Ocean City Hosts 3rd Annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit

OCEAN CITY, Md. – Ocean City was the host of the 3rd Annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit.

Sandi Olek is the director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation at Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, and explained the importance of the summit, and how it brings recreation enthusiasts together.

“Our goal was really just to bring people from all different realms and sectors of outdoor recreation to gather together to learn from each other, to build community, to even know that there is a very large industry of outdoor recreation in the state of Maryland.” Said Olek. “It’s actually a $10.6 billion industry.”

The summit welcomed a variety of guests and speakers, from local heritage groups like Beach to Bay, to disc golf representatives.

Brianna Amingwa is the founder of Deeply Rooted Outdoor Recreation, and was a keynote speaker at the summit, advocating for expanding access for recreation activities.

“Maryland has so many incredible opportunities to be outside, and it’s even better when we can invite everyone to join.” Said Amingwa. “We don’t even know who might grow interest from that, and become the next conservation voter, or the next steward who’s on the beach cleaning up, or the next person who takes their family outside.”

For more information on the Office of Outdoor Recreation and local activities, visit their website.