Policy Alert: Outdoor Industry Applauds Introduction of the ‘Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act’

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) commends Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for introducing the “Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act” today. The bill would authorize federal funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to invest in ocean-based solutions to greenhouse gas emissions and conservation of coastal communities, as well as outline a national policy to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.

“This landmark proposal leverages the power of conservation to combat climate change and positions our coastal communities to be an integral part of the solution,” said Executive Director of OIA, Lise Aangeenbrug. “Further, it focuses on establishing social and economic criteria to ensure our public lands and waters remain accessible, where appropriate, to all Americans and the businesses that rely on them. It is essential to have the right balance between conservation and providing Americans the access they need to thrive outside and participate in our robust outdoor recreation economy. We are pleased to see Rep. Grijalva’s legislation achieves this important balance.”

OIA’s 2020 Policy Platform, released in October 2020, supports the swift scale-up of natural climate solutions as a strategy for both climate mitigation and climate resilience across a variety of lands, waters, and habitat types – including the forests, rivers, lakes, streams, oceans, and coastal areas.

The bill awaits consideration by the House Committee on Natural Resources.

2020 Membership Dues Deferral

We recognize that the Coronavirus pandemic has put many companies, small and large, in a very difficult financial position. Our priority is supporting you through this challenging time. That is why we created the COVID-19 Resource Hub and why we have decided to defer OIA membership payments.

Current OIA members will have 120 days (expanded from the usual 30-day grace period) to pay their renewal invoice. You will continue to retain your full membership status and all of your OIA membership benefits for up to 4 months after your anniversary date.

In addition, we are waiving all initiation fees for new and renewing members.

If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to our membership team at membership@outdoorindustry.org.

We are here for you. Together We Are A Force.

Outdoor Foundation and Winnebago Industries Foundation Support Communities to Thrive Outside

Outdoor Foundation and Winnebago Industries Foundation Support Communities to Thrive Outside

EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA, October 6, 2020 – More kids and communities will build meaningful connections to nature through the Winnebago Industries Foundation’s partnership support to Thrive Outside, an Outdoor Foundation collective impact initiative. During the month of October, Winnebago Industries will celebrate outdoor equity partners and inspire employees, family and friends to do good deeds and GO outdoors during its GO for Good Challenge.

“Thrive Outside is designed to create healthy individuals, communities and economies by making the outdoors a habit,” said Stephanie Maez, Outdoor Foundation managing director. “Centering community leadership and voice, Thrive Outside communities ensure that all people feel a connection with nature and realize the health and mental health benefits the outdoors provide.”

Launched in 2019, Thrive Outside provides multi-year capacity building grants to diverse communities to create or strengthen partnerships between existing local organizations such as schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and nonprofit conservation and outdoor organizations that engage kids and families in repeat and reinforcing positive outdoor experiences. Atlanta, San Diego, Oklahoma City and Grand Rapids, Mich. are the first Thrive Outside communities, with an additional four communities activating in 2021.

“Winnebago Industries and the Winnebago Industries Foundation strive to connect people with transformative outdoor experiences. We also are strong believers in the power of people working together to strengthen the communities they call home,” said Michael Happe, Winnebago Industries President and CEO. “As our team members kickoff a month of giving and outdoor wellness, we are thrilled to announce this partnership with the Outdoor Foundation, outdoor industry colleagues and communities across the country.”

To participate in the WGO for Good Challenge simply do a good deed, engage in an outdoor adventure, and inspire your friends and family on social media with #GOforGood.

About Winnebago Industries and Winnebago Industries Foundation

Winnebago Industries, Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products under the Winnebago, Grand Design, Newmar and Chris-Craft brands, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The Company builds quality motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheel products and boats. Winnebago Industries has multiple facilities in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and Florida. The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the symbol WGO.

The Winnebago Industries Foundation seeks to inspire new generations of outdoor enthusiasts, mobilize resources to reach people in need, and support employee volunteers to build strong communities where we work, live and explore. We focus our community investment in three impact areas: outdoors, access, and community. Learn more at https://winnebagoind.com/community.

About the Outdoor Foundation

The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, is a national 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people outside for their health, the health of communities and the health of the outdoor industry. Through community investment and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation works with many partners to get more people outside more often. Visit outdoorfoundation.org for more information.

Winnebago Industries Contact: Sam Jefson – Public Relations Specialist – 641-585-6803 – sjefson@wgo.net

Outdoor Foundation Contact: Andriana Rogers – Marketing Communications Manager – 720-629-3542 – arogers@outdoorindustry.org
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Pandemic? Holiday Sales? Shortages? Landed Costs? How Traeger Grills Manages Supply Chain Planning in an Unmanageable World

Speakers: Anne Patterson, Principal at InventoryGuru.com; Russ Graf, VP Channel Management North America at NETSTOCK; and Dustin Joyce, Director of Operations Planning at Traeger Grills

Sales are flamin’ hot at Traeger Grills, yet supply chain and inventory replenishment are keeping their cool. Learn how KPI-driven dashboard insight helps Traeger balance sales growth and inventory investment, keep customers happy and let planners focus on the big picture instead of spreadsheet minutia.

Brand recognition and market-share leadership have enabled Traeger to expand its grill product line as well as to diversify into accessories, apparel and consumables.  But with growth comes challenges: more SKUs, more suppliers, more product life cycles and – with the pandemic – exponentially more supply chain risk.

Learn how NETSTOCK’s cloud-based inventory management solution helps Traeger manage inventory by exception: what’s out of stock, what’s about to go out of stock and what’s excess – prioritized by inventory classification that cleverly marries cost with run rate and enables quick ordering, while at the same time optimizing transport.

With the pandemic still in play, consumers are queueing up for the holiday sales, said to have already begun in Q3. Learn how to audit and adapt your inventory strategy so that this year’s holiday season is a smooth one for your business and your supply chain is geared up for 2021.

Sponsor: This webinar is proudly sponsored by NETSTOCK inventory optimization software. Used by over 15,000 users in over 1,600 companies worldwide running over 40 different ERP systems, NETSTOCK brings enterprise-class planning to the mid-market with affordable subscriptions and 100 percent remote implementation.

Webinar: Virtual Discussion: The 2020 Election and Beyond: What’s at stake for the outdoor recreation economy?

When: Thursday, October 8, 2020, 2:00 p.m. (EST)

Speakers: OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

The 2020 election will be one of the most consequential contests for the outdoor recreation economy. Following enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act, our top priorities are all on the ballot – from tackling climate change and preserving our public lands and waters to expanding access to the outdoors for all Americans to new investments in green infrastructure and close-to-home recreation as outdoor companies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. What can outdoorists expect from the next administration and Congress? What can we learn from our past wins, and how can we ensure our voice is heard?

Listen to this timely discussion of these issues featuring OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), one of Congress’ leading sportsmen and conservationists and a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

2020 Voters Guide

This November, let’s use the power of the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy to influence the vote. check out OIA’s Voter Guide and get informed before you cast your ballot.

Love the Outdoors? Vote the Outdoors

When we head out on adventures we make a plan, check the conditions, text a friend, bring the essentials. It’s time we do the same for voting. Make your voter plan and #VoteTheOutdoors.

New ban on products made with forced labor in Xinjiang, China

Administration considering additional restrictions due to forced labor and human rights concerns

The Trump administration announced yesterday that it would restrict the import of certain products from the Xinjiang region of China due to forced labor and human rights concerns.

Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Mark Morgan announced the issuance of Withhold Release Orders (WROs) to detain imports suspected of being made with forced labor from the following entities in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China:

  • Xinjiang Junggar Cotton and Linen Co. and its subsidiaries – Cotton
  • Hefei Bitland Information Technology Co. – Computer parts
  • Yili Zhuowan Garment Manufacturing Co. – Apparel products
  • Baoding LYSZD Trade and Business Co. – Apparel products
  • Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center – All products
  • Lop County Hair Product Industrial Park – Hair products

This action is the latest in the administration’s effort to combat forced labor and other human rights violations in the Xinjiang region, home to China’s Muslim Uyghur community. In July, the administration listed the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) as a specially designated national (SDN) under U.S. sanctions laws enforced by the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) by the Treasury Department; this bars all transactions that benefit the XPCC or its subsidiaries and affiliates with a 50-percent-or-greater controlling share by XPCC. The Commerce Department has also placed companies connected to the Xinjiang region on its Entity List subject to technology export controls.

The Trump administration is considering additional actions addressing forced labor in Xinjiang, including a broader ban on products from the region.

U.S. importers should be aware that importing goods with connections to the XUAR represents a significant risk. On July 1, the secretaries of the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, Treasury and State issued a warning to U.S. businesses against commercial activity in the XUAR, citing potential civil and criminal liability under U.S. law and indicated that normal due diligence was not effective in the XUAR.

To learn more about this important issue and the impact on outdoor companies, please join us for a webinar “Xinjiang and Forced Labor: Sourcing Risks from China and Beyond” on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. (EDT).

This webinar will provide background on the situation in the Xianjiang region and the potential impact on imports from China and third countries. It will provide an overview of the existing WROs, OFAC sanctions and Entity List designations; the additional potential sanctions; and the practical steps importers can take to identify and mitigate their risk going forward.

Webinar: Xinjiang and Forced Labor: Sourcing Risks From China and Beyond

Speakers: Rich Harper – OIA, Chelsea Murtha – Sorini Samet & Associates, Andrew Samet – Sorini Samet & Associates and Nicole Schude – Sorini Samet & Associates

The Trump Administration has implemented a series of sanctions against Chinese companies tied to forced labor and other human rights violations against the Muslim Uyghur population in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). These sanctions include the listing of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and other Chinese entities by the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) prohibiting U.S. persons from dealing with them; and, more aggressively, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) use of withhold release orders (WROs) to detain imports suspected of being made with forced labor in Xinjiang. The Commerce Department has placed additional XUAR-connected enterprises on its Entity List, subject to technology export controls. Additional actions addressing forced labor in Xinjiang are expected to be announced by the administration.

U.S. importers should be aware that importing goods with connections to the XUAR represents a significant risk. On July 1, the Secretaries of the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, Treasury and State issued a warning to U.S. businesses against commercial activity in the XUAR, citing potential civil and criminal liability under U.S. law, and that normal due diligence was not effective in the XUAR.

This webinar will provide background on the situation in the XUAR and on the potential impact on imports from China and third countries. It will provide an overview of the existing WROs, OFAC sanctions, and Entity List designations; additional potential sanctions; and the practical steps importers can take to identify and mitigate their risk going forward.