To the Fans, Friends, and Family of Big Sky PBR and Wildlands Festival,
On behalf of all of us at Outlaw Partners, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make this summer at the Big Sky Events Arena not only a resounding success, but an unforgettable celebration of community, culture, and purpose.
Across 16 events, we welcomed over 30,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 1,000 cities—and together, we created something truly special.
From our tireless staff and generous sponsors, to the world-class athletes, musicians, vendors, first responders, and the local community that hosted and supported this effort: thank you. You showed Montana hospitality at its finest.
What unfolded over those magical nights in July and August will be remembered for a lifetime: epic bull rides under rainbow-filled skies, the roar of 4,000 fans cheering on young mutton busters, and the extraordinary musical talents of Molly Tuttle, Lukas Nelson, their bands, and the legendary Dave Matthews, who delivered a once-in-a-generation performance.
There’s a belief we carry at Outlaw: when you bring the right people together with passion and purpose, amazing energy creates magic moments. And this summer proved it true.
That final 8 seconds of the PBR Championship round—91 points, a winning ride, the crowd erupting beneath the Montana sky—was pure drama. And days later, under that same sky, Dave Matthews collaborating with Lukas and Molly to craft a setlist that many fans called one of the finest DMB performances in 35 years… that was music history.
The traveling production crews were in awe of Big Sky—our kindness, our vibe, and our natural beauty. Fans who came from all over the country called the Big Sky Events Arena one of the most breathtaking venues they’ve ever experienced, and many have already promised to return.
But beyond the spectacle, it was the simple moments that resonated most: watching families and friends celebrate together, raising a toast to the western rodeo life, or singing in unison beneath a star-filled sky. These are the memories that fill my heart and soul—and remind me why we do what we do.
These events marked a pivotal moment for our company and our town. We came together, and we delivered. Flawlessly.
And the most powerful result? Together, we raised over $2.2 million for charity. That’s a record-setting figure that will support over 20 local and regional nonprofits. A special thanks to the Dave Matthews family and crew for their extraordinary $650,000 matching donation—a humbling show of kindness and belief in this platform.
To everyone who gave—from large gifts to small donations—know that your generosity mattered. It took thousands of hearts and wallets to build this moment, and we are deeply grateful.
And to our incredible Outlaw Partners staff and subcontractors: thank you. Your early mornings, long days, and late nights did not go unnoticed. Your dedication, professionalism, and relentless hustle were the backbone of everything we accomplished. You are a valued and essential part of this team, and I am proud to stand alongside you.
Big Sky, you’ve proven that we can do good while having the time of our lives. I’ll close with a quote that captures the spirit of what we’ve built here:
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King
With heartfelt thanks and pride,
Eric Ladd
Founder & CEO, Outlaw Partners
