Conferences

JOIN US FOR THE 2025 SPRING CONFERENCE        ADEL, GA, MAY 1-4, 2025 Click here for more info

GOWA Conferences are always engaging, educational and fun.  It’s the perfect opportunity to re-connect with peers from across the state, and experience a new outdoor destination.   We explore the unique adventures the area offers, make new friends and enjoy its hospitality, cuisine and amenities. Our group meets at a destination selected by the conference committee to experience the outdoor amenities and adventures available there.  Over the course of the weekend, GOWA Members have the opportunity to experience outdoor activities in the area including shooting/hunting sports, fishing and water sports, nature trails, local history and cuisine and more prime content for articles, photography and social media.

Excellence In Craft Competition

Each year, Members are invited to submit their best works from the previous year.  Published articles, columns, features, photographs, illustrations, TV and Radio shows are among the categories for recognition.  Entries are judged by an outdoor writers association from another state, and the winners are recognized with plaques and cash prizes at the Awards Banquet.

Conference Activities –

Each conference destination offers its own unique outdoor opportunities and amenities.  Members are invited to participate in a variety of activities, from shooting to fishing excursions, to historic and cultural site visits.  Destination partners get to spend time with GOWA members to share experiences and information about their products and offerings.  Equally important to our members, the GOWA conferences provide an opportunity to meet and network with fellow outdoor writers…sharing experiences and learning from each other.

Silent & Live Auction –

One of the conference highlights is the Live and Silent Auction.  An amazing assortment of items from all facets of outdoor sports are auctioned on Friday night.   Donations from GOWA Corporate Members, Conference Destination Sponsors, and members-at-large, raise money for good causes.

The Saturday night banquet also offers an opportunity to recognize and celebrate other accomplishments, including the Georgia Big Buck Contest Winners, and inducting outstanding outdoor advocates into the GOWA Hall of Fame.  Click here for a list of GOWA Hall of Fame inductees.

The Daisy Easter Egg Shoot Out has become a highly anticipated event at the annual conference.  Everyone competes with Daisy Red Ryder BB Guns…the iconic BB gun most of us grew up with.   The competition revolves around making 15 yard shots at Easter Eggs…5 shots at 5 eggs.   The winner receives the coveted GOWA Sharp Shooter Trophy and hangs on to it for the year, until potentially relinquishing it to the new winner at the next conference.  

This group of straight-shooters found themselves re-living their youth with Daisy’s highly accurate Red Ryders.  After a number of elimination rounds, it came down to a ‘shoot-off’, and quite appropriately, one of the youngest members of GOWA took home the prize.  This year’s Daisy Sharp Shooter Winner is Katie Earl.  Congrats!

GOWA Conferences have been bringing Georgia Outdoor Professionals together for over 50 years.  Click the image for a listing of the outstanding Georgia destinations we’ve visited.