Upcoming Events
Attend an Event
Join us for our upcoming Cornerstone Safety Group Events! Expert-hosted events, trainings, and webinars are a crucial part of Cornerstone’s mission to offer accessible, actionable expertise for organizations like yours. We host two types of events: Community Networking Meetings and Educational Webinars and Trainings.
At all events, we ask that members and visitors follow our Cornerstone Event Norms.
Want even more robust access to materials, insight, and customized services? Become a Member today.
Community Meetings
To further the Cornerstone mission, we host recurring discussions and networking sessions exclusively for our members. In these one-hour sessions, our extensive network of business owners, leaders, and CEOs come together to discuss important and relevant topics specific to the travel industry. Together, we problem-solve challenges, share resources, and support each other through difficult times. There is no better opportunity to learn, share and innovate year-round.
Member-Only Community Calls
Cornerstone members are automatically registered for these monthly recurring calls. If you are not currently receiving calendar invites and are a Cornerstone member, email us at info@cornerstonesafetygroup.org to be added to our calendar of events.
July 3 - 3pm ET/12pm PT
August 7 - 3pm ET/12pm PT
September 4 - 3pm ET/12pm PT
Educational Webinars and Training Events
In-Person Events
Catch us at… Student & Youth Travel Association Conference
We are proud members of the Student & Youth Travel Association and contributors to their Health & Safety Committee.
The annual SYTA conference is always an outstanding event with lots of networking, fun, and exploration. We’ll be hosting pre-conference sessions and presenting an educational session during the conference itself. As an Allied Member, Cornerstone will not be participating in meetings between sellers and buyers, but we always enjoy scheduling 1:1 meetings with existing or potential members. Contact us at info@cornerstonesafetygroup.org to set up a time.
Catch us at… Wilderness Risk Management Conference
We always enjoy this annual event! After being an active contributor to the WRMC for over a decade, Dave and the team are excited to head to Portland, ME to catch up with friends and industry partners.
Cornerstone’s Risk Management and Mental Health advisors will be co-presenting an educational session, and as always, we’ll have a booth on the trade show floor. Stop on by!
We’ll also be hosting our annual happy hour for members and industry partners, and invites will be going out the week prior to the conference. If you’re not yet a member and attending the conference, send us an email at info@cornerstonesafetygroup.org, and we’d be happy to send you an invite.
Catch us at… Association for Experiential Education Conference
Several of Cornerstone’s Advisors attend this event annually, and we’re pleased to have an even stronger showing this year. Cornerstone’s Risk Management and Mental Health advisors will be presenting on topics ranging from neurodiversity to crisis response training.
We also know many of our members that attend this conference, so we’ll organize some time to gather and network together.
Catch us at… America Outdoors Conference 2025
America Outdoors Conference & Outfitter Expo, the premier national event for outdoor recreation providers and enthusiasts! This event is tailored for owners and managers of outdoor and outfitter organizations, offering a wealth of educational sessions, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, and a dynamic trade show.
This will be our second year as active contributors to the AO conference. Cornerstone will be presenting an educational session along with having a booth at the trade show. Stop on by!
Past Webinars and Events
We’re Proud Members of ATTA
As a new member to this association, we were excited to attend the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s conference in Denver. We’d been a long time follower of the ATTA, and it was great to formally expand our network of adult and adventure-based tour operators.
Hosted by: Cornestone Safety Group & Shannon Lofdahl of TravMark Insurance
Navigating Travel Insurance in a Changing Landscape
Cornerstone was joined by Shannon Lofdahl from TravMark, discussing trends in the industry and important considerations for travelers heading into they busy summer season.
Topics included:
Considerations for visa or green card holders
Travel insurance tips for U.S. citizens traveling abroad
Financial protections amid changing disruptions
Hosted by: Cornestone Safety Group & Luc Mehl of Triple Point Training
Navigating Nature’s Risks: Using Innovative Tools for Safer Outdoor Programs
Cornerstone Safety Group and guest speaker Luc Mehl, award-winning educator and backcountry expert, host an information-packed webinar on assessing and managing field risks for programs operating outdoors and in remote environments. Designed for leaders and team members at all levels of travel and experiential education companies, this session provides an overview of ways to use tools to track and monitor weather, regional events, and air quality metrics—empowering teams to identify and address potential hazards before they impact your programs.
Covered during this session:
Leveraging Windy.com to evaluate environmental risks and make informed decisions.
Using Windy.com’s weather stations and global models to assess past, present, and future weather patterns.
Interpreting severe weather warnings for droughts, fires, and extreme conditions.
Hosted by: Maureen MacConnell, Mental Health Director & Teresa Jennings, Mental Health Advisor at Cornerstone Safety Group
Managing Difficult Conversations in the Travel Industry
From one-on-one discussions to team dynamics and policy-level dialogues, this session will provide practical tools to foster empathy, resilience, and constructive communication in medium-intensity scenarios. Covered during this session:
Empathy in Action: Build environments that encourage positive risk-taking.
One-on-One Techniques: Master foundational skills for empathy and clarity.
Policy-Level Strategies: Explore ways to handle larger conversations about policies or sociopolitical stressors with respect and accountability.
Real-Life Scenarios: Practice applying these skills.
Hosted by: Stuart Slay, Risk Management Advisor, and Dave Dennis, Executive Director at Cornerstone Safety Group
Mapping out a Risk Management Schedule
for 2025
As travel operators, staying ahead of potential risks and crises is paramount. In this session, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide on what you should be doing and when throughout the year. Walk through the calendar of a typical year, identifying key milestones for planning specific trainings, practicing scenarios, and refining documentation.
Hosted by: Maureen MacConnell, Director of Mental Health, and Teresa Jennings, Mental Health Advisor at Cornerstone Safety Group
Supporting Adult Mental Health on Travel Programs
Navigate the complexities of group dynamics as they relate to mental health, learning best practices for allowing participants to manage their mental health while traveling. Discover effective strategies for setting the tone around mental health within your group, fostering an environment of understanding and support.
Equip yourself with the knowledge of what to do in the event of a mental health crisis during your trip. Learn practical steps to handle such situations with care and professionalism, ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved.
Hosted by: Dave Dennis, Executive Director at Cornerstone Safety Group and Leah Corrigan, Managing Partner of Recreation Law
Understanding ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) for Travel Programs
Attendees take part in an educational and interactive virtual event addressing the complex landscape of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it pertains to travel programs. This session will tackle common concerns and misconceptions surrounding ADA regulations for both domestic and international programs.
2025 Leadership Retreat
January 21-24, 2025
Scottsdale, AZ
2025 Leadership Retreat
What a great event (as always) with over 20 attendees participating in our annual members-only Leadership Retreat!
We created a unique retreat experience utilizing multiple properties as “base houses” in a charming Scottsdale neighborhood. This informal atmosphere allowed deep connections to be formed among CEOs and business leaders along with the opportunity to be vulnerable and seek support without hesitation or competition. Our sessions were crafted to address the unique challenges in the travel and experiential education industry focused on leadership, team management, business growth, and risk management.