Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) has announced its November Outdoor University lineup, with sessions focusing on brand building, search engine optimization, sustainability and what the 2012 election results mean for the outdoor industry. In addition, OIA has just uploaded Outdoor University sessions from OIA Rendezvous and Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 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 November.



  • Nov. 12 – 6:30 pm (MST): The Business of Outdoor Recreation Lecture Series: The North Face Brand Building Journey (live event in Boulder, Colo.)
    Aaron Carpenter, The North Face
    A discussion of The North Face’s unique model of athlete tested, expedition proven storytelling, and the company’s global efforts to segment consumers and inspire a movement of outdoor exploration

  • Nov. 13 – 10 am (MST): Can Small Businesses Say No To SEO? (webinar)
    Dan Smink, C1 Partners; and Benjamin Waymire, Benjamin Media Group
    An overview of search engine optimization (SEO) to help small businesses drive traffic to their websites

  • Nov. 15 – 10 am (MST): New Balance’s Higg Index for Footwear Pre-Pilot Experience (webinar)
    Chris Wawrousek, New Balance
    A primer on how to starting measuring the sustainability of your products, drawing from New Balance’s experience using the Higg Footwear Index

  • Nov. 15 – 12 pm (MST): So, I Voted in the 2012 Election, Now What? (webinar)
    The OIA Government Affairs Team: Kirk Bailey, Alex Boian, Craig Mackey and David Weinstein
    A discussion of the 2012 election results and what it means for the outdoor industry and your business

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


 


  • Adaptability: Keeping Pace with the Rate of Change (keynote)
. Max McKeown. An eye-opening discussion of the importance of adaptability in the face of brutal competition and economic uncertainty

  • Millennial Consumer Trends – 2012 Revelations and What's on the Horizon for 2013 (marketing track)
. Michael Wood, TRU. An examination of the millennial generation’s consumer behavior and what it means for outdoor businesses

Recorded sessions from Outdoor University at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012:



  • How to Use the “Brand Module” of the Apparel Index

  • Are You Ready for the Reset? Three Revelations that Will Rock Your Retail Reality

  • Advocacy 101: Take it Outside to Influence Public Policy

  • Choosing the Right Tools for Small Business Success: How to Choose a Retail POS System that’s NOT a POS plus Tools and Resources to Help Your Business Grow

  • Kiss my Klout! Tracking the True ROI from Social Media and Internet Marketing Campaigns

  • Outdoor Obstacle Courses – Multi-Activity Experiences

  • Fashion Fast Forward – Design Trends and Outdoor Opportunities

  • Stand Up Paddleboarding – National Education Curriculum & Legislation Update

  • E-Commerce Boot Camp: Pump Up Your Business in 60 Minutes

  • Balancing Act – Integrating Brick & Mortar and Online Operations
     

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