Fifth Annual Outdoor Economy Summit and member Meeting
10:00 Am - 5:00 pm

November 2, 2023

HULA, 50 lakeside drive, burlington

AGENDA

Read about the workshops and review logistical details.

10:00 Coffee & Networking

10:15 - 11:30 Re-Create the Outdoor Economy: Forums (see descriptions)

Conservation, Recreation, and Business Collaborations for the Outdoors: 30 by 30 and Other Opportunities - REEF ROOM

  • Moderator: Drew Simmons, Principal, Pale Morning Media

  • Presenters:

    • Nick Bennette, Executive Director, Vermont Mountain Bike Association & Co-Chair, Vermont Trails and Greenways Council

    • Shelby Semmes, Vice President New England Region, TheTrust for Public Land

    • Jamey Fidel, Forest and Wildlife Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council & Forest Partnership

    • Trey Martin, Director of Conservation and Rural Community Development, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Move Forward Together Vermont Business Conversation - ISTHMUS ROOM

  • Presenters:

    • Jackie Dagger, Program Manager, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative

    • Claire Polfus, Recreation Program Manager, Vermont Dept of Forests, Parks and Recreation

  • Breakout Facilitators:

    • Courtney Laggner, Brand & Community Marketing Manager, Darn Tough Vermont & VOBA Board Director

    • Miguel Reda, VOBA Board Director

11:30 Coffee & Networking

12:00 Welcome & VOBA Reflections - REEF ROOM

  • Presenters:

    • Lucia Campriello, Chief Growth Officer, HULA

    • Wendy Knight, VOBA Board Vice-Chair

    • Introduction to the Governor: Kelly Ault, Executive Director, VOBA

12:15 Remarks from Governor Phil Scott

12:30 - 1:10 Re-Create the Outdoor Economy: Panel

  • Moderator: Adam Howard, Editor and Publisher, Height of Land Publications

  • Panelists:

    • Nate Formalarie, Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Agency of Commerce and Community Development

    • Randy Elles, Brand Director, First Stop Board Barn

    • Weiwei Wang, Executive Director, Community and Policy, Vermont Professionals of Color Network

    • Claire Zhu, Founder, Hootie Hoo

1:10 - 1:20

  • Land Acknowledgement, Miguel Reda, VOBA Board Director

  • VOBA Board Elections, Kelly Ault, Executive Director, VOBA

1:30 - 2:45 Re-Create the Outdoor Economy: Workshops (see descriptions)

Creative Ways to Generate and Amplify Brand Content - REEF ROOM

  • Moderator: Katie Flagg, President, Press Forward

  • Panelists:

    • Andrea Charest, Co-Owner, Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School and Mammut Athlete

    • Corinne Prevot, Founder, Skida & VOBA Board Director

    • Julia Zema, Brand Marketing and Operations Manager, The Orvis Company

  • Breakout Facilitators:

    • Louise Lintilhac, Senior Account Manager, Press Forward

    • Sasha Dietschi-Cooper, Owner, Method Outdoor Collective

    • Heidi Krantz, Business Advisor, Vermont Small Business Development Center

Building Career Pathways and Businesses in Outdoor Communities - ISTHMUS ROOM

  • Moderator: Ann Nygard, Director, Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Vermont State University

  • Panelists:

    • Amy Alton, Principal, M.E.T. Consulting, Inc.

    • Doug Stewart, Retail Manager, Skirack

    • Mariah Keagy, Owner, Sinuosity Flowing Trails

    • Benjamin Grenon, General Manager, Mavic

Advocating for Climate Resiliency Policy in the Outdoor Economy - SUNSET ROOM (we regret that this room is not ADA Accessible)

  • Moderator: Jill Sudhoff-Guerin, Owner, Maidstone Public Relations

  • Congressional, State, and Business Presenters:

    • Will Stevens, Outreach Representative, US Senator Bernie Sanders

    • Fauna Hurley, Business Liaison, Office of US Senator Peter Welch

    • Morgan Nichols, Community Liaison and Constituent Services Representative, Congresswoman Becca Balint

    • Becca Washburn, Director, Lands Administration and Recreation Division, Dept of Forest, Parks and Recreation

    • Yva Rose, Owner, Lamoille Valley Bike Tours

  • Breakout Facilitators:

    • Kristin Warner, Public Policy Manager, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility

    • Christina Ericson, Executive Director, Local Motion

3:00 Remarks from Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak - REEF ROOM

  • Introduction: TJ Whalen, General Partner and Managing Director, FreshTracks Capital, VOBA Board Director

3:30 Third Annual Trailblazer Legacy Award Celebration - REEF ROOM

  • Emcee: Lisa Lynn, Editor, Vermont Sports & Vermont Ski+Ride Magazines, VOBA Board Secretary

  • Recipient: Johannes von Trapp, President, Trapp Family Lodge

3:55 Closing Acknowledgements - Chris Fidler, Vice President of Global Merchandising, Burton Snowboards

4:00 Networking Reception by The Spot - REEF ROOM

10:00 - 4:00 Gear and Clothing Repair Station by The Sandbox - LOBBY

Bring your outdoor gear and clothing in need of repair to the Summit and staff from The Sandbox, a no-bounds creator space that promotes sustainable action through creativity, community and curated experiences, will fix it onsite for a fee. Straightforward repairs such as jacket and pant holes, backpack mends, and zipper fixes can be picked up by 4:00 pm, where complicated repairs or those requiring parts will be taken to The Sandbox for later pick up. The Sandbox offers ongoing workshops and pop-up events tailored to team’s sustainability missions, as well as the space to create custom product partnerships.