April Update - Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership

Director’s Note

Spring is here which means it’s time to air out our three season tents, tune up our mountain bikes and make an inventory of our rusty fishing tackle. This is my favorite time of year (at least until the next season and so on)…

In this edition, we're diving deeper into what the 2024 BEA Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account data tells us about the people who work in this sector. The headline number — $64,354 in average compensation per worker — challenges some long-held assumptions about what an outdoor recreation job is worth, and we think it's a story worth sharing. You'll also find updates on a pair of major events coming to Minnesota this spring and summer: the National Outdoor Recreation Conference lands in Duluth in May, and Outdoor Retailer comes to Minneapolis in August with some compelling new programming tied to University of Minnesota research.

On the local front, we have two opportunities to connect in person — a virtual summit for the Brainerd region on April 29, and our annual Outdoor Recreation Industry Summit returning September 24 with registration opening mid-April.

As always, this newsletter exists to keep you connected to the people, data, and opportunities shaping outdoor recreation in Minnesota. At its core, that's what this industry is really about — not just economic output, but the community that happens when people share a natural landscape together. We're glad you're here.

Randolph Briley
Director, Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership

LOCAL NEWS 

Minnesota's Best-Kept Economic Secret

Ask someone outside the outdoor recreation industry what they picture when they imagine a job in the sector, and you'll likely hear something like: a seasonal trail guide, a summer camp counselor, a part-time gear store clerk. The image is of transient work — rewarding, maybe even fun, but low-wage, low-benefit, and economically marginal. The 2024 Bureau of Economic Analysis Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account data, released this past March, tells a very different story.

Minnesota's outdoor recreation workers earned an average of $64,354 in total compensation in 2024 — a figure that includes wages, salaries, and employer contributions to benefits like health insurance and retirement. That number exceeds average compensation for outdoor recreation workers in every neighboring state: Wisconsin ($57,411), Michigan ($55,414), Iowa ($52,363), and both Dakotas. And it's growing — total worker compensation rose 7% in 2024, ranking Minnesota 7th in the nation. These are not static, low-ceiling jobs.

Part of the misperception stems from conflating the visible face of the industry — guides, instructors, retail clerks — with its full economic footprint. Manufacturing alone accounts for 18.2% of Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy, well above the national rate of 13.1%. A significant portion of this sector's workforce is making things: watercraft, snowmobiles, outdoor equipment, and gear produced right here in Minnesota. Across retail, construction, accommodation, professional services, and manufacturing, the outdoor recreation economy isn't a niche — it's a cross-sector industry woven into the fabric of the state's broader economic life.

When legislators, investors, and economic development officials view outdoor recreation as a low-wage service sector, they deprioritize it when allocating resources. Minnesota's $13.9 billion outdoor recreation economy — 2.7% of state GDP, growing faster than the national average in several categories in 2024 — deserves a seat at the table. The BEA data makes that case. Our job is to make sure the right people hear it.

Outdoor Retailer Comes to Minneapolis This August — Here's What to Watch

The outdoor industry's premier trade event comes to Minneapolis Aug. 19–21, 2026, and this year's show is making a statement on two fronts.

First, innovation: Outdoor Retailer is partnering with the University of Minnesota's Wearable Technology Lab and Western Colorado University's Outdoor Industry MBA program for its expanded "Gear of Tomorrow" platform. U of M researchers will showcase prototype concepts in climate-adaptive apparel, integrated cooling systems, and emergency applications — giving brands early access to emerging R&D right here in Minnesota.

Second, entrepreneurship: The new GGG + Founded Outdoors Pavilion will place up to 100 independent, retail-ready brands at the center of the show floor. The 3,000-square-foot space — a collaboration between Garage Grown Gear and Founded Outdoors — is designed to connect independent founders with buyers seeking products you won't find at big-box retailers.

For Minnesota's outdoor industry stakeholders, this is a rare opportunity to engage with the future of the business in your own backyard.
Learn more at outdoorretailer.com.

National News

Camping Remains a National Pastime — New Data Shows What's Changing

The Dyrt's 2026 Camping Report reveals that camping remains popular, with 82.4 million Americans camping in 2025, including 2.6 million first-time campers. RVs and trailers are the preferred camping methods, yet over half of campers faced booking challenges due to full campgrounds. The report notes an increase in both reservations being utilized and short-notice cancellations, highlighting issues in campground etiquette. For the full report, visit thedyrt.com. For the full report, visit thedyrt.com.

Upcoming Events

Outdoor Recreation Industry Summit — September 24, 2026

Mark your calendars — our annual Outdoor Recreation Industry Summit returns September 24, 2026, at Highland Hills Chalet in Bloomington, Minnesota. This full-day gathering brings together outdoor recreation professionals, industry leaders, policymakers, and economic development partners from across the state for a day of learning, connection, and collaboration. Registration opens mid-April — stay tuned for details on this year's program, speakers, and agenda.

Space is limited. RSVP is required.
👉 Reserve your seat: https://www.eventleaf.com/e/oripsummit

Join Us in Brainerd: Outdoor Recreation and the Local Economy

Outdoor recreation is a significant driver of economic activity across greater Minnesota — and the Brainerd lakes area is no exception. We're bringing together local businesses, organizations, and community members to talk about what that means for the region and how we can work together to grow it.

Join us on Tuesday, April 29 from 2–4 p.m. at the Brainerd Public Library for an open conversation on the impact of outdoor recreation on the local economy and opportunities for collaboration.

Space is limited. RSVP is required.
👉 Reserve your seat: https://form.jotform.com/260885469051162

Minnesota Hosts the Nation's Premier Outdoor Recreation Conference This May

The outdoor recreation profession is coming to Minnesota — and it's worth your attention. The National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC), the premier gathering for outdoor recreation professionals across the United States and Canada, will be held May 11–14, 2026 in Duluth at the DECC Harbor Side Convention Center.

NORC gathers over 400 planners, land managers, policymakers, and industry leaders for four days of learning and networking. This year’s theme, "Outdoor Recreation Pathways to Restoration and Revitalization," aligns with current trends in Minnesota's outdoor recreation community. The program features 30+ sessions, 75+ speakers, a full exhibit hall, and evening networking events at top Duluth venues.

For Minnesota's outdoor recreation professionals, NORC in our backyard is a unique opportunity to connect with peers nationwide, elevate Minnesota's voice, and bring best practices home. Registration is open now. Visit recpro.org to register or learn more.

Stay Connected

We will continue sharing timely updates, data releases, and opportunities throughout the year. If you have news to share or would like to connect, please reach out.

Randolph Briley

Director, Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership

Randolph Briley (he/him)  |  Deputy Director - Outdoor Recreation

121 7th Place East, Suite 360, St. Paul, MN 55101 

C: 320-319-6692

randolph.briley@state.mn.us  |  exploreminnesota.com | outdoorindustrypartnership.com