Roanoke Outside creates economic growth by leveraging natural assets to attract investment and talent. Through business attraction, signature outdoor events, strategic partnerships, social offerings, and infrastructure investment. Roanoke Outside seeks to establish the Roanoke Region as a place where businesses want to locate and where people want to live. Roanoke Outside manages www.roanokeoutside.com and a portfolio of brand-building events that include Blue Ridge Marathon, GO Outside Festival (GO Fest), and Go Cross Cyclocross Race. The Roanoke Outside Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and is part of the Roanoke Regional Partnership family, which also includes Get2KnowNoke. The Vision: Engage and empower residents, stakeholders, influencers, and policy makers in outdoor asset development through advocacy, education, and participation to make Roanoke THE place people and businesses want to be. Key Initiatives: RoanokeOutside.com (www.roanokeoutside.com), GO Outside Festival (www.roanokegofest.com), America's Toughest Road Marathon (www.blueridgemarathon.com), UCI cyclocross race (www.gocrossrace), and Outdoor Mentor Program. Recent crowdfunded projects: Three river access projects; One lake access point; low profile dock; phase one (of three) bike park; and in-river kayak park feasibility study.
