Outdoor Industry Association is looking for nominations for the 2008 Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award and Outdoor Industry Innovator Award. OIA will present the awards at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah. Open to anyone in the outdoor industry, the deadline for nominations is Monday, December 10, 2007.
“OIA reviewed and updated each award category to honor those who share our mission of ensuring the continued growth and success of the outdoor industry,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. “The vitality of our industry is reliant on those companies and individuals who embrace the spirit of innovation, as well as serve as a role model and leader.”
For 2008, the OIA awards will celebrate business innovation and outreach in an expanded format to include all sizes and types of outdoor industry members.
Categories include:
Small to Mid size format
- Retailer, Rep Agency (<$10M annual revenue) or
- Manufacturer, Supplier, Media Group or other Industry Business (<$50M annual revenue)
Large format
- Retailer, Rep Agency (>$10M annual revenue) or
- Manufacturer, Supplier, Media Group or other Industry Business (>$50M annual revenue)
The Outdoor Industry Innovator Award recognizes a business achievement by a retailer, rep agency, manufacturer, supplier, media group or other industry business who has made significant contributions toward the continued innovation and growth of the outdoor industry. Those contributions can be either through a dynamic business initiative or the creation and development of a new business tool or process. This award recognizes a business achievement.
The Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award recognizes a company that has made significant and ongoing achievements toward the growth of participation in outdoor activities. Those efforts could include spearheading conservation programs, the development and support of programs or efforts intended to serve as model practices for the industry, the introduction and advancement of responsible tourism practices, outstanding consumer outreach campaigns, or have made great strides in encouraging youth to develop an active outdoor lifestyle. This award pays tribute to a company that has embraced a worthy cause and made a significant achievement.
Previous recipients of the OIA Ambassador Award have included Atlas Snowshoes, Backpacker magazine, and River Sports Outfitters. Previous recipients of the OIA Innovator Award were Kirk Richardson of Keen Footwear and Gary Erickson, founder and owner of Clif Bar.
OIA is now accepting nominations. For more information on nomination criteria and submission guidelines go to www.outdoorindustry.org. The deadline for award nominations is Monday, December 10, 2007 at 5 p.m. MST.
