2008 OWAA Conference Agenda
“Listening to Nature”
81st Annual OWAA Conference
Bismarck, North Dakota
June 21-24, 2008
All conference sessions, meals and hospitality suites take place at the Best Western Ramkota unless otherwise noted. Further details and spouse/guest activities follow this schedule.
Click to jump to a day:
Saturday, June 21
Sunday, June 22
Monday, June 23
Tuesday, June 24
Saturday, June 21
Registration
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Outside the Grand Pacific/Patterson Ballroom
Opening Day Breakouts
6 a.m. - Noon
Prairie Dog Town tours depart from Entrance #4 at 6 a.m. Geo Cache Treasure Hunt event departs from Entrance #4 at 9 a.m. Both events return to the Ramkota approximately noon Try your luck in a geocache scavenger hunt. Take aim with the latest rifles, scopes and lenses at prairie dog towns. We have some pre-Breakout Day breakouts planned for the morning of opening day. Start conference on an active foot and enjoy the surroundings in the Bismarck area. Space is limited, so sign up soon!
Supporting Groups Breakfast and Business Meeting
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Lamborn Ballroom
Sponsored by OWAA
Becoming an Outdoor Communicator
8 a.m. - Noon
Heart Room
Speakers: Pat Wray, Mark Taylor, Mark Freeman, Lisa Densmore, Chris Madson, Tony Dean, Michael Furtman, Tony Dolle, Ann Hirsch, Jack Ballard, Joel Vance, Risa Wyatt, Kevin Rhoades
Moderator: Pat Wray
This free, four-hour workshop will feature some of OWAA’s most prolific and best-known communicators giving presentations about their specialties from “Writing for Magazines” to “Outdoor Television” and everything in between. Please join Pat Wray, Lisa Densmore, Tony Dean and more for this popular staple of the OWAA conference.
The Write Stuff - 10 Tips for Successful Freelancing
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Room 2160
Speaker: Peter Schroeder
How can a part-time or full-time freelancer make more money? Travel and ski writer Peter Schroeder will present his hour-long PowerPoint presentation covering 10 topics not discussed in “how-to” books.
Past Presidents’ Meeting
10 – 11 a.m.
Room 3130
Opening Day Displays
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Grand Pacific/Patterson Ballrooms
Coordinators: John Beath, OWAA vice president and conference program chair; Rich Patterson, OWAA president; Tony Dolle, industry liaison
Meet OWAA’s supporting groups, agencies and businesses. See what’s new. Learn about their products and causes.
On the Trail to Natural Health with Dr. Deborah Batin-Wood
11 a.m. - Noon
Room 2130
Speaker: Deborah Batin-Wood, Ph.D., N.D.
Join naturopath Dr. Deborah Cox-Wood for an interactive hour on reversing the aging process, keeping the body in balance and continuing to be healthy and energetic after 50.
Ask the Editors
11 a.m. - Noon
Governor’s Room
Speakers: Paul Queneau, Bugle magazine; Wayne van Zwoll, Intermedia Outdoors; Michelle Scheuermann, The Sportsman Channel Moderator: Jack Ballard
Based on the “Ask the Editors” column in Outdoors Unlimited, a panel of editors addresses query/manuscript submissions and fields questions from the audience. Speakers: PJ DelHomme, Hunting Editor, Bugle magazine; Bill Schneider, Travel and Outdoor Editor NewWest.Net; Wayne van Zwoll, Intermedia Outdoors.
OWAA Welcomes New Conference Attendees – Orientation
12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Lamborn Room
Speakers: Rich Patterson, OWAA president; and Kevin Rhoades, OWAA executive director
Mentor Meeting
12:45 – 1:15 p.m.
Lamborn Room
Coordinator: Terry Lewis, Mentor Committee chair
One-on-One – Meet the Editors/Publishers
1:00 – 4 p.m.
Lamborn Ballroom
Speakers: P.J. DelHomme, Bugle magazine; Bill Schneider, NewWest.Net; Scott Adams, Globe Pequot/Falcon Guide/Lyons Press; Wayne van Zwoll, Intermedia Outdoors; Amity Moore, AAA Living/Pace Communications; Jeff Williams, Arkansas Wildlife; and Melissa McGaw, Wildlife in North Carolina.
Meet with book publishers and acquisitions editors of outdoors publications to discuss their editorial needs and sell your work. This is a tremendous opportunity to meet face to face, build relationships and sell yourself to prospective buyers.
Circle of Chiefs Meeting
1 – 2 p.m.
Room 3130
Presenting the Workshop Curriculum
1 – 2:15 p.m.
Heart Room
Speaker: Pat Wray
Have you ever considered expanding your professional portfolio to include giving workshops on outdoor communication? Two years in the making by many dedicated OWAA members, Pat Wray will present the curriculum designed to provide a template for conducting your own one- or two-day outdoor communicator’s workshop.
Grasslands and Wildlife:
What does the future hold?
1 – 2:15 pm
Governor’s Room
Speakers: Kevin Willis, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Jim Ringelman, Ducks Unlimited; Terry Steinwand, Director, North Dakota Game and Fish Department Moderator: Tony Dean
Grasslands in the Prairie Pothole Region provide critical habitat for North America’s ducks, pheasants, grouse, deer and other prairie wildlife. Regrettably, these grasslands are disappearing at an alarming rate. Ducks Unlimited will host a panel discussion on grassland conservation that will focus on the federal Conservation Reserve Program, efforts to protect native prairies, the future of grass-based agriculture, and how revenue from eco-products like carbon might support grassland conservation. Panelists include a rancher and representatives from government agencies and Ducks Unlimited.
Digging up the Dirty Truth: Uncovering the untold story – How to cover an undercover story
2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Room 2160
Speaker: Lucinda Schroeder
Global Warming Super Session
3 – 5 p.m.
Sheyenne Room
Speakers: Dr. Doug Inkley, National Wildlife Federation; John Connor, Wildlife Management Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center; and James M. Taylor, The Heartland Institute Moderator: John McCoy
What’s the latest on global warming? What does it mean for the future of the outdoors? Learn what’s next during this special presentation with Dr. Doug Inkley, the National Wildlife Federation’s senior scientist, and James M. Taylor of the Heartland Institute as they debate the causes and effects of global climate change. Time will be reserved for audience Q&A.
Ag Policy and Its Impact on Fish and Wildlife
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Heart Room
Speakers: Brad Redlin, Izaak Walton League of America; Ron Reynolds, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; John Devney, Delta Waterfowl; Pete Heard, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Moderator: Mark Freeman
Most wildlife is raised on private land in the United States and the majority of that land is involved in agriculture. How does the current U.S. ag policy impact fish and wildlife? What does the future hold for fish and wildlife? Representatives from the Izaak Walton League of America will present a program on the impact agriculture is having on fish and wildlife habitat.
Opening Night Festivities
6 – 9 p.m.
Fort Abraham Lincoln/On-a-Slant Indian Village
Hosts: Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau and North Dakota Department of Commerce
Sponsors: Bismarck-Mandan CVB, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Basin Electric Coop Buses begin loading at 5:00 p.m. at Entrance #4 of the Best Western Ramkota. Final departure will be 6:30 p.m. Public parking is limited at the Fort. Buses will begin returning to the Ramkota at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Join the Bismarck/Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau at Fort Abraham Lincoln and the On-a-Slant Indian Village for a night of historical presentations and down-home cooking. Native American dancers will perform in the village, and Cavalry re-enactors will entertain the troops at the fort. Be sure to tour General Custer’s home, the Army barracks, the Indian village and cultural museum at this year’s opening night.
Hospitality Suites
9:30 – 11:30 p.m.
Courtyard
Registration
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Outside the Grand Pacific/Patterson Ballroom
Breakfast
7:15 – 8:15 a.m.
Patterson/Grand Pacific Ballroom
Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited
Opening Ceremony
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Lamborn Room
Speaker: Rich Patterson, OWAA president OWAA Prayer: Marion Patterson
Keynote: Jon Young, Wilderness Awareness School
8:45 – 10 a.m.
Lamborn Room
Inspired by his childhood mentoring with tracker and author Tom Brown Jr., Jon Young, founder of the Wilderness Awareness School, has pioneered blending indigenous mentoring techniques from around the world with the tools of modern field ecology. Building on author Richard Louv’s presentation in Roanoke, come hear Young’s solutions for getting children and adults outdoors and reconnected with the natural world.
Photo Critique Session
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Governor’s Room
Speakers: Tom Ulrich, Chris Madson and Bert Gildart Moderator: Tom Ulrich
Submit your best photos for a look by photo experts Tom Ulrich, Chris Madson and Bert Gildart. Watch OU for when and where to send your digital photos.
The Future of Hunting for our Youths
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Lamborn Room
Speakers: Rob Olson, Delta Waterfowl; Dr. Valerius Geist, wildlife researcher; Tony Aeschliman, National Shooting Sports Foundation Moderator: Ann Hirsch
Dr. Valerius Geist, professor emeritus of environmental science at the University of Calgary; Rob Olson, president of Delta Waterfowl; and a representative from the National Shooting Sports Foundation will be on hand to give OWAA conference attendees a front-line, front-row seat to a growing dilemma that effects the future of hunting in North America: How do we reintroduce our youths to hunting?
Luncheon
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Patterson/Grand Pacific Ballroom
Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales USA
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Heart Room S
peaker: Dr. Valerius Geist
Moderator: Pat Stockdill
How to live with large predators and why we need a Continental Wildlife Treaty. The 20th century saw the beginning of the return of continental biodiversity with the expansion and re-colonization of large-herbivore populations. While we have enjoyed the fruits of the herbivore expansion, we’ve just begun to experience what the return of large predators might entail. Dr. Valerius Geist will discuss how we can enjoy the fruits of wildlife’s return and conserve predators with a minimum of danger and damage to wildlife, livestock and humans. Are we doomed to repeat failures of the past? Why does a continental approach to predator conservation make sense?
How to Self-Publish Books for Profit
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Governor’s Room
Speakers: Bill Schneider and Chris Batin
Join successful self-published authors Bill Schneider and Chris Batin for a how-to on publishing books for profit.
How to Create a Web Site and Update It on Your Own
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Room 2160
Speaker: Paul Queneau
You want to set up a Web site to promote your work, but where do you start? Bugle Magazine conservation editor Paul Queneau will walk you through the process of choosing the best software, creating a Web site and updating it on your own.
The Media’s Role in the Future of Hunting
2:45 – 4 p.m.
Heart Room
Speaker: Rob Olson, Delta Waterfowl
Moderator: Jim Low Delta Waterfowl
President Rob Olson shares what he calls “the Canadian experience,” which convinced him that an active, well-informed constituency is vital if hunting is to survive. Olson says writers must stop letting the “antis” set the rules of engagement and must develop new messages for a new era.
Mule Deer Revelations
3 – 4:15 p.m.
Sheyenne Room
Speaker: Dr. Valerius Geist
Moderator: Chris Madson
Mule deer, though closely related to and threatened with extinction by whitetails, differ strikingly in their biology from whitetails. Following mule deer closely in their daily activities has led to some surprises. Join Dr. Valerius Geist for this slide show and commentary based on eight years of fieldwork, and many more years trying to figure them out.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership Plan
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Courtyard
Speakers: Tim Baker, executive director, Montana Wilderness Association; Sherm Anderson, former Montana state senator; Susie Browning, Granite County (MT) Commissioner; Dave Stalling, National Wildlife Federation
Moderator: Mike Matz, executive director, Campaign for America’s Wilderness
In 2006, timber companies and Montana conservationists sat down and crafted a common-sense plan that rests on three pillars: good-paying local jobs in the woods, healthy forests that reduce the risk of wildfires, and protection of backcountry traditions. Come learn how the partnership accord will mean stronger communities, jobs and expanded recreational opportunities. Presented by Campaign for America’s Wilderness.
Writing in the Narrative Voice
3:15 – 5 p.m.
Governor’s Room
Speaker: C.J. Box
Moderator: Phil Bloom
Join guest author C.J. Box for a craft improvement session on writing techniques using the narrative voice.
Dinner
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Sheyenne/Cannonball Rooms
Sponsored by The Sportsman Channel
Community Night
6:45 – 9:30 p.m.
Patterson/Grand Pacific/Lamborn Ballrooms
Master of Ceremonies: Marty Malin
Sponsored by The Sportsman Channel, Delta Waterfowl Welcome members of the Bismarck community, show off your work, enjoy live music and participate in silent and live auctions.
Click to jump to a day:
Saturday, June 21
Sunday, June 22
Monday, June 23
Tuesday, June 2
Monday, June 23
Tour of the Coteau Slope and the Missouri Coteau
6 – 9:00 a.m.
Tour departs from Entrance #4 at 6 a.m.
Sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the morning before the shooting program for a tour of the prairies and to help celebrate 50 years of the Small Wetlands Program. The Service will host a field trip for Outdoor Writers on June 23, 2008, from 6:00 am - 9:00 am. This field trip will highlight the Small Wetlands Program and take participants through the Coteau Slope and the Missouri Coteau and visit Waterfowl Production Areas, a National Wildlife Refuge, wetland and grassland easement lands and hopefully see waterfowl and other wildlife. On August 1, 1958, Congress amended the Duck Stamp Act to spend funds to acquire Waterfowl Production Areas and small, isolated pothole areas. Since then, the Small Wetlands Program has conserved nearly 3 million acres in the Prairie Pothole Region for waterfowl production. After the tour, attendees will be dropped off at the Shooting Program. Those not wishing to participate in that event will be taken back to the Best Western Ramkota.
Registration
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Outside the Grand Pacific/Patterson Ballroom
Breakfast
7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Patterson/Grand Pacific Ballroom
Sponsored by Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
Shooting Program
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Bismarck/Mandan Rifle & Pistol Association Range
Try out the latest shotguns, rifles, pistols, muzzleloaders, bows and air guns at this informal, hands-on event. Learn new techniques and meet with industry representatives. Attend sessions on handgun safety and gun safety for women presented by members of the Bismarck/Mandan Rifle & Pistol Association. Buses begin loading at Entrance #4 of the Best Western Ramkota at 8:15 a.m.; buses depart approximately every 20 minutes until noon, at which time they will travel from the Ramkota to the Breakout Day location only. Buses will depart the shooting facility at 12:30 and 12:45 for Breakout Day at Pioneer Park, making a stop at the Ramkota; additional buses will return to the Ramkota as needed.
Lunch
11 – 11:55 a.m.
Bismarck/Mandan Rifle & Pistol Association Range
Sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Breakout Day
1 – 5:30 p.m.
Pioneer Park
“Break out” of the Ramkota and hang out by the Missouri River with OWAA supporters at Pioneer Park. Industry professionals will display products, lead hands-on demonstrations and offer one-on-one networking opportunities. Stock up by tacking advantage of an outdoor photography stock-photo shoot. Don’t forget to score points for the Outdoor Skills Contest! Buses begin loading at Entrance #4 of the Best Western Ramkota at 12:30 p.m.; buses depart approximately every 20 minutes until 3:45 p.m. and will return as needed. Boxed lunches and other refreshments will be available on-site.
Free/Open Evening
7 – 11 p.m.
The tradition continues. Come let your hair down and enjoy an evening with your OWAA friends at the Nutty Irishman Bash, hosted once again by Ed Matheny.
Click to jump to a day:
Saturday, June 21
Sunday, June 22
Monday, June 23
Tuesday, June 24
Tuesday, June 24
Registration
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Outside the Grand Pacific/Patterson Ballroom
Breakfast
7 – 8 a.m.
Patterson/Grand Pacific Ballroom
Sponsored by the Sierra Club
Radio Section Session & Business Meeting
8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Cannonball Room
See program descriptions below
Environmental Education
8:45 – 10 a.m.
Room 2160
Speaker: Jon Young and the Wilderness Awareness School
Wilderness Awareness School staff will present a new approach to using hunting and indigenous skills to get kids outdoors.
Fee for Use on Federal Lands
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Governor’s Room Speaker: John DePalma, Orion Multimedia
Moderator: Tim Zink
What’s the latest on the newly proposed rules for filming and photographing on our federal lands? Find out how these rules will effect how you do business.
Scavenger Hunt Photo Contest
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Governor’s Room
Coordinators: Kris Thoemke and Bert Gildart
At this entertaining event, the creative work of OWAA members is presented, photos are critiqued and winners are announced.
Lunch
12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Patterson/Grand Pacific Ballroom
Sponsored by HUMMER
Lunch will be immediately followed by the General Business Meeting
General Business Meeting
1:15 – 2:00
Patterson/Grand Pacific Ballroom
Come and meet your board of directors. Find out the state of the association, voice your praise or concerns and help shape the direction OWAA takes for the next year.
Newspaper Section Session & Business Meeting TV/Video Section Session & Business Meeting Radio Section Session & Business Meeting
2:15 – 5:30 p.m.
See locations and program descriptions below
OWAA Awards Banquet
6 – 9:30 p.m.
Patterson/Grand Pacific Ballroom
Sponsored by National Wildlife Federation
Masters of Ceremonies: John Beath and Jack Ballard
This year’s EIC Contests and Annual Honors Awards banquets will be combined into one evening. See the best of the best in Excellence in Craft, and help OWAA honor its most influential members. Dinner sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation.
Section Super Sessions
Members will break off into their sections to attend craft improvement workshops and business meetings focused on their area of expertise.
Radio Section & Business Meeting
8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Cannonball Room
Moderator: Chris Slemp
How to make money in radio and have a compelling show.
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
Speaker: Tony Dean
Join Tony Dean for a discussion on making it work on the air.
Pod casting: To Whom do you market your pod cast?
9:45 – 10:30 a.m.
Speaker: Jim Ferguson
Is there life after the first program? How do you determine the success of the program? How do you determine the value of advertising and sell it in your podcast? Should you illustrate with images and video? Find out the answers to these questions and more with successful podcaster Jim Ferguson.
How to syndicate your radio program.
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Speaker: Jim Ferguson
You’ve got a program in mind – how do you get it on the air? Jim Ferguson will talk about how to format your program to make it more appealing to a radio station and to your audience.
Radio Section Business Meeting
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Newspaper Section & Business Meeting
2:15 – 5:30
Heart Room
Moderators: Mark Freeman and Mark Taylor
Taking the Outdoors Beat Beyond the Pages of the Newspaper Into the World of Multimedia.
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Speakers: Tom Stienstra and Mary Taylor
Blogs, podcasts, vodcasts, online forums – there are scores of ways to reach an audience beyond the pages of a daily paper. Join Tom Stienstra and Mary Taylor and find out how to branch out and be heard.
Lauding – and Lambasting – First-person Columns.
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
Speakers: John McCoy and Mark Freeman
How often is too often when it comes to writing about our own adventures? John McCoy and Mark Freeman will share how to strike a good balance.
Bucking the Rut
4:15 – 4:55 p.m.
It’s easy to fall into a rut. Share your tips at this roundtable discussion on how to put a fresh and creative perspective on recurring stories.
Newspaper Section Business Meeting
5:00 – 5:30
Photo Section & Business Meeting
2:15 – 5:30
Sheyenne Room
Moderator: Tim Christie
Marketing Images in the Digital World.
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Speakers: Richard Day and Susan Day
How one sells and markets images has changed dramatically since digital has taken hold. Jim Smith, Richard Day and Susan Day will explore new and innovative strategies for showcasing images and getting them to clients faster.
Pricing Photography.
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
Speakers: Tim Christie and Susan Day
So many times photographers are asked to price their work, and many are lost as to what to do and how to do it. Find out how Tim Christie and Susan Day put a price tag on their photographs.
Practical Digital Photography and Copyright Knowledge.
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Speaker: Jim Foster
Jim Foster will show you how to protect your rights under the new copyright laws while making more money with your digital camera.
Photo Section Business Meeting
5:00 – 5:30 p.m.
TV/Video Section & Business Meeting
2:15 – 5:30
Governor’s Room
Moderators: Ron Schara and Dave Carlson
What more can TV do to attract youths and adult novices into the great outdoors?
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
The number of new recruits to outdoor pursuits continues to decline in many states despite the millions spent by advertisers on the current field of outdoors programming, from the glitzy Outdoor Channel and Versus to low-grade cable programming.
As seen on TV: The Hunter’s Image.
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
Speakers: Babe Winkelman and Ron Schara
TV personality and avid hunter, Babe Winkelman, will discuss the positive and negative impacts of the TV image of the hunter and the hunting industry.
Hi-Definition Gear
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Speakers: Gary O’Halloran, Prime Cities Broadcasting, Inc. Fox TV-26; hi-definition equipment representative from Sony Corporation
Television is changing, and digital and hi-def are the wave of the future. So what does that mean for those in the TV industry? Find out about the new equipment that is driving this migration, and how it affects not only the hosts, but the producers and techs as well.
TV/Video Section Business Meeting
5:00 – 5:30
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