PA Wilds Trails Summit

UPDATE:  Due to multiple scheduling conflicts, the 2014 PA Wilds Trail Summit will be postponed until a later date in March, 2015.

However, the "Triple Divide Connections" session remains schedule for November 13, 2014.  Details below:

Stay tuned for more information after the first of the year.

If you've already submitted a payment for the Trails Summit, we will be in contact with you shortly.

November 12, 2014 from 9:00 AM - 7:00P PM, and
November 13, 2014 from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
At the Genetti Hotel and Convention center in Williamsport, PA

Professional Development Hours Available

Registration deadline for Participant Registration  - November 5, 2014
Registration deadline for Speaker and Vendor Registration - October 31, 2014

The PA Wilds Trail Summit provides local governments, trail professionals, advocates, volunteers, and users with a venue for sharing practical, up-to-date trail management and advocacy skills; as well as a forum for networking and building support for accessible, inter-connected, and a sustainable trail systems in the northern tier region. Participants in the conference will include representatives from local government, public and tourist promotion agencies, diverse trail organizations, trails-related businesses, engineers, and community planning professionals. This investment and sharing of knowledge will ensure the revitalization of our rural communities.

Participants Register Here!

 

Agenda

November 12, 2014 - Day 1:  

9:00-10:00 - Registration - Continental Breakfast and Vendor Networking

10:00 – Welcome - Ernie Larson, Lycoming County Commissioner

10:15-11:15 - Building a State-Wide Network of Trails
Diane Kripas, Chief, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Partnership Division, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation

11:15-12:00 – Partnering with the Appalachian Regional Commission for Asset-Based Development
Neil Fowler, Director, Center for Appalachian Development, PA Department of Community and Economic Development

12:00-1:00 - Lunch and vendor networking

1:00-3:00 - Breakout Sessions (Session #1: Tracks 1A, 1B, 1C) *

3:00-3:30 - Break and Networking

3:30-5:00 - Breakout Sessions (Session #2: Tracks 2A, 2B, 2C) *

5:00-7:00 - Reception and Cash Bar

November 13, 2014 - Day 2:

8:00-9:00 - Registration - Continental Breakfast and Vendor Networking

9:00-10:30 - Agency Trails Policy Panel:

 •   PA Game Commission - Eric Miller
 •   PA Department of Transportation - Chris Metka & Chris King
 •   PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Lori Yeich
 •   PA Fish and Boat - Scott Bollinger
 •   National Park Service - Jackie Kramer
 •   PA Department of Community and Economic Development - Ryan Emerson

 10:30 - 10:45 - Break

 10:45-11:15 -  Agency and Participant Interactive Discussion

 11:15-12:15 - Breakout Roundtables:

 •   Funding
 •   Rural Needs
 •   Communication
 •   Economic Data

12:15-1:00 - Lunch

1:00-3:00 - Breakout Sessions (Session #3: Tracks 3A, 3B, 3C) * 

3:15-3:30 – Closing remarks

*Breakout Sessions

There will be three separate breakout sessions throughout the trails summit.  You may choose one track per session from the following choices:

Session #1 - November 12, 2014 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Track 1A: 

Capacity Building Track 
• Effective Public Relations With Adjoining Land Owners and Trail Opponents - Ron Steffey, Executive Director, Allegheny Valley Land Trust
• Event Planning Basics For Promoting Your Trail - Kelly Williams and Carl Undercofler, Clearfield County Conservation District

Track 1B:

Technical Building Track 
• Trails with Rails Planning Considerations - Tammy Klunk, Director, York County Department of Parks and Recreation
 • Specifications for Trail and Timber Bridge Designs - PA Department of Transportation

Track 1C:

Making Connections Track 
• Connecting Business to Assets: A regional Trail Towns Approach - Trish Carothers, Executive Director, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership; Dennis Butteroff, Mayor, Jersey Shore
• Resources and Tips for Starting or Expanding a Business - Holly Komonczi, Executive Director, Clearfield County Tourist and Recreation Authority; Ta Brant, Executive Director, Center for Entrepreneurship; Glen McConnell, McConnell Outfitters

 

Session #2 -  November 12, 2014 from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Track 2A:

Susquehanna River Walk Mobile Session - Mark Murawski, Lycoming County Planning Department; Jerry Walls, FAICP 

Track 2B:

Low Impact Water Trail Access Design - Jason Reed, Gannett Fleming

Track 2C:

One on One Explore PA Trails Mapping - Kent Taylor, GIS Specialist, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Session #3 - November 13, 2014 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Track 3A:

Capacity Building Track 
• Communicating Your Story for Effectiveness - John Straitiff, Executive Director, PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau
• Leadership for Success - Jim Weaver, Chair, Marsh Creek Greenway, Tioga County Planning Commission

Track 3B:

Technical Building Track
• Designing Snowmobile/ATV Trails - Dennis Norman, Norman Engineering
• Dual Tread Trail Compatibility - Owen Beachy, The EADS Group

Track 3C:

Making Connections Track - Mark Murawski, Facilitator
• Connecting Greenways from Lake Ontario to Chesapeake Bay via the Genesee River, Triple Divide, Pine Creek, and Susquehanna River - Allen Kerkeslager, St. Joseph's University; Terri Dennison, Route 6 
• Management and Sustainability: Multi Municipal Authorities - Jerry Walls, FAICP Professional         Planner

For Accommodations:

A limited block of rooms have been reserved at the Genetti Hotel.  For reservations, please call:

(800) 321-1388

Participants Register Here!