Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance

What Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance does

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is a statewide nonprofit trade association established in 2018 and headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to growing Vermont's outdoor recreation economy. The organization serves outdoor recreation businesses (manufacturers, retailers, resorts, outfitters), nonprofits, government agencies, and individual professionals, with a current membership of approximately 150 entities across five tiers (Strategic Associates, Supporting Associates, Industry Members, Nonprofit Members, Individual Members). Its operating portfolio spans five functional pillars: networking and learning (including the annual Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit, which convened 155 attendees at its 7th edition in 2025), business development and technical assistance, workforce development, research and branding, and state-level legislative advocacy. Notable programmatic assets include the Climate Outdoors Workforce Initiative (COWI) — a multi-agency program developed with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Labor, Office of Workforce Strategy and Development, and VOREC, based on input from 117 organizations — and ROAM (Resilient Outdoor Assessment and Management), a six-step proprietary climate resilience framework for outdoor businesses.

The organization has built a network of institutional partners including state agencies (Northern Border Regional Commission, USDA Rural Development, Vermont Department of Tourism, Vermont Economic Development Authority, Vermont Community Loan Fund), nonprofit allies (Vermont Trails and Greenways Council, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Unlikely Riders, Vermont Professionals of Color Network), and the State Outdoor Business Alliance Network (SOBAN). VOBA's GTM is community-led and event-driven: it has organized 77 events over 7 years and engages 1,000+ attendees annually, distributing resources through Zeffy (memberships), Eventbrite (event registration), the Field Notes newsletter, LinkedIn/Instagram/Facebook/YouTube channels, and direct website downloads.

Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring membership dues, donations, event fees (e.g., $20 for non-member networking events, creditable toward membership within 30 days), and a substantial grant stack (NBRC VOREC, USDA Rural Business Development, Vermont Department of Tourism, WaterWheel Foundation, Vermont Council on Rural Development Climate Catalyst Fund). VOBA's 5-year strategic plan targets 200 members, and the organization is currently advancing a $250,000 Senate appropriation request to institutionalize the COWI workforce program.

Name

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance

Legal name

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance

Website

https://vermontoutdoorbusinessalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance is a statewide nonprofit trade association founded in 2018 that supports Vermont's outdoor recreation economy through networking events, workforce development, business technical assistance, climate resilience programs, and state-level policy advocacy for its 150+ member businesses, nonprofits, and professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: VOBA generates revenue through membership fees from businesses, organizations, and individuals. Membership tiers include Strategic Associates, Supporting Associates, Industry Members, Nonprofit Members, and Individual Members. Supporting VOBA expands programming in VOBA's 5-year strategic priorities and builds a sustainable organization.
2. Donations: VOBA accepts donations to support Vermont's outdoor economy. Donations help fund programs, grants, and initiatives that benefit the outdoor recreation sector.
3. Event Fees: Some VOBA events charge fees - for example, non-member networking events are $20 with the fee applicable toward membership. Professional skills trainings are offered free to VOBA members and the broader community through grant funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance is a nonprofit membership association that supports Vermont's outdoor economy through five program pillars: Networking & Learning, Business Development & Technical Assistance, Workforce Development, Research & Branding, and Advocacy. It delivers these services to 150+ member businesses via programs such as ROAM and COWI and convenes the annual Outdoor Economy Summit.

Product overview

The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) is a statewide non-profit organization established in 2018 to support Vermont's outdoor economy. VOBA operates as a service organization rather than a product company, offering a portfolio of interconnected programs including: Networking & Learning (annual summit, career spotlights, events), Business Development & Technical Assistance (strategic planning, market analysis, climate adaptation), Workforce Development (professional skills trainings, COWI climate workforce initiative), Research & Branding (climate resilience studies, demonstration grants), and Advocacy (legislative engagement, policy platforms). The core offering is the collective network that connects outdoor businesses with resources, training, policy advocacy, and each other. VOBA's membership benefits include networking events, marketing resources, grants, and business development support. Key programs include the Climate Outdoors Workforce Initiative (COWI) for climate-resilient workforce training, ROAM (Resilient Outdoor Assessment & Management) framework for business climate resilience, the annual Outdoor Economy Summit, and the Trailblazer Legacy Award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VOBA Membership Organizational membership providing Vermont outdoor businesses access to networking, advocacy, technical assistance, workforce programs, and research/branding support; serves 150+ member organizations.
• Outdoor Economy Summit Annual event convening members, outdoor business operators, and stakeholders to share insights, network, and advance the Vermont outdoor economy.
• ROAM Program Named program in VOBA's portfolio supporting outdoor industry businesses in Vermont; specific scope is not detailed in the available source material.
• COWI Program Named program in VOBA's portfolio supporting outdoor industry businesses in Vermont; specific scope is not detailed in the available source material.
• Business Development & Technical Assistance Service pillar offering business development guidance and technical assistance to Vermont outdoor businesses and member organizations.
• Workforce Development Program Service pillar addressing workforce talent pipelines and training needs for Vermont's outdoor industry employers.
• Research & Branding Program Service pillar providing industry research and branding support to elevate the visibility of Vermont's outdoor economy and its member businesses.
• Industry Advocacy Program Service pillar providing policy and advocacy representation for Vermont's outdoor industry before state government and stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.1 billion outdoor recreation economy in Vermont supported by VOBA's efforts
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Climate Action OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOWI project partner working with VOBA on climate workforce initiatives. Collaborates on aligning climate action with outdoor economy workforce development.
• Vermont Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOWI project partner providing workforce development alignment for outdoor economy jobs and career pathways.
• Vermont Office of Workforce Strategy and DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOWI project partner supporting workforce strategy alignment for outdoor sector jobs and climate resilience skills.
• Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOWI project partner and key collaborator on Move Forward Together Vermont state strategic vision for outdoor recreation economy. VOBA participates in VOREC Steering Committee.
• Vermont Trails and Greenways CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead on Outdoor Recreation Listening Session for Vermont Conservation Plan. Annual co-host of Outdoor Recreation Day at the Statehouse.
• Vermont Recreation and Parks AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Outdoor Recreation Listening Session and partner on Vermont Conservation Plan feedback.
• Ski VermontminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner organization that informed VOBA about S.71 data privacy bill legislation. Collaborates on industry advocacy.
• Vermont Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partner organization that informed VOBA about S.71 data privacy bill legislation.
• Vermont Businesses for Social ResponsibilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on ClimateReadyVT Workshop presenting Reframe Lab workshop on climate impact strategies.
• State Outdoor Business Alliance Network (SOBAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of 30 outdoor business alliances across states. VOBA participates in strategic planning with Outdoor Industry Association, Confluence of States, Outdoor Foundation, and REI.
• Unlikely RiderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity partner organization doing important work in the outdoor space. Collaborated on Outdoor Innovation Showcase and annual advocacy events.
• Vermont Professionals of Color NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity partner providing BIPOC affinity space at VOBA's annual summit and working on inclusive access in outdoor places.
• Vermont Works for WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity partner organization offering gender equity services for employers to create inclusive workplaces. Listed in VOBA's education programs for diversity training.
• Vermont Mountain Bike AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on advocacy and trail initiatives. Provides support for Outdoor Recreation Day at the Statehouse.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Travel Oregon: State-level destination organization promoting outdoor recreation and tourism. Compares to VOBA in scope of supporting an outdoor economy, but Travel Oregon is a state agency while VOBA is an independent nonprofit alliance.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: Regional membership-based outdoor recreation and conservation organization serving the Northeast. Comparable to VOBA in mission and constituency mix (members, volunteers, advocacy), but operates trail infrastructure and direct programming rather than alliance convening.

Broad incumbents

• Outdoor Industry Association: National trade association for the outdoor industry. VOBA participates alongside OIA in the SOBAN network, and OIA serves the same outdoor recreation business constituency at a national level, making it the most comparable incumbent peer.
• Snowsports Industries America: National trade association for the snow sports industry. Several of VOBA's largest members (Killington, Burton) operate in snow sports, and SIA provides adjacent advocacy, market data, and trade show services to overlapping constituents.
• REI Co-op: Outdoor retailer cooperative that engages in advocacy, grants, and stewardship of the outdoor recreation economy. A partner in the SOBAN network and a major industry funder, comparable in policy and community-building orientation but far larger and for-profit.

Direct peers

• Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: National coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and businesses advocating for federal outdoor recreation policy. Operates at the federal advocacy level similar to how VOBA operates at the state advocacy level.
• Confluence of States: Coalition supporting state-level outdoor recreation alliances. VOBA is a member of the State Outdoor Business Alliance Network coordinated through Confluence of States, making it a directly comparable peer in the state-alliance category.
• Outdoor Foundation: National nonprofit focused on youth outdoor participation and workforce pathways, and a SOBAN network partner. Comparable to VOBA in outdoor workforce development and community-building work, though operating nationally rather than state-anchored.
• Vermont Chamber of Commerce: Statewide business association that partners with VOBA on policy advocacy (including the S.71 data privacy bill). Directly comparable as a Vermont business membership organization, though broader in scope than VOBA's outdoor focus.

Others

• Leave No Trace: National nonprofit focused on outdoor ethics and stewardship education. Comparable in advocacy orientation and outdoor-sector mission, but thematic-adjacent rather than a direct convening peer for outdoor businesses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@vermontoutdoorbusinessalli5526
• Facebookfacebook.com/VTOutdoorBusinessAlliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vermont-outdoor-business-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/vtoutdoorbusinessalliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance