MAY 28-29, 2026
INNOVATION HALL, JACOBETTI COMPLEX, NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Join us May 28-29, 2026 at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex for the MADE UP Outdoor Summit. The summit is an opportunity to celebrate what we love most about the Upper Peninsula (and why we live here) – outdoor spaces and recreation. We have assembled a dynamic team of local individuals, organizations and speakers who will lead conversations on local topics that impact all of us.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Aaron Peterson “Storytelling is everything.”
Aaron Peterson Studios
Storytelling is everything. Organizations and communities must define themselves or they will be defined by others. This presentation explores the vital role of community storytelling in preserving and celebrating the unique cultural identity and outdoor heritage of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It highlights how shared narratives strengthen social bonds, and foster a sense of belonging in a region shaped by its natural environment and cultural heritage. Explore how community storytelling not only honors the past but also empowers future generations to carry forward the values, resilience, and voices that define the Upper Peninsula.
Gina Nicholas "Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition."
Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition
The Keweenaw Peninsula has a rich history of copper mining and a predominantly export based economy. Today, the Keweenaw’s economy is driven by outdoor recreation. However, in a constantly developing world this untouched asset is at risk.
Over the last 25 years, outdoor recreation, conservation and government groups have worked to preserve the Keweenaw. In 2019, The Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition was created to bring together a variety of user groups with one shared goal: to protect the Keweenaw’s vast landscapes for everyone, forever. Whether you bike, snowmobile, hunt, hike, or birdwatch, we need your help to make this vision a reality.
Kristin Ojaniemi “Back to the basics.”
Discovering
Yoopers are proud of how wild, rugged and scenic the Upper Peninsula is, and the culture and traditions that we still hold dear. Hunting and fishing are two of those traditional forms of outdoor recreation that many residents and non-residents value this place for. Historically and still today, they provide economic boosts to rural areas, as well as help folks be self-sufficient in a day when more and more people are going back to the basics as the world projects further into this digital era.
The U.P. is unlike anywhere else in the country. People come here to disconnect, to challenge themselves and immerse in nature that is wild and untamed. It’s gritty, it’s dirty, the trails are tough and the people are even tougher. Kristin Ojaniemi, host of TV6’s outdoor program “Discovering”, talks about the importance of hunting and fishing traditions to the U.P. historically and present-day and the value of this lifestyle here.
Todd Poquette “Calibrating the community compass.”
906 Adventure Team
We’ve trusted a small magnetized needle guided by the earth’s magnetic field to point us in the right direction and navigate the world… for over 2,000 years. We crossed oceans, climbed mountains, explored wilderness, braved storms, and navigated blizzards with this little analog device – a compass.
In “Calibrating the community compass” we’ll explore how conflicting reward systems and agendas have made it hard for community groups to navigate the modern landscape; literally and figuratively, and how we can learn from ancient tools and nature to navigate the road, challenges & opportunities ahead.
Joe Thiel “Orian, Superior Trade Zone.”
Innovate Marquette
The UP can leverage a shared path to funding with a focus on community driven economic development over a wide range of outdoor uses without sacrificing land access, stewardardship, lifestyle and tradition. This talk will outline a path to move the UP from siloed outdoor recreation efforts to a connected and fundable regional strategy. The talk will describe ORIAN as a support infrastructure that helps by convening partners, building a shared project pipeline, packaging collaboration into nationally competitive funding opportunities, and establishing common metrics and standards. It will also introduce the Superior Trade Zone as an organizational economic lens, the Central U.P. Outdoor Recreation Corridor as a link for communities and experiences, in addition to Innovate Marquette as a catalyst for entrepreneurship through its pillars of outdoor innovation, sustainable technology, and creative arts.
Aaron Rogers “The true impact of investing in the outdoors.”
Rock Solid Trail Contracting
The True Impact of Investing in the Outdoors
– The Importance of our Outdoor environments is underestimated by todays society. It is the foundation of human wellbeing and further thought is necessary to understand how we best utilize our most valuable resource. We explore how to power our communities through the creation of robust recreation, energy and food systems and why these systems should be interconnected.
SCHEDULE
Each day participants will spend a portion of their day hearing about the four Summit Pillars (Conservation, Sustainability, Community and Adventure) from the MADE UP Outdoor Summit keynote speakers. There are four speaker presentations on Thursday and three on Friday. During the table work group times, participants will be provided with scaffolded questions to allow for meaningful conversations around the 4 pillars as they pertain to each participant’s experience. Participants will be assigned to a table and table assignments will be intentionally created to maximize work group productivity with a variety of perspectives together. The work time provided is for each table of participants to discuss the questions provided and work towards outcomes that the table group can support. Each table group will be given time to share their outcomes with the remainder of the Summit participants.
On Thursday evening the Summit will host a landowner panel at Ore Dock Brewery and on Friday afternoon 906 Adventure Team will host a tour at Basecamp.
The Summit is intended to be both informative and productive. The goal is to bring people together to share perspectives and create connections where, perhaps, they did not exist. Our ability to be successful (as a region) will depend on our ability to break down silos and connect a wider range of organizations, land managers, state & federal agencies, non-profits and the general public to a unified vision for the future.
THURSDAY, MAY 28TH, 2026
8 AM – Light breakfast and Welcome
Todd Poquette “Calibrating the community compass.”
906 Adventure Team
Aaron Peterson “Storytelling is everything.”
Aaron Peterson Studios
Table group/work groups, with gallery walk
Lunch provided (gallery walk available)
Joe Thiel “Orian, Superior Trade Zone.”
Innovate Marquette
Kristin Ojaniemi “Back to the basics.”
Discovering
Table group/work groups and Group presentations
3 – 6 PM Dinner on your own
6 PM: Evening Social and Landowner Panel at the Ore Dock Brewery
FRIDAY, MAY 28TH, 2026
8 AM: Light breakfast and Welcome
Gina Nicholas “Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition.”
Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition
Aaron Rogers “The true impact of investing in the outdoors.”
Rock Solid Trail Contracting
Table group/work groups
Lunch provided
Gallery summary from table groups
Keynote and closing remarks – Todd Poquette
Harnessing the power of an outdoor economy community.
1:30 PM– Tour of 906 Adventure Team Basecamp and Gluski Park
Subscribe to the mailing list for MADE UP Outdoor Summit updates and be one of the first to know when registration opens. Follow the MADE UP Podcast on Youtube or Spotify to become part of the conversation. Between now and the Summit the Podcast will feature individuals and organizations operating across the Upper Peninsula in the outdoor recreation space.
Presented By
