On June 12 attendees of the American Horse Council’s (AHC) 2018 National Issues Forum, sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health, gathered to learn more about the theme of “Let’s Capitalize On It!”

With a variety of speakers from different trades, attendees gained insight on how the horse industry can learn from other industries, utilize data that has been collected about our own industry, and capitalize on opportunities to grow and expand interests in horses.

The morning started with Luis Benitez, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (one of only seven offices in the nation that provides a central point of contact, advocacy, and resources at the state level for the diverse constituents, businesses, and communities that rely on the continued health of the outdoor recreation industry). He spoke about how the recreation industry has innovated to get people to experience the outdoors, and how the equine industry can draw on those innovations to introduce people to horses.

“When you drive innovations, you cultivate healthy outdoor lifestyles,” said Benitez. “When you conserve public lands and waters, you spark sustainable economic development for the outdoor recreation industry