Presentimg Aurora Summit 21! A live, in-person conference to be held in northern Wisconsin!
Events | Schedule | Guide | Press | FAQ | Slideshow | Get Involved | Gear | Resources | Contact Us
Welcome to the Aurora Summit!
Welcome to the Aurora Summit: Celebrating the Art, Culture, Science, and Photography of the Aurora Borealis!
The Aurora Summit is the leading conference on Northern Lights in the U.S., offering presentations on the Northern Lights, Photography and Night Sky Adventures. Aurora Summit 21 will take place from Nov. 5 - 7, 2021, in Washburn, Wisconsin.
Join us for an exciting weekend on Lake Superior's shore chasing the Aurora!
Register by Oct. 1, 2021. Please note, all payments are processed by Co-Founder Dixie J. Burbank.
For the full schedule, visit: TheAuroraSummit.com
Grab Your Gear and Look North!
Held at the Harbor View Event Center & The Washburn Inn, the 4th Annual Aurora Summit is packed with awesome opportunities!
The venue is located on Lake Superior's South Shore, with stunning beaches near the property. From the moment you arrive, you'll find countless ways to admire nature, enjoy photography, and make new connections.
Whether you enjoy the educational sessions, spend your nights watching the sky, or relax along the majestic northern forests and beaches, you're sure to have a great time. Take a look!
Be Part of the Adventure
Aurora Summit 21 will feature a variety of activities related to the Northern Lights, bringing in nationally known experts to shine new light on this rare phenomenon.
Part conference and part star party, the Aurora Summit attracts people from all experience levels, inviting guests to be part of the adventure! Activities include:
• Educational Sessions
• Panel Discussion
• Aurora Chasing Travelogue
• Banquet Featuring the Aurora Slideshow
• Hands-on Demonstrations
• Aurora swag!
As part of the summit, breakout sessions will be offered on topics related to Aurora Borealis and Night Sky Photography. Breakouts are rated Beginner (B), Intermediate (I) or Advanced (A). Visit the website for details. Some events may be subject to change.
The summit opens with registration at 2pm on Friday, and closes with a farewell on Sunday morning. For the full schedule, visit TheAuroraSummit.com. Details will be updated as soon as possible.
Educational Sessions & Photography Clinics
Learn the basics and advanced techniques for astrophotography and using cameras to photograph phenomena in the night sky. The educational sessions will include:
• Aurora Forecasting with the Upper Midwest Aurora Chasers
• Camera settings at night
• Shooting Aurora and the Milky Way
• Photo composition for astrophotographers
• Aurora and Astrotourism Travelogue
• Aurora Forecasting with the Upper Midwest Aurora Chasers
• Advanced astrophotography topics like tracking and stacking
• Legends of space and space weather
• Night photography clinics
The sessions may be subject to change, as we plan the conference during changing times. However, we know these topics and more will be covered!
Opportunities After Hours
If you're interested, you can enjoy other activities on your own, before and after each conference day. Opportunities after hours include:
• Night Photography
• Aurora Chasing
• Light Painting
• Sunrise or Sunset Photography on Lake Superior's South Shore
Due to the risks involved, we will not offer live Steel Wool Spinning as part of this event. Don't miss this chance to enjoy a weekend packed with events featuring Aurora and the Night Sky!
The Banquet & Aurora Slideshow
Come as you are! The banquet is held on Saturday night in a beautiful setting, and we don't consider it a formal occasion. It offers a casual evening and a great opportunity to connect and share your experiences! The banquet includes:
• Keynote Speaker Marybeth Kiczenski
• Aurora Slideshow, featuring your submissions
• Gourmet dinner with dessert
• Bar service will be available at an added cost
** The meals will be catered by local restaurants, so we can not accomodate all dietary restrictions. Vegetarian options will be available at every meal.
Summit Perks and Apparel
Take advantage of all that we have to offer at the Aurora Summit! As a registered guest, we invite you to:
• COMING SOON! Order apparel and gear before the conference
• Submit a photo to the Aurora Slideshow
• Get involved in one of many ways, from sponsors and vendors to panelists and volunteers
• Find Resources about Astrophotography and the Northern Lights
• Engage with us using hashtag #AuroraSummit21 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
For more information, visit TheAuroraSummit.com.
Lodging & Camping
Guests are responsible for booking their own lodging. Rooms at the host hotel will sell out fast! We've reserved a block of rooms at The Washburn Inn, at a discount for Aurora Summit guests.
Our conference will be at the Harborview Event Center across the parking lot from the host hotel, The Washburn Inn. With a beautiful view of the Historic Washburn Marina on Lake Superior's South Shore, The Washburn Inn typically has 35 rooms available. To secure your room, call today and mention the Aurora Summit to get the conference rate.
Host Hotel: The Washburn Inn
128 Harborview Dr
Washburn, WI 54891
(715) 373-5671
Rooms have 1 or 2 queen beds and are typical hotel accommodations with no kitchenettes.
North Coast Inn and Chalet
26 W. Bayfield St
Washburn, WI
715-373-5512
This is a budget option with 1 queen, 2 queens, or a room with a kitchenette. The chalet is located about 2 blocks away from the event center.
The Quality Inn
30600 US 2
Ashland, WI 54806
715-682-5235
Room prices differ based on view. Offering more amenties including free breakfast and a pool, this hotel is located about 15 minutes from the event center. A room block will be reserved for The Aurora Summit, which should be released 30 days prior to the event.
To get a discount, call your hotel of choice and mention the "Aurora Summit." There are many other hotels and lodging options in the area. The listed rates are subject to a resort service and state sales tax.
Make your reservations soon! The Aurora Summit takes place in a popular tourism destination, and the rooms may be released to the public one month before the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read the FAQ, please visit TheAuroraSummit.com.
An event hosted by Mike Shaw Photography.
#AuroraSummit21