The Wisconsin ATV Association annual meeting for 2010 will be held on April 16^th - 18^th at the Plaza Hotel in Wausau. Check back here for more information and breakout session information.

Friday April 16^th:

• 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Land Managers Workshop
• 6:00 p.m. - SKYWARN Storm Spotter training from the National Weather Service

Friday there will be lunch served to those who pre-register and pre-pay. There will be no dinner provided.

Detailed information:

This setting is designed for all agency and private land and/or trail managers.

Our role is to facilitate meaningful interactions between the various public and private trail managers and staffs for the purpose of sharing ideas that work in your area, asking questions of each other and simply exploring ways to work together in finding or discovering the best trail management answers to your own challenges.

Lunch will be provided as part of the workshop. $18 registration fee includes the meal. Pre-registration is required for meal counts.

In working with many of our ATV program partners throughout the years, we have listed trail topics that tend to be a high priority. Here are a few topics to be discussed (subject to change between the publication of this document and the time of the meeting):

• Statewide Wisconsin UTV Program
• Law Enforcement Auxiliary by Burnett County
• Trail Back to Rail Conversion & Issues
• Statewide / Regional Interconnecting Trail Systems
• Selected Road Route Funding Possibility (Trout)
• Guidance for projects in Wetlands
• Black River State Forest Master Plan - Successful Partnership With Land Managers
• Share Success Stories From Around The State (No Failures!)

Click here to download a registration form if you cannot sign up online.

Saturday April 17^th:

• All day Saturday until 5 p.m. - Swap Meet
• Breakout Sessions TBD
• 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - WATVA Reception

There will be a lunch provided to those who pre-register and pre-pay. There will be no dinner provided. The Saturday Night Reception will have DJ services by VirtuRock Productions.

NOHVIS Group / WATVA 2010 Workshops - Saturday, April 17, 2010

8:00 AM – Registration opens. Pre-registration Required. $18 includes all workshops, awards banquet lunch, swap meet / OHV garage sale and entry into the Saturday night reception (dinner on your own). Receive your lunch tickets at this time and get a good seat. Now is a good time to check out the displays and trail equipment.

• 8:30 AM: General Session for all Members – Crystal Ballroom II
• Introduction of speakers: Gregg Mumm (Blue Ribbon Coalition), Rod Lopusnak and Ron Klimke (Suzuki)

9:30 am – 12 Noon: Concurrent Workshops begin.

Morning Workshops Track A – Marathon Ballrooms 1 & 4

• 9:30 – 10:30 The Truth About Club Liability, What Steps Should our Club Take?
  We will be discussing the strategies about club incorporation, the Wisconsin hold harmless law and if / when your club should think about some sort of insurance options. Bring your questions, we hear questions on these topics all the time, don't worry, just be informed and prepared!
• 11:00 – 12:00 Trail Patrol “Role Playing” – Learn the Pros & Cons about your TPA Duties plus DNR ATV Instructor Image and Dress Codes. Recreational Safety Warden Jon King and Bureau of Law Enforcement ATV administrator Gary Eddy will be presenters. More discussions about refresher TPA courses and an overview about the new procedures for becoming instructors and trail patrol ambassadors.
• 12 Noon - 1:15 PM: Lunch & Trail Patrol & Special Awards ceremony by Kolpin Powersports & Moose Utility Division - Crystal Ballroom 1
• Afternoon Workshops Track A – Marathon Ballroom 1 & 4 continues
• 1:30 – 2:00 The National OHV Scene & Issues, What Does it Mean for Us? Greg Mumm of the Blue Ribbon Coalition and Rod Lopusnak of American Suzuki will update us on issues like the lead in youth machines, various lawsuits and issues around the country that we need to be aware of or take action to protect our local riding opportunities. Learn from the best!
• 2:15 – 3:15 Wetland identification along recreational trails. How to plan for wetland & trail interfaces. You will have wetland issues explained in plain English. Wisconsin DNR representative will conduct an informative workshop on how to determine the type and extent of wetlands on a proposed trail site.
• 3:30 – 4:30 Do we have a third category type? 1. Trails, 2. Routes 3. Trouts? Using forest roads for ATV access, the pros and cons. Discussion on various points of view on this complex and important funding issue. We will address the good and the bad with this hot topic. Let’s learn from each other.
• 4:30 Swap Meet Ends
• Saturday Night Dinner on Your Own
• 6:00 PM – 10:00?? – Mardi-Gras Wisconsin Style Reception in Three Rivers Theater – Club and Business Displays, fun time with friends and family. Sing along to your favorite songs – experience Karaoke with the DJ Services of VirtuRock Productions. This year a new Trail Identification Contest by the All–Terrain Riders ATV Club!!! Have fun, mix and mingle.

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Morning Workshops Track B – Marathon Ballroom 2 & 3

• 9:30 – 10:15 Wisconsin ATV Trails Report. Members of the Trails Committee will update the status of trail projects and issues related to funding on state properties like the Richard Bong Recreational Area, converting the trail back to a rail grade down on the Cheese Country Trail, the Black River Falls State Forest Master plan outcome and other current events. Bring us up to date on trails in your area!
• 10:30 – 11:15 “Where Does Your ATV Money Go?" Learn details on the trail funding process and how to make your best effort to secure funding for your trail projects. Diane Conklin, DNR Grants Administrator, will present and be available for questions. Learn more about the role of the ORV Council with updates on the Landowners Incentive Program, future trail maintenance mileage increase, and possible solutions to address the oversubscribed ATV fund. Bring your input, ask your questions!
• 11:30 – 12:00 Club Web Sites, Monthly Hosting Costs, What's the Real Story with Your Club and the Electronic Age? Alternate title could be "Don't use your brother's uncle friend just because it’s convenient and you don't really know anything else about it"! This workshop is not a sales presentation; instead it's geared to give your club insights and advice about the best range of options to give your club a professional image.
• 12 Noon - 1:15 PM: Lunch & Trail Patrol & Special Awards ceremony by Kolpin Powersports & Moose Utility Division - Crystal Ballroom 1
• Afternoon Workshop Track B – Marathon Ballroom 2 & 3 continues
• 1:30 – 2:00 Go for the Guinness World Record but Follow the Good Image Guidelines. How you and your club can become part of ATV history. Learn about the 25th Annual Memorial Rally & record breaking, world’s largest ATV parade being held Saturday May 29th in Hurley, Wisconsin. WATVA supports this effort but remember, parades are viewed by large numbers of the general public, especially this one! Discussion will be on the importance of enhancing our public image rather than detracting from it. Other special events to be discussed include National Trails Day, the Wisconsin Outdoor Education Expo, and the Tigerton VIP Ride.
• 2:15 – 2:45 Burnett County Sheriff Auxiliary. Deputy Ryan Bybee, Burnett County Recreation officer and members of the auxiliary will describe the challenges and successes of their program plus offering ideas on how other counties could develop their own program. Inviting “Ride Smart” certified Trail Patrol Ambassadors to experience a “ride along” in Burnett County!
• 3:00 – 3:30 U.S. Forest Service Travel Management Update: USFS representative will explain, review, and update us on the status of the Travel Management Plan and other developments within the forest. We have many miles of ATV trails in our national forest; learn what you can do from this point forward to preserve, protect and expand our ATV trail mileage in our National Forest.
• 3:45 – 4:30: Legislative Report: We’ve made great progress yet need some additional statutory changes and upgrades. WATVA would like to share them with you and get your insights and ideas. Examples will include the UTV Pilot Program Extension, DOT right-a-ways, license plates, youthful operators’ safety package, snowplowing, OWI and strengthening of the trespassing laws.
• 4:30 Swap Meet Ends
• Saturday Night Dinner on Your Own
• 6:00 PM – 10:00?? – Mardi-Gras Wisconsin Style Reception in Three Rivers Theater – Club and Business Displays, fun time with friends and family. Sing along to your favorite songs – experience Karaoke with the DJ Services of VirtuRock Productions. This year a new Trail Identification Contest by the All–Terrain Riders ATV Club!!! Have fun, mix and mingle.

Sunday April 18^th:

Guest Speakers:

• Greg Mumm - Blue Ribbon Coalition
• Rod Lopusnak / Ron Klimcke - American Suzuki

Club Registration

If your club would like to display a booth at the annual meeting, please click here to submit your information.

Ticket Information

Registration is required to attend the 2010 WATVA Annual Meeting.
Tickets cost $18 per day per person. This includes entry into the meeting and your meal for the day. The meal ticket for all three days is an all you can eat buffet.
Tickets will be held at the door. Pre-registration closes on Monday April 5th.

If you are a WATVA club and would like to display your clubs information, please click here.

Updated: 1/19/2010