In 2020, the global coronavirus pandemic shut down our nation, ravaged communities and caused economic disruption unseen in our lifetimes. We won’t soon forget the devastation, and there is still much work ahead to repair the damages the outdoor industry incurred. However, our community came together to respond to this crisis and to deliver some powerful achievements, demonstrating our resilience and strength.
We conducted an industry-wide member survey to understand the business impacts of the pandemic; to learn how OIA can lend a hand with tools, resources and advocacy support; to hear from our members about the things they value; and to reevaluate how we can help this community convene in this new post-pandemic era.
The outdoor industry showed up to support our critical work. Thank you to those who stepped up to Leadership and Support membership levels.
Outdoor Retailer went virtual, and OIA pivoted to provide more than 20 education sessions at the Summer and Winter Online shows.
OIA advocated on our industry’s behalf in Washington, D.C., and at the state level for economic disaster relief and delivered resources, such as our COVID-19 Hub and webinar and Campfire Conversation series. We also developed a comprehensive policy platform for the 2020 election and secured key meetings with the new administration and Congress.
Outdoorists committed to #VoteTheOutdoors and followed through. In a time of great political division and polarization, protecting the outdoors is one thing we can all agree on.
Outdoor participation grew. Our Special Report, The New Outdoor Participant (COVID and Beyond),confirms what our industry was reporting anecdotally: people across the country were able to find a reprieve from the pandemic in outdoor activities like trail running, hiking, camping, fishing, biking and more.
The Thrive Outside Initiative released its first annual Impact Report.
We committed to building a just and equitable outdoors. Read our statement and commitment to do better, as well as the progress we made in 2020.
The Climate Action Corps grew to more than 80 members. Learn more about our industry’s collective commitment to measure, plan and reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and share progress annually.
Despite the challenges and setbacks our industry endured over the past year, we also demonstrated incredible resiliency and unity. We are here for you as we collectively work to recover.
Together We Are a Force,
Lise Aangeenbrug
In 2020, members leaned into our policy platform even as they fought to keep their businesses afloat amid Covid-19 challenges.
We celebrated the passage of the Great American Outodoors Act, and we secured exemptions on China 301 tariffs, saving industry companies 25 percent duties on camp chairs, backpacks, bicycles and outdoor cook sets. We submitted and received approval for eight footwear Miscellaneous Tariff Bills to be included in a larger MTB package. Our #VoteTheOutdoors campaign and our 2020 Voters Guide helped Outdoorists to understand and engage in the critical races and initiatives on federal and state ballots.
We kicked off 2020 by launching the OIA Climate Action Corps. By year end, we had nearly 100 companies onboard, representing more than $20 billion in annual revenue.
In service of the Corps, we released key resources, including the Climate Action Guidebook, held eight trainings and launched and grew our online community where more than 200 outdoor industry professionals collaborate on climate action. In October, we welcomed our first association partner, People for Bikes.
We launched the Climate Klatch podcast and earned media coverage about the Corps in several national, renowned outlets.
In 2020, The Outdoor Foundation continued supporting its first four Thrive Outside Communities. Through the program, the Foundation provides capacity building grants to trusted local and national partners to create meaningful, repeat outdoor experiences for kids and families in their communities and regions. In October, we welcomed a new managing director to lead the effort.
We released our first Thrive Outside Impact Report, and we used a data-driven approach — collecting 3,900 unique data points from our four pilot communities — to determine 36 national hotspots that could become our next Thrive Outside regions.
Also in 2020, thanks to our generous donors we raised more than $800,000, which will allow us to expand the Thrive Outside network in 2021.
Unable to travel or meet in person in 2020, we had to pivot our trade shows, education and other gatherings to digital platforms, but rather than slowing down or cutting back, we actually ramped up our online offerings in order to keep members informed and to deliver the value you’ve come to expect from OIA.
We hosted 30+ webinars and launched two new podcast series called Campfire Conversations and Climate Klatch. The 2020 Skip Yowell Future Leadership cohort also made a significant pivot when they shifted the in-person program to all virtual, learning an important lesson in flexibility and resilience.
