Meeting/Event Information

PMI OKC 2026 Annual Event

📅 November 4th, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM CST
📍 Devon Boathouse: 608 Riversport Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73129

Join the PMI Oklahoma City Chapter for our 2026 Annual Meeting as we celebrate another year of our project management community and explore one of the most exciting initiatives happening in Oklahoma City, preparing to host canoe slalom and kayak cross events for the LA28 Olympic Games! The evening will bring together project professionals for networking, dinner, professional insights, chapter recognition, and celebration.

Our featured speaker, Michael Knopp, Founder of RIVERSPORT Foundation, will take attendees behind the scenes of the journey to bring Olympic competition to Oklahoma City. Drawing from his leadership in transforming the Oklahoma River and developing RIVERSPORT into an internationally recognized watersports destination, Mike will share insights into the vision, complex project execution, strategic partnerships, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term planning required to turn an ambitious vision into reality.

The evening will also celebrate the accomplishments of the PMI OKC community, recognize our outstanding volunteers and leaders, highlight the Chapter's progress throughout 2026, and look ahead to the opportunities and priorities shaping PMI OKC in 2027.

Registration Includes:

• Dinner featuring steak and chicken fajitas with accompaniments

• 1 Adult Drink Ticket (Beer or Wine)

• Tea and water

• Networking with project management professionals from across the Oklahoma City metro area

• Featured presentation from Michael Knopp

• Chapter awards and volunteer recognition

• Complimentary parking

Participants Will Leave With the Ability To:

• Understand how complex, high-visibility projects move from vision to execution through strategic planning, disciplined project delivery, and long-term leadership.

• Recognize the role of stakeholder alignment and strategic partnerships in bringing together corporate, civic, community, and public-sector organizations around a shared objective.

• Apply lessons from Oklahoma City’s preparation for the LA28 Olympic Games to managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant organizational impact.

• Identify how project leaders can translate ambitious ideas into measurable outcomes by building organizational support, securing resources, managing dependencies, and maintaining focus on the long-term vision.

• Explore how transformational projects can create lasting organizational and community value beyond the completion of individual deliverables or events.

Key Learning Outcomes: 

1. Unwavering Perseverance: Understand how relentless persistence overcomes complex obstacles, bureaucratic hurdles, and high-stakes setbacks during large-scale bidding and planning.

2. Relational Trust & Partnership: Discover strategic approaches for building authentic relationships, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and establishing trust among diverse stakeholders.

3. Excellence & Flawless Execution: Learn actionable practices for maintaining an uncompromising commitment to quality and ensuring strict follow-through from initial strategy to project completion.

🔹 About the Speaker:

Michael Knopp is the Founder of RIVERSPORT Foundation and the visionary leader behind the development of Oklahoma City's rowing, paddling, and watersports community. His passion for rowing and paddling, combined with a vision for bringing national and international sporting events to the Oklahoma River, has helped transform the area into the Boathouse District and establish Oklahoma City as a nationally and internationally recognized destination for watersports.

Originally a practicing attorney, Mike left his legal career in 2003 to establish Oklahoma City University's varsity rowing program and serve as Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation. By bringing together corporate, civic, and community leaders, he has led numerous transformational initiatives along the Oklahoma River, including the development of the Chesapeake Boathouse, the $10 million Devon Boathouse and OKC National High Performance Center, the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower, RIVERSPORT Adventures, and Oklahoma City's $45 million RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater rafting and kayaking center.

Under Mike's leadership, Oklahoma City has hosted numerous national and international competitions, including U.S. Olympic Trials, national championships in rowing and canoe/kayak, the International Canoe Federation Marathon World Championship, and the globally televised ICF Super Cup. His leadership also helped RIVERSPORT earn designation as an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site in rowing and canoe/kayak.

Most recently, Mike led the effort to secure RIVERSPORT, in partnership with LA28, as the venue for canoe slalom and kayak cross events during the 2028 Olympic Games, representing another major milestone in Oklahoma City's emergence as an international sports destination. He is also leading RIVERSPORT America, an initiative focused on expanding rowing and paddlesports into communities beyond Oklahoma City as part of the Olympic legacy.

Throughout his career, Mike has received numerous honors recognizing his leadership and community impact, including the USRowing Jack Kelly Award, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Appreciation Award, Oklahoma Bar Association Trailblazer Award, Visit OKC Hometown Hero Award, recognition among the Journal Record's Most Influential Leaders in Oklahoma, and induction into the Northwest Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Hall of Honor.

Mike earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Oklahoma State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma. Today, his work continues to bring together strategic vision, community partnerships, major capital development, and complex project execution to strengthen Oklahoma City's position on the national and international stage.

Ticket Prices:

PMI OKC Member: $50

Guest of Member: $50

Non-Member: $75

Disclaimer:

Project Management Institute, Oklahoma City Chapter (PMI OKC) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at an event sponsored by PMI OKC, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. PMI OKC may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by PMI OKC including but not limited to social media, brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc.

To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian.

A person attending a PMI OKC event who does not wish to have their image recorded for distribution should make their wishes known to the photographer, and/or the event organizers, and/or contact PMI OKC Communications, in writing of his/her intentions and include a photograph. PMI OKC will use the photo for identification purposes and will hold it in confidence.

By participating in a PMI OKC event or by failing to notify PMI OKC, in writing, your desire to not have your photograph used by PMI OKC, you are agreeing to release, defend, hold harmless and indemnify PMI OKC from any and all claims involving the use of your picture or likeness.

Any person or organization not affiliated with PMI OKC may not use, copy, alter or modify PMI OKC photographs, graphics, videography or other, similar reproductions or recordings without the advance written permission of an authorized designee from PMI OKC.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!