In the beginning of 2021, we had announce the closure of our Washington Outdoor Business Alliance (PDF). This was the most difficult decision our board and staff made at the end of 2020. As we change the nature of our business model, we must pull back from our intended statewide scope and impact to focus our efforts locally, here in Bellingham.
We are grateful to those businesses, institutions, and individuals who shared our vision to bring the outdoor recreation community together across our great state: 2020 Washington Outdoor Business Alliance Members. We were able to nimbly leverage the Alliance for Guides & Outfitters in May 2020, which felt good and were fortunate to work with Jon Snyder in Olympia.
The past year was spent developing and nurturing relationships across the state, nation, and into Canada as part of this collective movement. We applaud the professional efforts and strides fellow members of the State Outdoor Business Alliance Network have made— demonstrating the common need and the opportunities that exist to support the outdoor recreation industry and local communities.
Here in Washington, please look to the Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition for outdoor recreation legislative support in Olympia— check out the 2021 Big Tent Legislative Agenda.
We will continue to be advocates, only on a smaller and more localized level with our economic development project partners at the Regional Economic Partnership and Port of Bellingham.
