Tourism Naturally Conference: A free virtual conference to offer resources for future leaders
Contact for reporters: Joe Giordano
(970) 227-1298
joe.giordano@colostate.edu
The Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department and the Center for Protected Area Management at Colorado State University is hosting the Tourism Naturally Conference Oct. 26-27. This international virtual conference will be free to attendees, focused on the theme “Protected Areas, Tourism, and a Changing World,” and will highlight industry trends in nature-based tourism.
Tourism Naturally 2022 will bring together researchers, practitioners, private sector partners and interested communities to discuss how we can shape protected areas and tourism for the improvement of nature and the human condition. Industry experts will touch on these topics and more during plenary talks and panel discussions.
Protected areas are a beacon of hope and support for mental and physical health for those with access, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those without access, it has made clear that more work needs to be done on accessibility, especially for marginalized communities. In some parts of the world, total closure of protected areas to visitation has led to the collapse of local economies and rapid job losses. With the loss of jobs and opportunity, protected areas have seen spikes in illegal extraction activities – dramatic shifts that are also happening in the context of global climate change, deteriorating global human health, economic uncertainty and a global population increasingly living disconnected from nature. The conference aims to address these important topics and more.
Encouraging student and early career professional engagement
With an emphasis on student engagement and early career professional engagement, this conference will be entirely free of charge and will have several sessions for these groups, including a student-led industry trends session, a future industry trends panel and several speed networking sessions. During breaks, students and early career professionals can visit with virtual exhibition booths, who will be showcasing graduate degree programs and internships. With the conference app, discussion boards will feature job openings and topics for discussion.
An inspiring line-up of plenary speakers
The Tourism Naturally Conference will feature nature tourism industry leaders, including:
- Stanley Rowland, chief executive officer, Blue Climate Initiative
- Kelly Bricker, professor and director, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University
- Steve Hood, senior vice president, Smith Travel Research (STR)
- Andrew Grossman, director, Destination Development, Colorado Tourism Office
- Toby Bloom, national program manager of travel, tourism and interpretation, U.S. Forest Service
- David Buggs, chief diversity and inclusion officer, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Andrew Rhodes, vice-chair, World Commission on Protected Areas, Union for the Conservation of Nature
- Andy Wirth, CEO and president, Ridgeline Executive Group Inc.
- Ken Widmaier, former COO, Sage Hospitality
- Seve Ghose, community services director, City of Fort Collins
- Samantha Albert, deputy director, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
About the Tourism Naturally Conference
Beginning in 2016, the Tourism Naturally Foundational Consortium has hosted four successful global conferences in Italy, Austria, England and Germany. The 2022 conference is the first conference in the series hosted by a U.S. institution, though the event will be entirely online.
The conference is open to the public and is free to attend but requires registration for attendance. Any interested individuals may view our website for more information or register online.