When:

• December 1-5, 2025 with all programming on December 2,3,4.  Board meetings are December 1 and 5.

Where:

• Wallace Idaho
  • Most events will be at the Elks Lodge with a few events also at the Wallace Inn.

Cost: 

• Outfitter Member: $350
• Second person with an outfitter: $275
• Agency Partner: $350
• Agency Partner Single Day (afternoon December 2, all day December 3): $175
• Guide: $225
• Associate Business Member: $350
• Second person with Associate Business Member: $275

REGISTER HERE

Lodging Options

The IOGA has reserved room blocks with 4 hotels in Wallace. To reserve hotel room(s), please call the Hotels listed below. Rooms must be reserved by October 31st. Use the phrase "IOGA Group" when booking. Room availability is limited.

• •The Wallace Inn - (208) 752-1252 - MUST CALL TO BOOK. 2 suites left
• •The Ryan Hotel - (208) 753-6001 
• •The Brooks Hotel - (208) 556-1571 
• •The Stardust Motel - (208) 752-1213 
• •Other lodging opportunities exist in Wallace.

Transportation

We expect many participants to drive to Wallace however for those flying in:

• Fly in/out Spokane WA.  
• ROW Outfitters will provide an Airport transport Monday afternoon and Friday morning.  
  • Monday December 1, 3pm and 7pm transportation leaving the Spokane Airport.
  • Friday December 5, 7am and 9am leaving the Wallace Inn for Spokane Airport.
  • If you need this ride e-mail [email protected] and let him know so we can plan on you.

REGISTER HERE

Awards

Every year at our annual meeting IOGA provides recognition to those who have uniquely contributed to our industry. At the meeting we typically recognize individuals with some of the following awards: Resource Manager of the Year, Guide of the Year, and Honorary Lifetime Membership.  Learn more about the awards and submit a nomination here.

Conference Agenda - ALL TIMES ARE IN PACIFIC TIME

Download the event Program PDF

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1

3:00p.m. & 7:00p.m. - Van pick-up in Spokane, WA. 

Catch a ride to Wallace courtesy of our friends at ROW call for details

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Wallace Inn Conference Room.  Zoom Link to meeting

Association Business Meeting. Members are welcome to attend. 

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. – Group Ski Day Lookout Pass. 

Bring the whole family and enjoy a day skiing at Lookout Pass or enjoying Wallace. 

6:00 - 8:00p.m. – Welcome Party / Early Sign in Wallace inn bar. 

Come grab a beer, relax after a day of skiing, and get checked in early. 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2

7:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – Registration & Check-in. Elks lodge foyer. 

Come check in for the meeting. 

8:00-11:30 a.m. – Exhibitor Move-In. Elks lodge 2nd floor.

8:00-8:30 a.m. – President’s Welcome Session. Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar. 

The Board President will welcome everyone, go over Board of Directors news, elections processes explained and conference overview.

8:00-8:30 a.m. - Executive Director’s Report-Erik Weiseth. Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar. 

Hear from new IOGA ED, Erik Weiseth, about the State of the Industry, IOGA accomplishments and initiatives in 2025, and a look forward.

9:15-10:30 a.m. – Millennials and Gen Z in the Workplace and as Clients - Pat Tabor. Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar. 

Industry specific, myth-busting look at Millennials and Gen Z for outfitters and guides.  Learn what actually drivers younger workers and guests.  We’ll challenge one-size-fits-all advice and focus on customized, practical approaches that fit your operations realities. 

9:15-10:30 a.m. – Guide Training & Global Best Practices - Zachary Collier. Wallace Inn conference room.  

We’ll discuss current global best practices for river guides and share ideas for guide training.

10:45-11:45 a.m. – ITC Grant Updates with Madden Media - Erik Weiseth & Addy Coleman. Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar.

Join us for a deep dive into Visit Idaho’s recent marketing initiatives and upcoming plans to further promote the state online, in print, and through film..Addy Coleman, Vice President of Destination Strategy with Madden Media (the state’s marketing agency of record), will discuss tried-and-true tactics as well as newer developments that are elevating destination marketing.

10:45-11:45 a.m. – Workers’ Compensation Solutions - Kalysta Lester. Wallace inn conference room. 

Does Workers Comp leave you confused?  Not sure your responsibilities or if there are ways you can save money? SIF is going to lead a session to teach you everything you need to know to manage workers comp correctly and help save you money. 

12:00-12:30 p.m. – Vendor Intros Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar.. 

Hear from the businesses that support you!

12:30-12:45 p.m. – Lunch Begins & Director/Officer Nominations Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar. 

Come grab a plate and see the nominees up for election.

12:45-2:00 p.m. – Booked Solid - Anthony Butler Lunch Keynote. Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar. 

In this presentation, Anthony Butler will give you the exact framework you need to transform your website from a brochure to a direct booking machine. Some of what you will learn:

• Breakthrough fixes to crush OTA fees, explode direct bookings
• Secret tricks: How to create viral content and build an audience of buyers
• One flywheel hack: Tribes to repeat-guest riches
• One old-school media trick that will fill your calendar with bookings

2:15-4:30 p.m. – Hunt Tag Allocation Report – Allocation Representatives. Wallace Inn conference room. 

Hunt Allocation Representatives report on where we are currently and the industry’s plan moving forward.

2:15-3:15 p.m. – Technology in the Wilderness - Steve Zettel. Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar. 

Join this open conversation where we begin to answer as an industry; do wilderness borders have meaning?  Are outfitters and guides true stewards of the wilderness experience?  As technology is rapidly changing and becoming more functional in wilderness, what can and are we willing to do to protect the traditional wilderness experience?

3:00-5:00 p.m. – Private Meetings - Agency Personnel. Elks lodge silver room. 

An opportunity for Agency Personnel to have private meetings. 

3:30-4:30 p.m. – Empowered people drive profitability- Zeb Smith. Elks lodge diner & 1st floor bar. 

In today’s outfitter economy – with dropping volumes, increasing expenses, and AI disruptions – the future feels uncertain. For Zebulon, the path forward is clear: empowered people drive profitability! Join Zeb Smith, CPA, to discuss practical tools for outfit resilience, including how “Guide Math” fosters better understanding between owner-operators and their guides.

4:30-5:30 p.m. – Exhibitor Networking & Happy Hour. Elks lodge 2nd floor bar. 

Grab a drink and come network with the businesses that make our industry move.

5:30-7:00 p.m. – Dinner with Exhibitors. Elks lodge diner. 

Enjoy a catered dinner from.... Grab a plate, walk & talk, or take a seat in the diner while you network with Exhibitors

7:00-9:30 p.m. – Exhibitor Fair . Elks Lodge 2nd floor. 

Join us for our annual Exhibitor Fair and annual cowboy poetry contest. We have lots of catching up to do – on issues, with our vendors, partners and fellow guides and outfitters. Let’s reconnect, enjoy ourselves and bid on some amazing gear.

10:00p.m. – Bar Crawl. Center of the universe. 

Meet up with your peers at the Center of the Universe for a late night, unstructured bar crawl. Dont stay out too late....

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3

7:00-10:00 a.m. – Exhibitor Move-Out. Elks lodge 2nd floor.

7:30-8:15 a.m. – Breakfast with the Board. Wallace Inn restaurant. 

Join the IOGA board for a complimentary breakfast. Sit down and ask questions, make new friends, and give feedback.  Courtesy of Resmark Systems.

8:00-11:00 a.m. – Registration & Check-in. Elks lodge foyer. 

8:30-10:00 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions:

• Guide Section Session (Steven Zettle- VP). Elks lodge silver room. An essential meeting for guides to learn about issues affecting their employment. Election for Guide VP and Nominations for Directors.
• Hunt Section Session (Steve Sobotka – Hunt Section VP). wallace inn conference room. An IDFG-led discussion on big game management, new regulations, and the upcoming hunting seasons. 
• River Section Session (Ari Kotler - VP). elks lodge diner.
  Hear updates from river managers on regulatory changes and key issues for river outfitters. Election for River VP and Nominations for Director.
• R.E.C. Section Session (Colby Blair - VP). loft room. This session covers recreation management updates, conservation initiatives, and regional recreation trends impacting Idaho’s landscapes. Nominations for Directors.

10:15 -11:45 a.m. – Explore Act Presentation / Q&A - Aaron Lieberman and Erik Weiseth. Elks lodge main hall. 

For the outfitting community, the EXPLORE ACT is arguably the most important single piece of legislation in a generation.  Come learn what you need to know about it.

12:00-12:45 p.m. – One Possible Future of Insurance - Ruthie Rivers. Elks lodge main hall.

In this Q/A we will discuss the why behind what is happening in liability insurance, but more importantly, what are some creative possible solutions in the future.

1-2:30PM Lunch and Keynote - Senator Ben Adams (Elections/Lunch). Elks lodge main hall . 

The Idaho State Senator is going to tell us about his proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution.

2:45-3:45 p.m. -  IOGLB Update- John Price. Elks lodge main hall. 

John and Zac will share updates from IOGLB and how the roll-out of the new system went. 

3:45-4:45 p.m. –  National Update- Aaron Lieberman. Elks lodge main hall. 

America Outdoors E.D. will share what is going on at the national level that O/G need to know about.

4:45-6:00 p.m. – Lower Salmon Outfitters Meeting. Elks Lodge Silver room  Zoom Link

All outfitters who operate on SA8 (lower salmon) should attend this first meeting of the Lower Salmon Outfitters.

4:45-6:00 p.m. – Hunt - Surviving the Draw - Scott Deny. Wallace inn conference room. 

Hunt Outfitters will learn tactics to survive the transition to a draw system from outfitters already in it.

4:45-6:00 p.m. – Dollars for Outdoors - Hardy Bender. Wallace inn foyer. 

Learn all about IOGA’s Dollars for Outdoors & Dollars for Salmon Programs and get signed up today! 

4:45-6:00 p.m. – Meet with Agency Staff Elks lodge 2nd floor foyer. 

Come speak with Agency Personnel at one of their booths.

6:30-8:00 p.m. – Women of IOGA. City limits brew pub. 

Calling all women of IOGA! Come together for a dinner to network and support each other, as it relates to you through your role as a woman in the industry.

6:30-8:00 p.m. – Guy’s Night Out. Center of the universe. 

Join the rest of IOGA for a dinner out on the town of Wallace. Let's support some local businesses! 

10:00p.m. – Bar Crawl. Center of the universe. 

Meet up with your peers at the Center of the Universe for a late night, unstructured bar crawl. Dont stay out too late.... 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4

8:00-10:00 a.m. – Registration & Check-in.  Elks lodge foyer  

8:00-9:00 a.m. – Morning Coffee- Lonely at the Top? Idea Exchange for CEO/Owners/Managerss - Pat Tabor. Wallace Inn restaurant. 

Running an outdoor recreation company can be isolating. In this facilitated, peer-to-peer forum, CEO/owners/managers trade real-world challenges and solutions—no lectures, just members helping members. Pat draws on 40 years of leadership to spark candid discussion, connections, and practical takeaways you can apply immediately. You’re not alone at the top

9:15-10:15 a.m. –  Outfitter Round-Table Discussion. Elks lodge main hall. 

One of the most valued aspects of the IOGA conference is time with peers discussing industry issues.  At this session outfitters will have the chance to sit down and discuss specific areas with their peers.  Expect topics ranging from, How to use AI in outfitting, to insurance, marketing, OTA’s  and travel insurance.  Come with questions and a willingness to speak up and share your experiences.

9:15-9:45 a.m. –   Guiding, Growing, Gaining Ground- Nate Moody. Elks lodge diner. 

This workshop explores pathways of professional development for guides preparing to move beyond full-time guiding. Identify skillsets developed through guiding that should be leveraged for school and work applications. Navigate technology-free interactions to support networking for post guiding connections. Recognize opportunities for moving into part-time guiding and future professional development.

10:00-10:45 a.m. –  Salmon Talk– Jack Hurty. Elks lodge diner. 

The status of salmon and steelhead runs has been an ongoing concern for outfitters and guides for over 30 years. Jack Hurty gives an update on the conversation around the Lower Snake River Dams, Idaho salmon and steelhead, and the effectiveness of the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan hatchery system.

10:30-11:15 a.m. – Building Wealth as an outfitter - Pat Tabor. Elks lodge main hall. 

If done properly, owners can utilize their outdoor recreation business as a platform for building wealth beyond the value of the business. Pat will explore some of the opportunities, and make a case for extensive personal financial planning. Pat will also cover some of the more critical aspects of the “Big Beautiful Bill” and both challenges and opportunities it creates for outdoor recreation companies, including year-end tactics for consideration.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. – Managing & Investigating Employee Complaints - Best practices from a human resources and risk management perspective - Dave Dennis. Elks lodge main hall.

Staff complaints about their peers are not uncommon, and it can be challenging to follow up on these events without bias. This session will dive into the process for investigating staff-to-staff complaints and the policies and procedures needed to support stakeholder groups. The presentation, led by HR and risk management experts, covers effective ways to receive staff concerns, conduct fair investigations, manage conflict, and enforce anti-retaliation policies. Attendees will walk away with:

• A structured intake and investigation process ensuring fairness for all parties.
• Conflict de-escalation strategies to help resolve issues before they worsen.
• Tangible ways to build and maintain employee trust and workplace culture.
• An understanding of the importance of documentation and example templates for immediate implementation.

12:45-1:45 p.m. –Lunch,  General Session, & Election Results. Elks lodge main hall. 

Come back together with IOGA leadership for Election Results and general wrap-up.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. – Supporting the health and strength of the guiding community- Nate Moody. Elks lodge diner. 

Come join us to learn about the Redside Foundation’s work and the invaluable services they make available to you as an Idaho guide.

2:00-5:30 p.m. - Allocation Next Steps - Jeff Bitton. Wallace inn conference room. 

This is a followup to the allocation gatherings earlier at the meeting.  This meeting will focus on the issues of the future and conversations around what the industry needs to be aware of and where it might need to start being proactive.

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. - . East Idaho Chapter Meeting Elks lodge silver room.

Meeting of the East Idaho outfitters to discuss issues directly related to East Idaho outfitters.  The meeting will also include a presentation from Lisa Ronald on proposals related to possible promotion of Wild and Scenic designation for the SF Snake and Teton Rivers.

2:00-3:30 p.m. - Salmon River Outfitters Meeting (SROA). Elks lodge main hall.  Zoom Link

Agenda by SROA

3:15-4:15  p.m. –  The Future of Public Lands - Jack Hurty. Elks lodge diner. 

A recap on the last year in public lands policy, and outlays where the issue is headed in the future. This will be a deep dive into key public lands policies like the Idaho Roadless Rule, the Public Lands Rule, and federal payments to public lands counties. 

3:15-5:30  p.m.– Middle Fork Outfitters Association (MFOA). Elks lodge main hall.  Zoom Link

Agenda by MFOA

6:00-8:00  p.m.– Closing Session / Dinner. Elks lodge diner and main hall. 

Join us for one last celebration, a thanks from the IOGA, and a catered dinner.

8:30p.m. – Bar Crawl. center of the universe. 

Meet up with your peers at the Center of the Universe for a late night, unstructured bar crawl. Dont stay out too late.... 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5

7:00a.m. & 9:00 a.m. - Van pick-up for Spokane Airport. Wallace Inn foyer. 

Catch a ride to the Spokane airport courtesy of our friends at ROW.

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Wallace inn conference room.  - Zoom Link

Association Business Meeting, Selection of IOGLB nominations. Members are welcome to attend.

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. – Group Ski Day lookout pass. 

Bring the whole family and enjoy a day skiing at Lookout Pass or enjoying Wallace. 

REGISTER HERE

Exhibitor Fair

One of the best parts of the IOGA annual member meeting is the Exhibitor Fair.  This is an opportunity for businesses who serve or support the outfitter industry to set up booths and talk with outfitters face to face and sell products.  The outfitters fair is a mix of face to face time to sell from your booth during a fun atmosphere with music, food, and contests, including the famous IOGA cowboy poetry contest. 

Download the Exhibitor Fair Packet.  Space is extremely limited this year so register ASAP.

Registration deadline Nov 15th