The Eighth Annual Whitewater Symposium, the leading professional development and networking opportunity for the whitewater industry, will be held Oct. 1214 at Rock Island State Park near Sparta, TN, home waters for Jackson Kayak.
Jackson Kayak is sponsoring and hosting this year’s event because of its belief that what takes place at the Symposium can help strengthen the core of whitewater paddlesports.
“The symposium helps focus on what lies ahead for whitewater and offers actionable ideas on how best to head toward the future,” said Jackson Kayak founder and International Whitewater Hall of Famer Eric “EJ” Jackson.
New for this year, the symposium will actively focus on attracting dealers and distributors. The symposium already attracts manufacturers who use the event as an opportunity to showcase new products and instructors who share best teaching practices.
“Retailers are a key link to consumers so I think it’s critical to have their perspective be part of the larger conversations about our sport that take place at symposium,” Jackson said.
Symposium co-director Bob Campbell is behind the move to more proactively reach out and include dealers. The Whitewater Symposium Board is thrilled to have the Jackson/ World Kayak team putting together this world-class event,” Campbell said. “With their extensive industry connections and tenacious dedication to whitewater sports, we’re confident the 2011 program will be informative, inspirational and whole lot of fun.”
Jackson noted the search is already on for A-list keynote speakers as well as experts on emerging whitewater sports such as kayak fishing and stand up paddling. Lodging options at Rock Island State Park range from tent camping to multi-bedroom modern cabins with kitchens and comfortable living rooms.
More details about the event will be released in coming months on the website http://www.wwsymposium.com and the “Whitewater Symposium” Facebook fan page.
