Connecting Outdoor Recreation Industry to the Business Community

The chamber’s major networking event offers workshops and education to bring community members and business owners together on key topics.

The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Forum and Expo is bringing the community together on four key issues facing Mt. Washington Valley; small business development, workforce initiatives in the valley, electric vehicle infrastructure and the economic impact of outdoor industry.

Community and business members are invited to join the chamber for this signature networking event. Taking place on April 18th, at Attitash Mountain Resort’s Main Base Lodge, the event consists of information sessions, panel discussions, an exhibitor hall, and After Hours. More detailed information and schedule of events can be found at mwvexpo.com.

The informational sessions and panels discussion at the Business Forum and Expo are presented by experts in their field from around the state. At 10:30AM The Small Business Development Center will be presented by Business Advisor Kyla Brustin. Kyla will provide information about what the SBDC offers, how it works, and how it could help make your life as a business owner easier and more successful.

At 11:30AM The Workforce Initiative in the MWV session will be presented by Executive Director of Carroll County Adult Education, Crystal Sawyer; Tri-County Cap Mobility Manager, Scott Boisvert; and Executive Director of the Gibson Center, Marianne Jackson. Crystal will share Carroll County Adult Education programs at NO cost for hospitality staff training. Scott will provide an update on the Subsidized Low-Income Vehicle Repair program designed to support local workforce, and Marianne will take a look at a population re-entering the workforce and what that's done for the business community.

At 1:00 PM The Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure panel discussion focuses on preparing for EV infrastructure and taking a closer look at its place in the MWV. Experts and advocates in the field will provide the big picture and a better understanding of how the valley can be more prepared for this need as a tourist destination. Presenters include James Penfold, Director of eMobility Solutions with ReVision Energy; Gary LeMay, Director of Facilities/Renewable Energy Engineer with NH Electric Co-op; Steve Conte, EV Project Manager-Electric Mobility at Eversource; and Jessyca Keeler, Executive Director of SkiNH.

At 2:30 PM Tyler Ray of Granite Outdoor Alliance will talk about how outdoor recreation is tied to local economies, especially here in MWV, which offers critical solutions to some of our greatest challenges. He will then kick off the Impact of Outdoor Recreation in MWV panel with Janel Lawton, Director of the NH Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development; ‍Mardi Fuller, writer, speaker, and Outdoor Afro Volunteer; Alex Belenz, an interdisciplinary planner with the SE Group; and James Innes, District Ranger on the Saco Ranger District in the White Mountain National Forest.

The exhibitor hall located on the second floor of the Main Base Lodge will open at 4pm and include a Chamber After Hours event hosted by Attitash Mountain Resort, with refreshments and a cash bar.

The Business Forum and Expo offer direct lines of communication for community members and business owners looking to collaborate on the key topics being presented. “We live in an area that so many are drawn to, whether to visit or relocate and call it home. The Business Forum and Expo bring together top-level speakers and resources to have these conversations and learn about what we can do together, as we are all impacted, directly and indirectly. We encourage our business and community members to take advantage of this day of networking, collaboration, creative thinking, and to find out about new resources available,” says Michelle Cruz, Executive Director of Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Current sponsors of the event include Attitash Mountain Resort, Chalmers Insurance and Patriot Insurance, Settlers Green, Memorial Hospital MaineHealth, Granite Outdoor Alliance, NH Electric Co-Op, Northway Bank, NH Business Review, Lakeside Security, OutFront Media, and Eversource. The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce thanks each of its sponsors for its support in being able to provide this event to its membership.

The Business Forum & Expo is free to attend. Details of this event can be found by visiting mwvexpo.com. For questions, and to sign up for one of the information sessions, contact Michelle at 603-356-5701 ext. 302 or Michelle@VisitMWV.com.

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