OIA's Audio Outdoorist: Recent Episodes
Outdoor Industry Association
Dig deep into the issues facing outdoor brands and retailers, from domestic vs. international manufacturing to brick-and-mortar vs. online commerce. Conversations with CEOs, VPs, supply chain reps, retail clerks, marketing gurus and an occasional celebrity outdoorist offer valuable insights and entertainment about the business of playing outdoors.
Ranking 5th in the nation, Maine’s outdoor industry generates 3.3% of the state’s economy. With numbers like that, Senator Angus King has a sharp eye on policies like those in the Great American Outdoors Act and the Build Back Better Act, which is currently going under debate in Congress.
In today’s episode, OIA government affairs director Rich Harper speaks with King and OIA Government Affairs Committee Chair and LL Bean Executive Chairman Shawn Gorman about why they support federal investments in national, state and local parks as means for driving sustainable economic growth, and they discuss how government and outdoor businesses can work together to pass equitable climate-smart legislation like the Outdoors For All Act to ensure our planet, its people and the outdoor industry continue to thrive.
Learn more about Build Back Better and the Outdoors For All Act and how OIA’s policy team works to support its members and the outdoor industry by visiting outdoorindustry.org.
This is the second in our series about international trade and trade policy. In this episode, our director of government affairs Rich Harper and three members of our Trade Advisory Council, discuss the recent precipitous rise in shipping costs, which, on top of punitive tariffs, trade wars and the global pandemic, have made it difficult for our member companies to remain nimble and competitive. Recently, OIA sent a letter to the White House, calling on this administration to invite all stakeholders to the table to identify immediate solutions to the crisis and to enforce all existing regulations. In addition, we're calling for support on legislation recently introduced in Congress to help alleviate the issues. To learn more about OIA's advocacy work, to sign up for our trade alerts and to get involved in legislation to help outdoor companies address this crisis, visit outdoorindustry.org.
Thank you for listing to this episode of Audio Outdoorist. To learn more about how our trade association supports member companies navigate trade policy and issues like the current international shipping crisis, visit outdoorindustry.org. Thank you for listening. Together We Are A Force.
Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-2nd) speaks with OIA’s Director of Policy, Rich Harper, to discuss his recently introduced Civilian Climate Corps proposal, which has been included in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. Neguse also talks about his Parks, Jobs and Equity Act, which would invest millions of dollars into urban parks, creating thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars in local economic growth. Rich and the Congressman talk about the industry’s role in passing these measures and why this session might be our best shot and getting the bills through Congress and to the President’s desk.
Hear from OIA's Director of Policy, Rich Harper, and members of the OIA Trade Advisory Council (OIATAC) as they discuss the council's important policy role. In this conversation, Rich is joined by Sara Bowersox, Sr. Manager, Global Trade Compliance, KEEN Footwear; Ben Christensen, Vice President, Operations, Simms Fishing Products; and Jeff Tooze, Vice President, Global Customs & Trade, Columbia Sportswear.
In the second episode of our new series that’s all about climate action, Amy Horton, OIA senior director of sustainable business innovation, and Greg Gausewitz, product sustainability manager for REI, chat about the recent release of REI’s updated Impact Standards and how the retailer hopes the new sustainability and DEI standards will drive meaningful shifts among outdoor brands. He previews what REI vendor meetings will look like now that the new standards are out, and he explains why the OIA Climate Action Corps is a great way for brands — whether they sell to REI or not — to affordably and authentically forge a path toward climate positive.
In the first episode of our new series that's all about climate action, Amy Horton, OIA senior director of sustainable business innovation, and Deborah Williams, OIA director of marketing, communications and storytelling, discuss the most impactful strategies for reducing and reversing global warming by the year 2050 and how the OIA Climate Policy Agenda aims to drive those strategies through a combination of responsible business and federal, state and local legislation.
https://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/2020-policy-platform/
https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/
https://outdoorindustry.org/article/webinar-post-election-analysis-impact-2020-elections-outdoor-industry/
The 2020 election will be one of the most consequential contests for the outdoor recreation economy. Following enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act, our top priorities are all on the ballot – from tackling climate change and preserving our public lands and waters to expanding access to the outdoors for all Americans to new investments in green infrastructure and close-to-home recreation as outdoor companies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. What can outdoorists expect from the next administration and Congress? What can we learn from our past wins, and how can we ensure our voice is heard?
Listen to this timely discussion of these issues featuring OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), one of Congress’ leading sportsmen and conservationists and a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Can companies in the outdoor industry afford to lean into climate action in the midst and immediate aftermath of a pandemic? That's the question being discussed around the campfire today. Jessie Curry, OIA's Sustainable Business Manager; Jenn Swain, Global Senior Sustainability Manager at Burton; JJ Trout, Chief of Staff at People for Bikes; Chris Sautter, Product Development Center Director at Yakima; and Greg Foweraker, who heads up Product Integrity at GSI Outdoors chat candidly about their respective companies’ approaches to climate and sustainability work. Throughout their conversation, you’ll hear four recurrent themes: risk, resiliency, equity and recovery.
Whether responding to the immediate health pandemic caused by coronavirus or to the long-term ecological crisis caused by climate change, these companies consistently assess risk, invest in resiliency, account for the externalities that influence equity and understand what’s possible when we pause and envision new, better horizons for the economic recovery of their businesses, their communities, the outdoor industry and the globe.
To learn more about the OIA Climate Action Corps, visit outdoorindustry.org/climateaction
Four specialty retail shop owners across the country and an expert in consumer trends and retail strategy gather around the fire to discuss the immediate aftermath of the COVID “shutdown,” the steps they’re taking to reopen or reposition their businesses, the safety precautions they’re using and how they’re recouping their losses. From day-to-day operations adjustments (adjusted hours, curbside pickup, delivery) to staffing changes; creative inventory strategy to quick-start e-commerce solutions, they’ve responded on the fly and without a roadmap. Listen in as they chat candidly about what they’ve learned, what questions they still have, what makes them nervous and what gives them hope about the near and long-term future.
Check out Chris Hogue's webinar, From The Inside Out: Transitioning Retail Experiences to Keep Shoppers Safe. outdoorindustry.org/article/covid-1…-shoppers-safe/
Outdoor industry businesses and employees have been overwhelmed by the impacts of the COVID-19 situation for months now, trying to stay safe while keeping themselves afloat. But as we begin to realize that COVID-19 will be part of our lives for some time, how do individuals and businesses in the outdoor industry move from treading water to being agile and successful in our “new normal?” Join us around the campfire as we discuss how members of the outdoor industry can create resiliency to adapt to the changing landscape, stay true to their core values, and even thrive while navigating an uncertain future.
Leaders of four outdoor industry advocacy organizations — each representing different but overlapping stakeholder groups — gather around the “fire” for an intimate and candid conversation about the public land conservation and access issues that matter to outdoor users and the outdoor economy. Where do the organizations’ policy priorities intersect and where do they diverge? How can members of each organization best support the policy initiatives through in-person and virtual advocacy amid the pandemic safer-at-home orders?
We originally recorded this conversation via a live Brandlive video broadcast on May 14. Throughout the conversation, you heard us referring to some slide images and graphics. You can find those graphics and the full video broadcast here: outdoorindustry.org/article/campfir…-advocacy-home/
And be sure to join the conversation on the Outdoor Industry COVID-19 Forum: www.linkedin.com/groups/12382693/
Amid COVID-19, states across the country implemented stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, all with different closure rules and requirements for local, county, state and national public lands, parks and trails. Now, as the country begins to contemplate reopening those outdoor assets, there are many questions and considerations about how to do it expeditiously but safely. Directors from several state outdoor recreation and parks and wildlife offices gather around the fire to chat about what conversation they’re having with other government and land management agencies, outdoor businesses and participants in their states; what usage and access trends have emerged during the pandemic; and how outdoor businesses have been and can continue to be leaders in their communities as Americans rediscover the benefits of time spent outside.
In this short episode, we look back on the highlights of Day 2 at OR and preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 3 at Summer Market. You can view Thursday's full OIA events and education agenda here: outdoorindustry.org/event/oia-outdoor-retailer/ To learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies, click here: outdoorindustry.org/
In this short episode, we look back on the highlights of Day 1 at OR and preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 2 at Summer Market. You can view Wednesday's full OIA events and education agenda here: outdoorindustry.org/event/oia-outdoor-retailer/
To learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies, click here: outdoorindustry.org/
You’ve got sustainability questions; we’ve got answers. Wherever you are on your journey to sustainability, we’re here to help. In 2019, we are helping OIA companies to Walk the Walk by hosting a series of sustainability boot camps. They are designed to help small to mid-sized brands that have limited to no dedicated sustainability staff or expertise to accelerate sustainability improvements and meet (or exceed) customer expectations. The camps are intensive full-day sessions combining engaging speakers, educational content, hands-on activities and take-home resources. The goal is for participants to leave the boot camp with more confidence and clarity around what is a complex topic. They will leave with a customized action plan so that they can champion sustainability within their brand, establish their organization’s strategy and program and take the next steps.
The first boot camp was held in Seattle, Washington, in March, and it hit capacity. The second camp is scheduled for June 16 in Denver, the day before Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, providing scheduling efficiency for those people who are already planning to attend the trade show. If Denver in June isn’t convenient, we’ll be offering two additional boot camps later this year, one in New York City on September 19 and one in Costa Mesa, California on December 5. Visit outdoorindustry.org for more information on the upcoming camps.
In this episode of Audio Outdoorist, we’re speaking with two industry professionals who attended the Seattle camp to find out why their company made it a priority, what they learned and what they’ll do next to keep their sustainability strategy forging forward.
Stay tuned for future stories from NEMO, Showers Pass and other boot camp attendees as they navigate their post boot-camp sustainability journeys. You can also read about how other industry brands are taking steps toward greater sustainability in our online series, “Sustainability: The First Step is the Hardest.”
https://outdoorindustry.org/sustainability-first-step-hardest/
Last week, in an overwhelming display of bipartisan support, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Natural Resources Management Act. This comes after it successfully passed through the Senate earlier in February, which means it now goes to the president for his signature. This is an enormous win for the outdoor industry, as the package includes many different components, including permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
In this episode, OIA’s Managing Content Editor Deborah Williams sits down with Patricia Rojas-Ungar, OIA’s vice president of government affairs, who recently joined the association. They’ll talk about about what this milestone means for the industry and our members, and the work that still needs to be done.
More here: https://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/
In the past two weeks, America has experienced what can only be described as whiplash as Congressional leadership, the Senate, House and President Trump bicker over funding priorities and principles. The President has flip-flopped on his insistence for border wall funding and his threats of government shutdown. On December 13, the day we recorded part 1 of this two-part Lame Duck series, we were still optimistic that a handful of important public lands bills—including the Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization—would get attached to a large omnibus funding package. We were also optimistic Congress and the President would avert a shutdown. Unfortunately, hope for the omnibus package—and with it public lands bills—eroded early this week. As of the time we recorded this episode, a continuing resolution hadn’t yet been reached. OIA Government Affairs Manager Jess Wahl again helps us understand how the disagreements in Washington stymied progress for critical public land policy that, ironically, has more bipartisan support than almost anything else on Capitol Hill.
When the calendar turns over to January 2019, we'll welcome many new faces on Capital Hill. Likewise, we'll say goodbye to any legislative measures on Congress's docket that do not get passed before the Senate and House of Representatives adjourn for the year. In this episode, OIA's Jessica Wahl talks to Deborah Williams about the work that OIA is doing to get bills passed before the finish line and how this will impact the outdoor industry.
This episode is the third in a series about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), America’s premier federal program that reinvests offshore energy revenue into conservation to ensure that we all have access to the outdoors. Congress created the LWCF almost a half-century ago to guarantee America’s natural, historic and outdoor recreation heritage. Most likely, there’s a park, trail, greenway or waterway very close to you that was funded in part or in whole by LWCF dollars.
In this episode, host Ben Schenck discovers that not only can he see the impacts of LWCF out his window, he can actually bike all the way from his home in Pittsburgh to our nation’s capitol on a series of trails that were connected thanks to LWCF dollars. Travel along with Ben as he rides more than 300 miles and learns about the history of the trail system. Along the way he meets other outdoorists who are thru-biking or section-biking and -hiking the Great Allegheny Passage Trail and the C&O Canal Towpath.
On September 30 of this year, Congress let LWCF expire, so at the time of this recording in November, our public lands and waters have lost over $100 million dollars in potential funding. Encourage your member of Congress to reauthorize LWCF before the end of this year. Visit outdoorindusty.org/lwcf to learn about the fund, to see a map of projects across the country that are funded by LWCF and to find our social media toolkit. Then Tweet or tag your lawmakers in D.C. Tell them why LWCF is important to you and your community. Make sure they know what you—and they—stand to lose if they don’t reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Saturday is Day 3 of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, and it will feature the third of our OIA lunch sessions. Hear from OIA’s new State and Local Policy Director David Weinstein about the lunch panel he’ll moderate to bring attendees up to speed on the growing trend of state outdoor recreation offices. Learn what you can do for them and what they can do for you. Also, find out about the resources and goodies on offer at the OIA booth, #30001-UL of the Colorado Convention Center. View Saturday’s full OIA events and education agenda here.
Click here to learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies.
This is our short preview of what’s coming up on Day 2 of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. In this episode we again hear from OIA Executive Director Amy Roberts about Friday’s OIA lunch session. The topic: “How Change Happens: Why do some social movements succeed while others don’t?” Roberts explains why she invited author Leslie Crutchfield to talk at this year’s trade show and how Crutchield’s expertise can help guide the outdoor industry moving forward into 2019 and beyond. Also on the agenda Friday is a sustainability session for anyone who wants to increase their understanding of and involvement with the Higg Index as they develop their company’s sustainability work. You can view Friday’s full OIA events and education agenda here.
Click here to learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies.
In this short episode, we preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 1 of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, which begins Thursday, November 8, in Denver. Beginning with the Industry Breakfast at 7 a.m. and ending with the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award, the first day is packed with informative and inspiring programming.
OIA’s Executive Director Amy Roberts talks about breakfast keynote Leslie Ghize of the TOBE Report, who will share insights about how today’s brands and specialty retailers can thrive in the changing retail landscape. And OIA Political Director Alex Boian explains why the Thursday lunch session recapping the 2018 midterm election campaigns will help attendees understand how the turnout and outcomes affect OIA’s policy agenda in Washington D.C. and in state houses around the country. You can view Thursday’s full OIA events and education agenda here.
Click here to learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies.
In this short interview, OIA’s managing content editor Deborah Williams sits down with Jimmy Chin to talk about to talk about the newest film that he and his wife, documentary filmmaker Chai Vasarhelyi created about Alex Honnold's free solo climb of El Cap: National Geographic’s Free Solo. Jimmy talks about the ethical questions that arose throughout the project and the team’s desire to reflect an accurate and unflinching portrait of Alex Honnold. He also talks about why this project and the work that he does as a photographer and North Face athlete are so important to helping people—within and outside the outdoor industry—understand the value of our public lands and waters. Take a listen, and then go see this incredible film, which is coming to theaters nationwide this month. You can find out more at freesolofilm.com
With the impending midterm elections, we have released OIA's first ever Voter's Guide. First and foremost, we encourage everyone out there to vote - but more than that, we want you to vote informed! We have the power to put policymakers in office who will continue to grow the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy. Our Voter's Guide provides expert insights and commentary on key issues and races. We help you understand candidates’ voting records and how gubernatorial and congressional races across the country could affect the balance of power nationwide on issues important to the outdoors. Visit the Voter's Guide find all the info you need to vote informed this November. And please share the guide with your networks using the hashtag #VoteTheOutdoors.
Finally, one of the issues you’ll read about in the Voters Guide and that earned headlines this past weekend is the Land and Water Conservation Fund or LWCF. On September 30, Congress let LWCF expire. Not sure what LWCF is or why its expiration is a problem? Visit outdoorindustry.org/LWCF to get up to speed.
Live from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, Deborah Williams brings you the highlights of the day's news, must-attend events, and the hottest products.
Live from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, Deborah Williams brings you the highlights of the day's news, must-attend events, and the hottest products.
Live from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, Deborah Williams brings you the highlights of the day's news, must-attend events, and the hottest products.
In this 2-part episode, Deborah Williams talks about a couple places and an issue that are important to her as an outdoorist, a Denverite and a Coloradan. The places are the Montbello Open Space Park and iconic Rocky Mountain National Park, and they are both recipients of Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars. She visits both in this 2-part episode, and she speaks with with some of the projects’ stakeholders from the Turst for Public Land, The North Face, Environmental Learning for Kids about how LWCF dollars were put to work.
In this 2-part episode, Deborah Williams talks about a couple places and an issue that are important to her as an outdoorist, a Denverite and a Coloradan. The places are the Montbello Open Space Park and iconic Rocky Mountain National Park, and they are both recipients of Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars. She visits both in this 2-part episode, and she speaks with with some of the projects’ stakeholders from the Turst for Public Land, The North Face, Environmental Learning for Kids about how LWCF dollars were put to work.
Cailin O'Brien-Feeney, OIA's State and Local Policy Manager for the past three years, has been hired to head the Office of Outdoor Recreation for the state of Oregon. In this interview, Deborah Williams, OIA's managing content editor, interviews Cailin about what he's accomplished over the past three years in his current role and what his first course of action will be once he arrives in Oregon. Check out https://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/ to see what your state is doing and what you can do to advocate for outdoor recreation.
On todays episode, you'll hear from a couple of "Climate Crusaders" - individuals who have made it their mission to reduce their and their businesses' impact on the planet. First, we’ll hear from Mario Molina, the executive director of Protect Our Winters. POW is leading the way in climate advocacy and creating a movement among snow sports enthusiasts and professional athletes to speak up to politicians. Mario will be speaking at the Outdoor Industry Climate Leadership Summit, which will take place over Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, on the first day of MountainFilm.
Next we’ll hear from Kim Jordan, the co-founder and now board chair of New Belgium Brewing. Since it’s founding in 1991, New Belgium has invested dollars, time, and employees in discovering creative ways to conserve energy in their beer production. It’s a philosophy that has not only paid off for the company and the environment, but one that can inspire other companies in the outdoor industry.
Want to learn how you can get involved in OIA’s sustainability and climate initiatives? Check out the toolkits for advocating on climate policy and reducing your business’s footprint.
https://outdoorindustry.org/sustainable-business/climate/
https://outdoorindustry.org/event/outdoor-industry-climate-leadership-summit/
Protect Our Winters - https://protectourwinters.org/
New Belgium Brewing - http://www.newbelgium.com/Sustainability
In this episode, OIA’s managing content editor Deborah Williams talks with Cailin O’Brien-Feeney and Stewart Lewis, who make up the local policy arm of our government affairs team. Cailin and Stewart will explain the work they’re doing to move legislative initiatives around outdoor recreation and access in a few key states, as well as their involvement with state offices of outdoor recreation, a trend that’s on the rise across the country. If you want to get involved, visit our advocacy webpage - http://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/ - to learn more about the federal and state bills that OIA is tracking. There you can also find our Recreation Economy Report, opportunities for you to engage with our policy work, and other helpful recreation and trade policy resources. Finally, if you’re active on social media, you can join the Outdoor Advocate Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/OutdoorAdvocateNetwork - and follow OIA on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorIndustryAssociation/. Both are great ways to tap into the conversation and help influence policymaking.
In this episode, Deborah Williams, OIA’s managing content editor, talks with Jessica Wahl, OIA’s Government Affairs Manager about how OIA is advocating for it's members at the state and federal level. Jessica works in DC on recreation policy, and in this interview we’ll hear the latest on what she’s working on, the response since the Trump Administration rolled back the protection on the Utah's national monuments, and the actions you can take to make a difference.
You can find out more information about the work that OIA does on policy at outdoorindustry.org/advocacy. There you can also see what current legislation OIA is working on at the state and federal level. Finally, if you want to engage policymakers directly, you can attend Capitol Summit in DC in April.
In June of 2017, President Trump announced that he would withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. In a letter to OIA members, Executive Director Amy Roberts noted that the withdrawal threatens not only the $887 billion outdoor industry and the 7.6 million American jobs it supports but also the very future of our planet.
As outdoorists, we see and feel the impacts of climate change when each season becomes harder and harder to predict. As businesses in the outdoor industry, we know we have an important role to play. Our Sustainability Working Group is a global leader in the promotion of responsible and resilient supply chains, and Sustainable Business Innovation is one of our association’s core pillars. Another is advocacy. Following President Trump’s announcement, more than 2,000 mayors, governors and business leaders—including many in this industry—signed the “We’re Still In” letter affirming their commitments to the Paris Agreement’s climate targets. Outdoor Industry Association remains committed to climate advocacy through our work in D.C. and at the state level to work toward fact-based, innovative and bipartisan solutions.
A few weeks ago at the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show in Denver, our industry heard from keynote speaker Paul Hawken, the author of the book Drawdown, who explained that those solutions are not far-off. Many solutions are, in fact, already in existence, viable and accessible. Following the keynote, OIA’s Sustainable Business Innovation Manager Jessie Curry had an opportunity to sit down with Hawken for an in-depth conversation. Over the next 20 minutes, we’ll dig into the book, its solutions and learn what outdoor industry companies—and even individual outdoorists—can do right now to drawdown carbon from our atmosphere and help ensure a viable planet for us all.
In early 2017, OIA announced an enhanced suite of member benefit partnerships in six key business channels, including finance operations and marketing sales. These benefits provide valuable tools to OIA members to improve their operating efficiencies and bottom lines. These vetted and trusted partners understand the outdoor recreation landscape and share the outdoor industry’s values.
Today we’re talking to Randy Norris, segment manager, and Lisa Berghaus, communications manager, with Monadnock Paper Mills. These two help their clients find or develop paper products that meet their needs. “Paper?” you might be asking. “What does that have to do with my business?” Well, take a minute to think about any and all of your printed materials. If you’re a brand, that might include catalogs, look books, direct mail, product hang tags, packaging and merchandise displays that you provide to your retail partners. If you’re a retailer, it could include brochures, shopping bags, price tickets, store signage and gift cards. Long-committed to green initiatives and sustainability, the nearly 200-year-old family-owned company believes that responsible forestry and paper production benefits any industry that relies on woods and waterways.
Monadnock has set itself apart by helping companies make purchasing and sourcing decisions that support a whole-brand sustainability mission. Whether your company already has a sustainability mission that includes paper-purchasing guidelines or you’re looking for a place to start your sustainability work, Monadnock is an ideal partner. Not only do they help on the front end, they offer up-to-date information on the entire paper lifecycle, including disposal and recycling, via a free Field Guide -mpm.com/fieldguide/ - available in print and online.
You can learn more about Monadnock Paper Mills at mpm.com
You can learn more about the other OIA member benefit with Monadnock at oia.outdoorindustry.org/monadnock
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies.
Jill Domain, the CEO of Bluesign, David Labistour, the CEO of MEC, and Thomas Chiu of Everest Textiles are represent links in Mountain Equipment Co-op’s sustainable supply chain. Each person and company plays a role in making sure that fabrics used for MEC’s outdoor apparel are responsibly made and procured. And it’s not always the easiest process. Listen as they get in depth about why they choose to work in sustainable businesses, and why collaboration is the key to a clean supply chain.
Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies.
Tom Adams, as the director of the Utah Office of Recreation, and Ashley Korenblatt, as the CEO of Western Spirit Cycling, are both undeniably vested in the success and promotion of the outdoors as an economic—and fun—driver in Utah. Listen in to their behind-the-scenes conversation about why they got into the industry and the importance of protecting the outdoors.
Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Sustainable supply chains. They’re all the rage these days. So, what’s actually in the making of a sustainable, transparent supply chain? Peter Duke, Point6 socks founder and Craig “Smitty” Smith, business development manager at PGG Wrightson Wool, weigh in on their approach to creating a sustainable wool supply chain and the importance of doing so. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. We’ve all heard the stereotype: "The outdoors is for old white guys." James Edward Mills, a freelance journalist and photographer, and Jose Gonzalez, founder of Latino Outdoors, are out to change that perception, one outdoor experience at a time. Together, they’re a force for diversity in the outdoor industry, and they’re not stopping until the demographics of the outdoor recreation population reflect those of the American populace. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In early 2017, OIA announced an enhanced suite of member benefit partnerships in six key business channels, including finance & operations and marketing & sales. These benefits provide valuable tools to OIA members to improve their operating efficiencies and bottom lines. These vetted and trusted partners understand the outdoor recreation landscape and share the outdoor industry’s values. Today we’ll be featuring Fidelitas Development in our Partnership Profile. We'll hear from their CEO, Tyler Sickmeyer, about an event they are hosting at outdoor retailer, search engine optimization, pay per click advertising, and more. You can learn more about Fidelitas Development at fidelitasdevelopment.com/OIA You can see events at Outdoor University at Outdoor Retailer here - https://outdoorindustry.org/events/oia-outdoor-retailer/ You can learn more about other OIA member benefit partnerships at outdoorindustry.org. Just click on the Membership link at the top of the page.
In early 2017, OIA announced an enhanced suite of member benefit partnerships in six key business channels, including finance & operations and marketing & sales. These benefits provide valuable tools to OIA members to improve their operating efficiencies and bottom lines. These vetted and trusted partners understand the outdoor recreation landscape and share the outdoor industry’s values. One of those brands is Apogee Digital Media, and in today's Partnership Profile, we feature Apogee’s, director of revenue, Kate VanHee. Listen in as Kate talks about how Apogee is helping brands and retailers enhance and scale their digital presence. You can learn more about Apogee at http://apogeedigital.media. You can learn more about other OIA member benefit partnerships at outdoorindustry.org. Just click on the Membership link at the top of the page.
In this episode, you’ll hear from OIA’s Executive Director Amy Roberts. This is the second in a series of quarterly installments to keep our members updated about our projects, initiatives and general industry happenings. We spoke with Amy over Skype to talk about the many achievements, developments and headlines that have dominated the association’s focus since January 2017. As a reminder, OIA’s work focuses on three foundational pillars: policy, participation and sustainable business. You can read more about them and the work we do in those areas on our website outdoorindustry.org. In this episode, we focus heavily on policy work, especially as it relates to America’s public lands and outdoor recreation, as well as the developing news around the twice-a-year industry trade show, Outdoor Retailer.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Ever wonder how CEOs of big outdoor brands started their careers in the outdoor industry? We talked to Casey Sheahan of Keen and Peter Metcalf, formerly of Black Diamond, to find out. Turns out in this line of work, leadership is about more than business savvy and work ethic. Peter and Casey are utterly respectful and personally dependent upon public lands. They infuse that sentiment into every business decision they make. If you want to know authenticity in the outdoor industry, you need to know Sheahan and Metcalf. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Kim Miller, CEO of Scarpa, and Don Bushey, owner of Wilderness Exchange Unlimited, have been friends, climbing partners and colleagues for, let’s just say, a while now. Their love of the outdoors and the collaborative outdoor industry cemented their career paths early on. Listen in as they chat about the importance of being outside as kids, their career paths and the collective power of the outdoor industry. Kim and Don demonstrate that through collaboration, our industry as a whole can do more so much more than a single company or individual can do alone. That is the concept behind our new campaign and our strategic vision: Together We Are A Force. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. What’s the most important ingredient to a sustainable outdoor industry supply chain? According to Valerie Presolly and Vik Sahney, sustainability gurus at MEC and REI, respectively, it’s collaboration. Vik and Valerie demonstrate that our industry as a whole can do more so much more than a single company or individual can do alone. That is the concept behind our new campaign and our strategic vision: Together We Are A Force. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. The Renewal Workshop may be a newcomer to the outdoor industry, but its founders—Nicole Bassett and Jeff Denby—are mainstays in sustainable apparel manufacturing. Toad&Co, headed up by Gordon Seabury, is one of the first outdoor companies to sign on as a brand partner with Renewal Workshop to make sure that their damaged, used or excess product doesn’t end up in a landfill. Hear about their collaboration to positively influence the end-of-life cycle of outdoor apparel. Gordon, Nicole, and Jeff demonstrate that that through collaboration, our industry as a whole can do more so much more than a single company or individual can do alone. That is the concept behind our new campaign and our strategic vision: Together We Are A Force. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Getting kids outside. It’s the future of the outdoor industry and, in the end, it’s what we should all be striving for. Beaver Theodosakis, the founder of prAna, has focused his time as an Outdoor Foundation board member on programs like Parks4Kids to get young people like Ella, Ella and Emme (dubbed the 3 Es by their parents) outside. Listen in as the 3 Es talk about what inspires them and why they just plain old love to get outside. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Today you’ll hear from three of those individuals. One of them is Conrad Anker, a world renowned alpinist and captain of The North Face Athlete team. The other two, Tsedo and Pema, are the daughters of Sherpa Adventure Gear founder, Tashi Sherpa. The outdoor industry has gained so much from the people and the landscape of Nepal, and we’ve recognized that it’s important to give back collaboratively. Tsedo, Pema, and Conrad demonstrate that that through collaboration, our industry as a whole can do more so much more than a single company or individual can do alone. That is the concept behind our new campaign and our strategic vision: Together We Are A Force. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are ALREADY working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Today you’ll hear from two of those individuals: Stacy Bare and Kevin Rosenburg. They are both U.S. veterans - Kevin from the Navy and Stacy from the Army - and wildly passionate about the therapeutic power of the outdoors to set you right, mentally and physically. After serving our country, they found themselves lost as they returned to civilian life. One saving grace for both? The outdoors. Stacy and Kevin demonstrate that that through collaboration, our industry as a whole can do more so much more than a single company or individual can do alone. That is the concept behind our new campaign and our strategic vision: Together We Are A Force. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
Between 20 and 30 years ago, outdoor specialty retail shops began popping up around the country. Owned and run by passionate outdoorists, these stores became institutions in their towns and communities. Over time, some of them were swallowed up by bigger companies or went out of business, but many of them thrived. Now, though, owners are aging out and inching up on retirement with no built-in plans for succession.
This episode will address:
- How and when to create a succession plan for your business
- Common mistakes store owners make and how to avoid them
- Examples of outdoor shops who have/are successfully setting themselves up for succession
Episode guests:
- Bob Wade, Ute Mountaineer
- Carolyn Crook, Pack Rat Outdoor Center
- Jim Smith, Mountain Chalet
Membership in OIA comes with a host of business benefits including preferred partnerships with law firms, HR specialists, insurance providers and other experts who can help you plot your next step. Visit outdoorindustry.org and click on Benefits of Membership to learn about our partnership program.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Today you’ll hear from three of those individuals - They’ve watched the industry grow and mature, and they’re fiercely committed to protecting it. They’ve joined the voices of their organizations: OIA, Outdoor Alliance and Conservation Alliance to advocate for public lands. The only thing that rivals their love of the outdoors is their love for public policy. They are Alex Boian, Adam Cramer and John Sterling, and they demonstrate that through collaboration, our industry as a whole can do more so much more than a single company or individual can do alone. That is the concept behind our new campaign and our strategic vision: Together We Are A Force. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
In 2016, we conducted an extensive series of interviews and surveys to find out how OIA—the outdoor industry’s membership trade association—can best support outdoor companies. What we learned is that our members see us as a convener—the unifying entity best equipped to galvanize the industry around three important issues: policy, participation and sustainable business. We then identified individuals who are already working to move the needle on those issues within their respective companies. Today you’ll hear from two of those individuals. They are colleagues, friends, climate warriors, and outdoorists. They’ve been all over the world, from the offices of politicos in D.C. to the vast, sweeping landscape of the Artic to advocate for the protection of the outdoors. They are Gareth Martins and Lisa Pike Sheehy and they demonstrate that through collaboration, our industry as a whole can do more so much more than a single company or individual can do alone. That's the concept behind our new campaign and our strategic vision: Together We Are A Force. Want to learn more about these individuals and the work OIA is doing to foster collaboration throughout the industry and to catalyze change? Visit outdoorindustry.org/outdoorist to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our Audio Outdoorist podcast.
As evidenced by an open letter from more than 200 CEOs to the incoming Trump administration, the outdoor industry is 100-percent aligned on the importance of protecting our public lands. The letter, which is available on outdoorindustry.org, states:
“It is an American right to roam in our public lands. The people of the United States, today and tomorrow, share equally in the ownership of these majestic places. This powerful idea transcends party lines and sets our country apart from the rest of the world. That is why we strongly oppose any proposal, current or future, that devalues or compromises the integrity of our national public lands.”
There is no doubt our industry stands united for public lands. However, as we’ve seen over the past month, there are a range of opinions about how best to respond when those public lands are threatened, as they have been by policymakers in Utah. You’ve likely been following the recent news and the passionate debate surrounding the Outdoor Retailer trade show—whether it should stay in Utah or leave. To be sure, it’s a complicated issue. In today’s episode, we talk with OIA’s executive director, Amy Roberts, about the outdoor industry’s response to the state of Utah requesting that federal protection be removed from bears ears be national monuments.
Why hasn’t your company adopted the Higg Index to evaluate your supply chain? Perhaps you’re not sure how to get buy-in from your executive team to invest in the tool. Maybe you think you lack the internal human and budgetary resources. Or you’re afraid the tool’s built-in score sharing could expose internal business practices to competitors or could reflect poorly on your brand. Or maybe you think the various tools you’ve been using to internally audit your supply chain are sufficient. The people you’re about to hear from faced these same questions and challenges before they began using the Higg. But they and their companies recognized the value and the imperative of an industry-wide, standardized tool for measuring and benchmarking corporate responsibility. They are among the early adopters and biggest proponents of the Higg Index. Over the next hour, they explain why. If this doesn’t convince you, consider this: For a limited time, Outdoor Industry Association is subsidizing the cost of registration for all OIA brand members under $500 million annual revenue. Contact us at nhodgson@outdoorindustry.org for details on how to sign up and be a part of the industry’s sustainable business movement.
Episode guests:
Ali Kenney, Senior Director of Global Supply Chain and Sustainability, Burton Greg Gausewitz, Product Sustainability Manager, REI Peter Haney, Manager of Stakeholder Engagement, Corp responsibility, Columbia Sportswear Ned Hutchinson, Senior Product Manager, Mountain Khakis Bernhard Kiehl, Leader of Fabrics Division Sustainability, Gore Tiffany Teaford, Commercialization Manager, Orvis
As the retail landscape shifts and as consumer behavior shifts, it’s important that your in-store brick-and-mortar merchandising and display strategy shift with it. B&M stores have a lot of advantages over online retailers, and there are ways to leverage those when presenting your inventory to shoppers. This episode will first address high level merchandising strategy then delve deeper into specific topics: what outdoor specialty retailers can learn and apply from other retail categories and how to link in-store merchandise to digital channels, even without e-commerce.
Episode guests:
Robin Enright Salcido from Merchandising Matters - http://merchandisingmattersnow.com/
Judy Bell from Energetic Retail - http://www.energetic-retail.com/
Jill Nickels from Gensler - http://www.gensler.com/
Links from episode:
Under Armour Brand House case study - https://outdoorindustry.org/article/a-sure-fire-way-to-boost-holiday-sales/#articles,case-studies,marketing,retail
Shop Association - http://www.shopassociation.org/
OR Winter Market education sessions - https://outdoorindustry.org/events/outdoor-retailer/2017-winter-education-agenda/
This is the first in a series of quarterly updates from OIA's Executive Director, Amy Roberts. Amy speaks to our members about OIA's 3 pillars (policy, participation, sustainable business), how the election results will impact the industry, a change in trade show cycle, and the transforming retail environment.
“The outdoor recreation industry enjoys bipartisan support and OIA excels at working with both parties. Republicans and Democrats alike recognize the power and longevity of the outdoor recreation economy. We look forward to working with President Trump and his team to communicate that message and get to work on the many issues facing our industry.” —Amy Roberts, Executive Director of Outdoor Industry Association
In this episode, we speak with Alex Boian, Cailin O'Brien-Feeney, Rich Harper, and Jessica Wahl from OIA's Government Affairs team. How will a Trump presidency impact the outdoor rec economy, our public lands, and international trade? What newly elected members of congress are champions of the outdoor industry? What state- and local-level policy has us most excited? Listen to our 2016 Election Analysis to find out.
There’s more to setting up an insurance plan than getting property and theft protection for your store. For example, shops have to protect themselves from liability when renting ski or bike equipment. What insurance do you need when hosting an event? What about when you ask an employee to participate in an outdoor activity where he/she could get hurt? In this episode, we speak with Rob Martin, director of Outdoor Sports Insurance (a program from Horizon Agency, an OIA vendor partner). Rob will comment on the unique insurance needs of outdoor retailers and give advice on how they can best protect themselves. Joe Butler of Black Creek Outfitters and Bob Wade of Ute Mountaineer also chime in with their experiences. Relevant links: Rob Martin: (952) 914-7165, rob@horizonagency.com Outdoor Sports Insurance - http://www.outdoorsportsins.com/ Ute Mountaineer - http://www.utemountaineer.com/ Black Creek Outfitters - https://www.blackcreekoutfitters.com/
For any small retail business, finding, interviewing and hiring good employees can be a challenge. For specialty outdoor retail, it can be even trickier because you want/need to find employees who are not only capable of the work tasks but who also exude passion and authenticity for outdoor products and activities and who reflect your store’s vibe. We often remark that great outdoor shops are convivial, communal hubs/gathering places. They’re about so much more than the transactions at the register. The personnel in the store and in the backroom are key to maintaining that community. Show guests include Ponch Membreno of Toad and Co. (www.toadandco.com), Lori Kleiman of HR Topics (http://hrtopics.com/), and Nicole Leinbach Reyhle of Retail Minded (https://retailminded.com).
Outdoor specialty retailers are very unique among retail operations because they do so much more than sell products. They offer education and community events, they support recreational programs at local schools and parks, they often interface with local government on issues related to outdoor recreation, and they are general hubs of engagement for outdoorists in a town/city. Community engagement is a huge part of developing a strong reputation and loyal customer base.
This episode focuses on best practices for:
- Creating unique and impactful community events/programs
- Partnering with brands/suppliers on in-store or local promotions and events
- Local advocacy—how retail shops can lead efforts to promote recreation and conversation. Why is it important for shops to be the voice of these efforts in a community?
Show guests
- Darren Bush, Owner and Chief Paddling Evangelist at Rutabaga Paddlesports
- John Mead, Owner and President of Adventure 16
- Deek Heykamp, Owner of Next Adventure
Darren Josey, North American marketing manager at Polartec, sits down with Audio Outdoorist at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2016. In this interview, Darren discusses how Polartec works with brand clients to produce fabric in the locations where the customer cuts and sews. This reduces shipping costs, shipping times, and currency risk. We also talk to Darren about the "Made in America" movement and how it is the responsibility of both brands and consumers to understand and communicate the message.
Polartec's headquarters are in Lawrence, MA, where they continue to pioneer leading fabric technologies – category defining fabrics – used in the most challenging environments around the globe.
In this episode of Audio Outdoorist, we talk with Chris Ritchie, manager of PR and communications at Thule. Out of about 2,000 workers worldwide, Thule employs 1,000 in the USA. The benefits of making products in the USA go beyond branding and high-quality production for a hard goods producer. Ritchie says that strategically located factories allow Thule to respond to trends in weather and reduce shipping costs. Thule Group is the owner of a collection of brands all related to the outdoors and various types of transportation solutions. It is the market leader in cargo carriers for automobiles and a leading company in the outdoor and bags market. The Thule motto is "Bring your life”.
We are joined by Neal Caplowe, founder and owner of Sport Science, a "Made in the USA" t-shirt company. It wasn’t always that way - Sport Science originally manufactured shirts in Central America and Asia but decided to move the process to the US to achieve faster turn times and more control. Neal talks about how labor cost is one of the largest variables when considering domestic production. Has he ever considered returning to international production? Listen to find out! Sport Science was founded in 2004 when Neal Caplowe found himself wanting a versatile performance shirt that wasn’t just for running and training. Using drirelease™ technology, the engineered yarn is made up of 85% synthetic/hydrophobic fibers and 15% natural/hydrophilic fibers. Sport Science products are made in the Carolinas within a 200 mile radius, cutting out nearly 7,850 miles of traveling and all the fuel that goes with it. Sport Science is proud to keep their carbon footprint small, as well as keep jobs in the USA.
In this episode, we chat with Alex Kutches, the vice president of sales and marketing at Mystery Ranch and Kletterwerks, about the challenges and rewards of producing gear in the U.S. Kutches discusses the impacts of the TPP on domestic gear manufacturers and how his brands have navigated the Berry Amendment. As a heritage brand with strong ties to the U.S. military and strong consumer appeal in high-fashion channels, Kletterwerks has established its reputation as a premium brand.
In 2012, the Gleason family (owners of Mystery Ranch and formally Dana Designs) re-launched Kletterwerks, a company that was originally started in 1975 by Dana Gleason. Today's line of Kletterwerks packs reflects the style of those built 40 years ago.
We sit down with Mike Cangi, vice president of United By Blue, to talk about the production of two products made entirely in the USA: the Ultimate American Sock (made of bison wool) and the Ultimate American Jacket (made of bison down). Mike discusses Made in the USA branding, the challenges of domestic manufacturing, and what needs to happen for this patriotic movement to continue.
United By Blue is a lifestyle apparel and accessories brand designed for the urban and outdoor adventurer. Catering to men, women, and children, products include eco centric organic cotton t-shirts, knits, and sweaters along with rugged waxed canvas bags with classic details and artisan jewelry. For every product sold, United By Blue removes 1 pound of trash from oceans and waterways through company organized cleanups.