AI generated image by Keith Szafranski
CONFERENCE MAPS
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CONFERENCE FEE 2026
Conference fee for Coos Bay, OR – April 30 – May 3 Add one for each member and guest.
$99.00
Members pay just $99 for conference programming, hotel, and sponsored meals. Can’t beat that! Mark your calendars for April 30, 2026 now.
NOTE: Guests (non-members) have to pay for their own hotel room unless staying with a NOWA member.
Hotel reservations must be made by April 7, 2026 in order to get a free/discounted room at the casino hotel. After April 7, attendees will have to pay the regular rate on their own. Sign up for the conference and reserve your room now.
Call the Ko-Kwel Casino @ 541-756-8800 to reserve your room today.
Ko-Kwel Casino (https://www.kokwelresorts.com/coos-bay/)
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UPDATED CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
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Read About Things To Do At the NOWA Conference
COOS BAY HISTORY MUSEUM
LOCAL TROUT FISHING
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The latest conference information from the Coos Bay Visitors Bureau —
We are planning the two offsite excursions for the writers group on May 1st:
1) Birding and hiking at Millacoma Marsh with Marty Giles of Wavecrest Discoveries – for about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Writers will meet Marty at Millacoma Marsh (we’ll provide all the directions) and are encouraged to bring cameras and binoculars. This is a fairly easy, flat hike and one of our top bird watching locations. I am checking with Marty on the best time to start that tour. The Millicoma Marsh is an area of freshwater ponds and saltwater marsh in Coos Bay. The marsh offers a well-established trail perfect for recreational use of hiking, wildlife viewing, and great views of the bay area. https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/birding/millicoma-marsh-trail/
2) Take a Ride in the Dunes with Spinreel’s Follow Me Tour. Writers will drive and follow one of their experienced guides on this one-of-a-kind Oregon dunes and beach tour. Writers will experience the thrill of the dunes and the beauty of the beach along the Pacific ocean. See wildlife, marine wildlife and endless amazing views of the only sand dunes in North America, that exist in a temporal rain forest, on this complete dune, forest, and beach riding experience. Writers will be two to a vehicle and can switch off driving mid-way through the tour. This will be a longer day. I expect they will need to arrive at Spinreel by at least 10am, but maybe earlier. It takes almost 45 minutes to get 10+ people signed in, suited up and trained. The tour itself is about 2 hours.
For both tours: Attendees will need to pre-register so we know how many will go to each excursion. If we could have final numbers by April 27th that should be fine.
NOTE: See conference sign-up below. Please be aware that you must sign up for the conference and your hotel room no later than April 7, 2026 to guarantee a FREE room for the conference.
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From Conference Chairman, Gary Lewis –
Along the Waterfront – Coos Bay, OR (Photo by Gary Lewis)
NOWA 2026 Conference Information
NOWA in Coos Bay
Thursday, April 30 – Sunday, May 3
The 2026 Northwest Outdoor Writers Association conference will be held Thursday, April 30, through Sunday, May 3, at the Ko-Kwel Casino Resort situated on the southern Oregon Coast. Starting Thursday night and running through Sunday morning, some of the Northwest’s – and the world’s – finest writers and thinkers, including journalists, foodies, poets, photographers, videographers, bloggers, freelancers, and scribes, will gather in Coos Bay, Oregon. This year, the lineup includes a salmon geneticist, a tribal elder, a gold mining expert, a healer, a Cadburosaurus expert, a Sasquatch authority, and our own writers, editors, photographers, and videographers.
THE THEME
For the 2026 conference, our theme is “The Gold In Our Ideas” – a sentiment infused with the allegorical and the alchemical nature of turning thoughts into reality. Visualize the stunning location on the bay. Hear the crash of the waves on the sand. This conference location was carefully chosen to put NOWA members and their guests in a place where adventure and storytelling intersect.
THE VENUE
The Ko-Kwel Casino Resort is a full-service hotel and casino just off historic Highway 101. Two hundred waterfront rooms. A large, welcoming lobby with a lobby bar. Free high-speed internet. Indoor pool. Two outdoor spas. Heated outdoor patio. Fitness room.
Rooms have been set aside for NOWA members.
2026 WRITERS & PRESENTERS
The lineup of 2026 writers, photographers, producers, and presenters will continue a long tradition of unsurpassed quality, inspiration, and familiarity that has made the annual NOWA conferences an important part of the northwest writer/communicator’s travel year. NOWA president Brad Trumbo will preside at the Friday and Saturday night events.
2026 SCHEDULE & PROGRAM
Thursday, April 30: Board meeting, welcome dinner at North Bend Lanes
Friday, May 1: Supporting Member Day, BLM Bigfoot Tour, BBQ at Whiskey Run
Ranch, and Silent Auction
Saturday, May 2: Excellence In Craft seminars* and Award Banquet
Sunday, May 3: Business Meeting and NOWA’s Legendary Raffle
* The program, when finalized, will be posted on our schedule page.
2026 READING LIST
We have compiled a 2026 Reading List to get you up to speed with the history of the southern Oregon Coast. We highly recommend supporting local independent bookstores (and our authors) by purchasing books through independent bookstores or on the author’s website.
- War Drums Along The Rogue, volumes 1 and 2, by Daniel Edgerton
- The Mills That Built Coos Bay, Oregon, and the Men That Made It Happen by William A. Lansing
- Coos Bay Region, 1890-1944: Life on a Coastal Frontier by Nathan Douthit
If you would like to have your latest book (about anything) included on this list, please email garylewisoutdoors@gmail.com
10 THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND COOS BAY
10. Hike to Millicoma Marsh
9. Coos History Museum
8. Oregon Coast Historical Railway
7. Walk the Coos Bay Boardwalk
6. Stroll through downtown Coos Bay
5. Shore Acres State Park
4. Spinreel Dune Buggy and ATV Rental
3. Hike at Golden & Silver Falls
2. Sharky’s Charter Fishing
1. Go fishing for smallmouth bass, salmon, or trout
THE FAQ
Q: Will there be tours?
A: Yes, we will have tours and free admission arranged at some venues.
Q: Will there be fishing trips?
A: We don’t know
Q: Can you catch a fish in the ocean
A: Yes
Q: Can you make money fishing for pikeminnows?
A: Yes, but not here
Q: May I bring a friend?
A: Yes, please invite friends and family to the awards banquet on Saturday night.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
2026 conference: Thursday, April 30 – Sunday, May 3, 2026
2026 board meeting: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Registration open: NOW
Conference sign-up deadline to guarantee a free room: April 7, 2026
Program finalized: April 25, 2026
Note from Executive Director Keith Szafranski –
Please remember, your $99 conference fee includes all seminars, workshops, tours, dinners, and a hotel room. In order to guarantee a free room at the conference hotel, you must register for the conference and book your room by April 7, 2026. After that time, you may have to pay for your own room (regular price currently $195/night). So, plan ahead!
SCROLL DOWN TO SIGN UP
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PHOTOS FROM THE RANCH (yes, that’s a wild elk)
The Friday evening venue –
CONFERENCE FEE 2026
Conference fee for Coos Bay, OR – April 30 – May 3 Add one for each member and guest.
$99.00
You can also mail a check to:
NOWA 2231 Sa Sada Wa St SE, Olympia, WA 98513
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2026 CONFERENCE SET FOR COOS BAY, OR
The 2026 NOWA conference will take place April 30-May 3 in Coos Bay, OR. Conference venue is the Ko-Kwel Casino (https://www.kokwelresorts.com/coos-bay/). While we’re still in the planning stage, many items are already in place for a humdinger of a conference. Members pay just $99 for programming, hotel and meals. Can’t beat that! Mark your calendars for April 30, 2026 now. More details as well as sign-up link to come as things progress. See you in Coos Bay!
Contact me with any questions. Keith Szafranski PhotogSz@msn.com
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2025 CONFERENCE TESTIMONIALS
Click here for a nice article about the 2025 conference by Tony Amato
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The Dalles Conference
Even though attendance was small, the 2025 conference in The Dalles was a big success. It started with a board of directors meeting in Executive Director Keith Szafranski’s suite on the afternoon of May 1. During the meeting, potential new board members and preliminary plans for the 2026 conference were discussed.
May 2nd saw attending members arriving with some spending the morning visiting local attractions. Five lucky members got to go on a salmon fishing excursion on Drano Lake about half hour from town. Only one fish was hooked (and lost), but everyone enjoyed the “special” fishing at Drano.
A few members took a special tour of The Neon Sign Museum downtown. That evening was the welcome dinner sponsored by The Dalles Chamber of Commerce followed by a few stories told by speaker Rick Steber.
Saturday, May 3rd was education day with members attending several classes to help them be better outdoor communicators and hopefully make more money. After class, a handful of attendees went pikeminnow fishing with John Kruse in rather trying circumstances. Again, no fish were harmed during this excursion, but we had a good time.
Saturday evening was the annual NOWA Awards Dinner, with the winners of this year’s EIC competition announced.
After breakfast on Sunday morning, the general membership meeting was held in John Kruse’s suite. New board members Richy Herrod, Lisa Maloney and Sharon Trammell were welcomed aboard with a few other business items discussed before we adjourned to the famous NOWA raffle, after which members departed for home.
All photos by Keith Szafranski
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CLARKSTON CONFERENCE RE-CAP 2024
by Keith Szafranski
You know the old adage “You should have been there.”? Well, you should have. NOWA’s mini conference in Clarkston, WA was a rousing success!
The event kicked off on Tuesday evening September 23 at the Best Western Plus. Michelle Peters from Visit Lewis Clark Valley provided attendees with some delicious pizza, wine, beer and soft drinks (as well as a salad for my wife, Mary) which was enjoyed by all. We had a chance to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones. We called it quits early so we could get some needed rest for the next day’s planned excursions.
Wednesday morning started off with a gorgeous sunrise and moderately cool temps. Alan Liere and John Kruse headed off early for their salmon fishing adventure on the Snake River with Reel Time Fishing. When I caught up with Alan that afternoon, I asked him how the fishing went. “Great” he replied, “I caught the largest salmon of my life (32” and 16+ pounds) and John did likewise (35” and 18 pounds).
My wife, Mary and I along with NOWA members Randy Bauman, Lenny Frasure, Brad Trumbo and supporting member Scott Croft from BoatUS took a 9 hour jet boat mail run tour up the Snake with Beamers Hell’s Canyon Tours. It was a good day to be on the water as the temperatures soared into the mid-90’s.
We saw many wonderful sights both natural and historic. Abundant wildlife was also viewed along the way. At the turn-around point 70 miles upstream, everyone went ashore for a sack picnic lunch at historic Kirkwood Ranch. The return trip saw many more scenic wonders and most of our members were both sad and happy to see it end (it was a long ride with lots of sitting).
On Wednesday evening, we all gathered in John Kruse’s Pampered Pet Palace for a farewell feed and our annual raffle. We also had what was to be a short business meeting but turned out to be an almost hour-long discussion about current NOWA affairs.
John’s room was filled with various raffle items for everyone to try their luck on. I am happy to report that everyone in attendance won something and that we raised $220 for the NOWA coffers. Thanks to everyone who donated items and participated.
Thursday was an optional day. John Kruse had secured a private tour of the Jack O’Connor Heritage Museum at 1:30 which my wife Mary and I wanted to take. That left the morning free for other things. We headed out to the Nez Perce National Historical Park just east of town and checked out the exhibits and watched a movie about the Nez Perce tribe in the newly remodeled visitor center. Then we got a campsite at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston and went for an e-bike ride on one of the many trails in the area. If you are ever in the Clarkston/Lewiston area, I highly recommend visiting this park. You won’t be disappointed.
At 1:15 we headed to the Jack O’Connor center to rendezvous with John. We learned a lot about the iconic writer from all of the exhibits on display including many mounts from a lifetime of hunting. Lots of stories could be had in just this one location.
Thanks to Michelle Peters for volunteering to get the ball rolling on this first NOWA conference since 2019 and setting up two wonderful trips. Kudos also to John Kruse, Brad Trumbo and the rest of the gang that helped to make this a success.
Take a look at the photographs included in this article to see what you missed.
“You really should have been there!”
