Snowsports Industries America (SIA) Announces Global Summit 2026 Keynote and Speaker Lineup

February 3, 2026

Industry leaders gather in March to explore climate resilience, AI, global markets, and the future of winter

Park City, UTAH (February 3, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Snowsports Industries America (SIA), the trade association for the winter outdoor industry in North America, today announced new details for its Global Summit 2026 taking place March 23-25 in Snowbird, Utah. The event will bring together industry leaders and innovators across brand, retail and resort for forward-looking conversations on attracting new consumers, business adaptation, brand evolution, global markets, compliance and the future of winter sports.

Headlining the Global Summit is Augustus Doricko, founder and CEO of Rainmaker, with a keynote address titled “Save Our Snow: Modernizing Cloud Seeding Technology to Help Save the Winter Industry.” An entrepreneur and innovative thinker, Doricko has a passion for leveraging technology to solve real world problems. In his address, he will explore how next-generation weather modification and atmospheric science could play a critical role in sustaining snowfall, water resources, and long-term viability for winter-dependent industries.

“The Global Summit is about confronting the realities facing the winter outdoors while spotlighting opportunities, ideas, and the leadership shaping what comes next,” said Nick Sargent, President of SIA. “This year’s speaker lineup reflects both the gravity of the moment and the creativity and intensity required to meet it.”

In addition to the keynote, the Global Summit 2026 agenda will feature a diverse slate of impactful sessions and an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

• From Hype to Reality: Decoding China’s Winter Sports Market (Zhang Lei, Chairman and Found, Hillhouse Investments; and Xiaoshan Liu, Chairman, Quaoshan Group) – An on-the-ground perspective on China’s evolving winter sports ecosystem, separating speculation from opportunity for global brands.
• AI as a Creative Partner: Building Better Brand Work Without Losing the Human Touch (Nate Bosshard, Founder, Brand.ai) – A practical and thoughtful look at how brands can leverage AI as a collaborative tool without sacrificing authenticity, originality, or human-centered storytelling.
• Can a Focus on Quality Save the Planet While Benefiting Your Business? (Tyler LaMotte, Global Vice President of Product, Patagonia) – A conversation on durability, restraint, and long-term value creation as both a sustainability strategy and a business advantage.
• Artist Talk: A New Winter (Sofia Jaramillo, Photographer & Artist) – A creative exploration of how artists are documenting, interpreting, and reimagining winter in a changing climate.

The Global Summit will also feature insights from leaders across the broader winter outdoor ecosystem, including speakers from Winter Sports Retailers, Protect Our Winters (POW) and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), reinforcing the importance of collaboration across advocacy, resorts, brands, retailers and industry organizations.

The SIA Global Summit is part of the broader SIA Summit Series, designed to foster candid dialogue, knowledge sharing, and actionable takeaways for businesses navigating rapid change across climate, technology, and global markets.

For additional agenda details, registration information, and event updates, please visit SIA’s website at snowsports.org.

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About Snowsports Industries America (SIA): Snowsports Industries America (SIA) is the trade association of the winter outdoor industry. Through SIA membership, brands, destinations, retailers, service providers, and nonprofits solve urgent business problems, adapt to changing pressures, save, and grow. Together SIA and its members spot trends that matter, facilitate industry wide global strategy, and innovate to ensure the winter outdoors thrives for future generations. Founded in 1954, SIA is based in ParkCity, UT. We are #TheBusinessofWinter. For more information and to become a member, visit snowsports.org.