The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announced the finalists for the 2008 Outdoor Industry Innovator Award and the Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award.
The candidates are nominated by the outdoor industry and then selected by OIAs Board of Directors. Winners will be announced Wednesday at the Industry Breakfast that kicks off the Outdoor Retailer Winter Marketplace in Salt Lake City, Utah.
New this year, there will be two categories per award:
Small to Mid-size Format:
· Retailer or rep agency with less than $10 million in annual revenue,
· Manufacturer, supplier, media group, or other industry business with less than $50 million annual revenue.
Large format:
· Retailer or rep agency with more than $10 million in annual revenue,
· Manufacturer, supplier, media group, or other industry business with more than $50M in annual revenue.
The Outdoor Industry Innovator Award recognizes a business achievement by an outdoor company that 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. The finalists are:
· Half Moon Outfitters
· High Sierra Sport
· Horny Toad
· Timberland
· Untraditional Marketing
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 strides in encouraging youth to develop an active outdoor lifestyle. The finalists are:
· Adventure Cycling Association
· Bay Area Wilderness Training
· Great Outdoor Provision Company
· Mountain Gear
· Sierra Club
· The Coleman Company
Previous recipients of the OIA Ambassador Award include 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.
