Abby Long, Executive Director of the Kingdom Trail Association, joined business leaders and policymakers from Vermont and Quebec at a trade roundtable in Newport hosted by US Senator Peter Welch.
Wednesday, April 9 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance The outdoor sector in Vermont and across the country is working to understand and prepare for changing federal policy from the Trump administration. Vermont's outdoor businesses and organizations are already experiencing impacts due to tariffs, reduced Canadian visitation and brand boycotts, and federal grant cuts and employee layoffs.
Join this VOBA forum for updates from Washington on the latest tariff announcements and implications on the Vermont economy from Tim Tierney, Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade for the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
Bring your outdoor business and organizational experiences and concerns on all areas of impact. How are you navigating scenarios and communicating to customers? Together, we'll brainstorm solutions, strategies and practices to best support Vermont's outdoor industry.
Register today!
Tourism Economy Day
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Join tourism and hospitality industry leaders at the Statehouse to engage with legislators and raise awareness of the collective contributions of these industries to the Vermont economy. A full day of programming by co-hosts Ski Vermont, Vermont Chamber and the Vermont Specialty Food Association will:
- Celebrate the tourism industry's impact on the Vermont economy.
- Connect with your representatives about the issues that impact business.
- Share the challenges and opportunities facing Vermont's tourism industry.
8:00 Coffee and networking (Room 10)
9:00 Joint Hearing of Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs and House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development (Room 11)
11:30 Press Conference (Cedar Creek Room)
1:00 Resolution read on the floor of the House of Representatives
4:00 legislative tasting (Cafeteria)
Register Today!
Register for Tourism Economy Day
VOBA Professional Bicycle Mechanic Training
Twenty-six bicycle mechanics graduated from VOBA's 10-hour professional development training held in the Central Vermont, Chittenden, and Rutland regions. The 10-hours and 5-session combined instruction with hands-on practice.
Thanks to the following Vermont bike shops for developing the curriculum, hosting sessions, and providing instruction: Bicycle Express, Earl’s Cyclery, Old Spokes Home, First Stop Board Barn, Green Mountain Bikes, Killington Resort, Onion River Outdoors, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Red Clover Bikes, Skirack, and The Gear House.
The trainings were organized by VOBA and funded by an Economic Development Administration - Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation grant through the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.
VOBA Professional Trail Skills Training - Water Management
With the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related hydrological events in Vermont, designing and maintaining trails with adequate drainage structures is key to the resiliency of trail networks and communities.
Register for a 2-day training designed for those entering or currently employed in trail jobs involving trail construction and/or maintenance in Vermont. Time in the classroom and the field will develop skills in reading the landscape to determine drainage patterns and learn best practices for creating or maintaining sustainable natural surface trails.
The training curriculum is anchored in the Professional Trail Builders Association’s (PTBA) skills competencies and the applicable multi-use Best Management Practices (BMPs) from the Vermont Mountain Bike Association’s BMPs for Maintenance and Construction. Instruction will be provided by veteran professional trail builders from Sinuosity, L & D Trailworks, and Apex Trailworks.
Register today!
Southern cohort: May 6 - 7; Stratton Mountain Resort
Northern cohort: May 12 - 13; Burke Mountain Resort and Kingdom Trail Association
VMBA cohort: May 19 - 20; Sleepy Hollow Inn
The trainings are organized by VOBA and funded by an Economic Development Administration - Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation grant through the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.
Kelly Ault, VOBA's Executive Director, testified in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on April 4 in support of H.238 which prohibits PFAS in outdoor apparel.
VOBA Professional Trail Crew Saw Training
Trail clearing and storm damage cleanup presents a very dangerous situation that is compounded by the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related weather events. Keeping trail infrastructure free of downed trees and debris is key to the resiliency of our trail networks and communities. This advanced level training is designed to prepare and protect Vermont professional trail crew members by learning the necessary skills to safely and efficiently clear blowdowns.
The training curriculum is anchored in Northeast Woodland Training (NEWT)'s Game of Logging Levels 1-4 and has been modified to provide the most relevant content for paid trail maintainers in Vermont. Instruction will be provided by an expert instructor from NEWT.
The training is organized by VOBA and funded by an Economic Development Administration - Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation grant through the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.
Register Today!
Northern Training: May 14, NorthWoods Stewardship Center
Southern Training: May 5, Merck Forest & Farmland Center
Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance
PO Box 633, Montpelier VT 05601
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