On October 1, 2024, Outdoor Reaction Roundtable (ORR) hosted the first-ever National Leadership Forum on Rural Development in Pittsburgh, PA.

With the support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) convened leaders (recreation businesses, NGOs, CDFIs, federal and state agencies, rural practitioners, academics, and industry partners) from across the country in Pennsylvania to identify funding priorities, organizing principles, and local strategies for rural economic development through outdoor recreation.

This was part of ORR’s ongoing efforts to uniquely convene industry leaders and government officials to provide a space for thought-leadership and cross-sector inspiration. The event was invite-only with sessions at the Richard King Mellon Foundation’s Auction House followed by a reception and dinner at The Art Room. On October 2, the event included an optional field tour to Johnstown, PA.

We would like to thank the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation and the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship for their partnership on this event.

Featured Speakers

Know Before You Go

Attendee List

Press Release

Post-Forum Vision: The Trail Map for Rural Development in America