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May 11, 2007 For more information contact: Don’t miss OWAA’s 80th Conference in Roanoke, VirginiaMissoula, Mont. –The 80th annual Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) conference will meet June 16-19, 2007, at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, Va. Several hundred attendees are expected to participate in the event, which offers opportunities for education, skills enhancement and networking among members of the outdoor communications industry. “Tradition – It’s in Our Nature” is the conference theme. Keynote speaker is Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods – Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. Louv will discuss the critical role the outdoors plays in kids’ development and how we now live in a “de-natured society.” Phil Bloom, OWAA vice president and 2007 conference program chair, says, “The Roanoke program is shaping up as a solid combination of newsmakers, panel discussions, technology sessions and craft-improvement workshops.” The Roanoke agenda includes numerous specialized offerings. OWAA’s “Computer Boot Camp” is a slate of workshops designed to help outdoor communicators maximize profits by utilizing new technology. During “The Writing Coach,” the American Press Institute’s Steve Buttry will lead a series of four sessions on narrative writing. And Terry Whalin, an accomplished editor (Howard Publishing Co.) and writer, will share tips on navigating books contracts and proven best practices to get your book from your desk to the bookstore. Other events planned for Roanoke include “One-on-One With Editors,” a networking session designed to bring together freelance communicators with magazine editors and book publishers, as well as the free “Becoming an Outdoor Communicator” workshop, geared toward those breaking into the field - sign up today. The return of “Breakout Day” and the “Shooting Program” will enable conference attendees to check out the latest outdoor gear and hobnob with industry members in an informal setting. Newsmaker panel discussions will cover a variety of topics, such as America’s roadless areas; the relationship among hunters, anglers and environmentalists; the 2007 Farm Bill; the state of the national park system; brook trout restoration; black bears and urban conflicts; and more. A slate of press conferences also is planned, including a news briefing by “The Big Three”: Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Gail Kimbell, chief of USDA Forest Service; and Jim Hughes, acting director of the Bureau of Land Management. The Roanoke agenda is at www.owaa.org (click “Conference 2007” and then “Agenda”). For registration forms, go to http://www.owaa.org/Conf_2007/registration.htm. For lodging information, see http://www.owaa..org/Conf_2007/travel_housing.htm. Want five reasons to attend OWAA conference? See http://www.vatc.org/owaa.htm. To learn more about OWAA’s 80th conference, contact OWAA Conference Planner Gail Brockbank, P.O. Box 217, Helena, MT 59624, 406-442-4141, 406-442-8018 (fax), gbrockbank@owaa.org. The 1,600-member Outdoor Writers Association of America is the oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. It was organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America and includes professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. OWAA’s professionals include writers, photographers, outdoors radio and television show hosts, book authors, videographers, lecturers and artists. The association is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For more information, go to www.owaa.org. |
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