OUTDOOR INDUSTRY DAY 2026

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Tyler T. Ray, Director
Granite Outdoor Alliance
tyler@graniteoutdoor.org
603-728-7739

SOLD-OUT OUTDOOR INDUSTRY DAY HIGHLIGHTS MOMENTUM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S $4.2 BILLION OUTDOOR ECONOMY

200 industry leaders, businesses, nonprofits, state officials, public agencies, and community partners gather to celebrate New Hampshire's outdoor sector

PLYMOUTH, NH – June 12, 2026 – Granite Outdoor Alliance’s Outdoor Industry Day 2026: The Barn Raiser brought together 200 business leaders, nonprofits, public officials, educators, recreation providers, and community partners for a sold-out evening celebrating the strength, visibility, and growing momentum of New Hampshire’s outdoor economy. The sector contributes more than $4.2 billion annually to the state economy and supports more than 33,000 jobs.

Held at the Barn on the Pemi in Plymouth, the event reflected the breadth of New Hampshire’s outdoor sector and the increasing interest in strengthening it through collaboration, innovation, workforce development, conservation, and economic growth. The evening featured Governor Kelly Ayotte’s proclamation recognizing June 10 as New Hampshire Outdoor Industry Day, remarks from New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Lucy Lange, the soft release of Granite Outdoor Alliance’s new Grounded Growth industry direction report, a keynote address from Erik Mogensen, the Founder and Managing Director of  Entabeni Systems, which own the Indy Ski Pass and historic Black Mountain Ski Area, the debut of the Barn Raiser Awards, and the return of Rock Walk, a high-energy showcase featuring brands, organizations, and initiatives from across the state.

The event was presented with support from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Meredith Village Savings Bank, Appalachian Mountain Club, The Nature Conservancy and numerous industry partners committed to strengthening New Hampshire's outdoor economy.

“The response to this year’s event exceeded expectations, but what mattered most was the makeup of the room” said Tyler Ray, Director of Granite Outdoor Alliance. “It reflected the full breadth of New Hampshire’s outdoor economy, from manufacturers and retailers to conservation groups, educators, workforce partners, public officials, and entrepreneurs. That level of engagement tells us the sector is gaining momentum, earning broader recognition, and ready to keep building something bigger together.”

A recurring theme throughout the evening was New Hampshire's unique position as a place where outdoor recreation, business growth, and quality of life intersect. Speakers and attendees highlighted the state's ability to attract entrepreneurs, foster collaboration, and support innovation across the outdoor sector.

"New Hampshire has the right attitude, practical politics, and a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation," said Erik Mogensen regarding his keynote address. "Those qualities create opportunities for businesses, attract talented people, and foster innovation. That's exactly why I chose to move Entabeni Systems and the Indy Ski Pass from Colorado to New Hampshire. The innovation center being built at Black Mountain will supercharge the outdoor sector, which is central to the state’s economic future."

The event also highlighted findings from Granite Outdoor Alliance’s Grounded Growth initiative, which convened leaders from across the state to identify priorities and opportunities related to workforce development, business growth, outdoor access, infrastructure, and long-term competitiveness. The report found that while New Hampshire’s outdoor economy is active and evolving, stronger coordination is needed to help the systems around it better support growth and productivity.

The evening also introduced the state’s first outdoor industry awards, recognizing leaders and organizations making meaningful contributions to New Hampshire’s outdoor economy through innovation, workforce development, collaboration, and sector-building. Honorees included:

·       Mountain Mover Award — Taylor Caswell, Bernstein Shur

·       Outdoor Enterprise Award — Burgeon Outdoor

·       Common Ground Award — Marianne Borowski, Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail

·       Work Forward Award — Appalachian Mountain Club

The strong turnout and broad representation underscored the growing momentum behind New Hampshire’s outdoor economy and the value of bringing businesses, nonprofits, educators, recreation providers, conservation organizations, and public-sector partners together around shared opportunities. Granite Outdoor Alliance will build on that momentum through future workforce initiatives, industry partnerships, advocacy efforts, and its Rocktails & Streams Summer Networking Series, which begins July 15 in Portsmouth at Seven Rivers Paddling.

2026 OUTDOOR INDUSTRY AWARD RECIPIENTS

Mountain Mover Award: Recognizes a New Hampshire business, nonprofit, public partner, or individual helping strengthen the outdoor economy through leadership, collaboration, investment, or sector-building.

Recipient: Taylor Caswell, Bernstein Shur

“Receiving the Mountain Mover Award is deeply humbling because the success we have seen in acknowledging and growing the role of the sector has been due to the hard work of so many people.  We are not just building a more resilient outdoor rec industry, we are building a broad community that people want to be part of … whether they are lucky enough to already be here in New Hampshire, or whether they are smart enough to come here.  Outdoor rec advocacy enables an industry as well as our economy.  I am honored by this award and look forward to continuing to play a role in making our outdoor-loving community even bigger.”

Outdoor Enterprise Award: Recognizes a NH-based business, organization, or initiative using a new idea, product, partnership, technology, or model to advance the outdoor sector.

Recipient: Burgeon Outdoor

“At Burgeon we envision a world of thriving mountain communities.  We most certainly saw a thriving outdoor community on Wednesday night at the Barn Raiser event. It was powerful to see so many people invested in New Hampshire’s Outdoor Community come together to celebrate and energize the efforts of all. Burgeon has always strived to be more than an outdoor business.  We want to positively impact our economy, environment and community. Making our products locally drives innovation, is more sustainable, and creates competitive advantages for Burgeon. To have our effort recognized by our peers is deeply humbling.  This will inspire us to continue our work.” Rudy Glocker, Found and President

Common Ground Award: Recognizes an organization, campaign, or program that connects outdoor access, conservation, community health, climate resilience, or responsible recreation.

Recipient: Marianne Borowski, Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail

"I am honored to receive the Common Ground Award. Rail trails create connections that extend far beyond recreation; they link communities, support local economies, improve access to the outdoors, and enhance quality of life. I've been fortunate to work alongside so many dedicated partners across New Hampshire who share a commitment to building and stewarding these valuable community assets. This award is a reflection of those collaborations and the positive impact trails have throughout our state." Marianne Borowski

Workforce Forward Award: Recognizes a business, organization, or initiative helping strengthen the outdoor sector through talent development, workplace culture, retention, training, or innovative approaches to workforce challenges.

Recipient: Appalachian Mountain Club

"We are honored to receive the Workforce Forward Award. The outdoor industry depends on passionate, skilled people, and we believe investing in the workforce is one of the most important ways to strengthen the future of our sector. From creating opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills to fostering meaningful careers in conservation, recreation, hospitality, and outdoor education, As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, AMC is and remains committed to helping people connect their passion for the outdoors with purpose-driven work for generations to come. We're grateful to the many staff, volunteers, and partners who make that work possible."  Chris Thayer, Senior Director External Affairs & Contracts

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About Granite Outdoor Alliance

Granite Outdoor Alliance is a nonprofit business alliance that supports New Hampshire's outdoor industry, including brands, retailers, nonprofits, recreation service providers, and individuals. Granite Outdoor Alliance promotes outdoor recreation as a critical anchor for economic development, workforce attraction, community vitality, and quality of life across New Hampshire.

Photography: Courtesy of Granite Outdoor Alliance, captured by Joe Klementovich

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