Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Conference, September 16-19
National Writer’s Group to Meet at La Crosse, Wisconsin
By Bob Holzhei
The Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers’ 63rd Annual Conference will be held September 16-19, 2019 at the AmericInn in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The result of two years of planning, the event is being hosted by the La Crosse County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Approximately 200 of AGLOW’s professional media, corporate, tourism and non-profit conservation members from more than 20 different states will converge on La Crosse for four days of professional development, networking, craft improvement and exploration of the La Crosse area’s unique outdoor resources.
“To say we are excited to host the 2019 AGLOW conference is an understatement! We are anticipating your arrival with great enthusiasm. If you have not visited the La Crosse County Region in the past, get ready for something truly inspiring. The area is special. The La Crosse County area is part of the Driftless Region, where ice glaciers left us an untouched playground of bluffs, ravines, and a countless incredible network of waterways. Known for its excellent fishing, hiking, hunting, canoeing, boating and enjoying the outdoors, many excursions are planned,” stated Jeremiah Burish, Director of Sports Sales at Explore La Crosse.
While the home base for the conference will be the AmericInn, visiting AGLOW members will take part in a variety of excursions throughout the La Crosse area. These excursions are of particular importance to AGLOW’s media members, who will be gathering content to support their blogs, articles, television and radio shows, and other communications work throughout the coming year.
“We feel privileged to have the good folks at La Crosse share all their area has to offer at this 63rd annual meeting of our great organization. This is one of the cornerstone events of our organization. It’s a dynamic, hands-on conference that brings national communicators together with La Crosse tourism and other professionals from the outdoors industry to network and collaborate, while remaining focused on our collective goals of promoting the great outdoors, conservation and the responsible use and enjoyment of our treasured natural resources,” added Mark Smith, Executive Director of AGLOW.
Monday begins with a Keynote Tourism session, and various membership meetings. A variety of spouse tours will also be provided throughout the week.
Super breakout afternoon will take place on Thursday where corporate members will showcase their latest outdoor products to working media. The AGLOW auction will be held Thursday evening, providing opportunities for members to bid on a variety of great outdoor products donated by AGLOW’s Corporate Members; proceeds will benefit AGLOW’s various outreach programs providing scholarships and grants for high school and college students.
AGLOW membership is diverse with members representing newspapers, magazines, radio and television programs throughout the United States. In addition, countless blogs and websites will provide additional exposure for the La Crosse area.
“Established in 1956 and with nearly 400 members, AGLOW is one of the oldest and largest outdoor communicators’ groups in the nation. We come together at our annual conference to find new ways to support each other’s work, to gather content, to celebrate and improve our craft, and to advance our mission of telling stories that educate and inspire our readers, listeners, viewers and followers to enjoy our nation’s outdoor resources responsibly. The La Crosse area provides the ideal backdrop for all this to take place, and we’re grateful for the hard work and preparation of the La Crosse County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has extended in hosting our group,” concluded Josh Lantz, President of AGLOW.