N.C. hosts multi-state effort to boost outdoor industry
A three-day meeting to plan the future of the outdoor industry drew leaders from 11 states to Asheville this month, resulting in an accord to establish a set of principles in the areas of economic development, public health and wellness, conservation and stewardship, and education and workforce development.
States participating in the Outdoor Industry Confluence included North Carolina, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. One of the conference’s highlights was an hour-long panel with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on July 10, moderated by Thomas Dempsey of Brevard-based outdoors gear manufacturer SylvanSport. Through the conversation, confluence delegates could hear the two governors’ views on the outdoor experiences that helped shape their current positive outlook on the outdoor recreation economy.
Outdoor recreation in North Carolina generates $28 billion in consumer spending according to the Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, issued last year and every five years. These numbers were up more than 45 percent from 2012, which assessed the industry at a $19.2 billion economic impact.
