Archives: Press Releases

SEATTLE – Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op kicks off its 85^th anniversary with the return of its biggest sale of the year. REI’s Anniversary Sale runs May 19 – 29 with major savings on favorite outdoor gear and apparel brands that inspire outdoor adventures all summer. The sale includes deals for everyone, with the deepest savings and special product offers available just for co-op members, including savings on all REI Co-op brand gear, clothing, footwear and bikes.

“Our anniversary sale is the best way to recognize and celebrate the enduring power of our 23-million-member community,” said Ben Steele, REI chief customer officer. “We’re celebrating our shared history with members from coast to coast by giving them access to the year’s biggest savings while also providing inspiration and deals to help more people get outdoors.”

A digital catalog for REI’s Anniversary Sale is available at catalogs.rei.com.

Deals include:

• Just for REI Co-op Members: 30% off REI Co-op brand gear, clothing and footwear
• Just for REI Co-op Members: 20% off Co-op Cycles bikes and e-bikes for adults
• 20% off all Yakima & Thule car racks, roof boxes and rack accessories
• 25% off selected footwear from Salomon, Altra, KEEN, La Sportiva, Allbirds and more
• 25% off selected clothing from prAna, Cotopaxi, Columbia, Outdoor Research, Black Diamond and more
• 25% off selected gear from Black Diamond, Exped, NEMO, Garmin, Stanley, Coleman and more
• Just for REI Co-op Members: Save up to $300 on select 2023 REI adventure travel trips to Bryce Canyon, San Juan Islands, Colorado, the Grand Canyon and more when booked May 19-29. Visit com/trips-on-sale for details and terms

REI Co-op members can also save 20% on one full-price item and an extra 20% off one online REI Outlet item from May 19-29. For details and exclusions, visit REI.com/coupon.

REI will pay homage to the co-op’s 85-year history throughout the sale. The co-op’s catalog and online content celebrate “then and now” with stories from lifetime members who share how the co-op inspires their active lives, and through fun and sometimes quirky facts from the Co-op Living Archive. For example, back in the day REI’s product designers used to measure wind resistance of REI Co-op tents by strapping them atop a trusty pickup truck, climbing inside and driving down the highway.

The REI Anniversary Sale is a great time to become a member to enjoy deeper deals during the event. Members who join the co-op for a one-time $30 fee enjoy a range of benefits, including access to the co-op’s slightly used gear and trade-in program called Re/Supply; discounts on shop services and experiences; a share of the co-op’s annual profits based on qualifying purchases in the form of a Member Reward; and more. In addition to discounts at the co-op’s bike shop, REI members receive free flat-tire repair (labor only, parts not included) and free machine wax for skis and snowboards.

About REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 23 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 181 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

 

QUINCY, CA (May 18, 2023)—The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) and Outdoor Alliance California partnered to bring a group of federal, state and local leaders in recreation, land management and natural resource protection to Plumas County in late April to discuss how to advance ambitious goals around conservation, equitable outdoor access and the protection of local watersheds and forests.

At the center of the conversation was Connected Communities—a visionary effort led by SBTS in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to use trails and the outdoor recreation economy as a driver to revitalize rural mountain towns in northern California and western Nevada—and how it can contribute to meeting some of those statewide priority initiatives.

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Secretary Wade Crowfoot led a team from the CNRA, which included Katherine Toy, Deputy Secretary for Access, Dr. Jennifer Norris, Deputy Secretary of Biodiversity and Habitat, who spearheads California’s 30×30 initiative—a federal effort to conserve 30 percent of the country’s land and oceans by 2030—and Madeline Drake, Assistant Deputy Director for Biodiversity and Habitat.

The group also included leadership from the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region 5, as well as the Plumas, Lassen and Tahoe National Forests, and representatives from the Outdoor Industry Association, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which has already contributed around $1.4 million to the early planning and environmental review efforts of Connected Communities, and several other regional nonprofits.

“We have a huge challenge,” said Secretary Crowfoot. “In the state, we’re working on: How do we protect places and people from all these crazy impacts we’re experiencing more of: catastrophic wildfire, drought, now flooding? At the same time, how can we advance a really positive vision for the future? How do we help California adjust to all these changes, like climate change? How do we get more people outdoors and make sure everybody can enjoy the outdoors, and then how do we protect this incredible nature? We’re one of the most biodiverse places in the world—we’re looking for the win-wins that do all of that. That’s really what has me so excited about this project. This project’s success is our success achieving our goals.”

The two-day field visit started with presentations on Connected Communities at the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds, by SBTS executive director Greg Williams, who first envisioned and started pitching Connected Communities in 2019, and a project status update from SBTS’ Connected Communities Project Manager Trinity Stirling, and Director of Grant Operations Michelle Abramson.

The Connected Communities Trails Master Plan, currently in development and slated for public release later this year, includes four main components:

• 572.5 miles of trails identified for singletrack that would potentially link 15 towns spanning six counties in a multi-use signature trail
• Development of 21 new and existing trailheads
• Identification of 8 Recreation Zones (areas near communities that warrant additional planning and development)
• Identification of desired conditions for fuels reduction and restoration within future project planning areas

Planning on the project started in 2020 and it is currently moving forward through a mix of grants and private funding. The project’s goals check many federal and state boxes, such as protecting healthy watersheds, revitalization of rural communities in the face of job loss, access to outdoor recreation and wildfire prevention, access and post-fire restoration. But at a total projected cost of $54.5 million and a timeline into 2030, a major topic of conversation at the two-day summit was how to potentially speed that up through partnerships, unlocking federal and state dollars earmarked for wildfire restoration and prevention and doing so in a way that establishes a repeatable process that can be used across the nation.

“This area’s been disinvested in for generations, largely because the jobs have come from mining and logging and those industries have all but disappeared,” Williams said. “To be able to bring an economy back here through recreation, we really need collaboration and partnership with the state and the federal government, and the local government and the counties here. This gathering was to bring everybody together, to present the project, to get input on it and to figure out how we’re going to invest and get this thing done.”

A second day was shaped around a tour of Mount Hough, a large part of which burned in the 2021 Dixie Fire, to see the Connected Communities project area on the ground, including a new trail that will become a future link between the towns of Quincy and Talyorsville and walk bulldozer lines from the Dixie Fire and discuss how they can be integrated into future trail planning.

Other takeaways from the meeting focused on ways to streamline inefficient parts of multifaceted, long-range projects such as Connected Communities, particularly around costly and lengthy federal and state environmental review processes, and how organizations like SBTS can continue to strategically partner with the U.S. Forest Service.

“There’s no other state, no other area, with the same combinations of risk and opportunities as we do right here,” said Chris Carlton, Deputy Supervisor of the Plumas National Forest. “It’s pretty awesome, and it’s pretty terrifying. There is a lot of money and a lot of resources coming our way, and that comes with incredible expectations. We have very narrow timelines.”

Balancing forest health, recovery and restoration and visitation requires a delicate balance at a time when federal resources are limited, he added. “We can’t operate the way we historically have anymore. The role of partners is so much more magnified.”

For more information on Connected Communities, go to sierratrails.org/cc. For details on how to directly support SBTS and the Connected Communities mission through a one-time or recurring financial contribution, visit sierratrails.org/donate.

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About Outdoor Alliance

Outdoor Alliance is the only organization in the U.S. that unites the voices of outdoor enthusiasts to conserve public lands. A nonprofit coalition comprised of 10 national advocacy organizations, Outdoor Alliance’s members include American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Mountaineers, the American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, the Colorado Mountain Club, and the Surfrider Foundation. By working with its member coalitions and helping mobilize the involvement of individuals to protect public lands and waters, OA helps ensure public lands are managed in a way that embraces the human-powered experience. Outdoor Alliance — conservation powered by outdoor recreation. Learn more at OutdoorAlliance.org.

About the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship

Formed in 2003, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is a volunteer driven non-profit whose primary goal is the maintenance and enhancement of the trail systems in and around Downieville, the Lakes Basin, Graeagle and Quincy. This small group has donated over 60,000 hours of volunteer labor to both the Plumas and Tahoe National Forests, maintaining over 50 trails, including the creation of 50 miles of new trails. While these trails see over 200,000 users per year, they continue to maintain a level A standing due to all the hard work of the Stewardship volunteers. This organization is not only a shining example of what a small group of dedicated, passionate people can do for an area, it is a demonstration of economic efficiency when no alternatives exist. All our product sponsors’ and volunteer monies go directly to trail maintenance and development. We multiply all donations by over 1500% through organized volunteer labor in-kind contributions.

 

 

 

KIRBY, Wyo. (May 17, 2023) –  Wyoming Whiskey announces the release of its limited edition Wilderness straight bourbon whiskey in tandem with the brand’s continuing partnership with Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. The collaboration was born in honor of preserving the beauty and wonder of the brand’s home state of Wyoming. The Wyoming Whiskey Wilderness bottle is available on a limited basis in Yellowstone National Park, in the brand’s Kirby Distillery Shop and Jackson Barrel House.

Similar collaborations by Wyoming Whiskey, such as the National Parks series contributed over $120,000 to the National Park Foundation in 2021, and $150,000 to Yellowstone Forever in 2022. With the release of  Wilderness, Wyoming Whiskey continues on a steadfast mission to support the nation’s sacred outdoor spaces with this year’s initiative.

“Yellowstone has played a profound role in the development of Wyoming Whiskey and the enrichment of our local community,” said David DeFazio, Co-Founder of Wyoming Whiskey. “Our continued partnership with Yellowstone Forever recognizes the significance of the Park and provides the perfect opportunity to support its conservation needs.”

“Yellowstone Forever is proud to have Wyoming Whiskey on board once again as a partner in Yellowstone’s future. Their continued commitment to preserving the world’s first national park will help ensure that the next generation experiences a vibrant and thriving Yellowstone,” said Lisa Diekmann, President & CEO of Yellowstone Forever.

For every bottle sold of Wyoming Whiskey Wilderness from May 2023 until supplies last, Wyoming Whiskey will donate $5 to support Yellowstone Forever in preserving Yellowstone National Park for the next generation.

The limited edition release is a straight bourbon whiskey made from 68-percent corn, 20-percent wheat, and 12-percent malted barley. Wyoming Whiskey Wilderness whiskey is bottled at 84 proof. All grains are grown in Wyoming and are non-GMO. The water used to produce Wyoming Whiskey is also sourced from a local limestone aquifer that has not seen the light of day in over 6,000 years. Tasting notes are as follows:

COLOR: Deep copper to mahogany
NOSE: Caramel, orange citrus, butter croissant
PALATE: Creamsicle, orange, butter cream
FINISH: Creamy mouth feel with a smooth nutty finish

Wyoming Whiskey’s complete portfolio born throughout the past decade consists of Small Batch Bourbon, Double Cask Bourbon, Outryder Straight American Whiskey, Single Barrel Bourbon and Barrel Strength Bourbon. Through its Wide Open Spaces collection, Wyoming Whiskey offers National Parks Limited Edition bourbons and collector editions such as 1872 to protect and preserve our country’s National Parks. Wyoming Whiskey also produces limited release, Wyoming-only styles such as Powder River.

Sign up to become a Whiskey Baron to receive the latest news and special offers from Wyoming Whiskey. For daily updates, follow Wyoming Whiskey on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

 

About Wyoming Whiskey—The Whiskey of the West

Based in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has had a simple goal: to create America’s next great bourbon. That goal has evolved to include all whiskies. The company and their products are a collaboration between its partners and 97,818 square miles of Wyoming. The Mead family first came to Wyoming as ranchers in 1890 and the state defines them, and their whiskey.  They use the finest corn, winter wheat, winter rye, barley, and water from the Bighorn Basin and promote Wyoming’s natural and human resources.  Every drop of this bourbon is 100% Wyoming. To learn more, visit http://www.wyomingwhiskey.com.

 

 

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, California – (May 17, 2023) – Today Outdoor Retailer unveiled the finalists for the 13th annual Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Awards. Presented to people, brands, and organizations, the awards recognize those dedicated to getting more people outside, supporting access, and improving the outdoor experience. This year’s recipients will be announced at the live awards ceremony on the second night of Outdoor Retailer Summer, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in the Hyatt Regency.

An independent judging panel determined the 2023 finalists across five categories: individual, emerging leader, manufacturer, nonprofit organization, and retailer. This year’s finalists:

Individual: Becky Rom, Will “Akuna” Robinson, Alma Busby-Williams

Emerging Leader: Cassie Abel, James Merrill, Brian Mister

Manufacturer: BUFF, GU Energy Labs, ILLA

Nonprofit: Adaptive Adventures, SOS Outreach, Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES) Internship Program

Retailer: Alpinistas, Ascent Outdoors, Great Outdoor Provision Company

“All of this year’s finalists are committed to building a better experience – both in the outdoors and to improve overall quality of life – and, they’re focused on providing more sustainable and inclusive pathways toward outdoor recreation,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer senior vice president and show director. “Their work and their passions inspire others to think beyond the ordinary and embrace the joy that nature provides. Our whole industry is grateful for what they do, and we’re excited to celebrate the finalists and see the recipients announced at the awards ceremony at Outdoor Retailer this summer.”

The awards ceremony will once again be hosted by rock climber, outdoor advocate, and past recipient Timmy O’Neill. Held on the second floor of the Hyatt Regency, located adjacent to the Salt Palace Convention Center, doors for the ceremony will open at 6 p.m. with food and drinks provided. The ceremony is open to all Outdoor Retailer attendees.

Outdoor Retailer Summer runs June 19-21, 2023, at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, providing opportunities to discover, learn, and connect with the outdoor community. Alongside industry celebrations, attendees can find three days of education sessions, networking events, and nearly 700 exhibitors. Registration and the daily schedule can be found at outdoorretailer.com.

Brands interested in getting involved with Outdoor Retailer through exhibiting, experiences, advocacy programs, sponsorships, speaking, and more at any future event can contact an Outdoor Retailer account executive.

About Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor Retailer, the leading U.S. business events for the outdoor and winter sports industry, brings together retailers, manufacturers, designers, distributors, industry advocates, journalists, and more to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through commerce, unique product experiences, dedicated media events, content, and web-based business solutions. Outdoor Retailer provides critical platforms for face-to-face commerce, product launches, networking, and focused industry education to enhance business and support the outdoor recreation economy. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information.

About Emerald

Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit emeraldx.com.

 

 

Steamboat Springs, Colo. (May 16, 2023) – Big Agnes, the Steamboat-Springs-based outdoor equipment brand, today announced the hiring of Round Pond Sales Group, led by Kyle Rohne and Ian Wauchope, to represent Big Agnes in the Northeast territory. With the addition of the new sales group, Big Agnes will be better positioned to meet the needs of their customers in the northeast.

“We are excited to welcome Round Pond Sales Group to the Big Agnes family,” said Big Agnes Director of Sales, Craig Hatton. “Kyle and Ian have an extensive knowledge of our brand and a wealth of experience in the territory on both the retail and wholesale sides, creating a perfect fit for Big Agnes.”

Round Pond Sales Group is based in Dover, New Hampshire and aims to foster growth with its brands and retailers through relationships that are built on trust and mutual respect in order to create partnerships that elevate business. Kyle, Ian, and Jordan Revis, the Field Service Representative, will work closely with key accounts for Big Agnes as well as new prospects, providing customized solution and support to help Big Agnes achieve its business and sales goals.

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About Big Agnes: Named for a peak in the nearby Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, Big Agnes®, Inc. is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2021. The company produces award-winning sleeping bags, pads, tents, packs, insulated apparel, camp furniture and now backpacks. For more information, visit www.bigagnes.com or call 1-877-554-8975.

Feely to lead 166-year-old outdoor outfitter into exciting next chapter of innovation and product leadership

MANCHESTER, Vt. — Orvis, the family-owned-and-operated outdoor lifestyle retailer and leader in fly-fishing and wingshooting gear, dog products and apparel, announces today that Carla Feely has been named chief product officer. In this role, Feely will oversee the next chapter of Orvis’s commitment to product excellence and provide executive oversite for all product-related functions.

“Ever since Charles F. Orvis made the first Orvis fly rod in 1856, Orvis has been driven by innovation to provide our customers with the best products,” says Orvis President Simon Perkins. “Building the next generation of innovative products and apparel to inspire our customers in the outdoors will be central to our growth for both the brand and business. Carla’s experience leading merchandising, planning, design, and development across multiple product categories is the perfect fit to continue the momentum we’ve built over the last several years. She also brings a deep regard for the brand’s rich legacy of protecting nature and keeping the customer at the center of all we do. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Orvis family and excited for what lies ahead for the brand and our customers.”

Feely’s career path has included leadership roles at well-known brands such as Gap, Levi’s, Swarovski, and Gymboree. She held the position of general manager and senior vice president of men’s and kids at Stitch Fix during a 5-year span where the brand doubled its revenue growth. Most recently, Feely worked as head of merchandising for Quince, where she led product teams across men’s, women’s, kids, home, accessories, footwear, and fine jewelry categories.

Feely will oversee merchandise strategy and execution across all product categories. She is excited to combine Orvis’s rich history and credibility in the fly-fishing, wingshooting, and dog categories with a customer-data-driven approach to inform the next generation of Orvis apparel and style. Her work in the apparel category will also focus on fiber and fabric innovation, renewable resources and manufacturing practices that will help Orvis reach its sustainability goals.

“For over 160 years, Orvis has been inspiring so many to discover and pursue life in the outdoors. The brand has such a deep history and personal meaning to me and my family, going back to a free Orvis casting class my parents attended in 1993.  We have all been passionate anglers and customers ever since,” says Feely. “I am excited and honored to join such a talented group of people who are committed to their customers, their products and to inspiring a multi-generational love of nature.”

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BOULDER, Colo. (May 16, 2023) — deuter, the global leader in backpacks and outdoor equipment, and ORTOVOX, the expert in avalanche rescue equipment and wool mountain apparel, have announced the move of their U.S. corporate headquarters to Boulder, Colorado. Both bands, owned by German-based Schwan-STABILO Outdoor, have employed NRI 3PL, a world-class third-party logistics partner based in Fontana, California, to provide fulfillment services across their U.S. networks.

“deuter and ORTOVOX have experienced sustained growth over the last decade and pandemic-related trends accelerated this in recent years. We initially outgrew our warehouse facility four years ago and have expanded our footprint multiple times since 2020. This move will allow us to scale more efficiently in the U.S., and in turn, we will be able to bring product into the U.S. market faster, improving our already highly rated customer experience,” said Jonathan Degenhardt, managing director at deuter USA and ORTOVOX USA.

The new 9,000-square-foot headquarters in Boulder will provide a modern and spacious workspace for deuter and ORTOVOX employees, including the marketing, sales, customer service, e-commerce, and finance departments. The space will also feature newly designed showrooms for each brand. The move takes deuter and ORTOVOX 12 miles south from their current U.S. headquarters in Longmont, Colorado.

“Having both deuter and ORTOVOX co-locate in a modern, collaborative workspace is something we’ve really been looking forward to. Over the next few months, we’ll refresh the space with newly designed showrooms and improved capabilities to build a productive environment for each brand and our partners,” said Degenhardt.

The new partnership with NRI 3PL will provide ample capacity for the growing demand of both brands, with comprehensive fulfillment, freight and inventory management services that all ensure the efficient delivery of products to customers across North America.

The move to NRI 3PL has been set in motion, with a transition to be completed by July 2023. The move to the new office space in Boulder is also underway, with plans to be settled as early as June 2023.

Additionally, the German parent company that owns deuter and ORTOVOX, among other outdoor and cosmetic brands, Schwan-STABILO, is amending its corporate name to Schwan-STABILO Outdoor USA, Inc. deuter and ORTOVOX will remain separate business entities, and operations will continue uninterrupted.

For more information, please contact Senior Account Manager Maria Brickman: maria.brickman@rygr.us.

 

About deuter: From backpacking to mountain biking, alpinism, and travel, to child-carrying and family adventures, deuter crafts highly functional, comfortable, and environmentally friendly packs for everyone and everywhere. With over 120+ years of experience, deuter has played a vital role in shaping the culture of mountain adventure since its 1898 founding in Germany. deuter inspires every new generation of philosophers, women, pranksters, and rock n’ rollers to get outside and experience mountain adventures the way they want to. www.deuter.com

About ORTOVOX: ORTOVOX is a four-season mountain brand headquartered in Germany known as an expert in avalanche rescue equipment and wool apparel designed specifically for ski touring, freeriding, mountaineering, alpine climbing and alpine touring. Since its founding in 1980, ORTOVOX has stood for a sophisticated approach to protection and comfort in the mountains, characterized by the responsible treatment of people and nature. As pioneers in avalanche rescue, ORTOVOX has played a key role in developing emergency equipment and targeted training measures for mountain sports, with protection as the brand’s most important value. This protective ethos includes safe and fair working conditions for its employees, setting the highest animal welfare standards on the brand’s Tasmanian Merino farms and ensuring environmentally friendly manufacturing of its products.

 About NRI 3PL:  NRI is a leading 3PL specializing in premium apparel, footwear, and accessories fulfillment throughout North America. Our innovative solutions and personalized approach enable us to help businesses streamline their supply chain operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction so they can focus on building their brand.