2026 Winter Rendezvous

March 26–29, 2026
Tailwater Lodge | Altmar, NY

It’s back—and better than ever. Join us for the 43rd Annual NYSOGA Rendezvous, a four-day gathering filled with hands-on training, engaging seminars, great food, and the kind of conversations that only happen when guides come together under one roof.

This year’s Rendezvous pairs big ideas with a phenomenal setting—and subsidized meals—so you can spend more time connecting around the table and less time thinking about the cost. Whether you’re here to earn certifications, sharpen your business skills, or simply reconnect with your guiding community, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Click here to check out the full list of seminars and presenters!

📅 Conference Schedule

Thursday, March 26 – Arrival & Training Kickoff

Settle in and ease into the Rendezvous with registration, hands-on training, and an evening exam review.

12:00 – 5:00 PM
Registration & Camp Store (River Side)

1:00 – 4:30 PM
Training: Water Safety for Guides (Lodge Side)

4:45 – 6:15 PM
Dinner – Dutch / à la carte

6:30 PM – Until
Training: Guide Exam Review (Lodge Side)

Friday, March 27 – Training, Seminars & Social Time

A full day of certifications plus new Friday seminars designed specifically for active, in-business guides—practical, relevant, and ready to put to work.

7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast (Schoolhouse Room)

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration & Camp Store (River Side)

Training Sessions

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
First Aid (Lodge Side)

12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch (Schoolhouse Room)

1:00 – 5:00 PM
CPR / AED (Lodge Side)

6:00 – 7:00 PM
Dinner (Schoolhouse Room)

7:00 PM – Until
Welcome Meeting, Cash Bar & Social Time (The Porch & Patio)

Friday Seminars (Schoolhouse Room)

10:30 – 11:30 AM
NYS DEC Hatchery Operations – Salmon River & Statewide Improvements
Geofrey Eckerlin, NYSDEC Asst. Supt. of Fish Culture, Fish Culture Central Office
with Thomas Kielbasinski, NYSDEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery Manager

12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch (Schoolhouse Room)

1:00 – 2:00 PM
Staying Rooted in the Field: Self-Care & Burnout Prevention
Audrey Costa, LAC, NCC

2:15 – 3:15 PM
LIVE Virtual: Marketing Like a Human in an AI-Obsessed World
Paul Wingfield, Outfitter Marketing Pros

3:30 – 4:30 PM
LIVE Virtual: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Trip Pricing
Zeb Smith, CPA, Zebulon LLC

6:00 – 7:00 PM
Dinner (Schoolhouse Room)

7:00 PM – Until
Welcome Meeting, Cash Bar & Social Time (The Porch & Patio)

Saturday, March 28 – Business, Community & Celebration

The heart of the Rendezvous—roundtables, risk planning, the Guide Exam, the Annual Meeting, and our signature evening banquet.

7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast (Schoolhouse Room)

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration & Camp Store (River Side)

Saturday Seminars

9:00 – 10:15 AM
Marketing & Operations Roundtable (90 minutes!) (Lodge Side)
Facilitated by Jamie Arnold & Scott Locorini

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Crisis & Risk Planning for Guides (Lodge Side)
Margaret Kelso, Cornerstone Safety Group

12:00 – 2:00 PM
Lunch (Schoolhouse Room)

Special Guest Lunch Speaker

12:50 – 1:40 PM
Laura DiBetta, NYS DEC Office of Outdoor Recreation
“Improving and Expanding Access to Public Lands”

Meetings & Exams

2:00 – 2:30 PM
NYSOGA Regional Meetings (Schoolhouse Room)

2:00 – 5:00 PM
NYS DEC Licensed Guide Exam (Lodge Side)

2:30 – 5:00 PM
NYSOGA Annual Meeting (The Porch)

Evening Celebration

6:00 – 9:00 PM
Annual Guides Banquet (Lodge Side / River Side)

9:00 PM – Until
Cash Bar & Social Time (The Porch & Patio)

Sunday, March 29 – Farewell

7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast (Schoolhouse Room)

8:30 – 11:00 AM
Checkout & Departure

And You Can Also Count On:

The always-popular Guide Banquet
NYSOGA gear for sale
The Annual Meeting
Plenty of time to reconnect with old friends—and make new ones