Past Conference
Proceedings
2026 Sustainable Trails Conference
The 2026 Sustainable Trails Conference brought 430 trail professionals to Boise for a week of education, collaboration, and hands-on learning. From inspiring keynote presentations and technical sessions to workforce development, women's programming, and PTBA's 50th anniversary celebration, the conference showcased the people, partnerships, and ideas shaping the future of the trail industry.
2025 Oceania Conference
The inaugural PTBA Oceania Conference brought more than 150 trail professionals to Derby, Tasmania, for a unique blend of classroom learning, field sessions, and on-trail experiences. Hosted in one of the world's premier trail destinations, the event fostered collaboration, professional growth, and new connections while strengthening the trail industry across Australia, Oceania, and beyond.
2025 International Trails Summit
The 2025 International Trails Summit welcomed more than 850 attendees from 17 countries to Wisconsin for three days of education, collaboration, and trail-centered inspiration. Highlights included keynote speaker James Edward Mills, hands-on learning during Offsite Day and the Dirt Demo, NICA Trail Day, and the World Trails Film Festival, showcasing the global impact and power of trails to connect communities.
2024 Sustainable Trails Conference
The 2024 Sustainable Trails Conference brought 375 trail professionals to Lake Lanier, Georgia, for three days of technical sessions, roundtable discussions, and outdoor learning. Keynote speaker Glen Jacobs highlighted Australia's trail industry, and many sessions explored the impact of trails on communities, health, tourism, and local economies. Many attendees also participated in the beta testing of the NOCTI Trail Technician assessment, advancing trail workforce development.
2023 International Trails Summit
The International Trails Summit is a partnership between PTBA and American Trails, held every other year in locations across the United States. In 2023, more than 900 trail professionals gathered in Reno and Sparks, Nevada, to explore the latest ideas in trail planning, sustainability, funding, technology, and community engagement through presentations, case studies, and peer learning.
Reno, NV
April 17-20, 2023
2022 Sustainable Trails Conference
PTBA's 2022 Sustainable Trails Conference brought together more than 300 professional trailbuilders, land managers, trail volunteers, and trail advocates for 3 days of education, networking, and trail exploration. Trail industry exhibitors demonstrated and shared their products indoors and outdoors, and 88 participants joined optional PTBA workshops for in-depth and field-based learning.
Bentonville, AR
March 29-31, 2022
2019 Sustainable Trails Conference
PTBA's 2019 Sustainable Trails Conference brought together more than 300 professional trailbuilders, land managers, trail volunteers, and trail advocates for 3 days of education, networking, and trail exploration. Trail industry exhibitors demonstrated and shared their products indoors and outdoors, and 81 participants joined optional PTBA workshops for in-depth and field-based learning.
2018 Sustainable Trails Conference
PTBA's 2018 Sustainable Trails Conference brought together 175 professional trailbuilders, land managers, trail volunteers, and trail advocates for 3 days of education, networking, and trail fun! Trail industry exhibitors demonstrated and shared their products indoors and outdoors, and 66 participants joined PTBA workshops for in-depth and field-based learning. Thanks to the Federal Highways Adminstration, WV. Department of Transportation, Tri-State Trails, and Happy Trails for support through sponsorship!
Roanoke, WV
March 17 - 30, 2018
2017 Sustainable Trails Conference
PTBA's 2017 Sustainable Trails Conference brought together 250 professional trailbuilders, land managers, trail volunteers, and trail advocates for 3 days of education, networking, and trail fun! Trail industry exhibitors demonstrated and shared their products indoors and outdoors, and 113 participants joined PTBA workshops for in-depth and field-based learning. The Core Conference Concurrent Sessions were organized into 6 tracks: Trailbuilding Basics, Contracting/Technical Trailbuilding, Mountain Bike Trails, Policy and Accessibility, Partnerships/Case Studies and Youth Corps.
Bend, OR
March 11 - 18, 2017
Past Locations
No proceedings available
2016: Knoxville, TN
2015: Portland, OR
2014: Stonewall Resort, WV
2013: Albuquerque, NM
2011: Asheville, NC
2010: Eureka Springs, AR
2009: Asheville, NC
1980s - 2008: Reno, NV