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Innovate Solutions for people, product, and planet.

The outdoor industry is showing up strong. Catalyst Conference 2024 is sold out. 

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

Catalyst Conference Supporting Sponsors

Yeti logo
The North Face logo
Worldly logo

stay in the loop

Catalyst Conference 2024 is sold out, but you can still lead the charge for a sustainable future virtually! Sign up to be notified when session recordings go live and other opportunities to engage.

Explore the Agenda

Tuesday, November 12
Join Us For Welcome Drinks!

5:00-7:00PM PT

The Graduate Hotel

Meet us for welcome drinks in the hotel lobby and pick up your badge. Network with industry leaders and brands at the forefront of sustainable product innovation.

Wednesday, November 13

All programming is hosted at The Mountaineers. Shuttles depart The Graduate Hotel at 7:30 and 8AM. 

THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD

9:00-9:30AM PT

Join Eric Artz, CEO of REI, and Kent Ebersole, OIA President, for a candid fireside chat on the pivotal role the outdoor industry plays in driving global sustainability. Together, they’ll explore the toughest challenges we face, the most promising solutions on the horizon, and our collective responsibility to lead the way. Attendees will gain insights into how our industry can set a powerful example for others, and what it will truly take to make lasting progress.

Julie Brown, Director of Sustainable Business Innovation, Outdoor Industry Association

Eric Artz, CEO, REI

Winning Over Leadership: Making the Case for People and Planet

9:30-10:15AM PT

Hear directly from leaders in the outdoor industry on how we can collectively drive impact nationwide. 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. Plus, OIA’s government affairs leader will discuss post-election strategies for how brands can engage, advocate, and drive impact with leaders at the state and federal levels.

Speakers:

Burton logo

Ashley Laporte, VP of Purpose & Impact, Burton

Leah Thomas, Founder, Green Girl Productions

Mountain Hardwear logo

Troy Sicotte, President and Global GM, Mountain Hardwear

Jaclyn Levy, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association

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. Hear from industry peers across various product sectors share their lessons learned and bold strategies for decarbonizing their company’s value chains.

Speakers: 

Gore-Tex logo

Ryan Kelley, Sustainability Specialist, WL Gore & Associates Inc 

Ruffwear logo

Kelly Hughes, Senior Sustainability Manager, Ruffwear

Stanley logo

Emily Cichy, Vice President, Sustainability and Social Impact, Stanley 1913

Patagonia logo

Kim Drenner, Head of Environmental Impact, Patagonia

BREAKOUT | Climate Leadership Workshop: how to tackle your company's emissions

1:00-1:50PM PT 

Dive deeper into 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: 

The North Face logo

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

REI logo

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: 

Outdoor Research logo

Alex Lauver, Senior Director of Materials, Innovation, & Sustainability, Outdoor Research 

Burton logo

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

Columbia Sportswear Company logo

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 

Composed logo

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 

The Graduate Hotel

Meet us at the rooftop bar to celebrate our industry’s collective progress and commitment to sustainable growth at GORE-TEX’s industry party. Enjoy community, music, food, and drinks.

Gore-Tex logo

Hosted by Gore-Tex

Thursday, November 14

Day two is closed for OIA members only. All programming is hosted at The Mountaineers. Shuttles are not provided for day two programming. 

Networking Breakfast

8:00-9:45AM MT

Enjoy breakfast while connecting with fellow OIA members at a topic table of your choice:

  • Virtual Power Purchase Agreement CoLab: REI’s Jay Creech will lead a discussion on group solar purchases to reduce Scope 2 emissions.
  • Clean Heat CoLab: This group will discuss using a new decision tree tool with suppliers to electrify heating in textile facilities.
  • Aluminum Task Force: SRAM’s Nick Myhre and Peak Design’s Oliver Ambros will review the task force’s sourcing playbook and discuss EU CBAM.
  • Supply Chain Renewable Energy: REI’s Evan Scandling and OIA Advisor Todd Copeland will review OIA’s renewable energy projects and supplier climate principles. 
  • Clean Chemistry: OIA Advisor Michelle Legatt will cover 2024 initiatives from OIA’s Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition.
  • Impact Measurement: Shift Advantage’s Eric Brody will explore GHG accounting and reduction strategies.
  • Marketing Claims: Compose[d]’s Jason Parkin will focus on sustainability marketing and communication strategies.
  • Advisory Council Meeting: RAC, TAC, and SAC members will discuss OIA’s 2025 policy priorities (Advisory Council members only)
Collaboration at OIA

10:00-10:45AM MT

Discover how you can shape the future of sustainability by engaging in collective action on key issues like sustainable materials, supplier engagement, and compliance.

Future Collaboration Topics Brainstorm

10:45AM-12:00PM MT

Join this interactive session to ideate forward-thinking initiatives that will shape the future of OIA’s 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.

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