Represent The Mountaineers at the 2024 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Represent The Mountaineers at this year's Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC). Join us to foster an environment of open dialogue and enhance our organization’s understanding of risk management practices. As a WRMC attendee, you'll acquire valuable skills in risk management, connect with fellow industry experts, share field and administrative techniques, and contribute to the establishment of standards for risk management in outdoor adventure and education.

The WRMC is an annual gathering of outdoor professionals that creates an unparalleled opportunity for experts from various facets of the risk management world – practitioners, administrators, insurance providers, wilderness medical professionals, equipment manufacturers, and attorneys – to convene in one place and share knowledge. Offered by NOLS in collaboration with Outward Bound USA and the Student Conservation Association, the spirit of the conference is captured in the WRMC Tenets.

This year's conference takes place October 15-17 at the Salt Lake City Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Find the full conference schedule on the NOLS WRMC webpage.

ATTEND ON BEHALF OF THE MOUNTAINEERS

We’ve reserved six spots for our volunteers, paid for by The Mountaineers. Attendees will have the opportunity to bring back valuable knowledge and insights to benefit their branch and our organization as a whole. We hope to have representation from various branches and activities.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION, YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

1. Be a current, active member of The Mountaineers
2. Commit to sharing what you learned from this conference with the broader organization through committee leadership
3. Be a current Activity Committee Chair or Course Chair OR be a current, active member of at least one of the following committees:  

-Risk Management Committee

-Safety Committee

-Sexual Harassment Sexual Assault Prevention Committee

-Branch Leadership Committee

Preference will be given to applicants who can attend the full conference from October 15-17. The full WRMC schedule can be found here. Applicants best situated to make an impact on the risk management decisions and overall safety of Mountaineers activities will be selected. Selection criteria include the volunteer's role, influence, and engagement on committees and other positions of leadership. Please submit your application by Monday, August 12.

APPLY NOW

WHAT’S INCLUDED ($1,110 VALUE)

1. WRMC attendee registration
2. Shared room with a fellow volunteer at Hilton Salt Lake City Center for October 15-17
3. WRMC meal plan (early morning breakfast and mid-day lunch buffet on October 16 and 17)
4. One Mountaineers group dinner on October 16 (dinner is served during the Keynote presentation on October 17)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

1. Travel to and from Salt Lake City, Utah.
2. Meals on October 15

Volunteer leaders may apply for the Leadership Development Fund to cover up to 70% of the travel costs.

SELECTION TIMELINE

Please complete an online application no later than August 12 to receive full consideration. Staff will make final selections and notify individuals between August 13-15. Confirmation of attendance by the selected volunteer is required no later than August 26.

The WRMC is an excellent opportunity to acquire new and valuable insights and skills. We highly encourage you to submit your application and join this exciting experience.

APPLY NOW

All members are also invited to register today, at your own expense, to ensure a seat at the table. Registration is available for $750 until August 31. All registrations made on or after September 1 will be charged a late fee of $150 by NOLS.

WHAT TO EXPECT AS AN ATTENDEE

The WRMC serves as a hub of expertise, bringing together industry leaders to discuss current trends, standards, and best practices. The WRMC is a great fit for you if you want to learn more about the following topics:

• Contemporary Crisis Management Planning
• Active Bystander Strategies for Workplace Harassment and Beyond
• Developing Choice-Making Skills and an Ethic of Care
• Building Climate Change Resilience in the Outdoor Industry
• Data and Success Stories from Deaf People in the Outdoors
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Emergency Field Kit
• Rock Climbing and Risk Moderation: A discussion on how marginalized communities navigate risk in the outdoors

Check out the full schedule, including workshop descriptions and speaker bios:

SEE THE SCHEDULE

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Michelle Song, Associate Director of Leadership, with any questions about attending this year’s Wilderness Risk Management Conference.