Where influence meets purpose: the outdoor industry unites for clean water.
Last week, we brought together outdoor industry leaders, brand partners, and ambassadors from across the country for our annual Outdoor Industry Summit in Fort Myers, Florida.
Every year, this summit serves as a working council, an opportunity to unite the people and companies who depend on healthy water and vibrant ecosystems. It’s not a rally or recap, but a day devoted to collaboration, shared vision, and tangible outcomes that strengthen both the cause and the people who champion it.
This year’s gathering marked a milestone. For the first time, ambassadors joined brand executives and storytellers around the same table, bridging the voices that live the mission on the water with those driving innovation and influence across the outdoor industry. The result was electric. The passion in the room was undeniable, and the shared commitment to Florida’s waters—and the communities that depend on them—was stronger than ever.
A Shared Mission: Protect What Connects Us
The summit was grounded in a simple belief: what’s good for clean water is good for the outdoor industry. Our waters sustain the experiences, livelihoods, and memories that define who we are.
As Laura Schaffer of Orvis put it, “Florida’s waters are one of the greatest and grandest ecosystems in the whole entire world […] They capture so much recreation, so much of the economy, and so many memories. And it’s so important that we protect them.”
From brand leaders to guides, the message was clear. These waters are our shared foundation. Dr. Tracy Fanara, a scientist and environmental advocate, described them simply: “Florida waters to me mean life. It is life. It’s our quality of life. It’s our drinking water. It’s everything.”
For others, the connection is deeply personal. Carter Andrews, world-renowned angler and advocate, reflected, “Florida waters to me mean the future for my girls […] Without some significant help and influence, they’ll never see it the way it is now, and much less never see it the way it used to be. So, you know, calling everybody out—let’s make a difference. Let’s save it for the next generation.”
From every corner of the outdoor community, the same truth echoed, our water connects us all. As Kyle Rossin of Mang said, “Our water connects us. It’s the lifeblood for Florida. And it’s what keeps the world going around.”
Cameron Kirkconnell: Keynote, 18-time spearfishing world record holder, and unlimited tonnage master mariner.
Leadership and Perspective
The day’s keynotes underscored just how far this movement reaches. The Honorable Shannon Estenoz, Chief Policy Officer at The Everglades Foundation and one of the nation’s foremost leaders in conservation, delivered a keynote conversation on “The Heart of Restoration: A Life Devoted to Florida’s Waters.” She spoke about decades of progress in Everglades restoration, the importance of collaboration across sectors, and the role each of us plays in carrying the mission forward.
Later, Cameron Kirkconnell, 18-time spearfishing world record holder and lifelong waterman, took the stage for “Beyond the Depths: Adventure, Influence, and Stewardship.” His message: that adventure and advocacy go hand in hand, and that the same passion that drives us into the water must also drive us to protect it.
Shannon Estenoz: Keynote, Chief Policy Officer, The Everglades Foundation
One Movement, Many Voices
Ambassadors and brand partners alike shared why Florida’s waters matter to them. From the wild diversity that Harrison Lindsey of Free Fly described as “the ultimate destination for anybody that’s interested in true sport fishing and being connected to the ecosystem,” to the sense of refuge Garren Johanson of Turtlebox finds here: “When I come, it’s a place that I can relax and enjoy […] That’s why I think it’s important that the waters stay clean.”
And for those who’ve adopted Florida as a second home, like Mason McPherson from Duck Camp, the experience is nothing short of inspiring: “I love this ecosystem. I didn’t grow up here, but I’ve grown up coming in to visit and coming to fish. And every time I come, I’m just blown away by the beauty and by everybody who loves this fishery. And I think it’s important that we protect our resources and protect this ecosystem and ecosystems across the U.S.”
Turning Passion Into Purpose
By the end of the day, one thing was clear: this isn’t just an environmental movement, it’s a community movement. One built on connection, commitment, and collaboration.
As Captains For Clean Water continues to unite the outdoor industry under a shared purpose, this year’s summit proved that when influence meets purpose, real change happens. The passion in the room wasn’t just inspiring, it was a reminder of what’s possible when we all pull together to protect the waters that give us life.
Together, we’re building a future where clean water and outdoor heritage thrive. Because when we protect the water, we protect everything we love.
Where influence meets purpose: the outdoor industry unites for clean water.
Last week, we brought together outdoor industry leaders, brand partners, and ambassadors from across the country for our annual Outdoor Industry Summit in Fort Myers, Florida.
Every year, this summit serves as a working council, an opportunity to unite the people and companies who depend on healthy water and vibrant ecosystems. It’s not a rally or recap, but a day devoted to collaboration, shared vision, and tangible outcomes that strengthen both the cause and the people who champion it.
This year’s gathering marked a milestone. For the first time, ambassadors joined brand executives and storytellers around the same table, bridging the voices that live the mission on the water with those driving innovation and influence across the outdoor industry. The result was electric. The passion in the room was undeniable, and the shared commitment to Florida’s waters—and the communities that depend on them—was stronger than ever.
A Shared Mission: Protect What Connects Us
The summit was grounded in a simple belief: what’s good for clean water is good for the outdoor industry. Our waters sustain the experiences, livelihoods, and memories that define who we are.
As Laura Schaffer of Orvis put it, “Florida’s waters are one of the greatest and grandest ecosystems in the whole entire world […] They capture so much recreation, so much of the economy, and so many memories. And it’s so important that we protect them.”
From brand leaders to guides, the message was clear. These waters are our shared foundation. Dr. Tracy Fanara, a scientist and environmental advocate, described them simply: “Florida waters to me mean life. It is life. It’s our quality of life. It’s our drinking water. It’s everything.”
For others, the connection is deeply personal. Carter Andrews, world-renowned angler and advocate, reflected, “Florida waters to me mean the future for my girls […] Without some significant help and influence, they’ll never see it the way it is now, and much less never see it the way it used to be. So, you know, calling everybody out—let’s make a difference. Let’s save it for the next generation.”
From every corner of the outdoor community, the same truth echoed, our water connects us all. As Kyle Rossin of Mang said, “Our water connects us. It’s the lifeblood for Florida. And it’s what keeps the world going around.”
Cameron Kirkconnell: Keynote, 18-time spearfishing world record holder, and unlimited tonnage master mariner.
Leadership and Perspective
The day’s keynotes underscored just how far this movement reaches. The Honorable Shannon Estenoz, Chief Policy Officer at The Everglades Foundation and one of the nation’s foremost leaders in conservation, delivered a keynote conversation on “The Heart of Restoration: A Life Devoted to Florida’s Waters.” She spoke about decades of progress in Everglades restoration, the importance of collaboration across sectors, and the role each of us plays in carrying the mission forward.
Later, Cameron Kirkconnell, 18-time spearfishing world record holder and lifelong waterman, took the stage for “Beyond the Depths: Adventure, Influence, and Stewardship.” His message: that adventure and advocacy go hand in hand, and that the same passion that drives us into the water must also drive us to protect it.
Shannon Estenoz: Keynote, Chief Policy Officer, The Everglades Foundation
One Movement, Many Voices
Ambassadors and brand partners alike shared why Florida’s waters matter to them. From the wild diversity that Harrison Lindsey of Free Fly described as “the ultimate destination for anybody that’s interested in true sport fishing and being connected to the ecosystem,” to the sense of refuge Garren Johanson of Turtlebox finds here: “When I come, it’s a place that I can relax and enjoy […] That’s why I think it’s important that the waters stay clean.”
And for those who’ve adopted Florida as a second home, like Mason McPherson from Duck Camp, the experience is nothing short of inspiring: “I love this ecosystem. I didn’t grow up here, but I’ve grown up coming in to visit and coming to fish. And every time I come, I’m just blown away by the beauty and by everybody who loves this fishery. And I think it’s important that we protect our resources and protect this ecosystem and ecosystems across the U.S.”
Turning Passion Into Purpose
By the end of the day, one thing was clear: this isn’t just an environmental movement, it’s a community movement. One built on connection, commitment, and collaboration.
As Captains For Clean Water continues to unite the outdoor industry under a shared purpose, this year’s summit proved that when influence meets purpose, real change happens. The passion in the room wasn’t just inspiring, it was a reminder of what’s possible when we all pull together to protect the waters that give us life.
Together, we’re building a future where clean water and outdoor heritage thrive. Because when we protect the water, we protect everything we love.