VOBA Hosts Outdoor Innovation Showcase at Burton Snowboards

On Thursday, August 21st at 3pm, the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) will partner with the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) and Burton Snowboards to provide a firsthand look at innovation in action at one of Vermont’s most iconic outdoor companies.

VOBA’s Outdoor Innovation Showcase will bring together outdoor industry leaders, policymakers, and changemakers to highlight sustainable and circular business solutions and visionary projects shaping our outdoor future. In addition to speakers from VOBA, VOREC, and Burton, attendees will hear from Turtle Fur, BirdieBlue, and The Sandbox.

Vermont’s $2.1 billion outdoor economy is a highly diversified sector that includes manufacturers, retailers, resorts, recreation facilities, lodging, trail builders, marinas, watersports operators, guide services, photographers, educators, and more. The Showcase is the first of VOBA’s five-event series that is designed to strengthen the sector through leadership, innovation, and resource-sharing.

“Right now, Vermont businesses are facing significant headwinds, with climate change, fluctuating trade policy and tourist visitation, we need collaboration and connection more than ever. Burton is happy to open our doors and share the work we have done to foster sustainability and innovation while continuing to meet the needs of our customers,” said Emily Foster, Director of Sustainability, Burton Snowboards.

The Outdoor Innovation Showcase and other events connect to key themes of Move Forward Together Vermont (MFTV); our state’s strategic vision for Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy led by VOREC in partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

“Fostering innovation, sustainability and circularity in Vermont’s outdoor business sector is essential to MFTV’s vision and connects to core components of the plan that include our shared goal of climate resilience and themes of stewardship and economic development. VOREC is excited to engage the industry in this state-wide plan and encourage partnerships with stakeholders across a variety of sectors to build healthy and vibrant communities through outdoor recreation.” said Jackie Dagger, Program Manager, VOREC.

Vermonters interested in learning more about the outdoor economy can register for the 8/21 Innovation Showcase and other events in the VOBA series, including:

• 9/3 Outdoor Equity Partnerships at Otter View Park and American Flatbread in Middlebury;

• 9/25 Outdoor Career Pathways Meet-Up at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier;

• 10/21 ClimateReadyVT Workshop in partnership with Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility at Bolton Valley Resort; and the

• 11/13 Seventh Annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit at Burke Mountain Resort sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Departments of Economic Development and Tourism and Marketing, VOREC, Northern Border Regional Commission, Cabot Hosiery Mills, Vermont Economic Development Authority, and Vermont Community Loan Fund.