Letter from the Director

Dear NVOBC members and NV outdoor community,

As we dive into the last days of summer, I’m excited to relaunch our monthly newsletter. Not only is this a great way for me to keep in touch with you, but it will hopefully provide you with valuable insights to our state’s outdoor economy. We have some very exciting stuff going on in Nevada, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

In this newsletter you’ll find a member spotlight (Want to be our next one? Send me an email!) featuring one of our OG members, exciting news around outdoor industry development, and a record-breaking donation!

Lastly, we have an event coming up! If you’re in Vegas and want to hang out with us, check it out down below. I hope to see you there! 

I’m always in awe of the world-class outdoor access we have in our state, and I love to be a champion for it. If there is something important to you that you’d like us to share in our newsletter, send me an email and let’s grab some coffee. 

Sincerely, 
Mandi Elliott 
Executive Director, Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition

Member Spotlight

This month’s member spotlight is Gear Hut, a proud Tier-3 Green Business in Reno. Since 2018, Gear Hut has been a go-to consignment gear shop for outdoor recreators of all kinds. Their mission is to create affordable access to the outdoors & reduce environmental impact, which is inspiring to say the least!

If that wasn’t enough, they won the Sustainability Champion of the Year award from KTMB in 2022, won the Green Business of the Year award from the Nevada Conservation League in 2023, and have raised over $80,000 for nonprofit organizations. Talk about high achieving!

If you’re in Reno and looking to buy or sell gear, stop by Gear Hut and tell them the NVOBC sent you!

Upcoming Events

Join us for Summit Social, a casual mixer designed for outdoor industry professionals and business owners. Set in the relaxed atmosphere of a local coffee house, this event offers the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and build valuable relationships.

Whether you’re looking to expand your network, discuss the latest trends, or simply enjoy a good conversation over a cup of coffee, Summit Social is the place to be for anyone passionate about the outdoor industry.

Aspire Coffee House (Vegas)

October 24th, 5pm-7pm

Industry Pulse

Highly Skilled Workforce Development

It’s no surprise to anyone in Nevada that we have the highest percentage of public land compared to any other state in the lower 48. With this public land comes several land management organizations, conservation organizations, and outdoor industry businesses. Unfortunately, these organizations in Nevada are struggling with low staff numbers compared to the millions of acres of land that needs stewarding.

Enter the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation (shoutout to our Board VP, Denise Beronio!) and UNR. After several months of advocating and petitioning, two new academic programs were born.

These two programs are a specialization in Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, housed in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Sciences and the Kinesiology Department respectively.

These programs are a massive win for the state’s outdoor industry. By creating an internal pipeline from education to open jobs, Nevada is strengthening it’s already massive, $6.1 billion (with a B!) outdoor industry. NDOR is actively pursuing funding to support and expand the existing programs.

In addition to bolstering the economy, these programs will benefit both locals and tourists. With more skilled outdoor professionals in Nevada, public lands will be better managed, leading to enhanced recreational experiences, improved conservation efforts, and safer, more enjoyable outdoor activities for everyone. The development of this specialized workforce ensures that Nevada remains a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts while also supporting sustainable growth in the industry.

Learn More Here

Legislative News

The National Park Foundation has received a record-breaking gift from Lilly Endowment Inc., totaling $100 million!

The foundation reports that the funds four key priorities: highlighting underrepresented communities throughout American history, bringing youth to the parks, wildlife and ecosystem conservation, and providing “world-class” experiences.

Congratulations to the National Park Foundation on this historic moment!

Read More Here