Outdoor Retailer, the largest U.S. tradeshow and premier business event for the outdoor industry, on Thursday introduced the initial judges for the inaugural Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards. An esteemed panel will vote to select the finalists and winners with the winning products and retail services unveiled during a live ceremony on November 8 during Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Denver.
“They are innovators, creators and leaders, and we’re thrilled to have such a distinguished and diverse group as the inaugural judges for the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer vice president and show director. “They represent decades of growth in the outdoor industry and have shaped ideas into successful products and businesses. They all truly inspire us, and we are excited to see the results when they select the first winners of these awards.”
The 12 judges bring varying backgrounds in design, retail, education, entrepreneurship and journalism to the panel. Through their collective expertise, they will evaluate all awards submissions to determine the finalists. The judges will also be in Denver to review the finalist entries in-person and select the winners.
The judging panel:
- Brandon Stoddard, director of the Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center and professor at Weber State University
- Doug Schnitzspahn, editor-in-chief of Elevation Outdoors and editor for Outdoor Retailer Magazine
- D’Wayne Edwards, founder of PENSOLE footwear design school, 30-year career includes over 50 patents and more than 500 styles for premier athletes
- Jennifer Nolfi, executive director of the Center for Retail Leadership at Portland State University’s School of Business
- Jim Thomsen, adventurer turned executive turned adventurer, co-founded Wilderness Experience and past president of Eastpak/JanSport/Kipling International
- Kristin Hostetter, editor-in-chief of SNEWS and The Daily at Outdoor Retailer
- Nona Barker, co-founder of Eagle Creek, proponent of adventure travel for the soul and a career fire-fighter
- Rich Hill, veteran of Kelty, Marmot, prAna and Patagonia and current president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
- Sally McCoy, lifelong outdoorist with executive experience at CamelBak, Sierra Designs and The North Face; also an Everest climber
- Susan Sokolowski, director of the Sports Product Design Graduate Program and professor at the University of Oregon
- Tracy Gray, founder/managing partner of The 22 Fund, executive in residence at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, formerly a systems engineer on the Space Shuttle program
- Wanda Weller, sustainability and design expert, founder of Alterra Pure and previously design director at Patagonia and adidas North America
The foundation panel will be joined by additional judges for the evaluation of finalists on the eve of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. Individuals interested in serving as a judge of the finalists in Denver are invited to submit an online application, available at outdoorretailer.com/innovationawards. The judge application period is open through Oct. 10, 2018.
Judges will evaluate entries based on a variety of factors, including concept, design, functionality, originality, sustainability and impact. All of the finalists, as determined by the first round of judging, will be on display on the show floor throughout Winter Market.
The Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards recognize innovation and achievements in the outdoor industry. The annual event will become a fixture at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, which this year runs Nov. 8-11, 2018, at the Colorado Convent Center in Denver. The submission period for products and services eligible is open through Oct. 10, 2018. Rules and the entry form can be found online at outdoorretailer.com/innovationawards.
Winning products and retail services will be revealed on stage at a live awards ceremony on Thursday, November 8. The Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards ceremony will be held in the Mile High Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 pm. The ceremony is open to all Outdoor Retailer attendees.
For information on sponsorship opportunities around the awards, contact Krista Dill, director of sales, at Krista.Dill@outdoorretailer.com or an Outdoor Retailer account executive. Outdoor industry and event veteran Liz Ferrin is working with Outdoor Retailer once again and producing the awards.
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market will launch the winter outdoor season as the tradeshow begins the new cycle in November. Registration and housing are open.
