3 days of learning, collaboration & networking for trail professionals and emerging leaders within the trails community. This year, sessions will include topics such as succession planning, designing more inclusive trails, and resiliency planning.
Fantastic experience to be apart of, close knit community that is very welcoming and understanding.
—2022 National Trails Workshop Participant
Register Now!
Details
Date: November 7-9, 2023
Location: Florida Hotel and Conference Center (at Florida Mall)
Phone: (407) 859-1500
Email: reservations@thefloridahotelorlando.com
Address: 1500 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32809
EARLY BIRD PRICING (Closes September 5, 2023)
- 3 day member – $205
- 3 day nonmember – $222
- 3 day bulk member (5 or more registrations from the same organization) – $195
- 3 day bulk nonmember – $210
This Event Welcomes…
- Trail professionals, advocates, and volunteers.
- Federal employees whose work involves the National Trails System.
- Emerging leaders, students, and young professionals looking to network and learn more about trails.
- Others that wish to learn more about workshop topics such as state and local government, recreation, preservation, tourism, and conservation professionals.
You Can Expect this Workshop to be…
- A positive, productive, professional, and inclusive environment for Partnership members, trail professionals, and guests.
- A professional development experience where you can network, learn, and receive training in various topics.
- An opportunity to share your voice with the trails community through roundtable discussions and meetings.
You Can Expect to…
- Attend three days of workshops throughout the event (specific workshop information coming soon!)
- Expand and enrich your network with other trail professionals and organizations.
- Share your expertise and perspective in roundtable discussions, meetings, and other opportunities for discussion.
Register Now!
2023 Workshop Program
Download the Full Program (PDF)
Use the tabs below to view the program on each day of the event and view event speakers
“I have enjoyed the program thoroughly! The breakout sessions were terrific and we were able to interact, share and learn from one another. Thank you!!!”
“Attending the workshops was a very informative, eye-opening experience for me. I can say that I feel much more knowledgeable about the resources and opportunities there are in the world of parks, trails, and resource management.”
“These workshops are an amazing way for young people like myself to get a grasp on the great resources and programs around the country that support our trails. I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend the workshops and I have learned a lot that will help me support our trails.”
“I am so thankful to have been a part of this workshop as an apprentice. Truly, I have learned so much about this industry, the trails community, and about myself, my future, and my purpose. I cannot wait to share my story, newly influenced by the knowledge I’ve gained here, with the world.”
—Trail Apprentices and Participants, National Trails Workshop 2021
Who We Are
As the only national nonprofit focused on National Scenic and Historic Trails, Partnership for the National Trails System is a collective voice, convener, resource, and hub of information that champions a vibrant National Trails System for all to enjoy. PNTS was founded by many of the nonprofit trail organizations that make up our membership to help trail managers, advocates and stewards connect and work together to advance shared goals for the National Trails System. Since 2001, the Partnership has embodied the collaboration of the National Trails System Act with representatives of Trail member organizations, Federal partners and a growing network of trail enthusiasts playing an active role in our work.
About This Year’s Location & Venue
The Florida Hotel and Conference Center
- All workshop sessions and roundtable discussions will take place at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center. The venue is also connected to the Florida Mall, where shopping and dining will be available.
- Accommodations will be available at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center at a block hotel rate through October 13, 2023.
- Accessibility: The Florida Hotel and Conference Center is an ADA-compliant facility. The Hotel Lobby has a lower desk for accessible check-in, elevators provide access to all floors, and all bathrooms have handicap stalls. A limited number of ADA-compliant rooms are available to reserve with roll-in showers. Please reach out to the Florida Hotel and Conference Center by phone to secure an accessible room. Please reach out to Cara@pnts.org with any questions or concerns or issues with securing an accessible room or with questions about visual and auditory accommodations for workshop sessions.
Orlando, Florida
- Orlando: is a diverse and welcoming city and a top travel destination in the USA. There are many attractions and opportunities for recreation to add to your visit while attending the Workshop. Head to the Visit Orlando website to browse events, tours, attractions, and things to do in and around the city.
- The Florida National Scenic Trail: We are grateful to the Florida Trail Association for hosting the National Trails Workshop this year! The Florida National Scenic Trail is a 1,500-mile federally designated trail beginning at Big Cypress National Preserve and ending at Gulf Islands National Seashore. The trail circles conservation areas around the Greater Orlando Metro Region, so be sure to take a hike while you are in the area! You can find more information and maps on the Florida Trail Association website.
The Florida Hotel and Conference Center is considered a small business owned by a minority and feels that Visit Orlando speaks for the city as a whole as well as our hotel with their recent statement: “Orlando has always been and will continue to be a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community. As the top travel destination in the country and longstanding leader in the travel industry, our community has a history of welcoming all to our destination. Travel and tourism positively impacts our community and plays a valuable role in ongoing engagement and dialogue. Visit Orlando will continue to encourage travel to our destination to drive progress and support hard-working small businesses.”
*Safety Resources Document for the 2023 National Trails Workshop.
Register Now!
Accommodations
Guest rooms are available at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center from November 3rd-11th at a block discounted rate for a King or Double room (Block rates end October 13th).
Price: $129/night, plus tax.
The Florida Hotel and Conference Center includes the following amenities:
- Unlimited in-room high-speed Internet
- Newspaper (lobby level)
- Two bottles of water upon arrival (replenished daily)
- Key accessible gated parking
- 24-hour access to state-of-the-art fitness center
- 24-hour access to the business center including high-speed internet, printing, and photocopies (limited quantities)
Checking In & Out:
- Guests may check-in after 4:00 pm.
- A valid form of ID and a valid credit card or cash deposit will be required at check-in.
- Room and tax will be fully charged upon check-in.
- There will be no refunds for early checkouts.
- Guest checkout time is prior to 11:00am. Any late check out’s after 11:00 am will be charged a full night room, tax, and service fee.
Please use this link* to book your room online at our special discounted rate. Individual reservations may also be made by calling the hotel’s reservations department directly at (800) 588-4656. In order to receive the discounted rate, please identify yourself as an attendee of the 2023 National Trails Workshop.
*When using this link you can only book 3 rooms at a time.
Note: A deposit of one night’s room and tax will be charged to the credit card five days prior to arrival. Individual reservations may be canceled without penalty outside of 72 hours prior to arrival. If you would like to cancel your room, please reach out to Cara@pnts.org to do so to ensure that your room is kept within our group reservation block.
Thank You to our Federal Partners
Sponsor the 2023 National Trails Workshop
Workshop sponsorship opportunities are available and provide an excellent way for your company or organization to align itself with the National Trails System while appealing to a highly engaged audience. Learn more from the Sponsorship Packet or contact PNTS Program Coordinator, Cara Yendrzeski, to discuss further at Cara@pnts.org.
Previous Workshops
2022 National Trails Workshop—November 2-4, 2022
2021 Virtual National Trails Workshop—November 1–4, 2021
Themes: Collaboration and Engagement, Strengthening Organizations and Partnerships, Trail Land Protection
More than 270 people attended, presented, sponsored, and/or supported the Partnership for the National Trails System’s second Virtual Workshop.
Find the full program here with session materials, recordings, and speaker information. Recordings can also be found in the Webinar Archive.
National Trails Virtual Workshop—October 21–29, 2020
Themes: Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion; Expanding Partnerships Within and Beyond Trail Corridors; and, Increasing Capacity Through Organizational Development
More than 200 people attended, presented, sponsored, and/or supported the Partnership for the National Trails System’s first Virtual Workshop. Thank you so much for making this Workshop a success we can build on! During the workshop we heard about practical examples and best practices; we were encouraged to recognize that a big vision for a trail requires us to think outside of traditional boundaries and values; we heard about partners raising one another up and highlighting the long underprioritized stories of peoples and nationals throughout our National Trails System; we heard stories that were both heart-wrenching and heartwarming; and we started many important dialogues that we must continue.
The video recordings are available to the public on the Workshop Final Program page and directly on YouTube .
Biennial National Historic Trails Workshop
At this biennial gathering of National Historic Trails advocates, volunteers and professionals, the workshop hones in on the issues that face the Historic Trails as they move towards completion. Interpretation, preservation of key historic sites, protection indigenous landscapes and acquiring and maintaining a contiguous trail corridor are addressed. Attend this workshop to learn more about how you can play a role in developing, protecting and preserving your favorite historic trails and how you can strengthen your trail organization.
- National Historic Trails Workshop 2016 – Kansas City, MO (June 6th-10th)
- National Historic Trails Workshop 2014 – Salt Lake City, UT
- National Historic Trails Workshop 2012 – Socorro, NM
- National Historic Trails Workshop 2010 – San Antonio, TX
Biennial National Scenic Trails Workshop
Scenic Trails highlight some of the country’s most spectacular natural landmarks and features. As stewards of these trails, building and maintaining these trails in some very remote locations with volunteer power presents many challenges to trail organizations. The National Scenic Trails workshop provides the opportunity to learn best practices in both physical trail building and maintenance and organizational development. Effective steward organizations have strong programs in communication, volunteer management, fundraising and leadership development. This is an opportunity to go in depth into the issues faced by trail organizations as they strive to complete and maintain the trails in these outstanding scenic corridors.
- Scenic Trails Workshop 2016 – Pensacola, FL (November 14th-18th)
- Scenic Trails Workshop 2014 – Tahoe City, CA
- Scenic Trails Workshop 2012 – Shepherdstown, WV
- Scenic Trails Workshop 2010 – Reisterstown, MD
By October Hiking News For You – Rocky Goat April 20, 2022 - 12:26 pm
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