Backwoods’ corporate office announced the winner and runner up of its first Ultimate Outsider
contest. Both Stephen Hance, the contest’s official winner and Bill
Dragoo, runner up, live in Oklahoma. The Ultimate Outsider was created
to inspire customers, new and old, to get out and experience all that
the outdoors has to offer throughout the year. The contest, in its
first year, was designed to allow customers an opportunity to share
their adventures from across the globe with other Backwoods enthusiasts.
The Ultimate Outsider contest is open to anyone in the states where
Backwoods retail locations exist and began in October 2011. The next
contest is set to begin in September 2012.
“For me, and many others, Backwoods is not just a gear store, but it's a
place that provides the opportunity for adventure. It is the place
where the employees know you by name. To be associated with a company
and culture that is a “throw-back” to this kind of personalized retail
and support is incredible. Someday, I would really enjoy meeting the
other finalists because I know we share a lot more in common than being
selected by Backwoods as Ultimate Outsiders,” Stephen Hance, winner of
Backwoods Ultimate Outsider contest, said. “I am thrilled and excited to
be chosen as the winner of this competition and consider it an honor to
represent Backwoods on their trip to Nepal and Everest Base Camp.”
Backwoods’ first Ultimate Outsider contest brought in 146 submissions,
with nine finalists, yielding one grand prize winner. The contest was
twofold, earlier this year one finalist from each Backwoods store
received a $1,000 prize package of gear and apparel and was featured in
Backwood’s spring edition of Pinecone Press. Then, on July 5, 2012, the
grand prize winner, Hance,was selected among the nine finalists. Hance, a
veterinarian from Oklahoma City, won an all-expense paid trip to New
York City to meet world-class alpinist Ueli Steck and a Backwoods
Adventures 21 Day Trek in Nepal.
The Ultimate Outsider contest entry form asked participants to upload 8
photos explaining why they ought to win the title and to share their
entry form on Facebook with their friends. The contest was only open to
residents in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas (the
states where Backwoods locations are available) who were at least 18
years of age by the date of their entry. Hance, the contests winner,
provided vivid images of his love for the outdoors and was extremely
active on Facebook throughout the contest with comments, sharing and
responses that exceeded 100 interactions with his community.
“This was the first ever Ultimate Outsider contest, so we didn't know
exactly what to expect, but we have been impressed and pleased by the
entries from our customers and we’ve been encouraged by their passion
for the outdoors.,” Jennifer Mull, chief executive officer of Backwoods,
said. “Stephen was able to connect with the community and show his
creativity and enthusiasm through video, hikes, Facebook posts, and
clinics to name a few. He did a fabulous job illustrating what it means
to be the Ultimate Outsider.”
Backwoods is an outdoor gear and apparel retailer located in 9 cities
across the country and on the web. Backwoods Adventures, a sister
company to Backwoods, is currently running trips on 6 of the 7
continents. It has nine
locations throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.
