National Outdoor
Recreation Conference
Dates: May 11-14, 2026
Location: Duluth, Minnesota
Registration will open March 1 for not-yet-SORP members
Quick links
Harbor Side Convention Center
350 Harbor Dr,
Duluth, MN 55802
About the Conference
The National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC) is the premier conference for outdoor recreation professionals, offering opportunities for learning, networking, and field-based case studies. During each conference, we create a program that inspires, challenges, and empowers the broad community of outdoor recreation professionals.
NORC brings together over 400 people that include recreation resource planners, land managers, policy makers, tourism and destination stewardship partners, researchers, consultants, innovators, and leaders in outdoor recreation.
The 2026 conference will take place in Duluth, MN in partnership with Duluth Area Outdoors Alliance. The engaging program will include 4 days of classroom and field workshops, concurrent sessions, and a stellar lineup of keynotes. The 2026 program theme is Outdoor Recreation Pathways to Restoration and Revitalization. Our program is designed to inspire, challenge, and empower the broad community of outdoor recreation leaders and practitioners.
Safety & Awareness Update: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
Your safety is our priority. The City of Duluth and the DECC maintain a proactive security presence for the National Outdoor Recreation Conference, working in tandem with local law enforcement to ensure a secure and enjoyable event for all attendees.
Federal Interaction: As a public facility, the DECC cannot interfere with federal law enforcement, but will observe and report any presence, including requesting judicial warrant and officer details. Federal law enforcement cannot access rental or nonpublic spaces without the DECC’s or NORC's consent.
Current Status: There is currently no information suggesting any disruption to event operations or threats to a safe environment. The City of Duluth continues to monitor risks alongside local and state law enforcement.
While Visiting the DECC
See Something, Say Something. If you observe suspicious activity, notify a uniformed security officer or contact the DECC Security line at 218-722-5573. In an emergency, call 911.
Questions?
Candace Gallagher, Conference Coordinator
candace@americantrails.org
(530) 645-3096
NORC STATS
400+
Join 400+ professionals including planners, land managers, policy makers, and leaders and connect with peers through networking and social events.
30+
Explore 30+ classroom and field sessions over four full days, learning from 75+ speakers through engaging, hands-on workshops.
40+
Join 40+ exhibitors and showcase your organization while connecting with attendees through three days of impactful engagement.
Registration Rates
Registration for SORP members opens January 26 and nonmember registration opens March 1.
You can join SORP as a member for early access!
A full registration, over the course of 3.5 days, includes all sessions, lunch on 3 days (Tuesday to Thursday*), option of one offsite Wednesday workshop (transportation included), refreshments throughout the day, and evening social events including the poster reception, scholarship fundraiser, and silent auction (light apps and cash bar), and offsite network events on Tuesday at the Great Lakes Aquarium (light apps and cash bar) and the Takeover Night on Thursday at Canal Park Brewing Company (dinner and drinks on own - $1 per beer purchased donated to SORP).
* Wednesday lunch only included if you sign up for a field workshop which is included in a full registration
Full Registration
Early Member
$575
1/26/26 - 2/28/26
Student Member
$275
1/26/26 - 5/8/26
Regular Member
$675
3/1/26 - 5/8/26
Regular NonMember
$775
3/1/26-5/8/26
Student NonMember
$325
3/1/26 - 5/8/26
Single Day Registration (Mon, Tue, Thur options)*
Single Day (Member)
$375
1/26/26 - 5/8/26
Single Day (Nonmember)
$375
3/1/26 - 5/8/26
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations for registration, workshops, and pre-reserved functions and activities must be requested via email up to 14 days in advance of the conference start date, May 11, 2026. All written cancellations are subject to a $25 processing fee. No refunds are given within 14 days of the conference start date.
*Please note that there are no member rates for single day registration options.
Sponsorship
Your brand will be seen by thousands of agency, business, academic, and nonprofit outdoor recreation leaders from across the US and Canada through social media and direct email. Onsite, you will have access to 400+ attendees, 75+ speakers, and multiple outreach channels. Help us build better ways to work together by attending, sponsoring, and developing a conference providing premier learning and networking opportunities for all within the outdoor recreation field. View the Sponsorship Packet to learn more about the different levels and benefits.
Agenda
Schedule subject to change. Full schedule to be announced soon!
Monday, May 11
Pre-conference workshops and training (morning and early afternoon)
Exhibit hall opens (afternoon)
Scholarship recipient lunch
Welcome general session (afternoon)
Poster reception and silent auction (light apps and cash bar)
Tuesday, May 12
Concurrent sessions (all day)
Exhibit hall open (all day)
Awards luncheon
Evening offsite networking event at Great Lakes Aquarium, hosted by Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance (light apps and cash bar)
Wednesday, May 13
Field workshops (lunch and choice of one workshop included)
Thursday, May 14
Concurrent sessions (all day)
Exhibit hall open (morning and early afternoon)
Closing keynote lunch
Takeover Night/Closing Social at local brewery Canal Park Brewing Company (dinner and drinks on own)
What People Say About Our Conference
"NORC provides such an amazing opportunity to engage with others in the industry, learn, and not be siloed into our regions."
Kenzie Brunner (NORC 2024 Attendee)
"Amazing conference with huge networking and connectivity opportunities"
NORC 2024 Attendee
"NORC provides such an amazing opportunity to engage with others in the industry, learn, and not be siloed into our regions."
Kenzie Brunner (NORC 2024 Attendee)
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
BOUNDARY WATERS ($10,000)
