including marginalized youth in outdoor leadership.
- Beyond the Finish Line: How Race Events Fuel Outdoor Economies — A panel on the lasting economic and cultural impact of outdoor race events.
The Gateway Outdoor Summit kicks off the Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit 2025, a weekend celebration designed to inspire, educate, and unite people of all backgrounds in outdoor recreation. While the Summit focuses on industry stakeholders and leaders, the Expo (Nov. 15-16) will open to the public with 165+ exhibitors, hands-on activities, live entertainment, and presentations in the Basecamp area on the show floor.
Admission is free to both the Summit and Expo. Pre-registration for the Summit is available at gatewayoutdoorsummit2025.eventbrite.com
