Sixth Annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit and Member Meeting
Tuesday, November 12 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Woodstock Inn and Resort in Woodstock, Vermont
Register for VOBA's sixth annual gathering bringing together 150 outdoor businesses, organizations, education and service providers, funders, and policymakers from around the state for networking, education, and business development.
SEE the full summit schedule below.
click here for workshop descriptions and speakers.
click here for registrant LOGISTICS and maps.
8:00 - 9:00 Mt Peg Hike (Self-organized- meet in Ballroom Foyer)
8:45 - 9:15 Networking Coffee, Ballroom Foyer
9:15 - 9:30 Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, Member Elections, Ballroom
Kelly Ault, Executive Director, Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance & Miguel Reda VOBA Board Member
Matt Closter, Director of Golf and Ski Operations, Woodstock Inn & Resort
Danielle Fitzko, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
9:30 - 10:00 Industry Panel: Innovation and Impact for VTs Future Outdoor Industry, Ballroom (see description & speakers)
10:00 - 10:30 4th Annual Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award, Ballroom
Introduction by Lisa Lynn, Editor and Co-Publisher, Vermont Sports & VT Ski+Ride Magazines
Mike Solimano, President and General Manager, Killington Resort and Pico Mountain
10:30 - 11:00 Keynote Speaker, Ballroom
Introduction by Courtney Laggner, Communications & Community Manager, Darn Tough Vermont
Mirna Valerio, Vermont athlete, diversity educator and brand ambassador
11:15 - 12:30 Workshops (see descriptions & speakers)
Financing the Outdoor Sector: From Start Up to Succession, Ballroom
Outdoor Policy: Conservation, Housing and Recreation, Garden Terrace
Move Forward Together Vermont: Vision for Vermont’s Outdoor Economy, Wilder Room
12:30 - 1:30 Networking Lunch & Programming (see descriptions & speakers)
Introduction by Heather Pelham, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
Outdoor Industry and Participation Data, Ballroom
Fly casting with Orvis Adventures and the Woodstock Inn Outdoor Center, South Garden
1:30 - 2:45 Workshops (see descriptions & speakers)
Outdoor Industry and Community Hubs: Fostering Non-Profit Partnerships, Accessibility and Local Economic Development, Ballroom
Outdoor Workforce: Pathways to a Skilled and Climate-Ready Sector, Garden Terrace
Outdoors Marketing: Storytelling and Tools for Branding People, Place and Products, Wilder Room
3:00 - 3:55 First Annual Outdoor Pitch Fest, Ballroom
Emcee: Simeon Chapin, Founder, Simeon Chapin Consultancy
3:55 - 4:00 Closing Acknowledgements, Ballroom
4:00 - 5:00 Networking Reception, Ballroom Foyer
