Outsiders Ball Scheduled for Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2013

The Outsiders Ball will rally the industry around a single cause –fighting the growing divide between young people and nature and inspiring a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts, champions and customers. Kicking off a multi-year, multi-million dollar campaign, the event aims to raise $300,000 for 100 community projects that are youth-led and retailer-endorsed-investing in the future of the industry.

Its so exciting to see industry leaders coming together for the first time to address one of the most important issues of our time-engaging a new generation in outdoor activities, said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation. Outsiders Ball will be the ultimate party with a purpose.

This ‘party-with-a-purpose will take over an entire city block for the ultimate Outsiders event: an eclectic night filled with interactive art, music, live auctions, creative challenges, collaborative conversations, and great food and drink. Sharing center stage, retailers will showcase their top community projects that deserve funding-enabling attendees to simultaneously support youth participation and local retailers.

Outdoor specialty retailers are our industrys community anchors and backbone of the business-supporting local economies, communities and consumer initiatives that result in great outdoor experiences, said Roanne Miller, President of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. For the first time, The Outsiders Ball enables the entire industry to come together and invest in its future-local retailers and youth participation programs.

To top off the evening, Skip Yowell, co-founder of JanSport, will receive the first-ever ‘Outsider of the Year Award for his tireless work to get youth outdoors.

Its critical that we support the young leaders who are creating the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts. I hope our industry rallies around this event with sponsorship dollars and ticket sales, said Beaver Theodosakis, prAna founder.

A goal of the Outsiders Ball is to raise awareness about the alarming decline of youth outdoor participation that has taken place over the past decade. And with the demographic and geographic shifts and inactivity trends in the United States and around the world, the outdoor industry will soon face a significantly diminished customer base and few channels to engage a new generation.

“Outdoor Nation is cultivating young outdoor leaders who will influence the future of outdoor recreation,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of Outdoor Industry Association. “The Outsiders Ball is a chance for our industry to put its money where its mouth is and support this important work, which is critical to the continued health of our industry.”

The event is expected to draw more than 500 industry leaders including retailers, brand executives, members of the media and emerging thought leaders. There is a range of ways that companies can get involved to support this important cause-showcasing their commitment in an exciting and authentic environment. For information about ways to support the event or to schedule an appointment at winter OR, contact Chris Fanning at cfanning@outdoorfoundation.org. Individual ticket sales are available at www.outsidersball.org.

The host committee for The Outsiders Ball consists of a diverse range of industry leaders including Chairs Beaver Theodosakis – prAna, Jennifer Mull-Backwoods and Bill Sweasy-Vasque and Red Wing. Members include Fred Clark – Thule, Larry Selzer – The Conservation Fund, David Kulow – All Terrain, Steve Shuster – W.L. Gore, Frank Hugelmeyer – Outdoor Industry Association, Steve Rendle – VF Outdoor and Action Sports, David Labistour – Mountain Equipment Co-Op, Jim Zwiers – Wolverine World Wide, Sue Rechner – Confluence Watersports, Carolyn Brodsky – Sterling Rope, John Lacy – Burton, Mike Moniz – Circadence, Jay Steere – Timberland, Lisa Mathis – Big City Mountaineers, Kenji Haroutunian – Outdoor Retailer, Roanne Miller, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and Chris Goddard, CGPR .

About the Outdoor Foundation & Outdoor Nation
Charitable arm of Outdoor Industry Association, The Outdoor Foundation is taking the lead nationally to inspire and empower a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts through its signature program Outdoor Nation. Launched in 2010, Outdoor Nation is the only national initiative that is engaging, empowering and investing in next-gen outdoor champions and outdoor projects-ensuring the future of outdoor participation. Results include: