May 30, 2023

Greg Mazu – Value of a Professional Dirtbag Presentation - International Trails Summit 2023 #129

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Anyone can plan, design, and build a trail, right? As we all know the answer is no, and it takes not only technical skills but also the right combination of grit, humility, and endurance to be a professional "dirt bag". This session will explore the culture, training, and professional development needed to have a career that your mom and dad approve of and why it's important to have professional trail jobs. Learning objectives: Understanding the importance of "Starting with Why" from Simon Sinek's work is the foundation for being a trail professional Understand why organizational culture is critical to employee success Identify critical success factors for building a culture-based organization or company Identify ways to professionalize trails work (built upon trailskills.org work)

Topics:

About the presentation: Value of a Professional Dirtbag
How the presentation has morphed since Greg started giving it at the IMBA Europe Summit a year ago
Nomads & Misfits, and how this has been changing
- Making professional dirtbags out of Nomads and Misfits
More people moving into the world of trail building from other professional careers
Putting together more comprehensive trail plans that include all the other things needed such as parking, bathrooms, and other necessary items that complete a trail system
Building a Culture Based Company
- Scaling from the beginning to now
Women representation within the Trail Building Industry
Foundations and Non-Profits
Elevating the game of professionalism within the Trail Building Industry
Benefits on a professional level to compete with other professional industries to continue to attract talent into Trail Building
Trails in comparison to other recreational infrastructure
Adaptive Trail
Feedback post presentation
Placing more value on the cost of trails
Contracts and Partnerships
Wrap Up of the International Trail Summit in general
- Reflecting on the numbers at this conference vs previous conferences
The SingleTrack Trails / Tools for Trails / Back Slope Tools / Loam Coffee Lobby
Closing Comments / Thank You’s
- Creating a new industry and shaping it – Trail Building

Links:

International Trail Summit: https://www.americantrails.org/symposium

Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org/

Singletrack Trails: https://www.singletracktrails.com/

Hawkeye Trail: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/hawkeye-88583/

Photo Credit: Sean Benesh of Trail Builder Mag: https://www.trailbuildermag.com/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Discount Code (20%) for both KETL Mtn Apparel and Trail One Components: TrailPod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/

Worldwide Cyclery Affiliate Link: https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/?aff=559

23ZERO USA: https://23zero.com/?avad=355721_d30d44cc9

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services