Agenda

Thank you to our sponsors!

  

2026 SOBA Education & Training Symposium
August 24 – 27, 2026 | Boise, Idaho
All times in Mountain Time.

Sunday, August 23rd

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

SOBA Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, August 24th

7:00 am - 8:30 am

Breakfast

7:30 am - 1:00 pm

Registration Open

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Federal Updates & Training Workshop

This training workshop is open to all attendees, and offered to support state grant coordinators. The training will be led by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Lunch (on own)

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Exhibitor Setup

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Opening Reception (off-site transportation will be provided)

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Networking

Tuesday, August 25th

7:00 am - 8:30 am

Breakfast with Exhibitors

7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Exhibits Open

7:30 am - Noon

Registration Open

8:30 am - 9:00 am

Welcome

9:00 am - 9:15 am

SOBA Update

9:15 am - 9:45 am

USFWS Update

9:45 am - 10:00 am

Industry Partner Update - Partner with a Payer Update

10:00 am - 10:30 am

Break with Exhibitors

10:30 am - 10:45 am

Industry Partner Update - BoatUS

10:45 am - 11:00 am

Industry Partner Update - Association of Marina Industries

11:00 am - 11:15 am

Industry Partner Update

11:15 am - 11:30 am

Industry Partner Update

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Lunch with Exhibitors

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

SOBA Design Handbook for Recreational Boating and Fishing Facilities 

SOBA Design Handbook Workgroup

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Boating Access in Idaho – Diversity of Sites and Perspectives on Development, Management, and Use.

Darin Schneider, Recreation Site Maintenance Foreman, Idaho Depart. of Fish and Game

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Break with Exhibitors

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Breakout Sessions (Run Concurrently)

From Gridlock to Big Stages: Modernizing Arkansas Tournament Infrastructure Beyond the Boat Ramp

Jeremy Risley, Black Bass Program Coordinator, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Non-Motorized Water Trails 

Nancy Stewart, Water Recreation Program Consultant, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Trails Division

Idaho Powers Hells Canyon Complex 

Kory Allred, Hells Canyon Park Team Leader, Idaho Power Company

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm

Breakout Sessions (Run Concurrently)

Giving Rivers a Voice in Arkansas - Partnership Planning for Sustainable River Management and Access

Darrell Bowman, Recreation and Access Coordinator, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

BoatUS Foundation's ADV Removal Program Updates

Michael Moore, Project Manager, BoatUS Foundation 

Designing for Uncertainty: Climate Change and Resilient Boater Access

Raine Gardner, Public Works Operations Leader, MSA Professional Services, Inc.

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Breakout Sessions (Run Concurrently)

Building Capacity to Prevent AIS in the Columbia River Basin

Jacob Utrie, VP Operations, CD3 Systems

Design-Build- Stabilization and Public Access at IDPR Discovery Unit

Zack Billingsley, Principal, Civil & Construction Lead, RIVHAB Engineering & Earthworks

Clean Vessel Act Monitoring 

Ben Stone, Program Coordinator, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Reception with Exhibitors

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Networking

Wednesday, August 26th

7:00 am - 8:30 am

Breakfast with Exhibitors

7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Exhibits Open

7:30 am - Noon

Registration Open

8:30 am - 9:30 am

General Session

9:00 am - 9:30 am 

Montana Boating Access: What We Provide and Why

Kristen Gill, Landscape Architect, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Joey Renenger, Construction Section Supervisor, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

9:45 am - 10:15 am

Breakout Sessions (Run Concurrently)

Keeping the Ramp Open: Phasing Strategies for Rebuilding Tidal and Inland Boating Access Facilities

Margaret Boshek, Coastal/Waterfront Practice Builder, Kimley-Horn

Boaters’ Behavior and Input on Portable Toilet Waste Management in Florida

Vicki Gambale, CVA Education Coordinator, Florida Sea Grant

TBA

10:15 am - 10:45 am

Break with Exhibitors

10:45 am - 11:30 am

Business Meeting

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Lunch (on own)

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

AirSage Project with Cell Phone Data

Nancy Stewart, Water Recreation Program Consultant, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Trails Division

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm

SOBA Online Community

SOBA Member Engagement Committee

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 

Break with Exhibitors

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

SOBA Project Award Presentations

3:45 pm - 4:15 pm

Breakout Sessions (Run Concurrently)

Leveraging Multiple BIG Awards to Achieve Success on a Multi-Phase/Larger Marina Project

Kirby Marshall, Waterfront Growth Leader, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc

TBA

Dayton Minnesota Crow Mississippi Boat Launch Revisioning  

Dan Williams, Principal Landscape Architect, MSA Professional Services, Inc.

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Breakout Sessions (Run Concurrently)

TBA

TBA

TBA

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Awards Banquet

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Networking

Thursday, August 27th

7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Boating Access Site Visit 

Additional registration fee.



Updated 06.24.26
Subject to change

Agendas

2026 Symposium Agenda (PDF)

2025 Symposium Agenda

2024 Symposium Agenda

2023 Symposium Agenda