ROCKTAILS & STREAMS
Portsmouth Paddle
Contact:
Tyler T. Ray, Director
Granite Outdoor Alliance
tyler@graniteoutdoor.org
603-728-7739
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Businesses Paddle into Portsmouth to Strengthen New Hampshire's Outdoor Economy
July 16, 2026
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – In a city proudly known as "The City of the Open Door," nearly 50 business professionals, nonprofit partners, and public officials from across the state gathered on Sagamore Creek this week as Granite Outdoor Alliance (GOA) launched the first event in its 2026 Rocktails & Streams series, an initiative designed to highlight New Hampshire's growing outdoor recreation economy through collaboration and business networking.
The Portsmouth event welcomed 46 participants, including outdoor businesses, nonprofit organizations, an outdoor manufacturer, higher education, financial services, and prospective GOA members. Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern and Executive Councilor Janet Stevens joined the group, reflecting the broad coalition supporting New Hampshire's outdoor assets as a necessity to support employee workforce recruitment and retention. New Hampshire's outdoor recreation economy contributes $4.2B annually and supports thirty-three thousand jobs, making it one of the state's important economic sectors.
The event offered participants an opportunity to experience one of the Seacoast's premier outdoor recreation destinations while building new relationships across New Hampshire's outdoor recreation ecosystem. The afternoon emphasized collaboration among businesses, nonprofits, educators, and public leaders who share a common interest in strengthening the state's outdoor economy.
"Every new business relationship, workforce connection and partnership strengthens New Hampshire's outdoor recreation economy," said Tyler Ray. "Rocktails & Streams gives people the opportunity to connect where business naturally happens—outside—and those conversations often lead to collaborations that benefit communities across the state."
The Portsmouth gathering marks the first of three Rocktails & Streams events planned for this summer, following GOA's sold-out Outdoor Industry Day in June that brought together more than 200 leaders from across the state. Together, these events continue to build momentum around collaboration, workforce development, business growth, and stewardship of New Hampshire's outdoor recreation economy.
Granite Outdoor Alliance extends its sincere appreciation to Seven Rivers Paddling as event collaborator and to NH’s Business and Economic Affairs, Meredith Village Savings Bank and Piscataqua Bank as event sponsors, for supporting opportunities that connect and strengthen New Hampshire's outdoor industry. GOA also thanks everyone who participated and helped make the first event of the series a sold out success.
The Rocktails & Streams Summer Series continues later this summer with additional events that will introduce participants to more of New Hampshire's outdoor businesses while fostering new connections across the state's outdoor recreation community. For more information about Granite Outdoor Alliance or upcoming events, visit www.graniteoutdoor.org to subscribe to our newsletter.
ABOUT GRANITE OUTDOOR ALLIANCE:
Granite Outdoor Alliance is a non-profit business alliance that supports New Hampshire’s outdoor industry, including brands, retailers, nonprofits, and individuals. With over 140 business members, Granite Outdoor promotes outdoor recreation as a critical anchor to integrate rural and urban economic policies, communities, and industry to enhance life in New Hampshire.
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