Exploration Local

Exploring the WNC Outdoor Industry: A Conversation with Matt Godfrey, Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance

September 06, 2023 Mike Andress Season 1 Episode 81
Exploration Local
Exploring the WNC Outdoor Industry: A Conversation with Matt Godfrey, Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Get ready to get inspired! Meet our guest for today, Matt Godfrey, the Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance, a man who wears many hats - advocate, business leader, educator, and much more. Matt is no stranger to the outdoor industry, he's been instrumental in shaping it from his early days as a founding board member of the Outdoor Business Alliance. Experience his journey as we walk through the different stages of his career; from his time at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly and corporate America, to his role in a startup.

The Outdoor Business Alliance has come a long way from being a loosely-knit group of outdoor gear manufacturers - it's now a platform, a family for the outdoor industry. Discover how this organization creates opportunities for members to network, share resources, ideas, and more. Learn about the collaboration that has helped Western North Carolina become the outdoor gear hub of the East. Matt and I also discuss the benefits that come with being a member of the Outdoor Business Alliance, such as networking socials, educational opportunities, and promotion on their website and social media.

But what role does the Outdoor Business Alliance play in the greater ecosystem of the outdoor industry? Uncover how the alliance creates a platform for businesses to connect and collaborate, and how it provides access to resources, programs, and networking opportunities. We talk about the partners the alliance works with, like the Waypoint Accelerator program and Mountain Bizworks, and how they support its members and the outdoor industry in Western North Carolina. Join us as we celebrate the passion and love that both Matt and I have for the industry and the community we proudly serve. Trust me, you wouldn't want to miss out on this insightful conversation.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Outdoor Business Alliance
Made X Mountains
Waypoint Accelerator(Deadline for next Cohort is October 12. First Session November 2)
Mountain Bizworks
Outdoor Economy Conference
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Outdoor Recreation in North Carolina

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

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Exploring the Outdoor Business Alliance
Outdoor Business Alliance Evolution
Supporting and Connecting Outdoor Industry Companies
Benefits of Outdoor Gear Builders Association
Outdoor Business Alliance and the Ecosystem
Outdoor Industry in Western NC