ORN Conference 2025 ‘Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism’

Monday - Wednesday
16 - 18 June 2025

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre (View on Google Maps)

Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism: Harnessing outdoor recreation to renew, restore and regenerate tourism.

Add to Calendar 2025-06-16 2025-06-18 Europe/London ORN Conference 2025 ‘Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism’

Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism:

Harnessing outdoor recreation to renew, restore and regenerate tourism.

Outdoor recreation has a vital role to play in regenerative tourism across these Isles. This conference builds on the ORN Action Plan 2022-2025, which called for cross-sector collaboration on sustainable tourism principles. Since then, the conversation has shifted from sustainability to regeneration—actively restoring landscapes, strengthening communities, and enhancing visitor experiences.

The Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN) has opened up booking for the 2025 conference ‘Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism’ taking place from the 16th – 18th June 2025 at The Sill in Northumberland National Park.

Outdoor recreation has a vital role to play in regenerative tourism across these Isles. This conference builds on the ORN Action Plan 2022-2025, which called for cross-sector collaboration on sustainable tourism principles. Since then, the conversation has shifted to include from sustainability to regeneration – actively restoring landscapes, strengthening communities, and enhancing visitor experiences.

This two-day event will bring the outdoor recreation and tourism sectors together to explore how outdoor recreation can drive regenerative tourism and establish key principles and best practices. It aligns with themes in the new ORN Action Plan 2025-2028, including Protecting Nature and Responsible Access, Climate Impact Management, Maximising Impact with Limited Resources, Inclusion and Diversity, and Sustainable Development.

Conference Speakers (more to be announced)

John Watkins

Chief Executive |National Landscapes Association

Iain Robson

National Landscape Manager |Northumberland Coast National Landscape

Dr Nikolaos Pappas

Professor of Tourism Development and Crisis Management |University of Sunderland

Tom Backhouse

Director |CampWild

Ismail Kholwadia

Founder & Consultant |Focal Elements

Dr Brendan Paddison

Interim Dean and Associate Professor |York Business School

Dr Jason King

Senior Lecturer Physical and Outdoor Education |Leeds Beckett University

Shane Dineen

Environment & Planning Manager |Fáilte Ireland

Pre ORN Conference Member Events - Monday 16th June 2025

ORN Executive Committee Meeting
19:00 - 21:00
ORN Member Meeting & Dinner
An opportunity to meet and network with other members of the Outdoor Recreation Network. Potential new members are also welcome to attend this dinner meeting if arriving early to the conference.

ORN Conference Day 1 - Tuesday 17th June 2025

09:30 - 10:00
Registration
10:00 - 12:00
Welcome, Keynotes and Q&A
12:00 - 17:00
Lunch and Site Visits
Site visits will take place in Northumberland National Park
17:00 - 17:15
Day 1 Wrap Up
19:30 - 22:00
ORN Award Celebration Event and Dinner

ORN Conference Day 2 - Wednesday 18th June 2025

09:00 - 10:00
Keynotes and Q&A
10:00 - 13:00
Site Visits and Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Conference Wrap-Up and Close

ORN Conference Planning Group

A special thank you to the following ORN Member organisations who have been supporting the development of the conference programme behind the scenes.

Non Member Ticket Options

These ticket options are from employees of organisations that are not currently members of the Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN).

ORN Conference 2025 (17th & 18th Only) - No Accommodation - £293

This ticket includes:
Access to the two-day conference and site visits as well as access to the ORN Award Celebration Event (17th).

ORN Conference 2025 (17th & 18th) - With Accommodation - Prices from £405.00

These tickets include:
Access to the two-day conference and site visits as well as access to the ORN Award Celebration Event (17th). This ticket also includes 2-nights accommodation (16th and 17th) onsite in the newly refurbished YHA.

ORN Member Ticket Options

These ticket options are from employees of organisations that are currently members of the Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN).

The primary contact for each member organisation has been emailed with instructions on how to claim their free conference tickets. You can find out who your organisation’s primary contact is by checking the Current Member listings linked below.

ORN Conference 2025 (17th & 18th only) - Without Accommodation or Member Meeting - £293

This ticket includes:
Access to the two-day conference and site visits as well as access to the ORN Award Celebration Event (17th).

'Access all areas' ORN Conference 2025 (16th - 18th) - With Accommodation - Prices from £438.00

These tickets include:
Access to the two-day conference and site visits, access to the Member Meeting and meal (16th) and access to the ORN Award Celebration Event (17th). These tickets also include 2-nights accommodation (16th and 17th) onsite in the newly refurbished YHA.

'Access all areas' ORN Conference 2025 (16th - 18th) - Without Accommodation - £326

This ticket includes:
Access to the two-day conference and site visits, access to the Member Meeting and meal (16th) and access to the ORN Award Celebration Event (17th).

Application for Subsidised Place at ORN In-Person Event

This year ORN is piloting the provision one subsidised place at this conference to an organisation or individual outside of the ORN Membership with limited financial resources.Deadline for applications - 10am on 20th May 2025.This ticket would cover the 2-day conference and access to the ORN Award Celebration Event. This would not include transport, accommodation or access to the Member Meeting (16th).

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