Outdoor Economy Networking Summit

WREN and the Northern Forest Center are teaming up to present the Outdoor Economy Networking Summit!

Join us on April 9th at the Rek’-Lis Pint House for this free networking event. The Outdoor Economy Networking Summit seeks to bring together representatives from businesses linked to the outdoor economy in the North Country for an evening of shared learning and networking.

From forestry to outdoor recreation, the outdoor economy is an integral part of our rural economy. Speakers from the Northern Forest Center, Bike the North Country, Get NEKed, the SBA, and Granite Outdoor will discuss strategies for sustainable business futures for everyone who depends on the outdoor economy-- forest stewardship businesses, outdoor rec businesses, and hospitality businesses that rely on outdoor recreation tourism. 

From 4:00 to 7:00, we’ll have a series of presentations with time for Q & A, followed by an hour for networking. Presentation topics include:

  • The importance of forest stewardship

  • Marketing strategies

  • The importance of networking

  • Small business financing options

  • Why this work matters

Light refreshments will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.

Meet the presenters:

Julie Renaud Evans has led the Northern Forest Center’s Community Forest program since 2009, helping communities and non-profits acquire and manage forest land to provide a sustainable flow of ecologic, economic, and social benefits. She has more than 30 years’ experience working in the Northern Forest in both forest management and community planning and is a regional leader in forestry circles.

Julie has led the Center's community work in Lancaster, including the renovation of the Parker J. Noyes building to provide critical housing, and the Center's Forest Stewardship program to collaboratively address regional challenges of wood supply, climate resiliency, and forest health with our many partners.

Julie earned both her M.A. in Environmental Education and B.S. in Forest Management from the University of New Hampshire. She lives in Milan NH with her husband Kevin and together they enjoy walking, biking, gardening, and caring for their woodlot.

Amy Robinson joined the Northern Forest Center in 2021 as the Business Innovation Advisor. In this role, she will lead the continued development of the Northern Forest Board Forum, build networks with wood product companies across the four Northern Forest states, and provide direct business technical assistance to wood product companies across the Northern Forest region. She created and leads Telling Your Forest Story, a workshop series that helps wood product businesses develop a brand narrative that helps increase awareness about the importance of our working forests. 

A Vermont native, Amy grew up in the Northeast Kingdom. She has a B.A. from Johnson State College, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. For the past 18 years she has assisted with economic development initiatives within the region, including providing direct technical assistance to businesses. Amy has a deep appreciation for our natural resources and land stewardship and the role that plays in our rural economy. 

Amy has three adult children and two grandsons.  She spends her free time learning and applying conservation principles to her own piece of land in Danville, VT.  

Loralee Tester serves as the Executive Director of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, bringing two decades of educational experience to her role. She holds a master's degree from the Vermont State College system and has been a resident of the Northeast Kingdom for over 40 years. In addition to her leadership at the Chamber, Loralee is the President of the Lyndon Institute Board of Trustees and a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. She also serves on the board of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative. Loralee resides in East Lyndon with her husband and two sons.

Amy K. Bassett was appointed as district director of SBA’s New Hampshire district office in December of 2020. Prior to her appointment in New Hampshire she served as the SBA district director in Maine.

In her role as district director, Ms. Bassett is responsible for leading the New Hampshire SBA team in the delivery of SBA’s financial assistance, entrepreneurial development and contracting programs throughout the state. Key to the delivery of programs and services is the close collaboration she helps foster with lending partners, SBA resource partners, economic development professionals and local and state entities.

She began her career with the SBA in the New Hampshire district office in 1990 and held a variety of positions during her time with that office. She is a NH native and proud graduate of Plymouth State College.

Marianne Borowski is a retired protein biochemist turned outdoor recreation advocate, lifelong cyclist, hiker, kayaker and cross-country skier. After a career in biotechnology R&D, she rode her bicycle cross country and then redirected her energy toward sharing her joy of bicycle travel. In 2019, she founded the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail —an 83-mile, mostly off-road bike route that strings together scenic backroads and rail trails across 12 towns from Woodsville, NH to Bethel, ME. Now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, xNHAT has awarded over 1,500 End-to-Ender patches to cyclists, walkers, and skiers from 40 states and 4 countries.

Marianne is passionate about the potential of rail trails to revitalize rural communities through sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation. She serves as Vice President of the New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition and works closely with the NH Bureau of Trails, bicycle, snowmobile and ATV trail organizations, plus the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to restore, maintain, extend and connect rail trails in NH and VT, advancing the New England Rail Trail Network.

When she’s not on a bike, Marianne can be found on skis. She taught cross-country skiing for many years and served as Ski School Director at the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, where she continues to serve on the Board of Directors.

Tyler T. Ray is a recognized advocate for outdoor recreation as a powerful engine for economic growth in New Hampshire. With a deep-rooted passion for the outdoors, Tyler has dedicated his career to strengthening the outdoor economy and positioning it as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Through his businesses, Frontyard Law and Backyard Concept (BYC) — which represents Granite Outdoor Alliance — Tyler provides strategic advisory and management services that empower businesses and communities to thrive. His balanced approach blends structure with creativity, embodying the "business up front, party in the back" mindset that fuels his dynamic leadership style.

Run of Event:

4:00 Welcome to the Outdoor Economy Networking Summit!

4:15 - 5:00 Julie Evans and Amy Robinson, Northern Forest Center

Forest stewardship and its importance to the outdoor economy

5:00 - 5:30 Loralee Tester, Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce

Making business connections in the outdoor economy

5:30 - 6:00 Amy Bassett, SBA

Financial assistance for small businesses via the SBA: Microlending opportunities and access to capital

6:00 - 6:30 Marianne Borowski, Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail

Trail Mix: The xNHAT and the Power of Collaboration

6:30 - 7:00 Tyler Ray, Granite Outdoor

The outdoor economy in New Hampshire thrives when industry leaders, businesses, and advocates unite around common goals. By mobilizing as a collective force, we amplify our voice, secure critical resources, and drive policy decisions that support sustainable growth. Together, our combined impact strengthens communities, fuels local economies, empowers workforce, and ensures New Hampshire’s outdoor spaces remain accessible and well-managed for future generations. 

7:00 - 8:00 Networking