Mark Webb, also known as Troopbiz, has been part of the geocaching community since age 8. This year, he led the team behind GeoWoodstock XXI (GCANXX1) in Morgantown, West Virginia—the second-ever Giga-Event in the United States.

We caught up with Mark to hear about his journey from geo-teen to award-winning Event host, his tips for building community, and what’s next for him in geocaching.

First things first: if you were a cache type, what cache type would you be and why?

I would describe my caching style as a bit of a mystery. It’s always something different, and you never really know what you’re getting into (until it’s too late to turn back, of course). I love a good puzzle, especially ones that spark collaborations between other cachers. Most of my best friends were formed through Mystery Caches!

Back in 2016, you wrote a guest blog about what it was like being a ‘geo-teen.’ Looking back, how has your experience of geocaching changed as you’ve grown up?

Geocaching has been fundamental in becoming the person I am today. From printing out cache pages and handwriting notes in 2009 to searching for new caches on the fly with a smartphone, it’s fun to see how the game has evolved and changed.

When I was younger, I would browse the map constantly looking for new adventures and dream of the day I could tackle these caches for myself. Today, I still have the same wanderlust and rugged determination, but it’s sure a lot easier with a driver’s license and the ability to book a plane ticket. Geocaching has taken me to a lot of unique places that I never would have explored otherwise, and I think I’m a lot more well-rounded because of it! I can’t imagine my life without geocaching.

What first sparked your interest in hosting a massive Event like GeoWoodstock XXI?

I attended my first GeoWoodstock Event in 2012 on the banks of the Louisville River. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of attending dozens of Mega-sized gatherings, and I’m always blown away by the passion of different caching communities across the US. It’s amazing to see how different areas welcome cachers to their hometown and highlight everything that makes it unique. Being a West Virginia native, I know what we have in the Mountain State is special, and oftentimes, it’s misunderstood or underrepresented. There is a reason West Virginia is known as ‘Almost Heaven,’ and I wanted to showcase the world-class caching opportunities we have here to a global audience. What better way to do that than to host GeoWoodstock?!

What are a few highlights from GeoWoodstock XXI? (The planning of it, or the Event itself!)

We had an amazing, dedicated team helping organize GeoWoodstock XXI, and I worked closely with most of them every day. Whether it was hosting ambassador events, building the website and graphics, or prepping SWAG packages, the Event wouldn’t have been possible without the talent and dedication of so many geocachers.

I recently attended the Governor’s Conference for Tourism and had the opportunity to speak about GeoWoodstock XXI. The response was very positive, with several businesses and lodging partners telling me how much the Event helped their business. They were excited about the impact we made and can’t wait to welcome the geocaching community back to Morgantown.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about hosting a big geocaching Event?

With a background in marketing and tourism, I know that connections are essential. A big geocaching Event depends on strong communications and resources, so don’t hesitate to reach out. There are people (yes, even muggles) who are as excited as you are to welcome the geocaching community to your town. Contact your local convention and visitors bureaus, reach out to local businesses, and partner with hotels – trust me, it goes a long way.

What’s next for you in geocaching—any new goals, projects, or Events on the horizon?

I’ve been enjoying a much-needed reset following the excitement of GeoWoodstock XXI, and have had the opportunity to do a lot more caching personally. That said, I’m excited to create another memorable experience for the geocaching community. I believe West Virginia is the perfect place for a new annual Mega-Event that celebrates exploration, collaboration, and, of course, a bit of puzzling. Stay tuned for an announcement from the hosts of GeoWoodstock XXI in the new year.

Anything else you want to add?

Geocaching has always been a game created by the community, for the community. I want to thank everyone who helped host GeoWoodstock XXI and Events everywhere. Much of the work happens behind the scenes and often goes unnoticed, it makes a big difference. This game wouldn’t be what it is without dedicated community members like you. If you’re thinking about hosting a big Event, go for it! It’s the honor of a lifetime to give back to this game, and you won’t regret it.

If you enjoyed this Q&A, you may be interested to read more interviews with cache owners, Mega-Event hosts, and geocaching community volunteers that bring geocaching to life.