COVID-19 Information

On March 18th, 2020 the WATVA Board of Directors called a special meeting to discuss the latest news regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the impact it might have on our upcoming 2020 Let's Build It! workshops and annual meeting in Stevens Point. We are taking this matter very seriously, as we want to ensure the safety of our membership and the general public.

After our discussions and reviewing CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) information and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services safety protocols (https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/coronavirus.htm), we have determined our workshops will fall outside the suggested guidelines, thus our board has decided to postpone with planning our convention on April 3rd, 4th & 5th. We will work with the hotel on a new date for 2020.

If you had booked your room under the WATVA block, your room should be automatically cancelled within the next few days (3/19/2020).

We are awaiting the announcement of the new dates for the annual meeting.

Let's Build It! That's the theme for the 2020 annual meeting. We are hosting workshops geared towards planning, funding and building your next trail or route project. Our 2020 convention will also host members from the Road Legal 4WD Association and the Wisconsin Coalition of Four Wheel Drives.

New for 2020, download the official convention app by visiting: https://my.yapp.us/WATVA2020. The app features up to date workshop information, schedules, speakers, supporting documents and feedback options.

Aside from the build it series of workshops, we will also have workshops geared towards club building. Here are some of the workshops we are working on for 2020:

• Let’s Plan It! - A workshop for planning your project. From permits to engineering costs, this workshop discusses various tools you'll need to plan a successful project.

• Let's Fund It! - Funding is a major part of building any project. Learn about the current funding status and how to utilize DNR resources for funding your project.

• Let's Build It! - Building a trail is more complex than one might think. Check out the factors that go into building a trail.

• Let's Sign It! - Keeping your riders on the right path will help keep folks safe as well as promote a positive image for your area. Learn about signing requirements and hear from sign vendors about their products.

• Let's Promote It! - Working with the Department of Tourism and local tourism organizations can bring out of area riders to your trail. Learn about the tools and techniques available to clubs and land managers to promote their riding area.

• Let's Patrol It! - Learn about how the trail ambassador program can help be the eyes and the ears for enforcement and maintenance issues on a trail system.

• Let’s Enforce It! - Enforcement and education will help keep a trail open. Learn about how your club can work with various law enforcement agencies as well as adapt the Trail Ambassador program to assist with community policing and positive education.

• Let’s Share It! - Joint ATV / Snowmobile clubs are growing around Wisconsin. Learn and hear about clubs that have taken the shared use approach and discuss how your club has or is planning to join together to represent both ATV and Snowmobile recreation.

Other workshops include:

• Trail Communications - Can you hear me now? This workshop looks at various two-way communication tools you can utilize including CB Radio, FMS / GMRS, HAM Radio and other long range tools.

• Road Routes - A town hall style workshop where clubs can collaborate on various road route issues.

• Club Marketing - What tools are available for your club to promote events, membership and the positive things going on in your community? Hear from experienced club leaders about how they utilize various marketing tools to promote their sport.

• WATVA Annual Meeting

• And More!

WATVA clubs receive a free table to display their information. Come learn about other clubs around Wisconsin and engage in conversation with their representatives.