This year's New England Summit, Sept. 12-14, drew a large crowd over three beautiful fall days to Sunday River, Maine. On tap were 35 educational sessions, including NSAA's Fall Education Series. Show organizer Bo Bigelow of the Ski Maine Association said the Summit drew a total attendance of more than 450 ski area personnel, suppliers, and speakers, with 54 resorts represented.

Day one kicked off with the surprise announcement that the search for a new NSAA president continues, after Ski Vermont chief Parker Riehle said he would not be assuming that role. But the show soon settled into its normal rhythms, with a keynote by Dave Belin of RRC. Titled, "The More You Know: Ski Industry Intelligence," his presentation focused on data collected from New England areas.

The well-attended sessions that afternoon included one by Ryan Lavoie of Peak Resorts, on "Mountain Ops: Reducing Workplace Injuries and Workers’ Compensation Costs." Another popular and thought-provoking session was led by PSIA/AASI CEO Nick Herrin, who addressed "Intro & Retention: Evolution of Teaching."

Wednesday’s schedule was chock full and offered up more choices than one could get to in a day—20 sessions, to be exact, covering everything from social media to snowmaking pumps.

Included in the mix was NSAA's four consecutive Fall Education Seminars, which dove into a variety of liability and risk management areas: crisis management, skier collisions, summer activities, and important changes to OSHA regulations.

The tradeshow sessions were full both evenings and during lunch on Wednesday, demonstrating the marketplace is healthy and resorts are optimistic for the winter ahead.

Next year's New England Summit will be held at Sunday River, Sept. 11-13.

Check out photos from the show, courtesy of Dave Gibson, Propeller Media Works.