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2021 Fall Conference is open for registration!
It’s on! Our fall conference is going to be held in one of the most magical places in California — Tuolumne County.
Tuolumne County is one destination with three distinctly different vacations: Yosemite, the Gold Country, and the High Sierra. Explore one or all three! It’s the outdoor enthusiast’s playground with year-round activities that include fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching, snow and water sports, horseback riding and so much more. Expect fall color, friendly folks and downhome fun when you attend the Outdoor Writer’s Association of California Fall Conference. Sonora will be the hub for your time here with plenty of activities reaching into every corner of the County. Great hospitality, fun meal events and exciting activities await you!
November 14 - 17, 2021
Here's what to expect!
Members of the OWAC Board of Directors will arrive afternoon, November 14, 2021, for a board meeting held with dinner at site, slated for 5 p.m. Meeting facility, rooms and dinners for the attending board members (and their spouses/guests) provided by the host for November 14, 2021. Pre-conference activities may be scheduled for November 14, 2021.
Conference attendees arrive before noon on, November 15, 2021, when check-in for the conference and the general meeting, craft improvement sessions and a marketplace are held.
Conference begins on November 15, 2021 morning, with registration, a general membership meeting, a mini-trade show for OWAC Supporting members and local area purveyors, accompanied by a welcome luncheon. November 15, 2021, afternoon is occupied by professional development sessions (craft improvement) and a newsmaker session — a talk by one or more key players in California’s outdoors. Often a newsmaker hails from the local region and is suggested by the host.
The evening of November 15, 2021is capped off with a reception (cocktails) and banquet dinner for all conference attendees and guests with facility and dinner provided by host organization. If applicable, the presentation of annual awards and recognition of achievement follows. Host welcoming speakers preview the activities and available experiences in the area.
Getting outside.
On morning of November 16, 2021, Professional members, Supporting members, guests and spouses, head out to a wide variety of outdoor activities. The host organization offers attendees their choice of ten (10) or more activities aimed at generating material for stories. Options frequently include fishing, shooting, wildlife watching, agri-tours, paddling, biking, climbing, horseback riding, off-roading, nature hikes and photo tours. Host provided box lunches are distributed prior to departure for selected activities.
Getting down to business.
Evening of November 16, 2021, members reconvene at a hosted cocktail hour and a dinner (often a barbecue) to meet members of the host community, particularly activity leaders they may not have met earlier in the day. It’s a chance for communicators to round out stories with important background information and to collect contact information for follow-ups and return visits. During the evening conference attendees submit photos for the OWAC Shirley miller photo contest, a review of the day’s activities captured throughout the day. These images then are given to the host for use in promotional activities at no cost, requiring only photo credits.
Getting it all together.
November 17, 2021, morning, farewell breakfast ends the conference — at least for members not signed up for post-conference familiarization trips. Some attendees may opt to stay in the area for November 17, 2021, if the host offers optional post-conference activities. Hosts typically offer attendees a variety of free or discounted one-half to three-day outings before and after conferences.