Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) has announced its December Outdoor University lineup, with sessions focusing on sustainability topics, exploring new export markets, and search engine optimization. In addition, OIA has just added four more sessions from OIA Rendezvous to its website, adding to the organization’s extensive online library.


Outdoor University is OIA’s education platform, which delivers a robust curriculum of professional development seminars each month. Outdoor University workshops and online sessions break down complex challenges and issues specific to outdoor industry businesses. Led by industry experts and business influencers, they offer outstanding opportunities to learn about current business trends and tips for how to be more profitable.


The following live sessions are being presented in December.



  • Dec. 6 – 10 am (MST): OIA Sustainability Working Group Introduction for the SnowSports Industry
    An introduction to the OIA Sustainability Working Group, targeted at the snowsports industry, presented by Ali Kenney, Burton Snowboards; Matt O'Laughlin, K2 Sports; Jeff Wilson, Quiksilver; and Meghan Clough, OIA.

  • Dec. 11 – 11 am (MST): Exploring New Export Markets
    Discover resources that can help you access global markets and increase your business utilizing international expansion as a growth strategy. Presented by Lisa Kelley, FedEx; and Doug Barry, U.S. Commercial Service.

  • Dec. 12 – 10 am (MST): Can Small Businesses Say No to SEO?
    Dan Smink of C1 Partners; and Benjamin Waymire with Benjamin Media Group offer insights and actionable steps you can take to determine if you need search engine optimization services and to evaluate your current service if you are using one.

  • Dec. 13 – 10 am (MST): Durable Water Repellency Treatments in the Outdoor Industry
    Bob Buck with DuPont will present an introduction to the chemistry of Durable Water Repellency treatments and PFCs within the outdoor industry.

In addition, the following recorded sessions from OIA Rendezvous 2012 are now available online:



  • Engaging Digital Natives through Gamification
    Find out the gamification secrets of leading organizations and the metrics, patterns and risks they’ve uncovered in this fast-paced, data-rich keynote by author and designer Gabe Zichermann.

  • Employee Engagement: How Leaders Are Significantly Growing their Business
    John Bernard of Mass Ingenuity shares the characteristics of world-class management systems and tools proven to increase employee engagement while increasing profits.

  • 3D Printing: Bringing Manufacturing to the Consumer
    Cathy Lewis, Vice President Global Marketing, 3D Systems discusses the future and possibilities of 3D printing technology.

  • New Rules Retail Training: Learn from Dan Mann of the Mann Group how one specialty outdoor retailer is making dramatic changes, the tools and processes they're using and the challenges they're facing to create, sustain and advance the retail service experience.

Outdoor University recordings are free to all employees of OIA member companies. Non-members can access webinars for a nominal per-session fee.


Register for an Outdoor University session today.


About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information, go to outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.