Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economy Summit
2030: Creating a Vibrant Outdoor Recreation Economy Culture
Co-Hosted by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance and Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative
Friday, October 18, 2019 at Bolton Valley Resort
Photos credit: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur and Gold Wing Photography
Read the Summit Report. Find photo captions on Facebook. Click highlighted headings in the agenda below for panel videos.
SUMMIT AGENDA
10:45 am – 11:30 am Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance Membership Meeting
12:00 pm – 12:15 pm Welcome & Opening Remarks
Lindsay DesLauriers, President, Bolton Valley Resort
Michael Snyder, Commissioner, Vermont Forest, Parks and Recreation; Chair, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative
Tim Ashe, Senate Pro Tem, Vermont Legislature
Kelly Ault, Executive Director, Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm Keynote Panel
“How to build a brand, culture, and community in Vermont”
The founders and leaders behind Vermont’s most iconic outdoor recreation manufacturers will describe what it has been like to grow a business in the Green Mountain State over the decades. They will share strategies for building a “culture” within their brands and how interlinking with Vermont's communities and recreation has been key to success.
Moderator: Lisa Lynn, Vice-President, Addison Press; Publisher, VT Sports, VT SKI + RIDE
Panelists:
Ric Cabot, President, CEO, Cabot Hosiery Mills; Founder, Darn Tough
Justin Worthley, Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources, Burton Snowboards
Frazier Blair, The Orvis Company, Vice President General Merchandise Manager
Michael Jager, Chief Creative Officer, Solidarity of Unbridled Labour
1:15 pm – 2:45 pm Breakout Session #1: Infrastructure/Stewardship
“How world-class infrastructure/stewardship gets built ... and builds culture”
This session will feature a panel discussion, spotlighting success stories from some of the state's premier resources, showcasing how a vibrant culture helps build those resources and how those resources, in turn, build a vibrant economy and culture.
Moderator: Abby Long, Executive Director, Kingdom Trails
Panelists:
Mariah Keagy, Trail Builder, Designer, Sinuosity
Mike DeBonis, Executive Director, Green Mountain Club
Karrie Thomas, Executive Director, Northern Forest Canoe Trail
Zac Freeman, Board Member, Rochester/Randolph Area Sports Trail Alliance (RASTA)
Cindy Locke, Executive Director, Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST)
1:15 pm – 2:45 pm Breakout Session #2: Workforce
“How to attract and retain employees for the next generation of Vermont’s outdoor recreation businesses”
The diversity of Vermont’s outdoor recreation industry will require a more skilled workforce in the coming years. Participants of this session will learn how the Vermont Talent Pipeline process develops a career path for the industry, both for entry and upskilling leadership positions. Small groups will work towards consensus on “critical” positions as part of a career ladder, both in number and importance. Session outcomes will lead to employer collaboration to forecast hiring demand and define competencies and credentials.
Facilitators:
Mary Anne Sheahan, Executive Director, Vermont Talent Pipeline Management
Justin Worthley, Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources, Burton Snowboards
Corinne Prevot, Founder, CEO, Skida
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Breakout Session #3: Conservation
“How conservation creates positive outdoor cultural and economic benefits”
This panel discussion will spotlight success stories in Vermont conservation, showcasing how these efforts create both positive outdoor cultural and economic benefits.
Moderator: Craig Whipple, Director, Vermont State Parks
Panelists:
Matt Williams, Executive Director, Catamount Trails Association
Becca Washburn, Director of Lands Administration and Recreation, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation
Shelby Semmes, VT/NH State Director, Trust for Public Land
Steve Chihfield, Board Chairman, Ascutney Outdoors
Heather Furman, State Director, The Nature Conservancy
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Breakout Session #4: Financing & Creative Funding
“Identifying traditional and non-traditional financing and funding opportunities in Vermont”
This session will provide an overview of financing and funding opportunities and tools for Vermont businesses and organizations along the capital continuum, through a panel discussion and small group question-and-answer sessions.
Moderator: Josh Reid, Co-Founder, Rome Snowboards
Panelists:
Janice St. Onge, President, Flexible Capital Fund
Lindsay DesLauriers, President, Bolton Valley Resort
Jake Perkinson, Bolton Valley Angel Investor
Marc Sherman, Founder, Outdoor Gear Exchange
Jason Levinthal, Founder, J Skis
Thomas Porter, Director of Commercial Lending, Vermont Economic Development Authority
4:45 pm – 5:30 pm Concluding Panel: Moving Towards 2030 Together
The closing presentation will present the latest national, regional and state success stories that are fueling the outdoor recreation economy culture. Going beyond the borders of the traditional outdoor recreation economy in Vermont, speakers will look toward a 10-year horizon with current examples and future predictions of multi-sector collaborations, policy opportunities, data-driven outcomes, community leadership development, and sustainable system investments.
Moderator: Drew Simmons, President and Founder, Pale Morning Media
Panelists:
Andrew Pappas, Manager of State and Local Policy, Outdoor Industry Association
Ted Brady, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Northern Border Regional Commission Outdoor Economy Council
Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund; Founder, Vermont Farm to Plate Network
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Networking & Beverages/Appetizers
Live Jazz sponsored by Pinnacle Outdoor Group
