America Outdoors Association - AOA Annual Conference 2026
Event Date
December 8–11, 2026
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
Expected Exhibitors
70
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe America Outdoors Annual Conference & Outfitter Expo ("AO Conference") is the national gathering for the outfitting and guided outdoor recreation industry. Billed as America Outdoors' largest gathering of the year, it brings outfitters, guides, and industry partners together for education, advocacy, and meaningful connection while helping shape the future of the outfitting industry nationwide. It is described as the only event designed specifically for outfitters, where attendees come ready to connect with peers and to learn.
This roughly 3.5-day gathering is designed for owners and managers of organizations that deliver outdoor experiences, featuring education sessions, roundtable discussions, networking events, and a trade show crafted to help businesses tackle challenges in marketing, risk management, operations, legislation, and leadership. Attendees range from rafting companies and dude ranches to climbing guides, fishing lodges, aerial adventure parks, and tour operators.
The 2026 event is expected to connect more than 400 outfitters from across the country, feature over 70 exhibitors showcasing gear, services, and solutions built for outfitting businesses, and offer over 25 sessions and workshops with practical, real-world strategies. It is a worthwhile stop for anyone who operates, supplies, or supports a guided outdoor recreation business.
Show Highlights
Key features of the AO Conference & Outfitter Expo include:
- Industry-specific education — practical sessions on real-world outfitter challenges, from permitting and risk management to staffing, marketing, and operations.
- Advocacy and policy insight — timely updates on federal and state issues impacting outfitting businesses, with agency and policy experts.
- The Outfitter Expo — over 70 exhibitors showcasing the latest gear, services, and solutions built specifically to support and grow outfitting businesses.
- Networking — networking events and roundtable discussions designed to build lasting partnerships across the country.
- Session tracks — sessions focused on marketing, risk management, operations, and leadership.
Full schedule details, keynote speakers, session tracks, and special events for 2026 were still being finalized at the time of writing and are announced by the organizer in the months leading up to the event.
Attendance
The organizer projects the 2026 conference to draw a national audience of outfitting professionals. The event is expected to connect more than 400 outfitters from across the country, alongside more than 70 exhibitors and industry partners. America Outdoors' membership represents nearly 500 of the outfitters in America. The audience is composed primarily of outfitting business owners, managers, guides, and the suppliers who serve them.
Registration
Registration is handled through the official America Outdoors conference website. Confirmed 2026 pricing:
- Outfitter Member: $715 ($615 early bird)
- Outfitter (Non-member): $915 ($815 early bird)
- Family Guest Pass: $215
Attendees can book their hotel room at the host hotel when they register for the conference. Early-bird pricing is time-limited — the early bird deal ends on November 6, 2026. Companies interested in exhibiting or sponsoring should contact America Outdoors directly.
History
America Outdoors is the national trade association for the outfitting and guided outdoor recreation industry, founded in 1982 to serve as the industry's primary advocate at the federal level. The Annual Conference & Outfitter Expo is the association's flagship annual gathering, held each December and rotating among host cities. Recent editions include the 2024 conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 2025 conference took place December 9–12 in Salt Lake City, Utah. For 2026, the event moves to Oklahoma City, December 8–11, bringing a new location with the same commitment to education, government affairs engagement, and industry connection.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: August 10, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 America Outdoors Conference & Outfitter Expo?
The 2026 conference takes place December 8–11 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, located downtown next to the Oklahoma City Convention Center, serves as the host hotel.
Who should attend the AO Conference?
It is designed for outfitting business owners, managers, guides, and outdoor recreation professionals, as well as companies that provide products or services to the outfitting industry. Attendees range from rafting companies and dude ranches to climbing guides, fishing lodges, and tour operators.
How much does registration cost and how do I register?
Registration is handled through the official America Outdoors conference website. Outfitter member registration is $715 ($615 early bird), non-member registration is $915 ($815 early bird), and a Family Guest Pass is $215; early-bird pricing ends November 6, 2026.
What can I expect at the event?
The four-day event features more than 25 educational sessions and workshops, an expo hall with over 70 exhibitors, roundtable discussions, advocacy and policy updates, and networking opportunities. Sessions focus on marketing, risk management, operations, leadership, and staffing.
How do I get to the venue and where can I park?
Will Rogers World Airport is about 10 miles away, and the OKC Streetcar serves downtown via the Scissortail Park platform. The Omni offers valet parking from $39/day, and the adjacent convention center garage has over 1,100 spaces with a receipt that doubles as a free streetcar ticket.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement