Outdoor University, an Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) event, announces the final program and speaker agenda for 2007 events. The program will be offered at four sessions across the country, providing regional retailers with training aimed at equipping them with tools to help improve their profitability.

“The Outdoor University curriculum meets the growing business needs and requests of outdoor specialty retailers across the country,” said Ann Obenchain, vice president of member services for OIA. “The program is designed to give retailer store owners, managers, and staff tools to improve their business operations and market competitiveness.”

The 2007 Outdoor University program includes:

  • Retail Operational Analysis – Realizing Growth AND Profitability, Parts 1 and 2
    Jay Townley, partner in The Gluskin Townley Group, LLC (GTG) will lead this two-part seminar on Business Expenses, Employee Metrics, The Internet, Technology and Retailing and Business Strategy and how Sales Growth, Operating Margins, Cash Flow, Turns and Inventory and how these important areas can be managed for success.

  • The Power of Online Training: Why it Works!
    Paul Kirwin is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of 3point5, the fastest growing online training community in the sporting goods business. Kirwin will share why online training is gaining significant traction in the outdoor business; how you can effectively manage it, why it fits into the lifestyle of your retail salespeople, and how it can help floor staff with selling consumers who have done product research, or think they have.

  • Some “Alien Truths” About Branding, Marketing And Retailing
    Gregg Bagni, president of Alien Truth Communications promises a fast moving, visually stimulating presentation that will spark imagination. His one-hour out loud hallucination will help you discover your brand equity and drive brand through your retail environment. Industry relevant case studies and whacked ideas on creating a compelling retail environment will be presented.

  • Discovering Opportunities in your Community
    During this informative and practical one hour session you will learn about industry wide initiatives designed to get members of your community more involved in outdoor activities – and into your store! OIF will guide you through a step-by-step process of how your business can implement and be part of successful national programs like The Great American Backyard Campout, Teens Outside! and Outdoor Idols.

Outdoor University will hold four training sessions this summer:

EORA Mid-Atlantic/ Northeast Show
Hartford, CT 
Sunday, August 19th

ORA/MRA Midwest Rep Show
Madison , WI
Monday, August 20th

EORA Southeast Show
Greenville, SC
Saturday, August 25th

Rendezvous Conference/Outdoor University Workshop
Vancouver, Washington /Portland, Oregon
Wednesday, October 3rd

Outdoor University is offered to retailers and sales representatives at no charge (with the exception of the Rendezvous session) but pre-registration is required. For more information on Outdoor University, to view speaker bios or to register for an event near you, please visit www.outdooruniversity.org