Spring News

Spring brings many opportunities for Vermont’s outdoor recreation businesses to participate in the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA). Read below for details on VOBA’s activities dedicated to strengthening, expanding, attracting, and retaining outdoor recreation economy businesses in Vermont.

VOBA IN THE NEWS

Check out VOBA’s press release and related stories published in Vermont Business Magazine, Vermont Sports, VT Digger, SGB Media, and Shop Eat Surf, among other Vermont sources.

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GET INVOLVED IN VOBA 

For information on any of the following activities, click here or see contact information below.

VOBA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WORK GROUP

Contacts: Justin Worthley, Burton Snowboards at JustinW@burton.com and Corinne Prevot, Skida at corinne@shopskida.com

Bring your ideas to VOBA’s Workforce Development Work Group, which is exploring approaches to: researching the outdoor recreation industry need for current and future jobs and skills; identifying career pathways; and, expanding funding for training and employment programs.

VOBA SECTOR BRANDING WORK GROUP
Contacts: Lisa Lynn, VT Ski+Ride & Vermont Sports at lisa.lynn@vtsports.com and Josh Pombar, Turtle Fur at jpombar@turtlefur.com

Bring your ideas to VOBA’s Sector Branding Work Group, which is focused on communications, branding and media efforts to elevate Vermont’s outdoor recreation industry, as well as the following initiatives:

Vermont Outdoor Recreation Industry Summit
Join other businesses in planning a statewide summit in the fall of 2019 for Vermont’s outdoor recreation sector. This education and networking event will feature strategies in the areas of financing, workforce development, infrastructure, and sector branding.

Vermont Pavilion at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Show
Join other Vermont businesses in having a presence at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Show this June 18-20 in Denver, Colorado. VOBA is working with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development in showcasing 5-7 outdoor recreation brands in a Vermont pavilion.

Vermont Outdoor Recreation Marketing Partnership
Join other businesses in sharing images and video with the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing for marketing Vermont’s outdoor recreation resources and brands.
 
VOBA FINANCING WORK GROUP
Contact: Lindsay DesLauriers, Bolton Valley Resort at lmdboltonvalley@gmail.com
Is your company currently seeking equity or investment? Join VOBA in matching outdoor recreation businesses with investors or sources of capital. 

VOBA INFRASTRUCTURE WORK GROUP
Contact: Mark Yardley, Darn Tough at myardley@darntough.com
Help identify resources that are available to support Vermont outdoor recreation start up and growth companies for a VOBA Blueprint.

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VOBA ROUNDTABLES

VOBA Spring Roundtable – 6/5

Mark your calendar for the spring VOBA Roundtable scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm (location TBD). Check back for details.

2019 Roundtable Recap
In March 2019, close to 50 Vermont outdoor recreation industry representatives attended the second VOBA Roundtable in Killington. A panel of business leaders shared their experience being located in Vermont and identified challenges and opportunities for the sector. Break out discussions led to ideas for VOBA initiatives in the areas of financing, workforce development, infrastructure, and sector branding.  

Speakers include:

·       Rich McCoy, Director of Operations, Pico Mountain; Director of Summer Operations, Killington

·       Randy Elles, Brand Director, First Stop, Board Barn 

·       Brooke Scatchard, Owner, Sinuosity: Flowing Trails, Fat Bike Skis

·       Amelia Leme, Owner, Mana Threads 

·       Brett Long, Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Department of Economic Development 

·       Grover Usilton, Senior Vice President, National Bank of Middlebury

·       Hal Ellms, Owner, Pinnacle Outdoor Group

Thank you to our event sponsors: Killington Resort, Darn Tough, CycleWise, and Fat Tire.

2018 Roundtable Recap

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In November 2018, over 50 industry representatives attended the first VOBA Roundtable in Burlington. A panel of experts shared stories about doing outdoor recreation business in Vermont and identified challenges and opportunities for the sector. A discussion led to ideas for VOBA initiatives that can advance needs for financing, workforce development, infrastructure, and sector branding.

Speakers included:

  • Michael Snyder, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation

  • Lindsay DesLauriers, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Bolton Valley Resort

  • TJ Whalen, Managing Director, FreshTracks Capital

  • Justin Worthley, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Burton Snowboards

  • Corinne Prevot, Chief Executive Officer, Skida

  • Walter Frame, Executive Vice President, Trapp Family Lodge

  • Steve Charest, Co-Owner, Head Guide, Petra Cliffs

  • Drew Simmons, President, Pale Morning Media

  • Mark Yardley, Vice President of Sales, Darn Tough Vermont

Thank you to our event sponsors: Pizza44, Foam Brewing, Darn Tough, and Hula.

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