Professional TrailBuilders Conference || Oceania Edition
Derby, Tasmania
December 9-11, 2025
Join trail professionals, advocates, and land managers from Australia, Asia and around the world for a dynamic event focused on advancing the trail industry.
We are excited to be hosting PTBA’s first international conference in Derby, Tasmania, one of the world’s leading trail town success stories.
The 2025 conference will be capped at 200 attendees, and we anticipate selling out. Anyone who works in the trail industry is invited to register for the conference; it is not limited to PTBA members.
About the Conference
Who: Land managers and trail professionals from the private, public, and non-profit sectors
What: 2.5 days of technical training, collaborative education, international networking, field-based learning, and trail exploration
Where: Derby, Tasmania is world-renowned trail community whose journey, lessons, and trails can provide lessons to advance trails worldwide.
Why: To facilitate international information sharing to advance the trail industry in Oceania and worldwide
The plenary sessions will focus on the trail industry trends such as best practices, workforce development, and industry standards
Concurrent sessions, roundtable discussions, and hands-on learning will focus on technical skills and best practices in all phases of trail development
Sessions will be curated through a call for presentations and targeted speaker invitations
There will be ample networking opportunities throughout the event for international information sharing and learning
On the trail learning experiences will include group rides, walk-and-talks, and demonstrations
Technical Skills +
Best Practices
Call for Presentations!
PTBA is seeking proposals for presentations, facilitated discussions, and field-based learning that share best practices and promote technical skill development in trail construction, maintenance, assessment, design, planning, project implementation and management, and stewardship partnerships.
Our Venue: Derby, Tasmania
Derby, Tasmania is a living case study. The story of Derby will thread through the entire conference, offering a unique opportunity to explore how a bold vision became a global trail destination.
From the initial concept and community advocacy, through high-level planning, navigating local and federal politics, to world-class trail design, construction, and maintenance — Derby offers valuable lessons at every stage.
Derby stands as both inspiration and blueprint. Derby was once a mining town with the richest tin mine in the world and one of the last remaining wilderness areas, and is now home to one of the world’s premier mountain bike networks encompassing over 125km/77 miles of purpose built mountain bike trails with options to suit all skill levels.
Registration
Registration will be capped at 200 attendees to match facilities and to promote meaningful discussion and networking.
Registration fees are $450 USD (~$700 AUD depending on daily exchange rate).
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Tuesday, December 9
7:30 - 8:30 am: Registration;
Coffee and light breakfast
8:30 - 11:30 am: Plenary sessions
12:00 - 1:30 pm: Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 pm: Concurrent sessions
3:30 - 5:30 pm: On the trail learning and exploration (group rides, hikes, demonstrations, walk + talks)
Dinner on your own in town
Wednesday, December 10
7:30 - 8:30 am: Coffee and light breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 am: Concurrent sessions
10:30 - 11:30 am: Concurrent sessions
12:00 - 1:30 pm: Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 pm: Concurrent sessions
3:30 - 5:30 pm: On the trail learning and exploration (group rides, hikes, demonstrations, walk + talks)
5:30 - 7:00 pm: Happy Hour
Dinner on your own in town
Thursday, December 11
7:30 - 8:30 am: Coffee and light breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 am: Concurrent sessions
10:30 - 11:30 am: Closing session
12:00 - 1:30 pm: Lunch on your own
2:00 - 4:00 pm: Group rides
2:00 - 5:00 pm: Post-Conference workshops (optional)
Dinner on your own in town
Friday, December 12
Post-Conference workshops (optional)
Plan your trip
The closest airport to Derby, Tasmania is Launceston Airport. Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas all have regular flights to and from Launceston, including direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne. It is then a 105 km/60 mile drive to Derby - you can rent a car or book a shuttle.
Another option is by boat on the Spirit of Tasmania which sails between Melbourne and Devonport (Tasmania).
There is a diverse range of accommodation options to choose from your stay in Derby and surrounding towns (Scottsdale, Weldborough, Bridport, Branxholm and more).
From cabins, lodges, eco pods, holiday houses, camping and more. There’s something to suit everyone and every budget. Accommodation in Derby fills fast in peak periods, so it’s best to book in advance.
Presenting Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Demonstrate that your company or organization is a leader in the trail industry with your support of PTBA’s first international conference!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsorship
$10,000 USD/ $15,200 AUD
The presenting sponsorship offers a high-profile speaking opportunity and acknowledgement in addition to premier signage throughout the conference. There is only one presenting sponsorship, and it includes 5 conference registrations, logo on all attendee lanyards, prominent logo placement on the conference website, social media, email marketing, and printed materials, and a banner in the main conference space behind the speakers, and attendee list and email addresses (with consent).
Special Event
$5,000 USD/ $7,600 AUD
Be the exclusive sponsor of Happy Hour on Tuesday or Wednesday! Includes 3 conference registrations, a banner and 2 easel signs during the event, acknowledgement during the event, prominent logo placement on the conference website, social media, email marketing, and printed materials, and attendee list and email addresses (with consent).
Meal Sponsor
$3,000 USD/ $4,560 AUD
Sponsor a conference meal - A La Carte Breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday or lunch on Tuesday or Wednesday. Includes 2 conference registrations, 2 easel signs during the meal, logo placement on the conference website, social media, email marketing, and printed materials, and attendee list and email addresses (with consent).
Supporting Sponsor
$1,500 USD/ $2,280 AUD
Show your support for Professional TrailBuilders Conference! Includes 1 conference registration and logo placement on the conference website, social media, email marketing, and printed materials, and attendee list and email addresses (with consent). Supporting sponsorships can be directed towards scholarships!
PTBA’s annual conference has been based in the US for decades, bringing together hundreds of land managers and trail professionals from the government, non-profit and private sector for 3 days of technical training, collaborative education, international networking, and field-based learning.
We are applying this time-tested model for the Derby conference in partnership with the Blue Derby Foundation and our amazing network of Australian PTBA member companies.
PTBA Conferences
Cancellations must be requested via email by November 9, 2025. If minimum attendance numbers are not met, the organizers reserve the right to cancel any activity in which case a full refund will be issued.
Cancellation Timetable: Percentage Refunded
181+ days: 100%
121-180 days: 75%
91-120 days: 50%
31-90 days: 25%
30 days or less: 0%
NOTE: If the conference has a waitlist and your spot is filled, you will be refunded 90% of your registration fee.