International Trails Summit
Madison, Wisconsin
Core Summit: April 15-17
Pre-Summit Workshops: April 12-14
Allied Meetings + Field Trips: April 14
Post-Summit Workshops: April 18
Join American Trails and the Professional TrailBuilders Association for 3 days of:
Concurrent sessions, roundtable discussions, and plenary sessions on broad themes, case studies, and technical training
Networking opportunities with 700+ attendees from the public, private, and non-profit sectors
An offsite day (Thursday 4/17) with the Dirt Demo and mechanized equipment, hands-on education sessions, food trucks and more (included in registration)!
A dynamic Exhibit Hall throughout the Summit
Beautiful lake views in Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace
Pre- and Post-Conference workshops (optional for an additional fee) will provide technical training in a hands-on small group learning setting
Field trips (Monday 4/14 - optional for an additional fee) provide opportunity to explore the area’s trails and beauty before the conference starts
The Summit Program is Online
Summit Details
Core Conference: April 15-17, 2025
Pre-Summit Workshops (optional): April 12-14, 2025
Allied Meetings + Field Trips (optional): April 14, 2025
Post-Summit Workshops (optional): April 18, 2025
Registration Closed!
Keynote Speaker Announced!
American Trails and the Professional TrailBuilders Association are excited to announce the keynote speaker for the 2025 International Trails Summit is James Edward Mills. As a freelance journalist and independent media producer with a career spanning more than 20 years, he specializes in sharing stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving, and sustainable living practices.
James is the author of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors, which was named by Outside Magazine as one of the 10 “Outdoor Books that Shaped the Last Decade.” James is also the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film “An American Ascent.”
James is the Founder/CEO/Executive Producer of the Joy Trip Project, a news gathering and reporting organization that covers the business, art, and culture of the outdoor recreation industry.
Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
Demonstrate that your company or organization is a leader in the trails and outdoor recreation industry.
Your brand will be seen by thousands of agency, government, business, academic, and nonprofit outdoor recreation leaders across the U.S. and abroad through our website, native mobile app, social media, email marketing, printed materials, and advertising impressions.
Onsite, you will have exclusive, dedicated access to 700+ attendees, 120+ speakers, and multiple channels of outreach.
SOLD OUT!!!
There are still opportunities to participate/have a table at the Offsite Day on Thursday. Email us to learn more.
Summit Sponsor ($15,000)
Tahoe Sponsor ($10,000)
Sierra Sponsors ($6,000)
Supporters ($4,000)
Exhibitors
Film Festival - Wednesday 4/16
Free for ITS attendees! 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Lecture Hall at Monona Terrace Convention Center
The World Trails Film Festival is made by and for trail-loving communities worldwide and is excited to be held in conjunction with the International Trails Summit for a second time. The Film Festival will showcase a variety of films with each one coming from a different country. Themes of the films include: mental health, hand-made trails, having hope in the face of challenges, and the power of walking. The films are being finalized and a list will be shared once confirmed.
Doors open at 6:00pm. No host bar and free popcorn! List of films to be shown coming soon!
About: The World Trails Film Festival is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit arts service organization. To learn more, visit https://trails.film.
Film line up:
Dolly’s Song (USA): Woman leader in training on cross-cut saws
Seeking Judhuri (Lebanon): Discussion of healing family story hiking
Durga: Forging a New Trail (Nepal): A Nepali woman breaks barriers in her community as a mountain guide
Building the Pamir Trail (Tajikistan): New project, quick progress update
From Biocrust with Love (USA): Biking and bio info about dirt in desert
Mountains to Sea Greenway (Taiwan): More poetic video showing diverse trail project
Sinai Trail Urgent Message (Egypt): Climate change appeal for trail project there
Twin Oaks (USA)
Breaking Trail (USA): Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Offsite Day
Thursday 4/17, 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
Babcock County Park
Join us for the Offsite Day which is the ending to the summit (prior to the takeover night at a local brewery) and is an opportunity for attendees to get outside, check out trails, and will include demonstrations via exhibitors who will also have tables, as well as a handful of one-hour education sessions slotted in two separate time blocks. Attendees will have the opportunity to “play in the dirt” via the dirt demo (aka excavators, mini dozers, etc.) and will get the chance to ride in a Ford Bronco in the dirt area.
We will have multiple food trucks with 3 $5 vouchers provided to each attendee when they check-in for the Offsite Day on Thursday (plus additional food/drinks for purchase), free non-alcoholic beer thanks to Athletic Brewing and beer for purchase.
Complimentary continuous transportation will be provided to and from the convention center so you can come and go as you please. Attendees are also welcome to drive themselves.
Takeover Night - Thursday 4/17
Thanks to Great Dane Brewing & Co. for hosting the Takeover night to close out the Summit on Thursday 4/17!
Attendees and the general public can join us for this no-host evening for drinks and delicious food within walking distance from Monona Terrace Convention Center. Great Dane is graciously donating $1 to ITS for every beer purchased between 5:00pm-10:00pm!
NICA Trail Day
Thursday 4/17, 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
Babcock County Park
NICA Youth ages 12-18 are invited to attend the International Trails Summit’s Offsite Day and Dirt Demonstration.
