Few places are more beautiful in mid-September than northern Minnesota, so what better place to host an outdoor gathering of brands and content creators than on the shores of Lake Bemidji? Registration is now open for the AGLOW Annual Conference 2023, September 17-21, in it Hampton Inn & Suites in Bemidji.
“It’s hard to think of a better location to host the conference than a facility that sits right on the shoreline of one of the best fisheries in the Upper Midwest. Bemidji offers exactly that. We are not near the water, we are on the water at our host facility. We even have a boat launch literally in the parking lot. Outdoor opportunities abound in Bemidji, and we don’t have to look far to find them,” said Mark Smith, AGLOW Executive Director.
There will certainly be plenty of opportunities to enjoy some of the great fishing Lake Bemidji has to offer, but there will also be other outdoor activities available to attendees, with the Bemidji CVB working hard to showcase all the area has to offer.
“One of the best things about the AGLOW conference is the balance between work and play. Sure, we’ll get all the hunting and fishing we can, but this conference is packed with sessions and panels to benefit all of our members,” added Trent Marsh, current AGLOW President and SPYPOINT Trail Camera Editorial Manager.
“We changed the schedule quite a bit last year, and the response from members was overwhelmingly positive. There are a few more changes this year, but they are minor compared to last year. A focus on sessions that can help our media, businesses and CVB members become more efficient, immediate content generation opportunities and of course the networking and camaraderie that make AGLOW the premier content creator organization out there. open air in the country”, he added.
AGLOW may stand for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Association, but the organization has grown far beyond the Great Lakes and the writers.
“We have members in almost 40 states and several Canadian provinces. Our immediate past president, Ken Perrotte, is from the prominent “Great Lakes State” of Virginia. We’ve had award categories for podcasts and YouTube content for a long time,” Smith said. “People look at ‘Great Lakes’ and think we’re just a regional organization, or they look at ‘writers’ and think a podcaster doesn’t fit. This could not be further from the truth. We have long since grown beyond the limits of the Great Lakes and expanded our membership to include content creators of all stripes.”
The week kicks off with the President’s reception on Sunday evening and kicks off on Monday, with presentations from the 2025 conference bidders before lunch and a corporate session that afternoon to showcase the latest products. Tuesday will feature a Lake Bemidji Fishing Tournament in the morning and targeted sessions on Tuesday afternoon to highlight practical use of products or business principles. Wednesday is packed with panels and sessions that benefit all attendees, as well as the auction. Thursday is a full day for all attendees, media, business and CVB, with exciting outdoor recreation opportunities for all, before culminating in the Awards-In-Craft ceremony to close the conference.
There is no shortage of content generation opportunities, networking events, and educational sessions to make your time at the AGLOW Annual Conference productive and valuable.
“AGLOW is all the way back,” continued Smith. “The pandemic took its toll in many ways, but we made it through and all facets of our membership are intact and strong. Last year’s conference was as well attended as any in recent memory, and we are already seeing a huge push from our members to go to Bemidji. We’re not going to slow down anytime soon. AGLOW is back, and here to stay.”
To learn more about the conference or to register, visit https://aglowinfo.org/events/annual-aglow-conference/.
Any other questions or queries can be directed to AGLOW directly at [email protected]
ABOUT AGLOW:
Since the first conference in 1956, AGLOW has grown into a premier organization for outdoor content creators of all stripes, outdoor brands, and the CVB and destinations that make our wild adventures possible. Founded as a regional organization, AGLOW has grown into a group with international membership and impact. AGLOW members represent nearly 40 states and multiple Canadian provinces, including writers, podcasters, YouTubers and photographers, brands in the shooting, fishing and hunting categories, and destinations across the country. AGLOW – Regional Name, Global Impact