2019 WATVA Annual Meeting & Workshops

Overview

The Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association annual meeting and workshops are quickly approaching. This year, we plan on offering far more content than in years past. With that, we encourage your club to send three to four representatives to ensure you don't miss a topic!

Did we mention we are giving away over $3,000 to WATVA clubs that attend? Through our dealer and associate business network, we have raised over $3,000 that will be awarded on April 12th during our live game show. There is information in this packet as to which clubs are eligible as well as the application form. Your club must be present to participate to receive any of the funds.

The weekend kicks off with a special training on Friday April 12th for clubs wishing to participate in the trail ambassador club coordinator program. Club coordinators will take the rein and lead club based trail ambassador activities, as well as help coordinate & train new trail ambassadors for their club.

During lunch, we will be having a discussion and presentation on winter ATV / UTV trails in the state. Our goal is to discuss funding topics relating to winter trails, projects associated with winter trails and the overall need (if any) on the topic.

Pre-registration for lunch is required. The cost is $5.00 per person. The lunch choices are (must be chosen during registration): roast beef sandwich, sun-dried tomato basil wrap, turkey and cheese sandwich or a ham and Swiss sandwich. All sandwiches include chips, cookie and choice of an Apple or Orange.

Our Saturday evening dinner presentation will start at 6:00 p.m. and feature our annual recognition awards for outstanding volunteers throughout the state as well as our top performing trail ambassadors. Pre-registration for dinner is required and will feature a Wisconsin picnic buffet (brats & hamburgers). Each plate is $10.00.

With the financial support of Kawasaki Motor Corp., Vern's Kawasaki of Antigo and Ken's Sports out of Kaukauna, we're able to dramatically buy down the cost of the meals, making them even less than you'd pay at a fast food joint so you can stay right on site to participate in the winter trail designation / funding session!!

Venue Information

Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
1001 Amber Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481

For room reservations, please call the hotel at (715) 344-0200 and mention the ATV group for a discounted rate.

Workshops: Harvest Room 

 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. - WI DNR Recreation Warden Workshop

Did you know the WI DNR has recreation wardens specifically tasked with law enforcement issues for recreation? Learn about the DNR Recreation Wardens with this presentation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - ATV / UTV Program Funding & Status

Does your club work with local, state or federal land managers on trail projects? Have you ever wondered how the registration dollars are used to fund our trail program? If so, Cathy Burrow, Off-Highway Vehicles Grant Program Manager for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will present a workshop featuring how the funding program works and what is the current financial status of the ATV / UTV program.

 Workshops: Stonefield Room

10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. - Trail & Route Signing Handbook Panel: Update & Progress 

In 2019, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will be releasing an updated trail and route signing handbook. This workshop will cover what the changes are and have an open discussion as to the goals and objectives for the new book.

11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - Dealership Workshop

Hear how Tom Van Zeeland of Team Winnebagoland in Oshkosh is helping support grassroots efforts with their grant program. If you want to learn about ways you can work with your local dealerships, this workshop is for you!

1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. - Tourism: How Clubs and Businesses Can Benefit From the WI Department of Tourism

The Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association has a long history of working with the Department of Tourism to promote our association and sport. Learn how your club can forge a positive working relationship with the Department of Tourism by exchanging information on events and activities.

2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. - Outdoor Skill Trainers Workshop

This workshop is geared towards exploring what the new DNR Outdoor Skill Trainers are designed to do and how they can work with your club on various topics involving education and safety.

3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - WATVA Annual Meeting

You're welcome to attend the annual business meeting for the Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association 

1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. - Politics 101: The Do's and Don'ts of Working with Local, State & Federal Agencies

Sometimes working with government agencies can be a challenge. This workshop will be an open discussion on what works, what doesn't work and how clubs can achieve their goals by working with town boards, county boards, state law makers and federal agencies.

2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. - Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Grant

The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is dedicated to those who work and play outdoors including, but not limited to, those who rely on off-highway vehicles (OHVs) to ride, camp, hunt or fish.

Supporting the outdoor enthusiast, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative's mission is to provide practical support for efforts that promote safe, responsible use of OHVs, educate the public on proper recreational land use and wildlife conservation practices, and protect appropriate and sustainable access to public lands.