Guidance to Move Our Industry Forward
Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, but at OIA the pace is only picking up. We’ve got a lot to share this month: Registration is open for the 2026 OIA Catalyst Conference in Portland, Ore., Oct. 26, and we’ve released new research and resources covering participation trends, retail performance, and the regulations that govern how outdoor products are made and sold. Read on for the full rundown.
Register for the 2026 OIA Catalyst Conference
The 2026 OIA Catalyst Conference is coming to Portland, Oregon, on Monday, October 26. This year, we’re partnering with PERFORMANCE DAYS® to kick off Day 0 of the Functional Fabric Fair.
The full day of educational sessions will cover new and upcoming regulations, 2030 climate targets, durability and circularity, solvent risks in supply chains, AI’s role in sustainability, and how to win budget and buy-in for your initiatives.
Register today to connect with industry peers, participate in valuable conversations, and get a head start on what’s coming next for the outdoor industry.
Don’t Miss These 2026 OIA Catalyst Conference Sessions
Among the standout sessions on this year’s agenda are two featuring our presenting sponsor, GORE-TEX® Brand.
Made to Last: Durability as a Cornerstone of Circularity will make the case for putting durability at the center of sustainability strategy and feature speakers from GORE-TEX® Brand and Red Wing Shoe Company.
In The Business Case: How to Win Budget and Buy-In for Sustainability, experts from W.L. Gore & Associates and KEEN will share how to translate sustainability value into the language of business and garner support across your organization.
Check out the agenda for the full speaking lineup.
The Diverging Currents of American Fishing
Fishing is one of America’s most enduring outdoor traditions, drawing 57 million Americans to the nation’s lakes, rivers, streams, and open seas in 2025. But the sport’s categories are moving in different directions. Saltwater fishing participation surged to a record 15.5 million anglers, while freshwater held steady and fly fishing slipped.
Because fishing draws an aging, affluent, and dedicated base, retailers and brands have the opportunity to connect with a high-value audience through gear, apparel, and travel. Produced in partnership with the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the 2026 Special Report on Fishing covers growth and frequency trends, participation by demographic, activity crossover, and more. Access the report to get the data and insights you need to engage these consumers.
Prices Up, Purchases Down in Q2
The pressure on outdoor retail continued in the second quarter of 2026. Total dollar sales in the Athletic Specialty and Sporting Goods (ASSG) channel slipped just 0.8% compared to Q2 2025, but unit sales fell 5.3% across every major product category and average retail prices climbed 4.4%.
The Q2 2026 Outdoor Retail Trends Report covers how rising household costs, cooling employment, and mounting financial strain on young consumers are contributing to these trends. Get the Executive Summary for the high-level takeaways from the report.
A Closer Look at Record Outdoor Participation
A record 183.2 million Americans got outside last year, but the story behind that number is more complicated than it looks. In an interview with Suston Sustainable Outdoor News, OIA Director of Research Kelly Davis explains what the record does and doesn’t tell us.
She points to economic pressures, as rising costs and flat wages drive participation declines among Gen Z and the industry’s traditional core. Her message is that the outdoor industry should focus on retention, affordability, and access — not just acquisition.
Read the full interview for more of Kelly’s analysis and check out the 2026 Outdoor Participation Trends Report Executive Summary for key data points.
Understand the EU’s New Packaging Reporting Rules
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) recently took effect and added new packaging reporting obligations. For outdoor companies selling in Europe, compliance now means reporting on two levels — to the national authorities overseeing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and to the producer responsibility organizations (PROs) in each member state where they are obligated.
The new PPWR and EU Packaging EPR Reporting Guidance clarifies these requirements. It explains how the PPWR harmonizes producer definitions, registers, reporting cadence, and fee eco-modulation. It also lays out the process for determining where you are obligated, when to appoint an authorized representative, and what to report. Contact us to learn how to access this brief and our other sustainability resources.
A Milestone for Clean Heat in Textile Manufacturing
OIA’s Clean Heat CoLab has completed a multi-year initiative to accelerate the adoption of clean, electrified heating technologies across the textile supply chain. A collaboration of Patagonia, L.L.Bean, New Balance, REI Co-op, and W.L. Gore & Associates, the CoLab worked with Global Efficiency Intelligence to reduce emissions from thermal heating — one of apparel manufacturing’s most carbon-intensive processes.
Over three phases, the CoLab moved from foundational research to a free, open-source Textile Heating Electrification Tool and, finally, to in-person training workshops in Vietnam and Taiwan. The tool has since helped screen more than 60 textile facilities across China, Vietnam, and India, turning clean heat from an obscure idea into a serious industry conversation. Read the press release for the full story.
Understanding New Mexico’s PFAS Protection Act
New Mexico’s PFAS Protection Act (HB212) will reshape how outdoor products are made, labeled, and sold in the state. Passed in 2025 with a final rule now adopted, the law phases out consumer products with intentionally added PFAS on a staggered timeline that lands squarely on the outdoor industry.
Marten Law attorney James Pollack recently joined us for a webinar to provide a practical overview of what the regulation requires and what it means for your business, including the phase-out timeline, the 2027 reporting and labeling requirements, how the “currently unavoidable use” exemption works, and the steps companies should be taking now. Get in touch with our membership team to learn how to access this recording and our other sustainability resources.
Meet the Newest OIA Team Members
We’re excited to announce a series of hires and promotions that strengthen our ability to serve members and advance our industry’s shared priorities. Adam Pugh joins OIA as Sr. Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs, bringing a decade of federal government affairs experience to lead our work before Congress and policymakers. Lindsay Hogan joins as Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications after more than two decades of leadership at Vail Resorts and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Rounding out the announcement, Andy Fletcher transitioned to full-time Chief Operating Officer early this year, Keelin Christensen has been promoted to Sr. Manager of Sustainability, and Rob Kyte will join as Marketing Specialist in September.
Read the press release to learn more about these additions to the OIA staff.
