Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), the nonprofit trade association for the outdoor industry, has released the Outdoor University education schedule for Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.
Outdoor University session topics include increasing youth participation, water conservation policy, sustainable business innovation and marketing, design and sales trends.
“We’re a highly collaborative industry with a unique power to create meaningful change in some of our nation’s most impactful issues,” said Amy Roberts, OIA’s executive director. “The first step in harnessing that power is gaining the knowledge necessary to move forward with purpose and conviction. I hope all Outdoor Retailer Summer Market attendees will come to our free Outdoor University education sessions to connect, collaborate and learn. The programming is designed to give everyone in the industry the insight we need to thrive in business while improving communities and people’s lives through outdoor recreation.”
Key Outdoor University sessions include the following:
OIA Industry Breakfast: Good Is the New Cool
Day 1, June 18, 7 – 8:45 a.m., Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center
Keynote speaker: Afdhel Aziz, Author of Good Is the New Cool
Join Outdoor Industry Association and keynote speaker Afdhel Aziz in an equal-parts inspiring and instructive presentation on Good Is the New Cool. His presentation will help our industry discover the deeper purpose in their work and lives that will lead to greater personal fulfillment and organizational profit. By sharing lessons from various brands and partnerships, this keynote will take breakfast attendees though rousing stories and a revolutionary roadmap for how to grow our businesses and do good while harnessing the power of cool.
OIA Industry Lunches
Days 1-3, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Denver and The Camp at Colorado Convention Center
Day 1, Tuesday, June 18
Hyatt Regency Denver
Working Together to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Outdoor Industry
Presenters: Teresa Baker, African American Nature and Parks Experience; Lise Aangeenbrug, Outdoor Foundation; Diana Seung, Camber Outdoors; Dr. Carolyn Finney, Author & Scholar
Please join us for a discussion of the work being done by many different participants in the outdoor industry who share the end goal of making the industry more diverse, equitable and inclusive. This session will discuss the challenges and opportunities in the work of DEI and acknowledge that achieving our diversity goals requires collaboration, skillsets and leadership by many different organizations and individual leaders.
Day 2, Wednesday, June 19
Hyatt Regency Denver
Why Every Outdoor Brand CEO Should Care About Sustainability
Presenters: Gordon Seabury, Toad&Co; Eric Brody, Shift Advantage
Moderator: Amy Horton, Outdoor Industry Association
It’s not just about doing the right thing – doing business the sustainable way is imperative. From product and process innovation to ensuring a reliable and resilient supply chain and managing costs to improving reputation and meeting buyer/market expectations, the opportunities to create business value through sustainable practices are real and becoming more well-documented. If you’re not making a move – no matter your size or structure – you’re missing out. But don’t take our word for it. Come listen to experts and outdoor industry brand leaders share their own candid insights on why sustainability should be on the CEO agenda.
Day 3, Thursday, June 20
The Camp, Colorado Convention Center Show Floor
New Mexico Sets an Example for the Country With New Equity Fund
Presenters: Local Elected Officials and New Mexico Advocates
Moderator: David Weinstein, Outdoor Industry Association
Join OIA’s State and Local Policy Director David Weinstein and various local elected official and New Mexico advocates to learn more about the Outdoor Equity Fund, who in our industry is already supporting it and how and why your business should get involved.
