Gateway Outdoor Summit Returns with Acclaimed Speakers, Fresh Ideas

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

In 2024, over 6,000 people attended the Gateway Outdoor Expo + Summit, which included 150+ booths. Those interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the event can contact Jarrid Snyder at jarrid@terrain-mag.com.