EAST BURKE — The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) hosted the 7th Annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit in November at Burke Mountain Resort last month, convening 155 outdoor industry businesses, organizations, and policymakers for a day of collaboration, education, and business development.

Kellyann Davis, Director of Research for the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), kicked off the Summit with a keynote providing crucial insights into data on outdoor consumer trends. “Snowsports continue to dominate as the activity outdoor enthusiasts spend the most on,” said Davis. “With snow on the ground, this puts the Vermont outdoor sector in a strong position going into the holiday season – but the data also shows only 14.5% shoppers get their gear at independent outdoor retailers, with Amazon overwhelmingly capturing the outdoor gear dollar.”

“Currently, Vermont resorts and retailers are reporting a strong start to the season, but the OIA data is a clear call to action, highlighting the need for outdoor consumers to support the places and people they care about by shopping at local businesses and visiting our outdoor downtowns,” said Kelly Ault, Executive Director of VOBA. “With so many challenges affecting the industry, including financial risks due to fluctuating federal policy and the hurdles of climate resilience, supporting your local gear shop is one way to support the economic prosperity of the outdoor sector and our State”

The outdoor industry was intentional about convening in the recreation epicenter of East Burke. Northeast Kingdom leaders offered up decades of lessons learned from the success of local communities and partnerships that have balanced ecological values and commerce. In opening remarks, Jon Schaefer, COO and Co-Owner of Bear Den Partners’ Burke Mountain Resort, emphasized Burke Mountain’s deep connection to the success of the local economy, “Rising tides for us is when the whole community does better. Our business is successful when our community does better.”

Governor Phil Scott, who oversaw the creation of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative in 2017, addressed the Summit and maintained his belief in the return on investment of directing public funding to Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy, “The outdoor economy is something that defines who we are as Vermonters. Using outdoor recreation as a tool to attract people to come to Vermont, and stay, has, and can, pay real dividends.”

The founders pitching in the 2nd Annual Outdoor Pitch Fest brought down the house with Thicket Adventure taking home the Overall Resilience award and Sluff Wax the Climate & Circularity and the People’s Choice award. The annual event gives outdoor entrepreneurs the opportunity to present best practices for resilience, and values-led climate and circularity strategies to judges and industry peers.

This year, VOBA honored Donna Carpenter, Owner of Burton Snowboards, and the Carpenter family with the 5th Annual Sen. Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award. The award recognizes lifetime contributions to Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy with a special focus on sustainability, equity, community investment, and economic growth. “[Vermont] is where the Burton story started, and where it will continue into the next generation,” said Carpenter. “Next year, Burton turns 50, half a century. Most of the world thought we were crazy, Vermont didn´t. Vermont supported us, gave us a sense of community, and helped install the kind of stubborn optimism that I think is hardwired into this state. To survive here, especially through a hard winter, you need grit and perseverance. But you also need your neighbors.”

Marc Sherman, Owner of Burlington’s Outdoor Gear Exchange (OGE), agrees that starting a business in Vermont requires perseverance and support for and from your neighbors. “At the OGE, we have always considered ourselves as part of the neighborhood. We invest in our staff and our community and hope that this helps inspire our customers to think of us when they’re getting ready for their next adventure or simply in support of their outdoor lifestyle. Thanks to ongoing support from Vermont’s outdoor community we have built OGE into a thirty-year old economic cornerstone of friends and neighbors. When you choose to shop local this holiday season you are supporting Vermonters, the benefits of which ripple through your community and all of Vermont.”

VOBA would like to recognize the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Departments of Economic Development and Tourism and Marketing, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, Northern Border Regional Commission, Sevenpair Studios, Merritt & Merritt, Burke Mountain Resort, Cabot Hosiery Mills, Northeast Vermont Development Association, Vermont Economic Development Authority, Vermont Community Loan Fund, The Richards Group, Green Up Day, The Wildflower Inn, and SB Signs.

The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is a state-wide organization established in 2018 to educate Vermonters on outdoor recreation and businesses on business development, collaboration initiatives, and outdoor recreation policy. VOBA and its 155 members strengthen Vermont’s outdoor economy through networking & learning, business development & technical assistance, research & branding, workforce development, and advocacy. VOBA supports investment in the state’s natural and recreation resources and equitable access for all in the outdoors. www.vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org