Recreational Equipment, Inc. named Eagle Creek as its Vendor Partner-of-the-Year at the 2005 vendor partnership awards at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. The annual awards program, established in 1993, recognizes three key vendors and one overall vendor partner-of-the-year for efforts that have built a strategic and successful relationship with REI. The co-op's three merchandising divisions camp/travel, action sports, and outdoorwear nominate companies based on several measures, including financial performance, community and industry involvement, and product quality, among others. To complete the process, REI's retail store employees vote from the slate of nominees to help determine the winners.
Other vendor award winners include Kelty in the Camp/Travel Division in recognition of their comprehensive collection of women's outdoor gear; comfortable and durable base-camp equipment; high-performance “light & fast” and trail gear; and a stylish travel selection.
Action Sports Division Winner was Black Diamond Equipment for consistently building innovative products, actively preserving the mountain environment, and their leadership role in the international outdoor community.
Outdoorwear Division Winner is Keen Footwear. Since its inception, the brand has exploded in the outdoor and footwear industries by establishing itself as the leader of hybrid performance footwear. Founded in 2003, Keen Footwear can now be found in more than 1,300 retail locations nationwide as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Central America, South America and Europe.
