Join Us This November to Innovate Solutions for people, product, and planet.
Registration now open! Space is limited and we expect this event to sell out—secure your spot today. OIA members enjoy discounted or free attendance. Log into your member portal to access your exclusive discount code.
Lead the charge for a sustainable future. At the OIA Catalyst Conference, we’ll address pressing issues of today while charting a sustainable course for the future of the outdoor industry.
What to Expect
Join us for an immersive experience designed to foster deep learning and collaboration. Explore new pathways for progress through facilitated and focused sessions and dive into key topics at the intersection of sustainability and outdoor innovation.
Why Attend
Connect with industry peers who share your commitment to protecting the people and places touched by our products and value chains. Gain actionable insights to drive sustainable innovation at your company and stay ahead of emerging trends shaping our industry’s future.
Together we can catalyze meaningful change and protect the outdoor experience upon which we all depend.
Thank You to Our Title Sponsor:
Interested in joining Catalyst Conference as a sponsor? Learn more and join us here.
Explore the Agenda
Tuesday, November 12
Join Us For Welcome Drinks!
5:00-7:00PM PT
Meet us for welcome drinks. Network with industry leaders and brands at the forefront of sustainable product innovation.
Wednesday, November 13
Welcome From OIA President
9:00-9:10AM PT
Welcoming remarks from OIA President Kent Ebersole.
Kent Ebersole, President of Outdoor Industry Association
The 2024 Election Results and Our Path Forward
9:10-9:30AM PT
This conference is one week after the 2024 US election. Let’s talk about what the results mean for sustainability in this country. In this session, OIA’s Director of Government Affairs will break down how our industry can fight for what we believe in, and the most promising avenues for pushing for a safe, low-carbon future.
Speaker:
Senior Director of Government Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association
Winning Over Leadership: Making the Case for People and Planet
9:30-10:15AM PT
Hear directly from C-suite leaders in the outdoor industry on how to make the business case for prioritizing sustainability and social impact. Panelists will share how their company culture, organization, and interests foster impact and purpose, along with strategies to help you get the attention (and buy-in!) of senior leadership. Gain invaluable perspectives from industry leaders to catalyze meaningful change within your own company.
Speakers:
Ashley Laporte, VP of Purpose & Impact, Burton
Leah Thomas, Founder, Green Girl Productions
Troy Sicotte, President and Global GM, Mountain Hardwear
Collective Climate Action: Reducing Emissions Across the Outdoor Industry
10:30-11:30AM PT
Explore how the outdoor industry is leading the charge for a sustainable future by reducing emissions. Engage in robust table discussion and real-time collaboration as OIA members across various product sectors share their lessons learned and bold strategies for decarbonizing their company’s value chains.
Speakers:
Ryan Kelley, Sustainability Specialist, WL Gore & Associates Inc
Kelly Hughes, Senior Sustainability Manager, Ruffwear
Emily Cichy, Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility, Stanely 1913
Kim Drenner, Head of Environmental Impact, Patagonia
BREAKOUT | Cutting Carbon Workshop: how to reduce your company's emissions
1:00-1:50PM PT
Dive deeper into cutting carbon. Join this interactive workshop to discuss measuring emissions, setting reductions targets, or creating a reduction action plan with peers. You will talk with experts and leave with tangible next steps to reduce emissions at your company.
Speakers:
Carol Shu, Senior Manager of Global Sustainability, The North Face, a VF Company
BREAKOUT | Exploring Circularity: Key Strategies for Different Product Types
1:00-1:50PM PT
Join a group of sustainability practitioners as they discuss different ways they have approached circularity in their roles and organizations. This panel will feature experts representing a variety of outdoor industry product categories.
Speakers:
Brian LaPlante, Senior Manager of Sustainability, YKK Fastening Products Group
Nicole Bassett, Partner, Cascade Circular
Laura Kelley, Sr. Manager, Recommerce & Store Operations PMO, REI
BREAKOUT | Chemical Compliance Workshop: Lessons Learned and the Trail Ahead
2:05-2:55PM PT
Join this session to learn how PFAS restrictions impacted companies, and what it taught them about chemicals management processes. Talk to industry peers about how to best prepare for the next chemical restrictions and learn how OIA is here to help.
Speakers:
Alex Lauver, Senior Director of Materials, Innovation, & Sustainability, Outdoor Research
Taylor Ralph, Product and Material Sustainability, Burton Snowboards
BREAKOUT | Social Impact and Supply Chains: Building Resilience
2:05-2:55PM PT
Climate change is reshaping the landscape for supply chain partners worldwide. Hear best practices from experts to adapt your supply chain for a sustainable future, and learn innovative approaches for how brands and facilities can work together to implement strategies to drive resilience.
Speakers:
Jason Judd, Executive Director at Cornell University Global Labor Institute in the ILR School
Michael Sadowski, Executive Director and Board Chair at The Circulate Initiative, OIA Sustainability Advisor
Peter Haney, Director of Social Responsibility, Columbia
Abhishek Bansal, VP of Sustainability, Arvind Limited
Sustainability Claims Workshop: Marketing in a Regulatory Environment
3:10-4:10PM PT
Learn from experts on how to talk about sustainability while complying with the patchwork of laws on sustainability claims. Understand the risks and rewards of sustainability marketing, and practice what you’ve learned with your peers.
Speakers:
James Pollack, Attorney at Marten Law, OIA Legislative Advisor
Jason Parkin, Founder/President & COO, Compose[d]
Leah Thomas, Founder, Green Girl Productions
The Path for Sustainability: Insights from OIA Trailblazers
4:10-4:30PM PT
Nearly two decades ago, OIA members advocated for sustainability work to be a pillar of OIA. They needed a home to collaborate because it was clear that protecting the planet is just too difficult for a company to tackle alone. In this session, you’ll hear from one of the OIA Sustainability founding members about their intentions in starting this work, the impact a community like OIA can have, and how to push forward in the fight to protect the outdoor experience upon which we all depend.
Speaker:
Kevin Myette, Director Global Brand Services, bluesign technologies ag
Catalyzing Community: Networking and Brand Experiences
4:30-6:00PM PT
Expand your community of sustainability professionals and learn about new product innovations through brand-led activities and immersive experiences.
Industry Party Hosted By Gore-Tex
6:00-8:00PM PT
Celebrate our industry’s collective progress and commitment to sustainable growth at GORE-TEX’s industry party. Enjoy community, music, food, and drinks.
Hosted by Gore-Tex
Thursday, November 14
OIA CoLab, Task Force, and SAC Working Meetings
8:30-11:50AM PT
Dig deep and drive strategy through Impact CoLab, Task Force, and Sustainability Advisory Council working meetings. Closed to OIA members enrolled in Sustainability Programs.
take action, Become a member today
Become an OIA member and join our passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting—and growing access to—the benefits of the outdoors for everyone.
Call 303.444.3353 to speak to a membership manager today.