Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Economy Just Found Its Voice

Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry has become a powerful force for economic development, entrepreneurship, and community vitality, but until now it has lacked a unified statewide voice. As outdoor recreation becomes an increasingly important tool for addressing economic and population challenges across the Commonwealth, the formation of an outdoor business alliance represents a major step toward building the infrastructure needed to support the businesses behind Pennsylvania’s outdoor assets.

Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy has long been one of the Commonwealth’s greatest untapped strengths.

From world-class trails and waterways to thriving outfitters, event organizers, gear makers, campgrounds, guides, and recreation-based tourism, outdoor recreation contributes enormously to Pennsylvania’s economy and quality of life. Yet despite the scale and value of this industry, one critical piece has been missing: a unified statewide voice advocating for the businesses that make it all possible.

That gap is now being filled.

The newly formed Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania (OBA PA) has been created to elevate the needs of Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry while supporting outdoor business development, innovation, and long-term growth. The alliance is designed to serve as a unified voice for the industry—bringing together businesses, building networks, delivering programming, and representing the outdoor business community among decision-makers, funders, and the public.

This is a major milestone for Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy, and one that has been a long time coming. For an industry that has grown rapidly but often operated in fragmented sectors, this is a transformational moment.

More Than Trails and Gear

When people hear “outdoor recreation,” they often think of hiking trails, campgrounds, or kayaks on a river. But the outdoor recreation economy is far broader than the experiences people see on the surface.

It includes the businesses that manufacture outdoor gear, the retailers who sell it, the outfitters and guides who create experiences, the contractors who build recreation infrastructure, the event organizers who bring visitors to communities, and the hospitality businesses that benefit from outdoor tourism. It also includes the planners, marketers, consultants, and nonprofit partners who help these businesses grow.

Together, these businesses form an interconnected economic engine—one that creates jobs, drives entrepreneurship, attracts visitors, and improves quality of life in communities across Pennsylvania.

Outdoor recreation is not just a recreational asset; it is an economic development asset.

That reality is at the heart of the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania, whose mission is to unite, advocate for, and support outdoor recreation businesses across the Commonwealth while strengthening recreation-based community and economic development.

Its vision is bold but necessary: to become the leading voice and resource for Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry while driving positive impact for the economy, the environment, and the communities that depend on both.

“There’s a significant connection between tourism and outdoor recreation, especially in Pennsylvania. As the trade association that represents tourism and hospitality in the Commonwealth, we hope to continue engaging and being part of the conversation to develop and advance a sustainable organized outdoor industry that includes a positive community and economic impact. We look forward to participating and collaborating with an outdoor business network, and we hope to help amplify the outdoor industry’s connection in an effort to bolster tourism and hospitality. Pennsylvania has so much to offer, and we’re excited about all that is happening to magnify that.” - Zakary Pyzik Senior Director of Public Affairs, Pennsylvania Restaurants and Lodging Association

Building the Infrastructure the Industry Needs

Pennsylvania’s outdoor businesses have not lacked passion, creativity, or entrepreneurial energy. What they have lacked is statewide infrastructure to connect the industry, identify shared priorities, and advocate collectively.

That is what OBA PA is built to provide.

In the short term, the alliance aims to strengthen business-to-business relationships, raise the visibility of Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry, and better understand the needs of the businesses that power it.

In the longer term, the goals are even bigger: stronger business development, improved workforce retention, expanded access to entrepreneurship, increased economic mobility, and stronger communities supported by thriving outdoor recreation economies.

These outcomes matter because outdoor recreation businesses do not operate in isolation. Outfitters, event organizers, retailers, manufacturers, lodging providers, and professional service firms all play a role in the same economic ecosystem. When those sectors collaborate instead of working independently, the entire industry becomes stronger.

As Lutricia Eberly, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Association, put it: “Pennsylvania’s $19 billion outdoor recreation industry needs a unified voice. The OBA creates the statewide infrastructure that will serve Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry far better than any of us working alone.”

That unified voice is exactly what OBA PA is intended to become.

“At REI Co-op, we believe in the power of the outdoors to bring people together, strengthen communities, and support vibrant local economies. We’re encouraged to see Pennsylvania taking steps to elevate its outdoor sector through the formation of an Outdoor Business Alliance. When outdoor businesses, community leaders, and advocates come together around shared goals, we can build a more inclusive and resilient outdoor economy—one that serves people and nature for generations to come.” - Tina Molski Director of Operations, REI’s Northeast Distribution Center in Bedford, PA

Who the Alliance Represents

The Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania will serve the full range of businesses and organizations connected to the outdoor economy, including outfitters, guides, retailers, manufacturers, lodging providers, rental operators, event organizers, photographers, consultants, planners, and many more.

Its stakeholders can be broadly grouped into three categories:

• Producers – businesses that design, manufacture, distribute, sell, and repair outdoor clothing, gear, equipment, and vehicles.

• Providers – businesses that deliver outdoor experiences, including guides, outfitters, ski areas, campgrounds, educators, trainers, and event organizers.

• Professionals – the planners, marketers, designers, consultants, and technical experts who support outdoor recreation businesses and infrastructure.

By bringing these sectors together, OBA PA can create a stronger, more coordinated ecosystem that benefits the industry as a whole.

We believe a unified voice is essential for the outdoor recreation industry in the Commonwealth. As a Pennsylvania-focused recreational map publisher, we value the OBA’s focus on B2B connections which will benefit our partnerships, growth and product development to better serve the outdoor community.” - Michael Hermann Founder Purple Lizard Maps

A Statewide Effort Years in the Making

The creation of OBA PA is the result of a year-long public engagement initiative known as Elevate Outdoors PA, which brought together hundreds of stakeholders from across the Commonwealth—business owners, economic development organizations, conservation groups, local officials, funders, and outdoor industry leaders.

The goal was straightforward but ambitious: evaluate the current state of Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy and determine how a statewide alliance could best support its growth.

To do that, the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission hired Fourth Economy Consulting and Firefly Outdoor Economics Consultancy to undertake a multi-phase assessment of the industry.

That process included:

• Research into more than 60 similar organizations across the country,

• Mapping over 9,000 outdoor recreation businesses in Pennsylvania,

• Statewide surveys with more than 443 participants,

• And ten regional workshops attended by nearly 500 stakeholders.

The findings were clear. Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry is significant, growing, and full of opportunity—but it needs stronger statewide coordination to reach its full potential.

From that work, six major priorities emerged for OBA PA: business growth, access to capital, workforce development, advocacy, peer networking, and marketing.

• Business Growth and Development – helping outdoor businesses grow and build stronger partnerships.

• Access to Capital – improving funding opportunities and financial support systems.

• Workforce Development – strengthening pathways to family-sustaining careers in outdoor recreation.

• Advocacy – ensuring the industry’s needs are represented with policymakers.

• Peer Networking – creating opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.

• Marketing – raising the visibility of Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation businesses.

These priorities reflect the realities of the outdoor economy. Businesses need better access to funding. Employers need workers. Entrepreneurs need support systems. Communities need coordinated advocacy. And the state as a whole benefits when these pieces work together.

“I am grateful for the creation of the OBA and I am beyond excited to see what this alliance can accomplish in the years to come. The outdoor industry makes up a shockingly large portion of the Pennsylvania GDP, and we haven’t had consolidated representation until now. I am excited to see what connections, discoveries and efficiencies are uncovered through this work, all in an effort to better serve Pennsylvania’s outdoor enthusiast and the many visitors who come to our state to get outside” - Nicholas Gilson CEO, Gilson Snow

Why This Matters for Pennsylvania

The importance of this work extends far beyond the outdoor industry itself.

Outdoor recreation is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for economic development. It helps rural communities attract visitors, supports local entrepreneurship, improves quality of life, and gives young people reasons to stay and build careers in the places they call home.

In many communities across Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation is not just an amenity—it is part of the strategy for long-term resilience and growth.

But that strategy only works if the businesses behind it are healthy.

If Pennsylvania wants to use outdoor recreation to address population decline, strengthen local economies, revitalize communities, and remain competitive in attracting talent and investment, then it must support the businesses that create those outdoor experiences.

That is what makes the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania so important.

This is more than the launch of another organization. It is the creation of the infrastructure needed to help one of Pennsylvania’s most promising industries grow stronger, work smarter, and speak with one voice.

And at a time when communities across the Commonwealth are searching for sustainable paths to economic vitality, that kind of alignment could make all the difference.

Pennsylvania has long had the landscapes, the businesses, and the opportunity.

Now, it has the organization to help bring them together. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of this effort through my work with the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, and it has been exciting to watch the momentum build around what this alliance could mean for Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy. This is an important moment—not just for outdoor businesses, but for the communities that depend on them. If you care about the future of outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, I encourage you to explore the report, learn more about OBA PA, and consider joining the conversation at the inaugural PA Outdoor Economy Summit & Industry Expo this April in State College. The opportunity in front of us is significant, and the more voices we bring to the table, the stronger this industry—and this Commonwealth—will become.