KORE Outdoor Rec-Tech Summit
2023 Full Schedule
For a quick-view version of the schedule, click the button below:
For a quick-view version of the schedule, click the button below:
Welcoming messages by KORE Board Member Christian Rawles and Tod Caton of Tourism Kimberley.
Registration and reception activities will take place in the Stemwinder Bar & Grill adjacent to the Kimberley Conference Centre and Trickle Creek Lodge.
Learn More About P.J.’s Presentation
In his presentation, P.J. will be discussing downhill mountain bike racing, which is often called the Formula One of mountain biking. He’ll share the inside story of Norco Bicycles’ journey from 2007 until the present, travelling the globe on the UCI World Cup Downhill circuit, developing downhill racing bikes, navigating the pandemic, and ultimately doubling down on R&D investment in the midst of financial crisis with a project that’s goal is to create the fastest downhill racing bicycle the world has ever seen.
Meet and mingle in the Kimberley Conference Centre’s foyer and in the New Dawn rooms A&B.
Mingle and Meet in the Kimberley Conference Centre’s foyer, hosted by Tod Caton of Tourism Kimberley. Cash bar and après snacks.
Learn More About Russel’s Presentation
Russell McPherson is the founder of Gear re-Store, which has locations in Calgary, Denver, and Philadelphia. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba, went on to complete a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University in Ontario, and then worked as a Certified Management Accountant from 1991 to 2018. Russell has direct experience with companies large and small, private and public, and in a variety of industries, but eventually his passion for innovation and business collided with his love for the outdoors, and so began Gear re-Store.
His presentation at the 2023 Summit is called “End of Life vs. End of First Life” and he’ll be speaking about re-Commerce, upcycling, downcycling, business sustainability and collaboration opportunities among other things.
Learn More About James’s Presentation
James Friedrich is a product consultant who specializes in helping businesses unlock growth and he’s also a senior merchant for Mountain Equipment Company who oversees a $60M product portfolio, collaborating with some of the outdoor industry’s major brands. But before all that, James was an engineer and startup founder. His primary goal is to offer entrepreneurs the guidance and support he wished he had many years ago. Attendees of his presentation will get a peek behind the curtain of more than 5,000 products to discover the secrets to explosive growth and save years of trial and error. Imagine gaining wisdom from some of the top companies in the outdoor industry that have successfully transitioned from struggling to thriving. James will share practical insights on how you can do just that, with examples gleaned from years working with thousands of products and hundreds of companies.
“The Successful Outdoor Recreation Ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas”
Learn More About Phil’s Presentation
Phil Shellhammer graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from Harvard Business School and is now a faculty member at the University of Arkansas where he holds the positions of Senior Director of Business Incubation at the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Adjunct Professor in the Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Venture Innovation Department. His main focus is stewarding the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), which has successfully nurtured and mentored over 200 outdoor recreation entrepreneurs. Prior to this, Phil built a 20-year career in the retail and consumer products industries and worked for the likes of Sam’s Club, Best Buy, and Procter & Gamble.
In his presentation, Phil will explore the journey taken by this region, the pivotal contributors who played a vital role in crafting its identity as the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World,” and the accomplishments of GORP in nurturing innovative concepts into thriving, sustainable business models