JOIN VOBA
In 2018, a Steering Committee of outdoor businesses established the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) as a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening, expanding, attracting, and retaining outdoor recreation economy businesses in Vermont. Business roundtables around the state coalesced the sector around needs in financing, workforce, infrastructure, and branding.
Since then, VOBA’s 130 members and partners such as the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) have been behind VOBA's economic and social impact in building relationships, developing businesses, elevating the sector, advancing outdoor economy policy, and ensuring justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Looking ahead, we envision continued progress with VOBA's strategic priorities in networking and education, business collaborations, and growing companies and careers. To expand programming in the areas of VOBA's 3 - year strategic priorities and build a sustainable organization, VOBA relies on member contributions.
The FY25 membership cycle begins on July 1, 2024 and businesses, organizations, and individuals can join the growing network to help us reach a fundraising goal of $50,000. The increased membership levels below are suggested guidelines for the FY25 cycle (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) to work towards our fundraising goal of $50,000 to build a sustainable organization for the future.
Membership will provide: Entry to education and networking events; Access to data and stories demonstrating economic & social impact; Subscription to outdoor economy newsletter; Access to workforce and business development programming; Promotion opportunities; Connections with resources, services, and mentors; Involvement in climate resiliency, sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; Engagement with policymakers on key issues Participation in organizational decision making.
Join VOBA today via PayPal, by requesting an invoice at info@vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org, or by mailing a check to VOBA, 12 Hemlock Road, Middlesex VT 05602.
Thank you for the support and look forward to your involvement in VOBA.
TO JOIN VOBA
Payment options include:
Via PayPal
Credit card or ACH payment via online invoice (request here.)
Mailing a check to VOBA (request address here.)
VOBA’s annual membership cycle is from July 1 to June 30.
Members may join or renew at any point during the annual cycle, but need to be in good standing to participate in VOBA’s annual membership meeting.
VOBA is a registered Vermont nonprofit corporation and has filed for 501(c)3 status, therefore donations may qualify as charitable deductions for federal income tax purposes.
An invoice or receipt can be provided upon request.
Outdoor businesses, organizations, education, funders, and state agencies gathered for VOBA’s Fourth Annual Meeting and Outdoor Economy Sessions at HULA in Burlington in 2022 to envision Vermont’s future outdoor economy.
VOBA ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In FY24, many sector accomplishments were made possible with VOBA support and the engagement of VOBA's 130 member network, including:
130 businesses, organizations, service providers, and educators joined VOBA, benefitting from networking, education, and business development services;
50 businesses reported over $6 million in flood impact last July and were supported by VOBA in navigating and advocating for financial assistance;
150 businesses, organizations and policymakers attended the fifth annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit and Membership Meeting where VOBA awarded the third annual Trailblazer Award;
Participated in state and national meetings and worked with the media to highlight the growing outdoor economy;
85 participated in the first-ever Outdoor Recreation Day at the State House, followed by Tourism Economy Day;
$5 million was appropriated to the state's Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program, the PFAS bill passed the legislature, 30 x 30 industry focus groups were held, and an outdoor economic impact study proposal advanced after businesses and VOBA staff testified and weighed in to policymakers;
100 attendees of Destiny Unbound supported VOBA's fundraising event for equity and climate resiliency raised $4500 for diversity organizations and was sponsored by 20 companies;
15 gear, apparel and accessory manufacturers received direct business and marketing technical assistance and 30 vendors showcased Vermont-made products at the 3rd annual Vermont Gear Makers Festival;
50 outdoor businesses and educators participated in Move Forward Together Vermont industry forums;
12 bike mechanics completed new professional development courses co-designed and co-instructed by 10 bike shops;
12 trail builders completed new professional development courses co-designed and co-instructed by 4 trail builder employers;
10 business leaders and VOBA staff presented at spring conferences and on panels moderated by VOBA; and,
25 partnerships were strengthened between industry and recreation, conservation, equity organizations, education institutions, funders and service providers, and state entities and agencies around strengthening the outdoor economy.