# Event Details - **Event Name**: 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference - **Event Start and End Date**: Mon, 05 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 am – Tue, 06 Oct, 2026 at 03:00 pm - **Event Description**: An annual event providing educational programs and networking opportunities for SC nature-based tourism businesses and organizations.About this EventWelcome to the 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference!Date: October 5 and 6, 2026Location: Great Falls, S.C.Join us for two days of engaging discussions, valuable networking opportunities, and inspiring insights into South Carolina's nature-based tourism industry, sponsored by the Olde English District Tourism Commission, Visit Chester County, and the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions.This year’s conference will feature guest speakers from Visit Chester County, Duke Energy, Great Falls Home Town Association, and the Olde English District Tourism Commission. Outdoor adventures will also be offered including a guided flatwater kayak excursion on the Catawba River, a guided nature walk on the Great Falls Rail Trail, and a tour of the not yet open Dearborn Island State Park.Whether you're a business owner, outfitter, tourism department, economic development organization, or outdoor enthusiast, this event is your opportunity to learn, network, and help shape the future of South Carolina's outdoor industry. Connect with industry peers, gain valuable insights into nature-based tourism, and explore the natural beauty of Chester County and in the Olde English District. Don't miss this engaging and inspiring event designed to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and celebrate South Carolina's incredible outdoor resources.More information regarding registration and lodging is detailed below.Registration*: All attendees are required to register. The regular registration rate is $75.00. For those participating in the optional October 5th paddling excursion, the rate is $100.00. The deadline for registering is Monday, September 28, 2026. The registration fee covers the meeting sessions, guided tours on the rail trail and at Dearborn Island State Park, break snacks, and continental breakfast and lunch on October 6, 2026.*There is a processing fee for all credit card transactions*If paying by check contact April Turner (see contact information below).Conference Venue and Lodging: The event will be held at the Great Falls War Memorial Building (401 Dearborn Street, Great Falls, SC 29055).Overnight accommodations are available for a special rate ($112) at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in nearby Richburg, SC; to make your reservation . The deadline for the room block is September 21, 2026.There is additional lodging for a special rate 2-night stay at the Canoe Blue Retreat, located at 68 Quarry Rd, Great Falls, SC 29055. To reserve lodging at Canoe Blue or for any questions or details please contact Danielle Bailey at chayton6@gmail.com and reference "SCNBT."About SCNBTAThe South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association (SCNBTA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to advance nature-based tourism across South Carolina. Through networking, professional development, and education, SCNBTA supports the sustainable use of the state's natural and cultural resources while strengthening the outdoor tourism industry.Proceeds from SCNBTA's Annual Conference fund youth scholarships to Camp Wildwood at Kings Mountain State Park, helping inspire and prepare the next generation of conservation leaders through hands-on outdoor education.Questions: Please contact April Turner by email or phone: april.turner@scseagrant.org or (843)991-3192.Conference Program: For details check out the agenda below.Agenda?: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMField Study: Catawba River Kayak ExcursionHost: Trey Barnett, Chattooga Whitewater ShopInfo: Start your morning with a guided 2-hour, flatwater kayaking tour led by Chattooga Whitewater Shop. Launching from the Nitrolee Access Area (529 Catawba River Road, Great Falls, SC 29055), this peaceful paddle is perfect for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. The access area features a convenient boat ramp, parking, and easy out-and-back paddling on the calm waters of the Great Falls Reservoir.?: 02:00 PM - 02:30 PMRegistration Table Opens/Sign-InInfo: The event venue is the Great Falls War Memorial Building, located at 401 Dearborn Street, Great Falls, SC 29055.?: 02:30 PM - 02:45 PMWelcome & IntroductionsHost: Glinda Coleman, Great Falls Home Town Association?: 02:45 PM - 03:30 PMA Revolutionary Trail: Mobilizing 7 Counties for Regional Eco-Heritage TourismHost: Micah Decker, Olde English District Tourism CommissionInfo: How do you connect unstaffed rural battlefields, public parks, and museums into a cohesive, high-impact tourism product? In this joint session, representatives from the Olde English District and Chester County 250 dive into the blueprint behind the Backcountry Revolution Trail. Launched on June 23, 2026, you’ll discover how state park assets (such as Landsford Canal and Andrew Jackson State Park) were integrated, county committees were relied upon, and a digital platform to build sustainable multi-day visits to the most rural corners of the Olde English District is performing.?: 03:30 PM - 05:30 PMField Study: Great Falls Rail Trail Host: Robert Carter, Clemson Cooperative ExtensionInfo: Join us for a guided interpretive walk along the Great Falls Rail Trail where participants will learn about the landscape and wildlife from Clemson Extension and Wildlife Agent, Robert Carter, and the development of nature-based tourism opportunities and projects underway for the area from Glinda Coleman. The trail project transforms an historic railroad corridor into a scenic, accessible trail preserving heritage while creating new opportunities for walking, running, and cycling. The trail connects to Rocky Creek Trail and Springs Park Trail, offering access to some of the area's most scenic natural features and becoming part of the regional Carolina Thread Trail network. Will depart at 3:30 p.m. for the trailhead. Carpooling is available. The trail is one-mile with a crushed gravel surface. *Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring along drinking water and appropriate gear for the weather (e.g., insect repellent, hat, sunscreen, jacket/rain jacket, or umbrella).?: 07:00 PM - 08:30 PMGroup Dinner at Sabor Latino GrillInfo: Just minutes from the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, the group has reservations for dinner at Sabor Latino Grill, located at 3191 Lancaster Hwy, Richburg, SC 29142. Dinner is not included in the registration fee; attendees are responsible for paying individually. ?: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AMDay 2 - Sign In & Continental Breakfast sponsored by Visit Chester County SCInfo: Join us for a continental breakfast including coffee, muffins, and assorted pastries, sponsored by Visit Chester County. The event location is the Great Falls War Memorial Building (410 Dearborn Street, Great Falls, SC 29055). ?: 09:20 AM - 09:30 AMWelcome & IntroductionsHost: Charlotte Waters, SCNBTA President and Visit Oconee SC?: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AMLeveraging Partnerships to Create a Premier Outdoor Recreation DestinationHost: Christy Churchill, Duke EnergyInfo: Through a visionary partnership between Duke Energy and the Town of Great Falls, the Catawba River has been transformed into a premier outdoor recreation destination while restoring an important natural ecosystem. The enhancement project returned water to historic river channels that had been dry for more than a century, creating healthier habitats for fish and wildlife while significantly improving water quality. Today, visitors can enjoy a world-class whitewater channel, flatwater paddling opportunities from the Nitrolee Access Area, and scheduled recreational water releases designed for kayaking and canoeing. Looking ahead, the addition of the Dearborn Island State Park, a pedestrian bridge, hiking trails, and the preservation of the historic Mount Dearborn Armory and Arsenal will further establish Great Falls as an outdoor oasis where conservation, history, and recreation come together. ?: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AMBreak?: 10:45 AM - 12:00 PMSCNBTA Business MeetingInfo: The SCNBTA business meeting is open to all members.?: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PMNetworking Lunch Host: sponsored by SC Association of Tourism Regions?: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PMBehind the Scenes Tour of Dearborn Island State ParkHost: Jon Greider, Lakes Regional Chief, S.C. State ParksInfo: Join S.C. State Parks Region Manager Jon Greider for a guided tour of Dearborn Island State Park and an exclusive preview of one of South Carolina's newest state parks. Before its anticipated 2027 opening, conference participants will cross the new pedestrian bridge from downtown Great Falls to the island, visit the Welcome Center, and enjoy scenic views of the Catawba River. Once completed, the park will feature hiking trails, whitewater overlooks, primitive camping, yurts, kayak access, and the preserved ruins of the 1803 Mount Dearborn Armory and Arsenal. Be among the first to experience this exciting new destination as Great Falls continues its transformation into a premier outdoor recreation hub. Participants will drive to the Welcome Center to begin the tour. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring a water bottle and appropriate gear for the weather (e.g., hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, jacket/rain jacket, and umbrella).?: 03:00 PMAdjourn & Depart for Home - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/great-falls/2026-sc-nature-based-tourism-association-annual-conference/100001995474972359 - **Event Categories**: trips-adventures, business, conferences, sports, meetups, remembrance-day, trekking, holiday, performances, entertainment, nonprofit, cycling, camping - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 5 hours - Location: 401 Dearborn St - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 81.88, max: 108.55, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Great Falls - **state**: SC - **country**: United States - **location**: 401 Dearborn St - **lat**: 34.5722192 - **long**: -80.89426519999999 - **full address**: 401 Dearborn St, 401 Dearborn Street, Great Falls, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/dbfc1d3fe27386d59e1d409cf0ae728b682456cb5726bd3c60dae8d78ea0de20-rimg-w1200-h1653-dc888898-gmir.jpg?v=1785822696 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference being held? - **A:** 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference takes place on Mon, 05 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 am to Tue, 06 Oct, 2026 at 03:00 pm at 401 Dearborn St, 401 Dearborn Street, Great Falls, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference? - **A:** 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference is organized by SC Nature-Based Tourism Association. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Great Falls, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If 2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "2026 SC Nature-Based Tourism Association Annual Conference", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/dbfc1d3fe27386d59e1d409cf0ae728b682456cb5726bd3c60dae8d78ea0de20-rimg-w1200-h1653-dc888898-gmir.jpg?v=1785822696", "startDate": "2026-10-05", "endDate": "2026-10-06", "url": "https://allevents.in/great-falls/2026-sc-nature-based-tourism-association-annual-conference/100001995474972359", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "401 Dearborn St", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "401 Dearborn Street", "postalCode": "29055", "addressLocality": "Great Falls", "addressRegion": "SC", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "34.5722192", "longitude": "-80.89426519999999" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "An annual event providing educational programs and networking opportunities for SC nature-based tourism businesses and organizations.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-10-09", "availabilityEnds": "2026-10-06", "validFrom": "2026-10-09", "lowPrice": "81.88", "highPrice": "108.55", "price": "81.88", "url": "https://allevents.in/great-falls/2026-sc-nature-based-tourism-association-annual-conference/100001995474972359" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-10-09", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-10-09", "url": "https://allevents.in/great-falls/2026-sc-nature-based-tourism-association-annual-conference/100001995474972359", "price": "81.88", "name": "Regular Registration" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/SoldOut", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-10-09", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2026-10-09", "url": "https://allevents.in/great-falls/2026-sc-nature-based-tourism-association-annual-conference/100001995474972359", "price": "108.55", "name": "Registration with Kayak Trip" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "SC Nature-Based Tourism Association", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/sc-nature-based-tourism-association/24801571" } ] } ] ```