August 16–18, 2026

Summer Meeting & Tradeshow

Boyne Mountain Resort • Boyne Falls, MI

Boyne
Boyne Mountain Resort 1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713
August 16–18, 2026

The MSAA Summer Meeting & Tradeshow returns to Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, MI, August 16–18, 2026. This premier Midwest gathering brings together ski area operators, industry suppliers, and leaders for a structured program featuring three dedicated tradeshow times, opening receptions, and a Monday night dinner. Registration is open—reserve your booth space and secure your ski area’s spot to ensure participation in all sessions and networking opportunities.

This year’s education lineup kicks off with brand-new 2-hour hands-on training sessions for lift maintenance and mountain operations personnel. A dynamic keynote from Mark Ostach will energize attendees before the NSAA Fall Educational Series, the GM Roundtable, the new Growing the Sport track, a refreshed marketing program, and a three-part HR program.

Registration

Ski Area Registration

Includes access to sessions, workshops, tradeshow, receptions, and meals noted in the program. Programming for mountain operations, lift maintenance, marketing, snowmaking, patrol, HR, growing the sport, and risk management.

Ski Area Registration →

Supplier Registration

Includes access to sessions, workshops, tradeshow, receptions, and meals noted in the program. All exhibitor staff must be registered. Standard and premium booth packages plus sponsorship opportunities available.

Supplier Registration →

Event Schedule

Subject to change. Please check back for updates and session room assignments.

Sunday • 8/16/26 — Arrival Day

Start End Event
8:30 AM 4:00 PM NSAA Lift Safety Bootcamp (separate registration)
12:30 PM 5:30 PM MSAA Golf Tournament — Sponsored by PistenBully
12:30 PM 4:30 PM MSAA Ski Patrol Program
1:00 PM 6:00 PM Registration Open
2:00 PM 6:00 PM Exhibitor Move In
3:00 PM 5:00 PM MSIA Annual Meeting
5:00 PM 7:00 PM MSAA Welcome Reception
7:00 PM 9:00 PM Networking & Games

Monday • 8/17/26 — Day One

Time StartTime EndEvent
7:00 AM 4:00 PM Registration & Office Open
7:00 AM 8:00 AM Light Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM 8:30 AM Opening Remarks & Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation
8:30 AM 9:30 AM Opening Keynote
9:45 AM 12:00 PM Workshop Block 1
9:45 AM 11:00 AM Session Block 1
11:00 AM 11:15 AM Refreshment Break
11:15 AM 12:30 PM Session Block 2
11:45 AM 12:15 PM Supplier Lunch
12:30 PM 2:15 PM Tradeshow & Lunch
2:15 PM 4:15 PM Workshop Block 2
2:15 PM 3:30 PM Session Block 3
2:15 PM 3:30 PM Small Resort Operations Committee
3:45 PM 4:30 PM MSAA Board of Directors Meeting (closed meeting)
4:00 PM 6:30 PM Tradeshow & Reception
6:45 PM 10:00 PM Dinner, Networking & Games
8:15 PM 9:30 PM MSAA Trivia Tournament

Tuesday • 8/18/26 — Day 2

Start End Event
7:00 AM 3:30 PM Registration & Office Open
7:00 AM 8:00 AM Light Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM 8:30 AM MSAA Membership Report & Election
8:30 AM 9:15 AM Keynote Address
9:30 AM 10:45 AM Session Block 4
10:45 AM 11:00 AM Refreshment Break
11:00 AM 12:15 PM Session Block 5
11:30 AM 12:00 PM Supplier Lunch
12:15 PM 2:00 PM Tradeshow & Lunch
2:00 PM 6:00 PM Exhibitor Move Out
2:00 PM 3:15 PM Session Block 6
3:15 PM 3:30 PM Refreshment Break
3:30 PM 4:45 PM Session Block 7
4:45 PM Departure

Show Program →

Educational Sessions & Workshops

Full session descriptions, times, and rooms will be released soon and updated regularly.

Session Descriptions →     Show Program →     

Keynote Addresses

Monday Keynote: Fostering Connection & Wellness, Mark Ostach

Tuesday Keynote: Small Hills, Big Impact: An MSAA Fireside Chat on the Industry and the Midwest, Michael Reitzell, NSAA; Stephen Kircher, Boyne Resorts; Rick Schmitz, Schmitz Brothers Resorts

Leadership

  • MSAA Leadership Roundtable
  • Building the Future Ski Industry Workforce: How The Pipeline Project is Connecting Career & Technical Education to Resort Careers
  • Video Use in Ski/Ride School
  • Snow Storage
  • NSAA Small Ski Areas Committee Meeting
  • Building The Safety Culture

    • Lift Maintenance & Operations

  • Chairlift Grips Workshop – 2 hour workshop
  • Surface Conveyor Workshop – 2 hour workshop
  • ANSI B77.1-2022 and looking to 2027
  • Brakes and Braking 101 ½
  • Ski Area Chairlift NDT Testing
  • NSAA Incidents & Component Failure Database
  • Michigan Ski Area Safety Act & Rules
    • .

    Area Operations

  • Park Feature Fabrication & Welding Workshop – 2 hour workshop
  • SMI Equipment Servicing Training – 2 hour workshop
  • PistenBully Service Workshop – 2 hour workshop
  • HKD Service Workshop – 2 hour workshop
    • .
  • Prinoth Service Workshop – 2 hour workshop
  • TechnoAlpin Service Workshop – 2 hour workshop
  • Designing the Future of the Guest Experience
  • Terrain Park Jump Measurement Class
  • Terrain Park Builds & Layout

    • Marketing & Communications

  • Crisis Comms: 4 Things to Know When Responding to a Crisis
  • AI for Senior Leaders: Save Time, Reduce Risk, Make Better Decisions
  • Stoke Economics: The Financial Impact of Belonging
  • Events 101
  • Midwest Marketing Thunderclap!
  • Solving the “Lesson Conversion Crisis” via Marketing Funnels – 2 hour workshop

    • Growth & Retention

  • Building an Adaptive Program
  • From Turns to Returns
  • Building The Safety Culture
  • Stoke Economics: The Financial Impact of Belonging
  • Designing the Future of the Guest Experience
  • Solving the “Lesson Conversion Crisis” via Marketing Funnels

    • Risk Management

  • NSAA Fall Educational Seminars (4 part)
  • Risk – Playing Efficient Offense: Build and Update Your Risk Systems and Programs
  • Improving Your Post-Incident Playbook: Tactics that foster organizational improvement and protection
  • Building The Safety Culture
  • Active Shooter: What To Think About & How to Develop a Plan
    • .

    Rental & Retail

  • Buying and Profiting with Winter Accessories
  • The Guest Experience in the AI Age
  • SARA BP Program Roundtable

    • People & Culture

  • Building the Future Ski Industry Workforce: How The Pipeline Project is Connecting Career & Technical Education to Resort Careers
  • DOL Audits & Compliance: Focusing on current “hot buttons,” risk reduction strategies, and how to handle an audit.
  • Difficult Conversations: Tips and techniques to make difficult conversations easier, including practical application.

    • Lodging

    Boyne Mountain Resort
    1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713

    Book Your Room →

    Event Sponsors

    Thank you to the partners who make the Summer Meeting & Tradeshow possible.

    Become a Sponsor →

    Code of Conduct

    Safety and professionalism for all attendees and exhibitors.

    View Policy →

    Exhibitor Services

    Shipping, electrical, Wi-Fi, and show hours.

    Exhibitor Kit →

    Contact MSAA

    Questions about registration or programming?

    info@midwestski.org