Switchback Spring, June 16-18, 2025 in Nashville, TN
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Switchback at TRE, December 2-4, 2025 in San Antonio, TX
Join us for a free, 45-minute discussion about the urgent challenges facing our public lands—including reductions to National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service staff, policy shifts, and what the outdoor industry can do to take action.
With an estimated 1,000 federal workers losing their jobs, concerns are rising about the preservation of public lands, operational security, and visitor experience and safety at national parks. These cuts are happening against a broader backdrop of ongoing threats to public land protections, making it more critical than ever for the outdoor industry to step up.
What We Cover:
OIA President Kent Ebersole leads the discussion with panelists including Sean Byrne of ACG Advocacy and JD Tanner of Leave No Trace.
Tune in to be part of the conversation and learn how you can take action to ensure our treasured national landscapes remain accessible and preserved.
Sean ByrneSean Byrne joins ACG Advocacy with ten years of experience working on Capitol Hill and Senate Leadership.
Prior to joining ACG, he served as the senior advisor to Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, responsible for a legislative portfolio including agriculture, environment, energy and natural resources, public land management, and NASA issues. During his tenure, he worked with Democratic and Republican Senators and staff as well as Administration officials to pass two farm bills, the Great American Outdoors Act, the 2018 omnibus wildfire funding fix, and multiple public lands and wildlife packages. He also negotiated sections of COVID relief legislation, numerous annual appropriations bills, and disaster supplemental packages.
Mr. Byrne brings years of experience in developing policy priorities and coordinating between the legislative and executive branches and other public and private stakeholders. He has devised strategies with outside groups and businesses throughout his career to achieve legislative success.
Mr. Byrne graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 2010 with degrees in Environmental Science and Urban Planning.
JD TannerJD Tanner is the Director of Education and Training. JD manages the long-term, strategic organizational education and training initiatives. With over 25 years of experience as an outdoor educator and administrator, JD brings a perspective from over 18 years in higher education and previous experience as a Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer, State Advocate, and Course Provider. JD has a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Science in Education (MS Ed) in Recreation Resource Administration from Southern Illinois University, and a Bachelors Degree in Outdoor and Therapeutic Recreation from Southeast Missouri State University.
Kent EbersoleKent Ebersole is the President of Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), bringing over two decades of experience in media, business strategy, and nonprofit consulting. Kent has a broad range of experience in media, business strategy, and non-profit consulting. He spent his early days in the outdoor industry with Rodale and Active Interest Media, managing the business of outdoor media brands including Backpacker, Climbing, Ski, and Warren Miller. Kent hopes to inspire industry leaders and stakeholders to work together toward a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone in the outdoor industry. Outside of work, his mission is to invite people of all abilities from the outdoor industry to join him in hiking the Colorado Trail as slowly as possible.
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Christina Henderson, Event Director
[email protected]
214-263-4706
Beth Gordon, New Business Development Director
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949-293-1378
Emma Galeckas, Attendee Relations Coordinator
[email protected]
207-842-5607
