KORE Outdoor Rec-Tech Summit
2023 Photo Journal
The 2023 KORE Outdoor Rec-Tech Summit was held October 11-13 at the Kimberley Alpine Resort’s Conference Centre in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. This was the second year of the event, which is Canada’s only conference dedicated to the outdoor rec-tech manufacturing and product design sector.
All manner of professionals and entrepreneurs were in attendance from manufacturers and designers to government representatives and professors. There were also a record number of students in attendance this year and specific break-out sessions dedicated to academia and its role in the overall industry.
Professional photographer Mark Gallup of Fernie, BC was also there and recorded the full event, from the registration and welcome reception at the Stemwinder Bar and Grill on Wednesday night to the closing statements made late afternoon on Friday. What follows are galleries of Mark’s photos segmented by each day of the Summit.
The conference began the evening of October 11 at the Stemwinder Bar & Grill adjacent to the Kimberley Conference Centre at the base of Kimberley Alpine Resort. Unique registration badges made of wood were handed out, food was served compliments of Tourism Kimberley, and attendees were serenaded by local musician Darin Welch. Welcome messages were also shared by event MC Peter Moynes of Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine, KORE board member Christian Rawles, and Tod Caton of Tourism Kimberley.
The first full day of the conference began with a welcome by Janice Alpine, Business Development Officer – Tourism Engagement for the Ktunaxa Nation Council in the Economic and Investment Sector. She was followed by KORE Chair Matt Mosteller and Mayor of Kimberley Don McCormick and then results from this past summer’s regional roundtables and sector surveys were shared by Robyn Peel of Community Futures and Jonnah Ronquillo of Selkirk Innovates.
The rest of the day included presentations, panel discussions, lunch meet-ups, and networking opportunities. For a list of the day’s speakers, visit koreoutdoors.org/meet-the-speakers-at-the-2023-kore-rec-tech-summit.
The optional evening outing was the premiere of the latest Teton Gravity Research film called “Legend Has It” at Centre 64 at 64 Deer Park Ave in Kimberley.
The second full day of the conference began with breakfast meet-ups including one with BC government representative Jen Comer who chaired a discussion about rec-tech networks about the province. The rest of the day included more presentations, a panel discussion about the outdoor gear circular economy, and a talk by Phil Shellhammer who attended the conference from Arkansas to discuss the robust rec-tech sector he’s helped create in that state. For a full agenda of the entire event and the topics covered, visit koreoutdoors.org/kore-outdoor-rec-tech-summit-2023-agenda.
Mark Gallup is a legend in the outdoor action world having photographed for some of the biggest publications and companies over the past three decades. He is currently working on a book celebrating the life of snowboarder and backcountry pioneer Craig Kelly (pictured above).
For more about Mark’s work, visit markgallup.com.
