LUDLOW, Vt. – The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) will host its eighth annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Barn at Fox Run in Ludlow. This year’s theme, “Build Together: Growing Outdoor Business in Vermont,” focuses on collaboration and assistance for the businesses that drive Vermont’s local economies and communities.
“Since 2019, VOBA’s summit has spurred innovative conversations and collaborations for growing the outdoor recreation economy, which, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, contributed $2.2 billion to Vermont GDP in 2024,” said Kelly Ault, executive director of VOBA. “We are excited for 150 businesses, organizations, educators, service providers, and policymakers to come together and continue the momentum.”
Sarah Waring, executive director of the Northern Border Regional Commission, will deliver the keynote, “The Power of Rural Places: Building Trust, Capacity, and Opportunity.” Her remarks will examine the relationships and investments that support rural entrepreneurship.
The Nov. 12 program includes workshops, networking, demonstrations, the sixth annual Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award ceremony, the third annual Outdoor Pitch Fest, and an après-summit reception. A summit eve social will be held on Nov. 11.
The 2026 VOBA Trailblazer Legacy Award will go to Dick Dreissigacker and Judy Geer, for their innovative and community-focused work at Concept2 and Craftsbury Outdoor Center. Concept2 is a global leader in fitness equipment, founded by the Dreissigacker family in 1976, in a northern Vermont dairy barn. The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a four-season outdoor sports destination and environmental nonprofit focused on sports, sustainability, and stewardship.
The third annual Outdoor Pitch Fest theme is “Resilience & Collaboration,” with entrepreneurs presenting to judges and industry peers for awards and prizes. Applications for the chance to pitch close on Oct. 25.
The event begins the evening before, on Nov. 11, with the summit eve social, from 5-7 p.m., at Terra Italian Steakhouse in Ludlow, which can be attended independently or combined with summit registration. The summit runs from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Early bird registration is available through Oct. 23. Details and registration are available at www.vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org/summit.
The summit is made possible with support from Four Square Hospitality, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, Sevenpair Studios, Vermont Department of Economic Development, Mascoma Bank, SE Group, Vermont Community Loan Fund, Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance, Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, and The Richards Group.