OIA Rendezvous, the premier education conference for the outdoor industry, convenes, Wednesday, Oct. 3 in Boston with more than 300 industry executives.
“This is the must-attend conference for the outdoor industry,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of OIA. “In today’s environment, businesses have to be nimble and adaptable in order to survive and thrive. We’ve developed an outstanding curriculum for Rendezvous that will highlight key technology and market trends that industry executives need to watch.”
Rendezvous features four dedicated knowledge tracks – for retailers, marketers, executive leaders and manufacturers. The retail track dives into consumer technology, how the retail environment is changing, and tangible examples of innovative retail solutions. The executive leadership track includes sessions on the Shift Index – Delloite’s view of the dynamics affecting businesses today, employee engagement, and how to speak out on behalf of the industry and influence the political process. In the marketing track, attendees get an inside look at e-commerce strategies, direct-to-consumer marketing models, Millennial consumer trends, and social media campaigns. Manufacturers will learn the latest on shrinking supply chains, how to protect intellectual property, cutting-edge 3D printing technologies, retailer partnerships and sustainability initiatives.
The conference also offers an exciting line-up of keynote speakers, including Max McKeown, a business leader and author focused on adaptability and change management; Gabe Zichermann, a recognized leader in game theory and gamification; and NPR’s political junkie, Ken Rudin. In addition, a keynote panel focused on customer acquisition explores the rapidly evolving retail environment and what retailers can do to stand out from the crowd. Clark Sheffy of IDEO wraps up Rendezvous, offering practical steps for attendees to turn ideas from the three-day conference into products and services that will propel their organizations forward.
One evening during Rendezvous, attendees will embark on the “Retail Trail,” a 2.6-mile journey to several outdoor retailers, where employees and brand executives will share their version of the “ultimate retail experience.” The journey ends with a KOA urban campground celebration sponsored by KOA and Eastern Mountain Sports.
In addition, attendees get their hands dirty during an afternoon of service projects, sponsored by Timberland. Outdoor industry representatives will be put to work with four local nonprofits – Middlesex Fells Reservation, Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center, Trustees of the Reservations (at Bradley Estate) and Franklin Park Zoo – to do trailwork, maintenance, planting and harvesting, play area installations and other outdoor work. This is a valuable component of the conference, offering attendees an opportunity to live up to the Timberland ideal of “doing well and doing good” by giving back to the host community while bonding with fellow executives.
To learn more about Rendezvous, visit outdoorindustry.org/rendezvous.
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.
