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The 2025 CWA Summit Guide: What’s New and What You Need to Know

Fist bumping at the 2024 CWA Summit
There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the 2025 CWA Summit that’s now less than 75 days away, including a retooled program built so you can make the most of each moment. (All photos are from the 2024 CWA Summit, courtesy of the CWA)

If you’ve been to the CWA Summit before, you know there’s always a lot to look forward to. Those of us who are repeat attendees have seen this event grow over the years, adapting to our feedback. The 2025 CWA Summit continues that trend with a fresh lineup of programming, including some additions based on constructive comments from last year’s event.

The biggest change? They’ve rearranged their programming so each day of the Summit focuses on a theme. Thursday will now be dedicated to Education Sessions, providing a full day of learning. Friday, then, will be devoted to the event’s sponsors as a Trade Show Day with education, networking, and product demonstrations on the show floor.

Here, we’ll cover those changes along with a few previews of what to expect from the 2025 CWA Summit. We’ll also directly address some feedback and concerns regarding the new schedule. Actually, why don’t we just start with that?

Feedback Received

The CWA Summit schedule was built based on attendee input from past events, including surveys sent out following the 2024 CWA Summit. This is the first time in the 18-year history of the CWA Summit that all Education Sessions are held on one day. Understandably, this change has caused some concern.

The changes are ultimately intended to create more value for attendees across the spectrum of small and large gyms, and any role in the industry. They’ve raised the bar for session offerings, accepting less entry-level and more intermediate content. The sessions released so far indicate a level of specificity and assume (correctly) that even first-time CWA Summit attendees have a high level of knowledge and want to leave with even more. This point leads to the biggest question…

Is the CWA cutting back on Education Sessions?

No, the CWA is not cutting back on sessions. According to recent data, the CWA is planning on having the same average number of sessions available, which will be between 30 and 40.

“Every session admitted to the CWA Summit had to have learning outcomes and tangible takeaways,” says Jake Byk, Content Manager for the CWA. “They’re also vetted by one or both of our internal Content Committees to make sure attendees leave the session having learned something they can take home.”

An Educational Session at the CWA Summit last year
This year’s CWA Summit will have about the same number of Education Sessions as past year’s, but with even more value packed in.

Why are these changes being made?

The three main reasons are: organization, accessibility, and addressing attendee feedback.

  • Organization: By dedicating each day to a specific focus, the flow between events should be improved, creating a more immersive experience. As many of us know, a day navigating the Trade Show Floor is much different than a day spent learning from your peers.
  • Accessibility: This schedule offers more affordable options for attendance in the future. For example, this year the CWA is offering a lower priced “Trade Show Day Ticket” that just grants access to the Trade Show Floor on Friday.
  • Feedback: Ultimately, this show is for us—the attendees. Feedback given to the CWA included requests for a more cohesive, formatted schedule. By breaking up the days around a singular focus, the show is expected to be a better experience for everyone, no matter one’s place in the industry. Attendees also requested more in-depth content, and the session lineup that’s been released so far reflects that goal.

How will these changes be better for attendees?

The changes coming to the 2025 CWA Summit are based on the audience feedback the CWA received, and on the CWA’s willingness to be malleable. As it’s often said, change based on lived experience is almost always met with progress. By having each day center on a different theme, the CWA Summit is set up to be more focused and provide more value for every minute attendees are paying to be there.

Thursdays: Education Sessions

Many of us attend the CWA Summit for the opportunity to meet and learn from fellow community members. This year, Thursday will be dedicated to that purpose: all Education Sessions will happen on this day, along with some added time on Friday that is specifically focused on networking sessions, but more on that part below.

An instructor leads a group session on spray wall setting
From the Education Sessions to the Pre-Conferences, Community Hub Sessions and Product Presentations, there’s something for everyone on this year’s program.

Fridays: Trade Show Day

On Friday, the main focus will be the exhibitors—but there will also be time dedicated to networking and community building. Tickets for this day only are offered at a lower price to improve accessibility to the CWA Summit and let teams customize their event experience.

Community Hub Sessions (the networking sessions referenced) are 30-minute, community-driven sessions held on the Trade Show Floor. Topics and formats range wildly, since these sessions are intended to be a lighter, faster, more inclusive version of the Education Sessions held on the day before. The CWA is still collecting submissions and encourages interested attendees to apply here.

Three professionals networking and laughing on the Trade Show Floor
A new Trade Show Day Ticket this year makes the networking and learning on the Trade Show Floor accessible to more attendees at a reduced cost.

Pre-Conferences and Certifications

Continuing the focus on education, the CWA is offering several certification opportunities at this year’s CWA Summit, many of which are making their debut appearance. Pre-Conference Sessions are also returning this year. These in-depth workshops prioritize hands-on learning and are often conducted offsite.

Some of the certifications include:

  • Climbing Wall Instructor Provider
  • Work at Height Level 1, 2, and Provider
  • NEW – Professional Routesetting Direct Entry
A Climbing Wall Instructor Provider certification underway
Each year, the CWA Summit provides a chance to obtain certifications in key focus areas, such as climbing wall instruction and work at height, and this year there will also be professional routesetting certifications available.

How to Purchase Tickets

The CWA Summit is less than 75 days away. Ticket prices will increase soon, as will travel costs. If you’re planning to go, the time to lock in the lowest prices is now. Change can be uncomfortable, but as a recap:

  • The CWA will not be limiting sessions and will have the same average number of sessions as the last three events.
  • The Trade Show Day tickets present an opportunity to attend the CWA Summit for a lower cost, with the opportunity to have light education programming and meet with exhibitors from around the world.
  • The Women’s Fireside Chat will be returning this year, taking place on Friday.
  • The CWA’s opening Keynote Speaker has been announced. Sonnie Trotter, gym owner and Canadian standout rock climber, will be taking the stage.

You can purchase tickets here, and if you have any more questions, send them over to the CWA.


CBJ is the official media partner of the 2025 CWA Summit.

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Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!