I want to take this opportunity to talk about an event that I planned, with many other partners, including Michelle Gross from the White Mountains Regional High School. This was the first-ever North Country Outdoor Industry Career Expo. Held at the Lancaster Fairgrounds on September 17, the event began at 8:15 am and ended a little after 1:30 pm.
The expo was designed to introduce students to career possibilities in the outdoor industry that exist right here in our own back yards. Some of these occupations require post-secondary education of some degree, while others require certificates and apprenticeships. There are a lot of very good career opportunities within the outdoor industry that offer competitive wages and benefits, all while staying in the state, county, and even town where one grew up.
This expo was modeled after two successful Forest Career Field Days held at Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown and led by the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association and their partners, as well as an Outdoor Industry Career Day held at the White Mountains Regional High School in 2022. This year’s event expanded on those to include all schools in Coös County, northern Grafton and Carroll Counties, and eastern Vermont.
While events of this type and size don’t typically get planned, let alone take place, here in the north country, there is no better place to expose students to these opportunities. Someone, or in some cases everyone, from our local families, takes part in the outdoor industry, either for recreation or employment. So, it only made sense to hold this event locally, and the folks at the Lancaster Fairgrounds greeted us with open arms.
Over 1050 students in grades 7-12 from more than 20 schools descended upon the fairgrounds to interact with the over 80 exhibitors ready to greet them. Exhibitors representing industries such as: utility companies, forestry, surveying, logging, skiing, mechanics, welding, sawmilling, firewood processing, drone operation, outdoor recreation, mountain biking, wildlife habitat, trucking, excavating, agriculture, maple syrup production, the Army National Guard, and many others were present. Representatives from some of our post-secondary education providers were also there. Folks from White Mountain Community College introduced their diesel mechanics and welding career paths. The Department of Recreation Management & Policy from the University of New Hampshire was also represented, as was UNH Cooperative Extension. Vermont State University and Lakes Region Community College also came with representatives, displays, and activities.
One of the differences this expo provided from similar events was the activities. The majority of exhibitors came with something that the students could do and experience for themselves. The attending students had the opportunity to run equipment, operate log loaders and portable sawmills, move piles of dirt, operate grapple skidder functions, process firewood, negotiate a mountain bike track, run a drilling machine, do some welding, and many more opportunities.
We even had two helicopters arrive for the students to see and discuss opportunities to get involved with. One of two medical helicopters from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the only helicopter from the New Hampshire State Police flew in for this event.
Thanks to our sponsors: Eversource, Coös Economic Development Corporation, White Mountains Regional High School, Capone Iron Corporation, Milton CAT, MOMS, New Hampshire Division Forests & Lands-Urban & Community Forests, Army National Guard, The Conservation Fund, Santa’s Village, Royal Electric, Ski NH, Weyerhaeuser, Wagner Forest Management, Pike Industries, PACE, Northern Forest Center, Landvest, Lancaster Rotary, Horizon’s Engineering, Asplundh Tree Experts, AB Excavating, and many more, the students and their chaperones were provided lunches from a choice of five local food vendors. One of these vendors was the White Mountains Regional High School’s very own Culinary Program and their food trailer.
By all accounts, this was a highly successful event for both students and exhibitors. There were mentions on WMUR news broadcasts the evening before and after the event, as well as broadcasts on Mountain Country Radio, 97.3 FM, both before and live during the expo. Some of the students were even interviewed on the radio!
Michelle and I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all our sponsors, exhibitors, participants, volunteers, and our friends at the SAU 36 School District. We may have been the organizers for this event, but together we all made this a success!
Stay tuned for our next Expo, currently being scheduled for September 15, 2026. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor, or just have some questions, please reach out to me at ray.berthiaume@unh.edu.
