gjexploretheoutdoorsexpo, Author at Explore the Outdoors Expo

2020 Seminars & Speakers

By gjexploretheoutdoorsexpo | December 10, 2019

2020 Seminars & Speakers

Explore the Outdoors Expo is a comprehensive showing of all things related to the outdoors!

The list is growing for our popular seminars!
Check back often to find a Seminar for your interests.
Come early, these fill up fast!

FRIDAY SEMINARS: Kannah Plateau/Dominguez Room

Seminar: Survival Firestarter – THE POWER OF LIGHT (Live Demo!)

Presented by: Innovative Concepts

Time: Friday 4 pm

• Imagine you’re in the high country of the Rocky Mountains and the weather is about to make it challenging for your survival. The sky is turning dark and the wind begins to blow hard. Snow starts to fall and you try to start a camp fire but the wood you gathered is wet. What are you going to do now? With FlyHigh’s premium fire starter, you will no longer have to worry about this situation. Place it in your pack for your next excursion! Premium hand-crafted FlyHigh Fire Starter. Proudly made in the U.S.A.

Seminar: Hindsight is 2020: What you need to know about solar in 2020
Presented by: Atlasta Solar
Time: Friday 5 pm

• We will discuss solar options for home and business owners. There will also be a drawing for a portable charging kit! You don’t want to miss this!

Trent and Kristen Blizzard, Mushroom seminar

Seminar: Mushroom Foraging 101

(High Country Edible Mushrooms)

Presented by: Trent and Kristen Blizzard

Time: Friday 6 pm
• Learn where and when to collect the top gourmet mushrooms in Western Colorado: Morels, Burn Morels, Porcinis and Chanterelles.

FRIDAY SEMINARS: Whitewater Room

Seminar: What does healthy footwear mean?
Presented by: SOM Footwear of Montrose
Time: Friday 3 pm
• This is a simple and controversial question that is not always easily answered, or answered the same way by everyone in the footwear industry. Common sense needs to be refreshed on how the feet work and what shape of footwear is best to help them regain the original sense of motion they were intended to have.

Seminar: The Reason Why We Adventure
Presented by: Michael Aschmann of Beyond the Giant Ministries, International
Time: Friday 4 pm
• Some look at a mountain and say, ” Who in their right mind would ever try to climb that?” Others look at that same mountain and say, “Let’s try to do something seemingly impossible.” There’s a lot more to a spirit of adventure that meets the eye, it is not merely a search for the next adrenaline fix.

Seminar: Building an Outdoor Legacy for Your Family

Presented by: Legacy Outfitters

Time: Friday 5 pm

• The seminar will cover how outdoorsmen can build an outdoor legacy for their family.

FRIDAY SEMINARS: Adobe/Escalante

Seminar: What is DNA-based nutrition and why should I care?
Presented by: Sarah Cuoco, UFORIA Science:
Time: Friday 2 pm
• How UFORIA Science uses an individual’s genetic information, then pair it with peer reviewed nutrients and develop their own custom nutritional supplement.

Seminar: Solar Generators – What are they and what can you do with them?

Presented by: Leisure Solar

Time: Friday 3 pm

• Advances in battery technology has made it possible to build portable generators that use no gas, have no fumes, and make no noise. This new generation of generators are light weight, portable and easy to use. They are perfect for camping, RVs, backup and emergency power, and anywhere that a good clean source of power is needed. This seminar will explore the technology and uses of solar generators.

Seminar: Factors to consider when buying or selling hunting or other recreational real estate
Presented by: United Country Real Colorado Properties

Time: Friday 4 pm

• Buying and even selling recreational property is not the same as residential property. Whether your passion is hunting, fishing, biking or something else; there are specific considerations you need to make early in your process.

Seminar: Dream Gear Made Live
Presented by: Wet Dreams River Supply
Time: Friday 5 pm

• Wet Dreams River Supply has been sewing river equipment since 2008. During the seminar you will see “Dream Gear” come to life!

SATURDAY SEMINARS: Kannah Plateau/Dominguez Room

Seminar: Forced Introduction of Wolves to Northwest Colorado
Presented by: Title Sponsor –
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Time: Saturday 11 am
• Colorado’s economy, elk population, conservation funding, hunting industry, and resident taxpayer dollars are in the crosshairs. An out-of-state, extremist-driven ballot initiative aims to force an introduction of wolves onto the Colorado landscape even though Colorado Parks and Wildlife have confirmed a natural migrating, active pack in the northwest part of the state.

Seminar: Take Your Outdoor Adventures to the Next Level
Presented by: Wacey Clarke, Owner & Founder of Colorado Hemp Solutions
Time: Saturday 12 noon

• Cannabinoid use for outdoorsmen and women and their four-legged sidekicks. Wacey Clarke, owner and founder of Colorado Hemp Solutions (Grand Junction, CO), will discuss industrial hemp derived cannabinoid options available to aid in overall wellness and athletic recovery.

Seminar: An Introduction to Electric Bikes
Presented by: Justin Manuppella of Colorado Electric Bikes
Time: Saturday 1 pm
• The who, what, when, where and why of e-bikes. Electric Bikes for Hunting, Fishing and Playing.

Seminar: Introduction to Colorado Mushroom ID and Edibility

(High Country Edible Mushrooms)

Presented by: Trent and Kristen Blizzard

Time: Saturday 2 pm

• Learn about the top 10 species of edible mushrooms found in Western Colorado and how to identify them. Special coverage given to their preparation for eating and long-term storage.

Seminar: Forced Introduction of Wolves to Northwest Colorado
Presented by: Title Sponsor –
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Time: Saturday 3 pm
• Colorado’s economy, elk population, conservation funding, hunting industry, and resident taxpayer dollars are in the crosshairs. An out-of-state, extremist-driven ballot initiative aims to force an introduction of wolves onto the Colorado landscape even though Colorado Parks and Wildlife have confirmed a natural migrating, active pack in the northwest part of the state.

SATURDAY SEMINARS: Whitewater Room

Seminar: Hindsight is 2020: What you need to know about solar in 2020
Presented by: Atlasta Solar
Time: Saturday 11 am

• We will discuss solar options for home and business owners. There will also be a drawing for a portable charging kit! You don’t want to miss this!

Seminar: Introduction of Fly Casting
Presented by: Hutch Hutchinson of Western Anglers

Time: Saturday 12 noon

• This short seminar will introduce people to the rods, reels and lines used in Fly Fishing. It will cover the basics of fly casting, including stance, how to grip a fly rod, how the rod and fly line work together and how to perform and execute several basic casts.

Seminar: How to Fish Big Rivers
Presented by: Jeff Powles, of Fish On Colorado
Time: Saturday 1 pm
• Jeff Powles, owner of Fish On Colorado, is a guide and outfitter who provides guided fly fishing services to beginners and long time fly fisherpersons. Fish On Colorado was started to provide more people with the experience of being out in nature, in some of the most beautiful places in Colorado while enjoying a tug on the other end of a fly line.

Seminar: How to Increase the Accuracy of Fly Casting
Presented by: Hutch Hutchinson of Western Anglers

Time: Saturday 2 pm

• Do you want to catch more fish? For freshwater or saltwater ACCURACY IS KING in fly fishing! Come learn some of the methods and tactics of becoming a more accurate presenter of flies! This seminar is well suited for any angler of any experience level. Especially if you consider yourself an expert!

Seminar: What is DNA-based nutrition and why should I care?
Presented by: Sarah Cuoco, UFORIA Science
Time: Saturday 3 pm
• How UFORIA Science uses an individual’s genetic information, then pair it with peer reviewed nutrients, and develop their own custom nutritional supplement.

SATURDAY SEMINARS: Adobe/Escalante

Seminar: Survival Firestarter – THE POWER OF LIGHT (Live Demo!)

Presented by: Innovative Concepts

Time: Saturday 11 am

Seminar: Building an Outdoor Legacy for Your Family

Presented by: Legacy Outfitters

Time: Saturday 12 noon

• The seminar will cover how outdoorsmen can build an outdoor legacy for their family. Building relationships through purpose and outdoor activity.

Seminar: “Carpe Diem: Adventuring With A Purpose”
Presented by: Marc Maurer of Beyond the Giant Ministries, International
Time: Saturday 1 pm
• A glimpse into the world of people on a quest for adventure for a greater cause. Carpe Diem takes you on a whirlwind tour from the dizzy heights of the Himalayas in Nepal and the tallest volcanoes in Ecuador to the depths of human depravity pulling back the curtain on the human trafficking epidemic. Find out how charity climbs are bringing real solutions to victims of human trafficking and how you can be involved in something larger than yourself through adventuring with a purpose. Take the ride of a lifetime and join us in “seizing the day” -Carpe Diem!

Seminar: Solar Generators – What are they and what can you do with them?

Presented by: Leisure Solar

Time: Saturday 2 pm

Forest Fun = Big Bucks

By gjexploretheoutdoorsexpo | November 29, 2018

BY DENNIS WEBB

New research says human-powered outdoor recreation on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests is not just fun but serious business, generating about $392 million each year in tourist spending that supports some 4,150 full- and part-time jobs in area communities and $112 million in annual wages.

The research consists of a group of studies commissioned by the Outdoor Alliance, a nonprofit coalition made up of organizations including American Whitewater, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the American Alpine Club and others, and committed to protecting public lands. It plans to use the results to argue why human-powered recreation should be a top priority for the U.S. Forest Service as it works on an updated management plan for the 3 million acres that make up the GMUG.

“The outdoor recreation resources in the GMUG inspire visitors from around the world,” Adam Cramer, executive director of Outdoor Alliance, said in a news release. “What is clear from our research is that not only do the mountains, crags, rivers, and trails provide amazing outdoor adventures, they also enable a ton of economic benefit to the local communities around the GMUG. We are excited to share these powerful economic insights with the USFS as they partner with the public to create a new forest plan for the GMUG that will balance multiple uses of these public lands in a modern and sustainable way.”

The research was done by James Maples and Michael Bradley, associate professors at Eastern Kentucky University.

They say that paddlers, rock climbers, hikers, snowsport enthusiasts, and mountain bikers contribute to the estimated 2.6 million total visits a year to the GMUG. The report, which incorporates polling of both local and nonlocal forest users, also says that more than 92 percent of respondents living in western Colorado said access to outdoor recreation was a key reason they live here, and that 75 percent of those surveyed earn more than $50,000 a year.

The research’s focus is on spending by nonlocals who visit the three forests to recreate.

Snow sports, anchored by resort visitors, are the main driver of human-powered outdoor recreation on the GMUG, according to the research. It says Forest Service data shows snow sports including skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and winter hiking account for more than 1.3 million visits a year to the GMUG, and the researchers estimate that 60 percent of those visits involve people that come from outside the GMUG area and surrounding region.

They estimate that human-powered winter recreation on the forests by tourists generates $333 million in spending a year and supports some 3,500 jobs and $93 million in annual wages. The research says resort visitors account for an estimated $213 million of that spending, with backcountry visitors spending $120 million a year.

Recreation stats

Other key conclusions of the research:

■ Hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and peak climbers account for about 600,000 total visits a year, with about 60 percent of those visits involving people outside the area. An estimated $24 million in spending by tourists in this category supports some 235 jobs.

■ Mountain bikers visit the GMUG more than 150,000 times a year, with about 70 percent of those visits coming from outside the area. Bikers not from the area spend about $24 million locally and support 315 jobs in the area.

■ Rock climbers visit the GMUG more than 35,000 times a year, with about 70 percent of those visits involving people from outside the area. Those latter visitors spend about $6.2 million within the GMUG area and support an estimated 61 jobs. Rock climbers also spend another $5.2 million outside the area but in Colorado as a result of their visits to the GMUG, the research says.

■ Paddlers visit about 26,000 times each year, including commercial and noncommercial visits. Visitors from outside the area spend an estimated $4.7 million within the GMUG, supporting 22 jobs.

Dave Wiens, executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association, said in the Outdoor Alliance news release, “The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest is home to some of the most spectacular mountain biking trails in the country. I live in Gunnison in part because of the access the forest provides to great rides, and these reports show how the region is benefiting from the Forest Service’s work to prioritize trails and mountain bike access. IMBA has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Forest Service, and we hope these reports aid their important work in planning for the next decades of outdoor recreation and mountain biking on the GMUG.”

The research’s findings reflect the presence of three ski resorts on the GMUG — Powderhorn, Telluride, and Crested Butte — and their draw to tourists who are included in the research’s human-powered recreation data although they are technically lift-served.

Said Maples, one of the researchers, “Skiing as a whole makes a massive contribution to Colorado’s economy.”

But he said one of the things the Outdoor Alliance wanted to see was a breakdown between resort and backcountry winter recreation.

“Backcountry is one of those things that I think sometimes gets overlooked when we think about skiing,” he said.

But he said backcountry skiing is “really a growing thing,” as research is showing. A hiker, Maples said he’s drawn to areas away from people.

“I think from the skiing perspective, backcountry skiing offers that as well,” he said.

But he said backcountry skiers still can make use of resort facilities to some degree, such as when it comes to where they may find lodging, benefiting some of the same businesses resort skiers do.

While the new research focuses on human-powered recreation, Maples said that’s not to discount other kinds of economic contributors when it comes to national forest use. He said he’d like to see research done on the contribution of snowmobiling, for example, and would be interested in looking into that himself if an organization wanted such a study undertaken.

Maples said the reason the research focused on tourists is that such economic impact research technically isn’t supposed to include spending by local residents, whose spending doesn’t bring new money into a local economy. But he said he feels local spending matters as well when it comes to outdoor recreation, and it also matters that a lot of people say they choose to live in the area because of the local forest access.

The Daily Sentinel

Photo by Chris Tomlinson/The Daily Sentinel

Graphic by Robert McLean/The Daily Sentinel