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Hotel + Transportation
Harbor Side Convention Center
350 Harbor Dr,
Duluth, MN 55802
About the Conference Program
The deadline for proposals has passed. All participants who submitted a proposal will be notified by mid-December.
Conference Agenda
Conference information will be posted and updated regularly at www.recpro.org. Registration is expected to open in January 2026. The schedule of sessions is expected to be available in February 2026.
The 2026 NORC program will explore how outdoor recreation can serve as a catalyst for restoration and revitalization — of places, communities, and systems. As outdoor recreation continues to evolve in response to social, environmental, and economic changes, this conference focuses on the role of recreation planning and management in rebuilding resilient infrastructure, fostering community well-being, strengthening governance, honoring culture and place, and fostering innovation. Sessions will offer actionable insights, inspire collaboration, and reflect forward-thinking approaches.
Questions?
Candace Gallagher, Conference Coordinator
candace@americantrails.org
(530) 645-3096
Sessions will Address
Building and Sustaining Recreation Infrastructure
This track focuses on planning, maintaining, and adapting outdoor recreation infrastructure as a foundation for revitalized outdoor experiences. Topics may include asset reinvestment, climate-ready design, adaptive reuse, and nature-based solutions that serve both ecological and visitor needs. Sessions should offer practical strategies that restore and sustain the systems supporting recreation access and function.
Advancing Belonging and Quality of Life
This track explores how outdoor recreation planning can enhance community well-being and everyday quality of life. Topics may include inclusive design, access for diverse communities, and planning approaches that foster belonging and connection. Sessions should highlight how recreation spaces support everyday revitalization - making communities more livable, welcoming, and rooted in shared experience.
Engaging Communities & Navigating Governance
This track focuses on community-centered planning, collaborative management, and responsive governance. Topics may include public engagement, co-stewardship, cross-sector partnerships, and adapting to shifting administrative landscapes. Sessions should explore how planners and managers are building trust, expanding participation, and sharing responsibility in ways that restore meaningful relationships with people and land.
Innovation and the Future of Outdoor Recreation
This track features forward-thinking and emerging models, technologies, funding strategies and partnerships in recreation planning. Sessions may highlight innovative funding mechanisms, planning for new and evolving recreation technologies, or approaches that integrate equity, climate resilience, and access. We welcome bold ideas, experimental initiatives, and pilot projects that offer a glimpse into what’s next for outdoor recreation planning and management
Regional and Cultural Approaches
This track explores how regional identity, cultural values, and community priorities inform outdoor recreation planning and management. Sessions may highlight Indigenous- and Tribal-led initiatives, cultural stewardship, local tourism strategies, and cross-boundary partnerships that enhance outdoor recreation systems. Proposals are welcome from across the country, including those highlighting work in the Great Lakes region. Presenters are encouraged to share how culture, history, and regional context shape planning decisions and contribute to creating meaningful, revitalized outdoor experiences.
Presentation Formats
Presentation formats will include the following:
Poster Presentation
Poster that displays selected research and/or other outdoor recreation-focused projects. Presenters are required to be available to discuss their poster during the live session on May 11 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Posters will remain on display for the duration of the event.
Research Presentation
20-minute research-oriented presentation (15-minute presentation plus 5 minutes for questions). The Program Work Group will group research presentations based on conference themes to fit within concurrent sessions.
Concurrent Sessions
45-minute sessions that present a case study or topic and which allow time for interaction with the audience (30-minute presentation; 15 minutes for questions or discussion). The Program Committee will group presentations based on similar themes to fit within concurrent sessions.
Panel Discussion
Ninety-minute presentation during which multiple people present or facilitate a discussion or brainstorming session on a specific topic, issue, solution, etc. and which actively provide opportunities for the audience to interact with the presenters.
Workshop or Training Sessions
This year we are inviting proposals for 4-8 hour or multi-day pre- or post-conference education sessions. Full or half day sessions will take place at the conference venue on Monday, May 11 and should align with the conference theme. Multi-day sessions may include technical training with a field component; the NORC planning team will work with you on the timing and location.
CEUs
Learning credits will be available to attendees thanks to a partnership with American Trails and are included in the registration fee. In order to be eligible for learning credits, presentations must run at least 15 minutes to be eligible for AICP CM, and at least 60 minutes in length to be eligible for LA CES and NRPA CEU equivalency petition, as well as CEU/PDH equivalency petition for other accepting organizations. The length of the session will determine the number of hours/credits given.
American Trails is excited to partner with the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals again and is an approved provider for the American Planning Association (APA) and can offer Certification Maintenance (CM) credits, as well as an LA CES approved provider for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Sessions are also eligible for CEU equivalency petition for park professionals with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and CEU/PDH equivalency petition via other accepting organizations. In order for sessions to qualify for these credits, attendees must fill out an evaluation survey for each session they attend, as well as have their learning credit tracking form initialed by a room host, registration, or an American Trails representative for each session credits are requested for (surveys and forms will be provided to attendees at registration).
Learn more about credits offered here.
Agenda
Schedule subject to change.
A detailed list of sessions is expected to be available in February 2026.
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 Lake Aquarium, hosted by Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance (light apps and cash bar)
Wednesday, May 13
Field workshops (lunch and choice of one workshop included.
Friday, 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
"This was a fabulous professional development opportunity and provided great networking as well as substantive educational topics."
2024 NORC 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)
