It’s Time to Celebrate the Outdoor Industry

There is something special about an industry that changes lives every single day — often without seeking the spotlight. Across NSW and the ACT, people and organisations in the Outdoor Industry are building confidence, creating connection, supporting wellbeing, developing skills, caring for Country, welcoming visitors, and helping more people experience the power of the outdoors. That work deserves to be seen and celebrated.

The Outdoors NSW & ACT Award Programs exist to do exactly that: recognise excellence, acknowledge commitment, and shine a light on the people and organisations making a real difference across our industry.

In 2026, the NSW & ACT Outdoor Industry Awards will provide the opportunity for the Outdoor Industry to nominate, benchmark their operations, and be acknowledged for their efforts. Outdoors NSW & ACT describes the program as a valuable basis for organisations to compare themselves with others and be recognised for what they contribute to the industry. For those in outdoor education, there is also the added opportunity that winners in the education categories of the 2026 NSW & ACT Awards will be automatically entered into the Australian Outdoor Education Awards, which will be announced at the National Outdoor Education Conference in September 2026.

Awards matter because they do more than hand out trophies. They tell the story of who we are as an industry. They show the broader community, governments, partners and future workforce the quality, passion and leadership that exists across outdoor education, recreation, tourism, guiding, therapy, events and supporting services. They also give teams the chance to pause, reflect and recognise just how much they have achieved. For many organisations, the awards process itself becomes a worthwhile exercise — a chance to review progress, articulate impact, and celebrate the people behind the work. This is exactly the spirit behind the Outdoors NSW & ACT program, which has long focused on acknowledging dedication, contribution and the inspiring impact of people and organisations across the outdoor community.

This year’s Outdoor Industry Awards event, to be held on 16 July 2026, will be another important moment for the industry to come together and celebrate colleagues and peers. The event listing describes it as a chance to celebrate some of the amazing achievements of the industry across 2025 and 2026, and that is exactly why now is the time to start thinking about your entry. Whether you are a long-standing organisation, an emerging business, a program leader, an educator, an operator or someone supporting the industry behind the scenes, your work could be exactly the kind of story this event is designed to honour.

The award programs also sit within a broader culture of recognition that Outdoors NSW & ACT has been building over time. Past recognition has included 10+ Year and 20+ Year Membership Awards, Outdoor Champions and the Gold Member Award — all designed to acknowledge loyalty, engagement and meaningful contribution to the industry. The Outdoor Champions recognition in particular has celebrated active members and the incredible work they and their organisations do each and every day. That history matters, because it shows these awards are not a one-off initiative. They are part of an ongoing commitment to value the people who help make the Outdoor Industry stronger.

A particularly special part of this year’s event will be the recognition of the graduates of the Pinnacle Leadership Program, Cohort #2. Outdoors NSW & ACT has created the Pinnacle Leadership Program to elevate emerging and established leaders by equipping them with the tools, confidence and network to shape the future of the Outdoor Industry. The 2025 graduation celebrated participants completing a year-long journey of growth, collaboration and professional learning, and the program has been highlighted by Outdoors NSW & ACT as a cornerstone initiative in shaping future leaders. Recognising Pinnacle graduates alongside industry award recipients adds another layer of meaning to the event — celebrating not only achievement, but also leadership, growth and the future of our industry.

That is why entering the awards is about more than winning. It is about being part of a bigger story. It is about helping showcase the depth, diversity and professionalism of the Outdoor Industry. It is about recognising the champions already making a difference and encouraging the next generation of leaders to step forward. When we celebrate excellence publicly, we strengthen the identity of our industry and inspire others to keep raising the bar.

So if you have been wondering whether to enter, take this as your sign. Back your team. Back your program. Back your business. Back the impact you are making. Put your work forward, nominate those doing remarkable things, and help us recognise the outdoor champions among us. Then join us at this year’s event as we celebrate the achievements of the Outdoor Industry and acknowledge the graduates of the Pinnacle Leadership Program who are helping shape its future.

Entries and program information are available through the Outdoors NSW & ACT Award Programs page https://outdoors.kartra.com/page/2026AwardsInformation and remember Outdoors NSW & ACT members enter for free so check your membership portal for the code to enter. Entries close 10 May 2026, so don't delay.