The Outdoor Industry Association will hold its annual Rendezvous
leadership and learning conference in Vancouver, Wash. next week.
The sold out event will host hundreds of outdoor industry professionals
for seminars, speakers and active outdoor recreation excursions that
promote the growth and success of the outdoor industry. A recent report
by Outdoor Industry Foundation cited the $730 billion economic
contribution of active outdoor recreation to the U.S. economy. In
the Pacific NW region, outdoor recreation jobs, gear retail sales,
trip-related sales and taxes amount to $81 billion to the regional
economy each year.
With the help of Timberland and Washington Trails Association, the 2007
Volunteer Service Project will allow attendees to leave southwest
Washington recreation areas in better shape than when they first
arrived. Washington Trails Association, Vancouver-Clark County Parks
and Outdoor Industry Association have identified the Dubois Park and
Blandford Canyon Trail, located four miles from the Vancouver Hilton as
the site of this year's service project. The trailhead begins in a
residential area that provides close-to-home recreation.
