The winners of the ninth annual Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Awards presented by Adidas Outdoor were announced by Outdoor Retailer on the first night of Summer Market, Tuesday, June 18, in Denver.

The five category awards were presented, and Larry Burke, founder and editor in chief of Outside, and Greg Thomsen, chief outdoor officer at Adidas Outdoor, were both honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards recognize those that inspire and encourage others to enjoy, participate in and support outdoor recreation, and the ceremony took place at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.

“This year’s winners of the Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Awards presented by adidas Outdoor are all focused on taking people into the outdoors where they learn about the natural world, about conservation, and about themselves,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer vice president and show director. “We were honored to celebrate their remarkable work, and to pay tribute to both Larry Burke and Greg Thomsen for their decades-long dedication to the industry we love.”

Burke is the founder, chairman and editor-in-chief of Outside Integrated Media. Since starting Outside over 43 years ago, it has grown from a magazine to a global brand with multiple platforms, reaching approximately 40 million people every month. As Burke described, “Outside encourages people to ‘Live Bravely’ in their everyday lives…and to get outside…there’s no place like it.”

Thomsen has been part of the outdoor industry since 1970, working as a climbing guide, sales rep, specialty retailer, product designer, marketer, and company founder and owner. He led the launch of adidas Outdoor 10 years ago, and he has long been dedicated to supporting the climbing community.

Category awards were presented for individual, manufacturer, retailer, nonprofit, and youth, and PayPal Credit was presenting sponsor of both the manufacturer and retailer awards. The winners were determined by a judging panel based on impact, creativity, philanthropy, sustainability, engagement, longevity and other factors as presented with the nominations.

This year’s winners:

  • Individual: Jenny Bruso, founder of Unlikely Hikers
  • Manufacturer: Vericool, Inc.
  • Retailer: Arrive
  • Nonprofit: City Kids Wilderness Project
  • Youth: Joseph Goldstein, founder of Kids for the Boundary Waters

Outdoor industry and event veteran Liz Ferrin worked with Outdoor Retailer to produce the awards. Ferrin has also facilitated the production of Outdoor Retailer’s Innovation Awards and Sundance Film Festival activation, among other programs.