World-renowned mountaineer Reinhold Messner and adidas Outdoor athlete and 2011 International Federation of Sport Climbing World Champion Sasha DiGiulian will officially kick off the Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Inspiration Awards ceremony on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market at the Capitol Theater.

 

Outdoor Industry Association created the Outdoor Inspiration Awards to celebrate individuals and companies that inspire people to appreciate and recreate in the outdoors. The nominations can be submitted online at outdoorindustry.org/inspire through Dec. 16, 2011.

 

“The combination of Reinhold Messner, a climbing icon, and Sasha DiGiulian, representing the next generation of the sport, serving as co-hosts is a homerun,” said Greg Thomsen, managing director for adidas Outdoor North America, the sponsor behind the OIA Outdoor Inspiration Awards. “We are looking forward to recognizing another inspirational group at this year’s event. It is important to look at where climbing has been and where it is going. Reinhold and Sasha will bring tremendous energy to this great event celebrating the outdoors.”

 

Messner is renowned for making the first solo ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen and for being the first climber to ascend all fourteen “eight-thousanders” (peaks over 8,000 metres (26,000 ft.) above sea level). He has written more than 60 books about his experiences as a world-class mountaineer and has traveled the world as a passionate outdoor ambassador.

 

DiGiulian is an up-and-coming 19-year-old World Champion climber from Alexandria, Va. who is a US National Champion and has successfully tackled the hardest-rated climb ever by a North American woman.

 

“Last year, we received an amazing group of individual and company nominations for the inaugural OIA Outdoor Inspiration Awards,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of Outdoor Industry Association.

“The OIA Inspiration Awards ceremony is the perfect time to remember why we are in the outdoor industry and to recognize those who give so much back.”

 

Winners will be selected by a panel of outdoor business and community leaders from a diverse group of finalists across three categories:

 


  • Person – employee, volunteer, customer, athlete, teacher, leader, etc. – one person who has motivated and inspired others to enjoy, participate in and support outdoor activities.
  • Group – community, school, fund raising group, guide service, product development team, sales force – two or more who have come together to get great things done, and get even better things started.
  • Company – companies can inspire us in much the same way as an individual or group through their dedication to outdoor efforts that have a commercial or business-oriented framework. All companies being considered need to be for-profit entities (i.e. retailer, manufacturer, supplier, etc.).

In 2011, the OIA Inspiration Award winners were Martin Fox, Center for Global Leadership; First Descents; Mountain Mama; and REI.