Rockies Playground Outdoor Industry Strategy Summit

Presented by CU Boulder Outdoor Recreation Economy program and Vail Valley Partnership, this summit will feature discussion of strategies to balance outdoor recreation and conservation of natural resources, ways to grow and sustain the outdoor industry in the Rockies Playground region, as well as panel and tabletop discussions on key topics facing the outdoor recreation industry.

Kick Off – 1:00 pm

• Welcome by Chris Romer – President & CEO, Vail Valley Partnership
• Opening remarks by Joel Hartter – Director, CU Masters of the Environment (MENV) and Outdoor Recreation Economy (ORE) programs
  • Opportunities for Higher Education and Workforce development 
• Keynote by Conor Hall – Director, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC)
  • Trends and Importance of Outdoor Recreation Economy in Colorado

Panel Discussion, Destination Stewardship and the Outdoor Industry – 2:00 pm
Facilitated by Natalie Ooi, Teaching Associate Faculty, CU Boulder

Panelists:

• Chris Romer, President & CEO, Vail Valley Partnership
• Roger Poirier, Staff Director for Recreation, Lands, Heritage and Tribal Relations, White River National Forest
• Mia Vlaar – Economic Development Manager, Town of Vail
• Tim Wolfe – Director, Colorado Tourism Office

Whitewater Brainstorm & Breakouts – 3:10-4:15 pm

• Topics:
• Financing
  • Discussion led by: Anita Cameron, Northwest Loan Fund & Grant Murphy, Alpine Bank
• Workforce
  • Discussion led by: Mark Hoblitzell, CO Workforce Center
• Supply Chain
  • Discussion led by: Megan Smith, Symbia Logistics
• Branding
  • Discussion led by: Clare Hefferren, Callosum
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Discussion led by: Megan Carter, Mountain Recreation & Seth Erlich, SOS Outreach