The West Slope Outdoor Recreation Industry Summit & Celebration is our annual flagship event spotlighting the critical role outdoor recreation plays in shaping the Western Slope’s economy, culture, community wellbeing, and public lands. This vibrant, two-day event will unite stakeholders from across the spectrum – industry professionals, public officials, community members, and outdoor rec enthusiasts – in both formal engagement and festive celebration.
West Slope Outdoor Recreation Industry Summit
- Tuesday, November 10
- 8:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- Colorado Mesa University - Ballroom (1100 North Ave. Grand Junction, CO 81501)
Program
8:00–8:30 a.m.
- Registration, Networking & Exhibitors
Coffee & light breakfast
8:30–8:40 a.m.
- Welcome & Opening Remarks
Sarah Shrader, Board President, GVORC
8:40–9:00 a.m.
- State of Colorado Outdoor Recreation
Sam Albert, Deputy Director, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
9:00–9:15 a.m.
- Break, Networking & Exhibitors
9:15–9:55 a.m.
- Keynote
Luis Benitez, VP, Global Government Affairs, lululemon
9:55–10:30 a.m.
- True West: A Shared Vision for Outdoor Recreation in Mesa County
Marissa Mommaerts, Project Manager, Community Builders - Place-Based Economic Development
Erica Heller, Senior Program Director, Community Builders
10:30–10:45 a.m.
- Break, Networking & Exhibitors
10:45–11:30 a.m.
- True West Workshop
Facilitated breakout conversations
11:30–11:45 a.m.
- Break, Networking & Exhibitors
11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Mesa County Trails Reporter
Sam Redmond, Mesa County GIS
12:00–12:10 p.m.
- Lunch Service & Transition
12:10–12:55 p.m.
- Lunch Keynote: “Vitamin N: Nature”
Dr. Clint Purvance, President & CEO, Barton Health
12:55–1:00 p.m.
- Closing Remarks & Call to Action
Chandler Smith, Executive Director, GVORC
1:00–1:15 p.m.
- Networking & Exhibitor Showcase
Regular Summit Concludes
1:30 – 3:00 p.m. (INVITE ONLY)
- Industry Roundtable
True West Steering Committee Meeting
GVORC Celebration & Industry Awards
- Friday, November 13
- 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Orchard River View (3926 HWY 6 & 24 Palisade, CO 81526)
Theme
- Canadian Tuxedo (Denim on Denim)
The Experience
- Temptation Stations & Dessert Bar
- Bar
- Live Band
- Industry Awards
- Silent Auction
Impact Goals
- Amplify the sector’s role in regional economic development
- Build stronger networks among outdoor recreation stakeholders
- Inspire new partnerships, stewardship efforts, and public engagement
- Celebrate outdoor culture as a unifying force on the Western Slope
- Recognize peers, businesses and organizations who have helped to champion the outdoors
