Everything Happening in the Outdoor Industry
Fall is officially here, and there is a lot happening at OIA and across the industry. The 2026 OIA Catalyst Conference is just weeks away, new research and compliance guidance has been released, and we’re continuing to advocate for the public lands our industry depends on. Here’s everything that’s new in September.
Register for the 2026 OIA Catalyst Conference
The 2026 OIA Catalyst Conference is taking place Monday, Oct. 26, in Portland, Oregon. As the outdoor industry’s premier destination for addressing critical sustainability challenges and advancing innovation, the Catalyst Conference presents the opportunity to connect with peers, gain actionable insights, and lead the charge for a sustainable future.
This Catalyst Conference kicks off Sunday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m. with a hike starting at Hoyt Arboretum, followed by happy hour at Migration Brewing (Glisan location). The conference itself is Day 0 of Functional Fabric Fair, presented by PERFORMANCE DAYS®, and features a full slate of educational sessions from the brightest minds in sustainability.
Functional Fabric Fair continues Oct. 27–28 with an exhibit hall and more expert talks at the Oregon Convention Center, so if you’re already traveling to Portland, join us for the full show.
A Spotlight on the Catalyst Conference Agenda
Presenting sponsor GORE-TEX® Brand will be featured in two of the signature presentations taking place at the 2026 Catalyst Conference.
Made to Last: Durability as a Cornerstone of Circularity brings together thought leaders from GORE-TEX® Brand and Red Wing Shoe Company to discuss why circularity is incomplete without durability. They’ll share what designing and testing for longevity looks like in practice, and where policy still falls short.
In The Business Case: How to Win Budget and Buy-In for Sustainability, speakers from W.L. Gore & Associates and KEEN will break down which metrics cut through skepticism and how to connect sustainability work to the KPIs leadership already cares about.
Check out the full speaking lineup to see everything on deck in Portland.
What Brands and Retailers Can Expect This Holiday Season
Holiday spending is expected to stay roughly flat this year, but the season will look very different depending on who you’re selling to. Buying patterns are changing, and for the outdoor industry those changes matter more than the topline number. Brands and retailers that follow the money and respond quickly have real opportunity ahead of them.
The 2026 Holiday Report breaks down spending segmentation by income level and generation, the impact of tighter discretionary budgets on pricing and product mix, the rise of AI-driven product discovery, and the regional opportunities a Super El Niño could create this winter. Download to the Executive Summary to learn what trends are set to impact the outdoor industry this holiday season
Meet the New OIA Board Members
We’re excited to welcome new leaders to the OIA Board of Directors. Please join us in congratulating Laura Schaffer of Orvis, Lindsay Shumlas of Cotopaxi, Chris Speyer of Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), and Ken Taylor of The North Face, and in welcoming back incumbent directors Keith Carrato of Leatherman Tool Group and Diana Seung of Youngone Corporation.
We also want to thank industry consultant Phyllis Grove, Jen McLaren of Altra Running, Kevin Winkel of Moonridge Ventures, Troy Sicotte of Mountain Hardwear, and Jahmicah Dawes of Slim Pickins Outfitters for their years of leadership and service as they conclude their terms this fall.
Five Weeks of Free Outdoor Events for Kids and Families
Thrive Outside Day, presented by the Outdoor Foundation, is back. Thrive Outside communities in 15 cities and regions across the country are hosting free, local outdoor events for kids and families, including kayaking in Atlanta, whitewater rafting in Oklahoma City, canoeing in St. Louis, and fishing on the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Events kicked off Sept. 26 and continue through Oct. 31, with the national celebration taking place Saturday, Oct. 10.
The need for accessible outdoor activities is clear. The 2026 Outdoor Participation Trends Report found that outings among youth ages 6 to 17 have dropped 26% since 2012. You can help reverse that trend by volunteering with a community partner, celebrating on social using #ThriveOutside and #ThriveOutsideDay, or simply attending a local event with your friends and family.
Visit the Thrive Outside Day page to find an event near you.
Speak Up for 44.7 Million Acres of Public Land
The U.S. Forest Service has proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule. If it goes through, 44.7 million acres of national forest will lose its protected status. Outdoor participation hit a record high in 2025, but rolling back public lands protections puts that growth at risk. Less access means fewer people outside, and fewer people outside means less demand for the gear, guides, and trips our industry depends on.
That’s why we’re asking you to submit a public comment through the Federal Register, Docket FS-2025-0001. More than 200,000 comments have already been filed — a clear sign of how much these places matter — and the extended deadline of Tuesday, Oct. 6, means there’s still time to add yours.
A short, specific comment carries real weight, especially when it includes numbers. If roadless areas support your revenue, customer visits, guided trips, gear sales, or tourism partnerships, say so. Real economic impact is the most persuasive thing you can put in front of the Forest Service right now.
A Growing Opportunity in Paddlesports
More than 34 million Americans went kayaking, canoeing, rafting, or stand-up paddling last year, making paddlesports one of the largest outdoor recreation categories. These activities have added more than 10 million participants since 2019, but that growth has been uneven. Stand-up paddling is climbing fastest, while sea and touring kayaking is losing ground.
Roughly 85% of paddlers are casual participants who get out fewer than eight times a year, giving retailers and brands a large, entry-level audience to serve. The 2026 Paddlesports Report explores this entire category in detail, covering growth trends across each paddlesport, participation by demographic, retail sales trends, and how newly approved Level 50 personal flotation devices could disrupt the watersports safety gear market.
Download the Executive Summary for an overview of the key trends from the report.
Understanding the EU’s Due Diligence Directive
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) is an action directive, not a reporting directive. Companies in scope must identify, prevent, and address adverse human rights and environmental impacts in their own operations, their subsidiaries, and their chains of activities. Most U.S.-based outdoor companies fall outside the direct scope, but many will still feel the effects through in-scope customers seeking contractual assurances.
Our new policy brief lays out who is required to comply and what the eight core requirements involve. It also covers the compliance timeline through 2030 under the Omnibus I amendments, penalties of up to 3% of net worldwide turnover, and the practical steps outdoor companies can take now.
Contact the OIA membership team to learn how you can access this brief and our other sustainability resources.
Prepare for SBTi’s Updated Net-Zero Standard
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) updated its Corporate Net-Zero Standard in June 2026. The changes to six key areas affect every company that has set or plans to set science-aligned or science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets.
The OIA Sustainability team and independent consultant Michael Sadowski are hosting a webinar on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. (PT) on these new requirements. They’ll cover the key updates, the implementation timeline, and what outdoor companies can do now to prepare before the deadlines arrive.
Get in touch to learn how you can access these educational sessions.
The Misae Solar Project Earns a National Award
The Misae Solar Project, a collaboration between OIA, Carhartt, REI Co-op, and ERM Coho, has been named a winner of the 2026 Green Power Leadership Award from the Center for Resource Solutions in the Impactful Procurement category. The award recognizes organizations that choose renewable energy options that most effectively drive new supply and expand markets.
The project was made possible through a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement offered by OIA’s Climate Action Corps Impact CoLab. Congratulations to Carhartt and REI Co-op, and thank you to the members who keep proving what our industry can accomplish together.
Check out the press release to learn more about the positive results this collaboration has delivered.
Join Us at Switchback at The Running Event (TRE)
Don’t miss Switchback at The Running Event (TRE), Dec. 1–3 in San Antonio, Texas. The event opens with a dedicated retail education day, followed by two days of exhibition with sessions continuing on the show floor.
OIA is excited to return as an official event partner and presenter. The educational program includes sessions on A.I.-informed marketing, merchandising tactics, retailer profitability, leveraging media partnerships, and other topics that are top of mind for retailers in the outdoor industry.
Check out the full agenda and register today.
