FIFTH ANNUAL OUTDOOR ECONOMY SUMMIT AND MEMBER MEETING
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
NOVEMBER 2, 2023
HULA, 50 LAKESIDE DRIVE, BURLINGTON
workshops
Find full agenda and speakers here and review logistical details.
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10:15 - 11:30: Conservation, Recreation, and Business Collaborations for the Outdoors: 30 by 30 and Other Opportunities - REEF ROOM
Join this introductory conversation between Vermont’s conservation, recreation, and economy stakeholders which will foster relationship building and education through shared perspectives and identified synergy on values.
Hear from organizations about their missions and roles in projects, planning, and policymaking that address climate change and forest fragmentation by advancing goals in community resilience, biodiversity protection, and stewardship … and learn about ways that businesses can collaborate.
Lend your outdoor industry experiences on how businesses have managed and supported natural landscapes and recreation assets that are valued for biodiversity, access by Vermonters and visitors, and as business opportunities driving the rural economy.
Learn about organizing opportunities moving forward, specifically a public engagement process through 2025 that includes outreach to outdoor businesses in the development of a statewide plan for conserving 30% of Vermont’s lands and waters by 2030, as mandated by the Vermont Legislature.
The discussion will begin to identify areas of alignment between conservation, recreation, and economic interests and next steps towards consensus building to enable effective advocacy and partnerships in the future.
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10:15 - 11:30: Move Forward Together Vermont Business Conversation - ISTHMUS ROOM
Move Forward Together Vermont, is a groundbreaking planning process over the next year. This process is bringing together Vermont’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) with the VOREC Action Plan to develop a shared vision for Vermont’s outdoor recreation future and a set of priorities and action steps for the next five years. Outcomes will be used by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC), and partners like VOBA to guide decisions about where to focus capacity and resources across the outdoor recreation landscape.
Join FPR and VOREC for this conversation to learn more about opportunities for outdoor businesses to engage in the process and shape a framework for Vermont's outdoor industry. Lend your experiences and ideas on the following topics:
Public and private sector financing mechanisms to generate sustainable revenue sources for recreation and business infrastructure and initiatives.
Public and private sector marketing that promotes outdoor businesses and destinations through collaborative and individual efforts.
Partnerships on workforce development to support career pathways that advance employee recruitment and retention strategies.
Supports that advance business development strategies such as incentives, technical assistance, and financing for startups and enterprises led by under-represented communities.
The discussion will begin to identify: Opportunities to strengthen outdoor businesses; Measurable strategies that move the needle on economic development; and, Key business, government and multi-sector partnerships.
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1:30 - 2:45: Creative Ways to Generate and Amplify Brand Content - REEF ROOM
How do you build creative marketing campaigns and execute on them regardless of budget and size? How do you stay true to a brand identity, while also generating new content that pushes a brand forward? Join this workshop about storytelling, the logistics of creating diverse assets, and ways to get creative when it comes to tight budgets. A moderated panel conversation will generate ideas for extending the longevity of assets across multiple channels while continuing to nurture your core consumer.
Facilitated breakout sessions will take the topics further on best practices for working with athletes, ambassadors and influencers, public relations and affiliate marketing, brand positioning for the changing retail landscape, and more. Bring your experiences and ideas!
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1:30 - 2:45: Building Career Pathways and Businesses in Outdoor Communities - ISTHMUS ROOM
To remain competitive in a local and global marketplace, Vermont’s outdoor businesses need to recruit and retain a highly skilled and experienced workforce. Although finding talent has become increasingly difficult, companies anchored in Vermont’s outdoor communities are seeing workforce strategy as a successful business strategy.
Hear from Vermont industry leaders in retail, manufacturing, and trail building on their business development based in innovation, stewardship, and customer service and the opportunities for career pathways now and into the future. What practices and partnerships are working? What continues to be challenging? Learn about efforts and plans by education and businesses to develop and offer technical training as well as the allure of Vermont’s recreation places and outdoor culture in attracting professionals and building businesses.
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1:30 - 2:45: Advocating for Climate Resiliency in the Outdoor Sector - SUNSET ROOM
The outdoor industry lends an essential voice to policymaking on issues related to the outdoor economy. Join this workshop on ways that businesses and organizations have been involved in issues that affect their companies, employees, customers, and communities. Hear from businesses about their experiences advocating for flood recovery, conservation planning, recreation investments, and economic development.
Get a preview into the policy opportunities for the outdoor economy in 2024 in Congress and Vermont. Bring your ideas for breakout sessions that will inform a climate resiliency platform for the outdoor industry involving flood recovery and climate mitigation, entrepreneurship, career pathways and marketing, and conservation, recreation, and community investments.
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