Outside Days Industry Conference Announces First Wave of Featured Speakers

Expanded event builds on the success of the Outside Summit with new tracks and two full days of programming and networking, May 28-29

BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Outside Interactive, Inc., in partnership with the State of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, announced the first slate of featured speakers for the Outside Days Industry Conference, a two-day networking and thought leadership symposium for outdoor, travel, and active lifestyle professionals that directly precedes the Outside Days weekend festival.

An expansion of Outside Summit, which launched in 2024, the Outside Days Industry Conference has expanded to a two-day gathering at the King Center on Denver’s Auraria Campus from May 28-29, and now features four robust programming tracks with keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout workshops. An Industry Pass grants attendees access to both days, plus the opening night of the Outside Days festival on May 29.

Industry Conference speakers announced today include:

• Mary Beth Laughton, CEO, REI
• Ryan Gellert, CEO, Patagonia
• Jeremy Bloom, CEO, X Games
• Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO, Outdoor Afro
• Jared Smith, CEO, Alterra Mountain Company
• Kent Ebersole, President, Outdoor Industry Association
• Jessica Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
• Erin Sprague, CEO, Protect Our Winters
• Lindsay Shumlas, CEO, Cotopaxi
• Patrik Frisk, CEO, Reju
• Alyssa Ravasio, Founder & CEO, Hipcamp
• Pete Comeau, Managing Director, Phocuswright Inc.
• Dimple Jethani, CIO, Aramark Destinations
• Bill McKibben, Author & Founder, 350.org and Third Act
• Sasha Day, President & CEO, Aramark Destinations
• Dr. Kimberly McGlonn, Founder & CEO, Build It Boldly
• Sam Auck, Chief Platform Officer, Pursuit
• Melissa Maher, Founder & CEO, Pinnacle Enterprises Group
• Elyse Rylander, Co-Founder, LGBTQ Outdoor Summit
• Alex Bennett, Head of Events, Professional Triathletes Organization
• Amy Charity, Co-founder and CEO, SBT GRVL

The full lineup of announced speakers is available at the Outside Days Industry Conference website. New speakers will continue to be announced in the coming weeks.

In 2026, the Outside Days Industry Conference program will focus on creating new pathways to outdoor participation at a moment when our collective need to “touch grass” has never been greater. The full conference agenda will be released in early Spring, but the four programming tracks include:

• Outside Ignite (May 28), the premier startup pitch competition that brings together founders, investors, and business leaders, returns for its sophomore year to showcase bold new ideas shaping the future of the outdoor industry. The competition will select a total of eight finalists from the applicant pool to pitch live for the chance to receive a $100,000 prize package. Seed Stage to Series A startups in the outdoor, wellness, or active lifestyle space are invited to apply before February 4, 2026 11:59 p.m. MT for a chance to be featured.
  • All finalists will be notified in March 2026. Full application and eligibility requirements can be found at https://outsidedays.outsideonline.com/igniteapplication.
• Outside Attract (May 28) this forum for stakeholders from across the outdoor travel ecosystem has innovators sharing data and learnings to inform strategies for delivering experiences that lure new visitors—and bring them back.
• Outside Endure (May 28) will host endurance event organizers and partners from iconic races, national governing bodies, and market-leading brands to support endurance athletes and chart what’s next for the industry at large. This day-long forum is designed exclusively for event professionals with a blend of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout workshops.
• Outside Summit (May 29), presented by Capitol One and REI Co-op, will include keynote presentations and panel discussions and bring together corporate and nonprofit leaders, national policy makers, and cultural influencers to shape a vision for the future of the outdoor industry.

“We know that time outside is fundamental to human health, happiness, and connection,” said Robin Thurston, Founder and CEO of Outside Interactive, Inc., who will also be speaking at the event. “The Outside Days Industry Conference brings together leaders committed to helping people get outdoors by improving access, protecting public lands, and creating the products and services that inspire greater participation. I’m thrilled to welcome the industry game changers who are advancing conversations that empower the next generation of outdoor advocates.”

Outside Days is an annual celebration of outdoor community and culture, with four days of programming featuring athletes, explorers, artists, storytellers, and industry leaders crafted to inspire attendees to reconnect with the outdoors and each other. The 2026 musical lineup includes headliners Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, and Cage the Elephant.

A 2-day Industry Pass starts at $289 and prices will increase after February 1, 2026. A 4-day Industry Pass bundle with VIP starts at $489 for the full Outside Days weekend, with access to a premium VIP viewing area, exclusive food vendors, private bar access, expedited entry, and more. Additional premium pass options include the 4-day Industry Pass bundle with GA+ starting at $439 and includes perks like express entry, private bathrooms, additional food and beverage options, and exclusive main stage viewing and hospitality within the Outside+ Lounge. Plus, each GA+ ticket comes with a one (1) year Outside+ subscription including unlimited digital content across the Outside Network and premium access to the Gaia GPS and Trailforks Pro navigation apps.

The Outside Days Industry Conference is managed by Boulder-based Outside Interactive, Inc. Support for the Outside Summit comes from Capital One, REI Co-op, the Jeep® brand, Brooks Running, The North Face, VF Foundation, Visit Denver, the State of Colorado, and Reju. Support for Outside Ignite is provided by ICELab, Cooley LLP, Next Ventures, and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office.

Additional programming details will be announced in Spring 2026. For tickets and more information, visit https://outsidedays.outsideonline.com/industry-conference.

About Outside Interactive, Inc.

Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for outdoor inspiration, activation, and celebration. Each year, Outside reaches more than 300 million unique users and has more than 100 million registered users across its network of 25 media, service, and utility brands, including Outside, MapMyFitness, Velo, Yoga Journal, Pinkbike, Gaia GPS, Trailforks, athleteReg, and more. Outside’s mission is to get everyone outside, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives by creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside’s subscription offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, videos, gear reviews, mapping apps, online courses, discounted event access, and more. Learn more at outsideonline.com/outsideplus.

Contacts

Media Contact:
For Media Inquires, please contact Jack Taylor PR at [email protected].