Outdoor Day at Midwest House
(10-11 Atrium Stage) Recharge vs. Unplugged: How Tech is Revolutionizing Outdoor Recreation for All w/the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Introduced by Brad Garmon, Senior Strategic Advisor and Executive Director, Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
Moderator: Ambreen Tariq, Senior Program Director at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Panelists:
Kai Twanmoh, Head of Brand Communications, AllTrails
Molly Stoecklein, Head of PR and Communications, OnXmaps
Camilo Barcenas, CEO, GOES Health
Molly Morgan, Texas State Director and Associate Vice President, Trust for Public Land
Toby Kraus, Co-Founder and CEO, Lightship
At a time when millions more are getting outdoors than ever before, technology has in many ways democratized access to the outdoors and empowered many newcomers to enjoy it in safer and in more sustainable ways. Today’s technology enables better access to online information about parks and trails, improving safety through GPS tracking and more accessible maps and navigation apps, growing and connecting communities through social media, and using tech to enhance outdoor gear and apparel, among other prominent use cases.
But how can we manage the balance between increased accessibility and new technologies with our primal desire to unplug and connect to the natural world?
In this 60-minute discussion. led by Ambreen Tariq, Senior Program Director at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, we’ll explore how innovations in tech and information systems have transformed access to the Great Outdoors by making it more navigable, wearable, shareable, and more. Tariq will speak with the following leaders in the outdoor recreation industry to learn about how they view the role of tech in the outdoors and how they’ve used it to create new transformative experiences for those exploring the Great Outdoors.
(11-12 Atrium Stage) Access, Adventure, & Awe w/the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
Moderator: Brad Garmon, Senior Strategic Advisor and Executive Director, Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
Panelists:
Ian Solomon, Detroit Parks Coalition: Amplify Outside; Host of “Ian Outside” with PBS Great Lakes Now
Stacy Bare, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Award-winning Filmmaker; National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
Sasha Dingle - Meditation Athlete/Teacher; Freeskiing World Tour Champion; Fulbright Fellow; Founder & Director, Mountain Mind Project; Rossignol Athlete
Research has consistently shown the mental and emotional benefits of time spent recreating in nature and the physical benefits of moments of awe that can be found in nature. More states and communities are experimenting with “Nature Rx” programs and other ways to connect the dots between talent, productivity, and healthy outdoor access.
In places like Detroit, Grand Rapids and the Upper Peninsula, Michigan leaders believe that targeted investments focused specifically on improving outdoor access, adding more adventure and discovering moments of awe can improve community wellbeing and health, attract and retain talent, and improve economic prosperity. That idea will serve as the spark for a conversation with leaders and innovators dedicated to connecting people in urban and rural areas with the health and economic benefits of being outside and physically active in nature, and working every day to improve the health of people and communities through outdoor access.
(12-1 Atrium Stage) Midwest House Winter Camp
Introduced by Brad Garmon, Senior Strategic Advisor and Executive Director, Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
Moderator: Colin True – Writer. Producer, Host of THE ROCK FIGHT Podcast
Panelists:
Stacy Bare, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Award-winning Filmmaker; National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
Colin McCarthy – Commercial + Editorial Photographer / Director specializing in outdoor lifestyle, travel and documentary.
Sasha Dingle - Meditation Athlete/Teacher; Freeskiing World Tour Champion; Fulbright Fellow; Founder & Director, Mountain Mind Project; Rossignol Athlete
Does Michigan have what it takes to be an Outdoor Recreation leader? Join THE ROCK FIGHT Podcast to hear stories from a diverse collection of outdoor professionals about the trip they took across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this February to explore the offerings including backcountry skiing at Mount Bohemia (#2 on USA Today’s 10 Best Ski Resorts list) to Ice Climbing with world-class mountaineers at the Michigan Ice Fest in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and snowmobiling the Lake Superior shoreline.
(3:00 - 4:00 Garden Stage) Unlocking Capital for Early-Stage Startups: Strategies for Success in Michigan’s Evolving Funding Landscape presented by Ann Arbor SPARK
Moderator: Mike Flanagan, Vice President, Capital Programs at Ann Arbor SPARK
Panelists:
Crystal Brown - CEO & Co-Founder of CircNova
Josef Hjelmaker - CEO and Founder Electric Outdoors
Jim Tenzillo - Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund & Venture Next
Navigating the fundraising journey is one of the greatest challenges for early-stage startups, especially in today’s unpredictable funding environment. In this panel, investors and founders will explore the pathways and challenges for Michigan entrepreneurs. The conversation will also touch on the impacts of a difficult fundraising environment over the past two years, the opportunities for 2025, and how Michigan’s unique ecosystem is positioning itself to help entrepreneurs thrive.