By Meg Carney The inaugural Catalyst Conference, hosted by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) from November 13-14, united outdoor industry leaders, innovators, and advocates to address sustainability challenges and strengthen their collective impact. Over two days, participants explored strategies to innovate, collaborate, and address pressing environmental issues impacting industry businesses
We’re still buzzing from the energy of OIA’s sold-out, inaugural Catalyst Conference that took place in Seattle, Washington on November 13th and 14th. Catalyst Conference convened members of the outdoor industry around a common theme: sustainability. The sessions explored a broad range of topics, including circularity, decarbonization, chemical compliance, and
A Letter from the Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition Co-Chair, Taylor Ralph October 17, 2024 Recently, as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, just weeks after Hurricane Helene traumatized much of the Southwest, my colleague and I spent most of a meeting—originally planned to review chemistry strategy—talking about what it
October 17, 2024 The outdoor market continues to face challenges, underperforming compared to the broader U.S. economy despite slight growth in sales. Over the past year (August 2023 to July 2024), the outdoor market saw a modest 1% increase in total dollars sold, reaching $28.3 billion. However, units sold declined
Dear OIA Members and Industry Partners, OIA is proud to stand at the heart of the outdoor industry, delivering resources and opportunities that drive our businesses and communities forward. Industry gatherings are essential to our shared success, and we are committed to leading the way. We have been actively engaged
In a significant step towards enhancing sustainability and consumer safety, California has recently enacted two pivotal bills that will reshape compliance for manufacturers and retailers. The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707) and the Household Product Safety: Toxic Substances: Testing and Enforcement (AB 347). Concurrently, Canada is implementing
An Open Letter from Alex Lauver, OIA’s Clean Chemistry and Materials Committee Co-Chair
As the outdoor industry’s member-led collective, OIA catalyzes meaningful change in every element of the industry. To set our businesses and industry up for future success, we rely on a clear strategy and value-based collaboration. The OIA board of directors helps shape our strategic plan. The individuals on the board, through
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating Hispanic leaders contributing to Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside mission. These individuals continue to foster outdoor spaces that are inclusive, equitable, and diverse. Read our interviews with these leaders below. Gabaccia Moreno, Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative and the Outdoorist Oath Why is Hispanic leadership in the
In today’s competitive outdoor industry, brands need to make data-driven decisions to stay ahead. Benchmarking is a powerful tool that allows you to measure your brand’s performance against your competitors and industry standards, uncovering opportunities for growth and profitability. Here’s how benchmarking can help your outdoor brand blaze new trails
These outdoor brands came together, in partnership with their suppliers, to reduce emissions across the outdoor industry value chain. To reach a more sustainable future, we must take bold, collective action against climate change. Helly Hansen, Columbia Sportswear, and L.L. Bean came together through Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) Carbon Leadership Project
Brands collaborate in a challenging market to advance solar energy investments with suppliers Clean energy is best achieved by collective action. And that’s exactly what REI, Burton, and NEMO Equipment set out to do through OIA’s Vietnam Renewable Energy Impact CoLab. In collaboration with Allotrope Partners, these brands ideated sustainable
Three drinkware brands, one mission: protect the planet Making a significant move to create a more sustainable future, three drinkware brands came together in a first-of-its-kind effort to reduce carbon emissions across the drinkware supply chain. Deemed the Drinkware CoLab, MiiR, Stanley, and YETI, facilitated by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), spearheaded
This Pride Month, we’re celebrating the love that the LGBTQ+ community shows the outdoors all year long. From hiking and camping to paddleboarding and kayaking, LGBTQ+ individuals are recreating outside at a higher rate than any other adult cohort. how is the LGBTQ+ community breaking barriers? Members of the LGBTQ+
Outdoor participation grew 4.1% to a record 175.8 million participants: 57.3% of all Americans aged six and older.
Sustainability has been central to OIA’s mission since 2007, when the first sustainability working group launched. Since then, our sustainability programming has continued to grow, fostering a culture of collaboration where members take the reins, determine the agenda, invest personally, and encourage partnership without succumbing to competitive barriers. Last week
Register for the webinar series in your member portal Click Here The European Commission has passed several pieces of legislation that will impact the apparel, footwear, and outdoor industries worldwide. Companies importing products into Europe will need to comply with rigorous new requirements. These laws may also serve as a
Live Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Supply chain management and customs compliance policy can be daunting. Designed specifically for those new to trade policy, this final session in OIA’s Capitol Summit Series provides you with the insights and tools to successfully navigate the world of international trade, including supply chain logistics, customs regulations, and trade policy. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding
Join our webinar with EU policy and textile industry experts for an overview of the most critical policy files that will impact the textile and fashion industry in the next years.
Live Date: May 14, 2024 Move equity in the outdoors forward and learn actionable ways to align your business strategy to inclusive growth. In this edition of OIA’s Capitol Summit Series, we dive into the challenges and solutions surrounding equitable outdoor recreation access, from policy solutions to grassroots advocacy and action. Hear