2024 Riverway Summit

The Summit brings together hundreds of regional leaders and outdoor enthusiasts to discuss economic development and workforce, tourism, and outdoor recreation. The 2024 Riverway Summit will feature the exciting investment and development happening in Piqua; the economic impact of placemaking; field trips and more.

The 2024 Riverway Summit will be held at the Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center in downtown Piqua, Ohio on Friday, April 19 from 8am to 3pm.

The purpose of the summit is to celebrate the accomplishments of the river corridor communities, with a focus on increasing public and private economic growth, recreation, and highlighting the need for a healthy river system.  

FULL AGENDA ANNOUNCED!

8:00AM Registration & Light Breakfast

8:30AM Kick-off & Welcome

·                 Kris Lee, Mayor, City of Piqua

·                 Marylynn Lodor, General Manager, Miami Conservancy District 

·                 Christian Mattingly, Chair, Great Miami Riverway Coalition

·                 Dan Foley, Manager, Great Miami Riverway

Special announcement 

9:00AM Unveiling Success Stories: Empowering Riverfront Cities Through Collaborative

Corridor Initiatives

·                 Brad Collett, Tennessee RiverLine

·                 Mark Noll, Executive Director, Ohio River Way

·                 Dan Foley, Manager, Great Miami Riverway

9:45AM break

10:00AM guided walking tours Featuring City of Piqua downtown development

11:30AM Special activity

12:00PM Lunch 

12:30PM special recognitions

1:00PM Bringing People to the River: Embracing Community, Recreation, and Conservation Through Waterfront Events

·                 Dr. Jim Burkhardt, Down a River Down a Beer

·                 Brewster Rhoads, Bill Keating Jr. Ohio River Swim & Ohio River Paddlefest

·                 Mike Christopher, iAngler app for outdoor competitions & water data collection

1:45PM scott holley, president & ceo of eddyline kayaks

2:30PM Reception @ Crooked handle brewing co.

Keynote announced for the April 19, 2024 Riverway Summit in Piqua

The keynote speaker for the 2024 Great Miami Riverway Summit is Scott Holley, President, and CEO of US-based Eddyline Kayaks. The Riverway Summit is an annual gathering of leaders, experts, and elected officials from the river corridor communities along the Great Miami River. 

Scott is the president and co-owner of Eddyline Kayaks, a leading manufacturer of kayaks and accessories. Scott joined Eddyline after leading the management buyout of the company from the founders in June 2017. Eddyline is the number one reviewed kayak brand in the touring and recreational category according to consumer reviews at paddling.com. 

Scott’s remarks will focus on:
• Why a 50-year-old kayak brand chose to leave the pacific northwest and relocate to the heartland, and what that says about opportunities for other vibrant water communities in the Midwest. 
• The opportunities and challenges for the nation’s kayak and paddling industry.
• How the outdoor recreation economy can be impacted by the work of organizations like the Great Miami Riverway.

Eddyline believes in the value of community and is committed to supporting paddling communities as they in turn support the waterways that make their home regions vibrant places to live, work and raise families. 
 
To further grow the paddlesport community, Scott helped lead the creation of the Paddlesport Trade Coalition (“PTC”) in 2023. The mission of the PTC is to promote paddlesport participation and to grow the paddlesport business community. Eddyline is a founding member of the PTC and Scott is an emeritus board member.