With outdoor companies navigating a slew of new business issues during COVID-19 and today’s diversity movement, Snowsports Industries America, Bank of the West and Protect Our Winters are offering help by launching “Navigating Change,” a webinar series designed to explore sustainable recovery for small businesses. Kicking off on July 23, the four-week series provides insights from outdoor industry leaders on building resilience and ensuring a responsible recovery that benefits people, communities and the environment.
“Partnering with Bank of the West and POW to launch the Sustainable Recovery webinar series defines progress in today’s age of COVID-19,” said SIA president Nick Sargent. “While the future is uncertain for all of us, one thing is certain: non-profits, financial establishments and winter outdoor businesses need to stand and work together to create a stronger industry in the future.”
The four-week series launched July 23, the final day of the Outdoor Retailer Online tradeshow, kicking off with a discussion on the Intersection of Environment & Diversity. Speakers for the first installment, moderated by Bank of the West’s Leslie Nuccio, included Micah Ragland II from DTE Energy; Latria Graham of Outdoor Retailer magazine; and Laura Edmonson from Brown Girls Climb. Diving into the issue of diversity – racial, gender and cultural – panelists shared thoughts on why a diverse customer base is vital for growing your business, the larger conversation on DEI and practical tips for DEI in business operations.
The second session, to be held July 30, will focus on connecting through shared beliefs in “The Values and Cents of Sustainable Recovery,” moderated by pro skier Chris Davenport and joined by panelists Nick Sargent of Snowsports Industries America, Mario Molina from Protect Our Winters, Julia Day of the NPD Group, and Ben Stuart from Bank of the West.
The third session, to be held August 6, will cover Sustainable Operations = Sustainable Recovery, helping businesses adapt operations in an unpredictable, stop-and-start economic environment while maintaining a sustainable mindset. Topics will include expanding digitally to drive revenue, building and maintaining a sustainable supply chain and how to adapt a seasonal business for long-term survival.
The fourth and final session, held August 13, is entitled “Why Cause Matters: Consumer Loyalty in Purchase Decisions,” offering insights on attracting and retaining customers who are brand advocates. Speakers such as Brady Robinson from the Conservation Alliance and Kate Williams from 1% for the Planet will discuss values-based marketing to core and expanded audiences, how to build successful loyalty programs and POW research on loyalty and the environment
“The first installment was an excellent start to the whole series which examines pillars of sustainability to provide informative, multi-faceted guidance for small business owners, entrepreneurs and consumers who have a stake in outdoor spaces and care about sustainable lifestyles,” added Sargent.
Register here.
