Capitol Summit Education Day Agenda
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | YOTEL Washington DC
11:30 – 12:30 PM: Registration and Lunch
Pick up your badge and event materials, then mingle over lunch with attendees before we dive in.
12:30 – 1:15 PM: Fireside Chat with Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Kick off the day with a welcome from the OIA President Kent Ebersole, who will lead a fireside chat with Senator Bennet (D-CO), a champion for outdoor recreation and rural development. The two leaders will discuss:
- Setting the stage for policy priorities and challenges in 2025
- Recent legislative wins and challenges
- How to amplify trade, conservation, and outdoor recreation policy on Capitol Hill and engage with lawmakers
1:15 – 1:45 PM: Outdoor Recreation Policy
OIA’s outdoor recreation policy program is centered on ensuring equitable access to public lands and waters, advancing infrastructure investments, and engaging with the federal agencies that manage our nation’s outdoor spaces. Outdoor recreation is a critical driver of the U.S. economy, yet growing challenges—insufficient agency staffing, strained recreation infrastructure, and access barriers—threaten the industry’s future.
This session will explore our industry’s top recreation policy priorities, including reauthorizing the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, supporting federal workforce capacity, and protecting and expanding sustainable access to public lands. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how these policies impact businesses and communities, and how to advocate effectively for solutions that support outdoor participation and local economies.
Speakers:
- Theresa McKenney, Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs, NEMO Equipment
- Steve McCann, Marketing Director, Toad & Co
1:45 – 2:15 PM: Trade Policy
OIA’s international trade agenda program pursues a balanced trade policy, seeking tariff eliminations on outdoor products that have no commercially viable domestic production. Outdoor companies produce some of the most innovative and highly technical products across all industries. In this session, you’ll learn the fundamentals of international trade and how to explain to Members of Congress the harm that tariffs pose to the outdoor recreation economy and the U.S. economy.
Speakers:
- Michael DeVitto, Lead Customs and Trade Analyst, L.L.Bean
- Emily Vedaa, Sr. Manager, Global Customs & Trade, Columbia Sportswear
2:15 – 2:30 PM: Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE)
Hear from Representative Adrian Smith, Chair of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and a longtime champion of the outdoor economy and OIA’s balanced trade agenda.
2:30 – 2:45 PM: Break
2:45 – 3:15 PM: Outdoor Participation Trends and Business Impacts
Get the latest data on participation trends and emerging demographics from OIA Director of Research Kelly Davis. You’ll learn how your brand can translate these data insights into business and advocacy strategies.
3:15 – 4:15 PM: Navigating Uncertainties in International Trade Policy
Global trade policy continues to create significant uncertainties for outdoor businesses, impacting everything from product costs to supply chain reliability. This panel will explore how shifting tariff policies, supply chain bottlenecks, and international dynamics—such as Chinese shipbuilding and Section 301 tariffs—are directly affecting outdoor brands and manufacturers. Industry leaders and policy experts will provide a candid assessment of the biggest trade challenges facing the outdoor sector, including the complex realities of onshoring and diversification, and how your company can advocate for smarter trade policy solutions.
Moderator:
- Jaclyn Levy, OIA Senior Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs
Speakers:
- Jon Gold, VP Supply Chain & Customs Policy, National Retail Federation (NRF)
- Clint Todd, General Counsel, Nite Ize
- Ron Sorini, Cofounder, Sorini Samet & Associates
- Santiago Gonzalez, Legislative Director, Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
4:15 – 5:00 PM: The 2025 Outdoor Recreation Economy: Gateways, Public Lands, Workforce, and Local Investment
Public lands and gateway communities are vital to the outdoor recreation economy, but underfunding, staffing cuts, and housing shortages threaten future access and growth. This session will review recent policy decisions and explore how investment in public lands and rural development can sustain local economies, support workforce needs, and protect recreation access. Panelists will discuss how current staffing reductions and land disposal proposals are impacting local communities and share recommendations to address ongoing challenges.
Moderator:
- Sean Byrne, OIA Consultant and Partner, ACG Advocacy
Speakers:
- Ashley Korenblat, CEO, Western Spirit Cycling
- James Whaley, Legislative Assistant, Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
- Kristen Brengle, SVP Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association
- Mirielle Burgoyne, Deputy Executive Director/Director of Government Relations, National Association of Development Organizations
- Jenny Kordick, Executive Director, Maine Outdoor Brands
5:00 – 5:15 PM: Mobilize for Policy: Join 100+ Members in OIA’s New Advocacy Community
OIA’s member-exclusive platform, Mobilize, now includes a space just for government affairs—and more than 100 members are already using it. This session will introduce you to the platform and how it can support your advocacy work. Learn how to connect directly with fellow members and policy experts, stay updated on key issues, and share ideas and questions in real time. Whether you’re new to policy or already engaged, this is your go-to forum for staying informed and taking action.
Speaker:
- Jaclyn Levy, OIA Senior Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs
5:15 – 5:20 PM: Closing Remarks
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Reception
Join us for drinks, bites, and good company. Connect with policymakers, fellow attendees, speakers, and OIA staff.