September 11-13, 2024

Wednesday-Friday

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Benton Convention Center

Thank you to our presenting sponsor!

The Great Trails State
Conference

Bringing together trail planners, designers and builders, recreational professionals, community and elected leaders, tourism partners, and others to learn and share best practices to advance trail and greenway development and promotion throughout North Carolina.

See the full Conference Schedule on Whova:

Topics will include:

  • trail planning, design, and construction strategies,
  • partnerships,
  • how to work with elected leaders,
  • tourism strategies,
  • economic impacts of trails and creating outdoor economies based on trails,
  • trail safety,
  • data,
  • and more, along with field trips and social events.

We will also convene regional roundtables and hold our first in person Cities, Towns and Counties for Trails meeting.

Topics will include:

  • Impact (Economic, Environmental, Health, Data)
  • Funding: Opportunities and Strategies
  • Trail Planning, Design & Construction: Best Practices
  • Management (Operations, Maintenance, Monitoring/Assessment)
  • Promotion & Programming (Trail Tourism, Community Engagement)
  • Technology / Innovation
  • Advocacy & Leadership
  • and more, along with field trips and social events.

Professional Trail Builders Track:

  • Trail Contracting
  • Optimized Facilities for Mountain Bikes
  • Trail Project Life Cycle
  • Trail Surfacing

Sponsored by:

Register

SOLD Out!

Regular Ticket

$325

Great Trails State Coalition Member

Ticket

$275

Student Ticket

$100

Keynote speaker

Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle

Our keynote speaker is Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, who is an enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and award-winning author of Even As We Breathe. Annette, who committed to getting on a trail every day during NC Year of the Trail, will speak about the importance of trails to her personally, her family and her community.

Co-hosted by

Submit your project for the

Engineering & Public Works Roadshow

At the Great Trails State Conference

ACEC National will spotlight the remarkable contributions of North Carolina engineering firms, focusing on greenway trails and pedestrian bridges across the state.

This is your chance to showcase your work to a Statewide and National audience and highlight the vital role your projects play in enhancing climate resiliency, ensuring clean air and water, promoting energy efficiency, and improving mobility.

 

Get all the details here:

We invite engineering firms to submit their standout trail and/or pedestrian bridge projects for inclusion in the Roadshow Studio at the conference.

Submissions due August 26th

How to Submit:

Email the following items to trobbins@acecnc.org.

Email Subject: “ACEC Roadshow FIRM NAME”

  1. Project Descriptions: Detailed information about the trail or pedestrian bridge projects.
  2. Client Testimonials: Statements from clients highlighting the impact and success of the projects.
  3. Names of firm representative / clients that will participate in the Roadshow Studio interview
  4. Photos and Videos: High-quality images and videos showcasing the projects.

Where?

Winston-Salem is a central location in North Carolina as well as a leader in creating trails with many outdoor opportunities in the city and nearby. The newly renovated Benton Center features excellent space in the Center of Winston-Salem’s downtown, adjacent to accommodations, local businesses, the Downtown Arts District, Fourth Street’s Restaurant Row, craft breweries, and more.

301 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Winston-Salem's Quarry Park connects to downtown via greenway
Sponsorship
Opportunities

We are seeking sponsors!
Join with natural allies and be a part of educating for a better future for North Carolina.

Why sponsor the Great Trails State Conference?

  • Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to advancing healthy, prosperous, and sustainable communities through trail and greenway development.
  • Connect with attendees and regional member organizations who are working together to leverage their resources to develop trails and greenways.
  • Further develop your organization’s brand awareness with an influential community of public and private sector leaders.

Details about different sponsorship levels are below.

Please contact Palmer McIntyre (pmcintyre@piedmontland.org) for more information.

 

Thank you for your consideration!

Current Sponsors:

SOLD

Presenting

SPONSOR

$20,000

Catalyst

SPONSOR

$10,000

Three Available

  • Booth
  • Priority Booth Selection
  • 5 Attendees
  • Attendee List Available Anytime upon Request
  • Conference Role: Introduce Keynote, Lunch, or Reception Speaker or Social Host
  • Website Sponsor Page
  • Event Specific Sponsor
  • Membership Recognition
  • 20% off for Coalition Members – $8,000!

Trailblazer

SPONSOR

$5,000

Four Available

  • Booth
  • Priority Booth Selection
  • 3 Attendees
  • Attendee List Available Two Weeks Prior
  • Conference Role: Networking Break
  • Website Sponsor Page
  • Networking Sponsor
  • Membership Recognition
  • 20% off for Coalition Members – $4,000!

SOLD

Great Trails State Social

SPONSOR

at Foothills Brewing on September 11

$5,000

SOLD

Keynote Speaker

SPONSOR

Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle on September 11

$5,000

SOLD

Awards Luncheon

on September 12

$5,000

Closing Program

SPONSOR

on September 13

$5,000

One Available

  • Booth
  • Secondary Booth Selection
  • 2 Attendees
  • Attendee List Available One Week Prior
  • Conference Role: Introduce Session Speaker
  • Website Sponsor Page
  • Event Specific Sponsor
  • Membership Recognition
  • 15% off for Coalition Members – $4,250!

SOLD

Great Trails State Film Festival

SPONSOR

on September 11

$3,000

Wayfinder

SPONSOR

$3,000

15 Available

  • Booth
  • Secondary Booth Selection
  • 2 Attendees
  • Attendee List Available One Week Prior
  • Conference Role: Introduce Session Speaker
  • Website Sponsor Page
  • Session Specific Sponsor
  • Membership Recognition
  • 15% off for Coalition Members – $$2,550!

Exhibitor

SPONSOR

$1,200

Open

  • Booth
  • Booth Selection as Available
  • 1 Attendee
  • Attendee List Available Two Days Prior
  • Conference Role: Exhibitor
  • Website Sponsor Page
  • Membership Recognition
  • 10% off for Coalition Members – $1,080!

Non-Profit

SPONSOR

$600

Open

  • Booth
  • Booth Selection as Available
  • 1 Attendee
  • Attendee List Available Post Conference
  • Conference Role: Exhibitor
  • Website Sponsor Page
  • Membership Recognition
  • 10% off for Coalition Members – $540!

Our Members

About the Coalition

Join the Coalition

Thank you for your work creating trails in North Carolina,

the Great Trails State.