The short-talk series will have four presentations (of 18 minutes each) in this rapid-fire Ted Talk-style format!
Closing the Coverage Gap: Participant Accident Insurance | Bill Smer
This session educates wilderness and outdoor risk professionals on how Participant Accident insurance strengthens overall risk management. It explores common injury scenarios, explains where General Liability coverage falls short, and highlights how Participant Accident helps address medical expenses quickly and regardless of fault. Using real‑world wilderness program examples, attendees gain practical insight into how this coverage supports participant care, reduces post‑incident conflict, and complements existing insurance and safety practices—without replacing them.
Belonging on the Border: Accessibility and Inclusivity in the Arizona-Sonora binational Sky Islands | Katherine Gaia Barbaree, Xochitl Lopez, Karla Hernandez
The borderlands of the US Southwest are a highly politicized, racialized, and an increasingly militarized zone. How do we foster an environment of inclusivity and belonging that feels accessible and inclusive to those historically excluded from outdoor recreation and wilderness spaces? In this short talk, participants will hear how one organization–Borderlands Restoration Network–develops and facilitates educational programs that transcend historical lines of who does and does not belong on public lands and outdoor spaces. In the mountainous Sky Island region of the Arizona-Sonora borderlands, our education programs attempt to create and foster an environment of accessibility and inclusivity, amidst a backdrop of larger, dominating narrative that supports anything but.
Adapt or Fade: The Future of Outdoor Youth Programming: Exploring existential risks, relevance, & charting real responses. | Jason Lane, Ben Hoffman, Jay Satz
The Great Recession, COVID, the on rush of technology and artificial intelligence, inflation and economic uncertainty, climate change, the growing fragility of democracy, generational differences in approaching the workplace, the new energy crisis, growing risk adverse society (and insurers), and (name your unstated concern here). While those of us practicing outdoor education, exploration, skill building, adventure and service may legitimately claim that current societal circumstances make our work and organizational missions more critical and relevant than ever, at the same time, our industry is facing existential threats unlike we have seen before.
Crossing Borders: Managing Immigration Risk for International Student Travel | José González
International student travel has become increasingly complex due to evolving immigration policies, border enforcement practices, and documentation requirements. Outdoor programs and schools now face additional risks when students cross international borders, particularly when participants hold different citizenship statuses or visas.The session will examine emerging risk factors, including customs searches of electronic devices, changing travel restrictions, documentation requirements for minors, and procedures if a student is detained or delayed at a border crossing.Participants will leave with practical tools including a border-crossing documentation checklist, staff preparation guidance, and communication protocols for responding to immigration-related incidents. This session is designed for organizations running international programs in destinations where border processes can create operational risk.
Speakers 
Director of Safety and Programs, Outward Bound USA
José H. González, Ed.D., is the Director of Safety & Programs for Outward Bound USA, providing national leadership in risk management, crisis response, incident investigation, program quality, and organizational learning. He began his career in outdoor and expedition-based education...
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Chair, Risk Management Committee, Camping and Outdoor Leadership, YMCA of Greater Seattle. Associate Consultant, Experie, Experiential Consulting and YMCA
Jay A. Satz has over 40 years of experience in nonprofit executive leadership, specializing in risk management, program design, and youth conservation and outdoor education for the Conservation Corps community. Based in Tacoma, Jay serves on the Board of the Greater Seattle YMCA’s...
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Executive Director, Camp Widjiwagan
Ben Hoffman is the Executive Director at Camp Widjiwagan, a large Wilderness Tripping Camp in Minnesota. His career experiences have been pivotal in steering operations toward excellence and embedding risk management into Camp culture. With a focus on relationship building and fiscal...
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Sr. Executive Director of Camping and Outdoor Leadership, YMCA of Greater Seattle
Jason Lane is the Sr. Executive Director of Camping and Outdoor Leadership for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, supporting BOLD & GOLD Wilderness Expeditions, Camp Colman, and Camp Orkila. Jason has over 25 years of experience managing outdoor programs, adventure travel, and risk management...
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Environmental Field Coordinator, Borderlands Restoration Network
Xochitl (she/her/ella) was born and raised in Oxnard, California. Xochitl is a proud first-generation college graduate and the daughter of Ñuu Savi (Mixtec) migrants and has a background in youth organizing, environmental and recreational planning, education, and hospitality. One...
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National Sales Director, The Hartford
Bill Smer is National Sales Director for Accident & Health at The Hartford, supporting organizations with specialized insurance solutions since 2022. With over 20 years of experience in accident and health insurance sales, Bill brings deep expertise in risk management for outdoor...
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Field Coordinator, Borderlands Restoration Network
Karla, born and raised in Nogales, is shaped by the bicultural richness of the border region. She has a deep love for the desert, mountains, oceans, and the life that connects them all. Drawing on interpretive ranger experience from multiple public land sites and environmental education...
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Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm
PDT
Multnomah
909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217
