Archives: Press Releases

The Sea Otter Classic Summit produced by Life Time, is set to host an industry-exclusive dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on April 19, 2023 – the final day of the renowned Summit. The Monterey Bay Aquarium provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for this unique networking event, offering attendees the opportunity to build new connections and strengthen existing relationships in a relaxed and beautiful setting. The event offers a memorable conclusion to the Sea Otter Classic Summit and kicks off the Life Time Sea Otter Classic, which begins the following morning.

 

New this year, Monterey Bay Aquarium Dinner tickets are available for purchase separate from the full Sea Otter Classic Summit. Registration is available at seaotterclassicsummit.com/register.  

 

The dinner will feature locally-sourced cuisine over multiple courses, providing a truly gourmet experience. In addition to the delicious food, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the full Aquarium and its various exhibits, making the event an incredibly unique and memorable affair. 

 

The Sea Otter Classic Summit also is thrilled to announce the partnering brands helping to make this event possible, including Baird; Bosch Group; Mazda; Outside; Perkins Coie LLP; SRAM, LLC; and Alvarado Street Brewing. Each of the 2023 Summit sponsors bring a unique perspective and purpose within the outdoor industry.

 

Baird, an employee-owned financial firm, offers a wide range of services, oversees more than $360 billion in assets, and employs more than 4,800 associates. The firm handles wealth management, investment banking, asset management, institutional sales and trading, public finance, and private equity in more than 200 locations worldwide. It has been named one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For since 2004. 

 

Bosch eBike Systems is a division of the Bosch Group—a leading global supplier of technology and services. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology.  For over a decade, Bosch has offered innovative eBike drive systems of outstanding performance and quality. Its award-winning motors, highly efficient rechargeable batteries, modern displays and control units, and new eBike Flow app, ensure a personalized eBike experience, whether it’s an electric mountain bike, hybrid, city or cargo eBike. 

 

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through approximately 780 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at News.MazdaUSA.com

Outside is a destination for active lifestyle enthusiasts and home to leading brands in endurance sports, outdoor and healthy living spaces. Each month, it reaches 70 million active consumers across 30+ media, digital and technology platforms, catering to both experienced and new adventurers. Outside+, the brand’s premium membership service, offers storytelling, meal plans, online courses, discounted event access, magazines, and more.

 

Perkins Coie LLP, an international law firm, provides high-quality legal services to clients in various fields, including corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory. The firm’s clients include leading companies and public and non-profit organizations. Perkins Coie has more than 1,200 attorneys in offices across the United States and Asia.

 

SRAM® is a manufacturer of bicycle components founded in Chicago, Illinois, in September of 1987, with the invention of its first product, Grip Shift®. Throughout its 37-year history, SRAM has focused on innovative product development in all cycling disciplines. SRAM has also acquired some of cycling’s most exciting brands, including RockShox®, Zipp®, Quarq®, TIME®, and most recently adding Hammerhead®, and Velocio®. With 5000-plus employees, offices, and manufacturing in 16 countries, SRAM is one of the largest manufacturers of bike parts in the world.

 

Alvarado Street Brewery was founded in March 2014 by the father-son duo John and J.C. Hill. It began as a neighborhood brewery restaurant in downtown Monterey and has grown to three locations. In 2016, it opened a production brewery and tasting room in Spreckels Junction, Salinas. In early 2018, it opened an R&D pilot brewery and bistro in Carmel-by-the-Sea, known as “The Stro.”

 

For more information about the Sea Otter Classic Summit, visit www.seaotterclassicsummit.com.

About the Sea Otter Classic Summit

The Summit takes place just before the largest consumer cycling event, the Sea Otter Classic. This next-level executive gathering is designed to equip and inspire attendees to drive growth and impact through their businesses and brands at a pivotal time of growth and opportunity in the outdoor recreation industries.

https://seaotterclassicsummit.com/

About Life Time, Inc.

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 30,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.

In 2020, award-winning camping equipment manufacturer Sierra Designs launched Reach Out, an interdisciplinary initiative to increase participation and accessibility in outdoor recreation. Since the program’s inception, Sierra Designs has donated nearly $60,000 in both gear and a percentage of web sales to several nonprofits dedicated to improving economic, societal, and education access for underrepresented groups in the outdoors. Further committing to its mission of a more inclusive and attainable outdoors, Sierra Designs is honored to announce Reach Out partners for 2023: Women’s Wilderness, LGBT Outdoors, Outdoors For All, and SoulTrak Outdoors.

In addition to $2,000 in product donations and 1% of web sales per quarter, Sierra Designs pledges to provide education, event support, and a unique awareness campaign for each participating partner. The brand will use its platform to share each organization’s mission via social media, email newsletters, and media opportunities. “Sierra Designs was founded with the vision that all people deserve to have good gear for exploring the outdoors, regardless of their background or experience level,” says Alexandra Black-Paulick, Marketing Manager for Sierra Designs. “Our Reach Out program helps us fulfill that mission by partnering with organizations that are increasing access to the outdoors,” she adds.

Based in Boulder, Colorado, Women’s Wilderness strives to support girls, women, and LGBTQ+ people in accessing their power and improving their health through connections to the outdoors and community. With chapters in the USA, Canada, and Italy, LGBT Outdoors encourages and enables members of the LGBTQ+ community to get outdoors and connect with nature and the world around them while breaking down stereotypes towards LGBTQ+ people. Founded in 1979, in the Pacific Northwest, Outdoors For All  is a national leader in delivering adaptive and therapeutic recreation for children and adults with disabilities. SoulTrak Outdoors is a D.C.-based nonprofit organization that connects communities of color to outdoor spaces while also building a coalition of diverse outdoor leaders.

Throughout 2023, Sierra Designs will also provide gear donations to several other like-minded nonprofits committed to achieving a more equitable outdoors. For more information regarding Reach Out and how you can get involved, visit www.sierradesigns.com/reach-out or contact Katie Richter at katie@darbycommunications.com.

About Sierra Designs:

Born in California and bred on the trail, Sierra Designs has been on a mission to redefine how people interact with the outdoors since 1965. Today, that means creating equipment and apparel that is functional, beautiful, and most importantly, attainable. Our team believes that adventures should be within everyone’s reach because it’s not only about the destination—it’s about the journey you take along the way. Find more information at www.sierradesigns.com.

The Canada-based sales agency drove impressive growth in Eastern Canada for the brand

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 15, 2023) – Big Agnes, the Steamboat-Springs-based outdoor equipment brand, recently announced that Authentik Sales was awarded its annual Rep of the Year Award, which celebrates the brand’s top-performing sales group. Authentik Sales’ JP Ouellet and Matt McCormick are credited for the award, with outstanding performance in the Eastern Canadian territory.

“Many of our sales groups performed at an incredibly high level in 2022, and we’re proud of all the hard work – but Authentik rose to the top,” said Craig Hatton, director of North American sales for Big Agnes. “JP and Matt have dedicated themselves to building our brand in Eastern Canada. They faced many challenges yet still saw impressive growth across all categories in 2022. We’re so proud to recognize Authentik after such a strong year.”

Big Agnes’ Rep of the Year Award honors the brand’s top-performing sales group, based on regional growth and overall performance. Authentik grew the brand’s Eastern Canada region by 65%, while opening several new dealers and working diligently to secure strong bookings for 2023. Additionally, Authentik initiated a partnership to establish Big Agnes’ Amazon business in Canada. The agency is also recognized for its responsiveness within internal teams and its utilization of reporting tools and other sales tools for optimizing sales and business.

Ouelett and McCormick teamed up in 2019 after several years of working as sales reps in the outdoor industry. They have built a strong team of passionate outdoor enthusiasts that provide outstanding service to the markets they serve. Collectively, they have an incredible amount of experience in the outdoor industry at the brand level and at retail. They have cultivated strong relationships with their dealer base and have earned the respect of all they work with.

“Authentik not only saw exceptional sales growth but also stood as industry leaders for their strategies and responsiveness,” continued Hatton. “We’re so thrilled with the strong year from all of our reps across the world and we look forward to a strong 2023.”

###

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.

For more information, contact:

Calvin Bond, Backbone Media
Calvin.bond@backbonemedia.net

Tender Belly Bacon announces sponsorship of the High Fives Foundation

 DENVER, CO – Tender Belly, the bacon brand that sizzles breakfast anytime and anywhere, has partnered with the High Fives Foundation to give back to the adaptive action sports community. For every package of their mouth-watering bacon sold, Tender Belly will contribute a portion of their profits to the non-profit organization that supports athletes who have suffered a life-altering injury.

But that’s not all! Tender Belly is also throwing a bacon bash, donating a whopping 1000 pounds of their premium bacon to support High Fives events. Because, let’s be honest, everything is better with bacon!

“We’re beyond excited to team up with the High Fives Foundation and do our part to help fuel the amazing work that High Fives does!” exclaimed Shannon Duffy, Founder and CRO of Tender Belly. “The organization’s mission aligns with our company values, and we are proud to be partners and make every moment that much more delicious!”

The High Fives Foundation is all about supporting adaptive athletes, promoting safety and accident prevention awareness, and always having a FUNdraising time. And Tender Belly? Well, they’re all about making the world a happier, more bacon-filled place.

“This is proof that the universe is listening! Our team at High Fives is passionate bacon lovers and we are fired up about this partnership with Tender Belly,” said Roy Tuscany, founder and executive director of the High Fives foundation. “Their monetary and cured meat donations will directly help us to continue to develop programming for our athletes. And now our athletes, our teams, and our volunteers’ pockets will always be full of bacon!”

So next time you’re stocking up on Tender Belly bacon, know that you’re also supporting a great cause. Bacon and high fives for everyone!

For more information on Tender Belly, visit www.tenderbelly.com. For more on the High Fives Foundation, visit www.highfivesfoundation.org.

The company’s first impact report is a comprehensive examination of its sustainability commitments and outlines its path to a better tomorrow through community change and responsible innovation

Today, Salomon unveils its 2022 Impact Report, which offers a comprehensive overview of the brand’s sustainability efforts. The report is the first of its kind produced by Salomon and examines how the company conducts its business within the outdoor industry. It includes the company’s long-term sustainability commitments, where it currently stands and outlines how it will reach its goals by implementing change through community involvement and innovation.

“In the past, Salomon has not been very vocal about its commitments, but this has never prevented us from being a responsible company,” explains Franco Fogliato, Salomon’s President and CEO. “Being 100% connected to mountain sports since the first day of our existence in 1947, in Annecy, has made us very respectful of our playground—nature—and our communities.”

Salomon has been implementing sustainability initiatives and projects in past years, with 2021 being a notable year for developments. In 2021, Salomon released the INDEX.01, the first recyclable running shoe that can be recycled at the end of its life cycle. Salomon also collaborated with Airbus and students from IMT Les Mines in Toulouse. The brand contributed its footwear know-how to the Hopper prosthetic project, which aims to help amputees access the outdoors. Finally, Salomon launched its Sports Pledge for responsible events and athletes.

In 2022, for its 75^th anniversary, Salomon celebrated responsible outdoors and continued to advance its sustainable objectives. Sustainability highlights from 2022 included:

• Salomon is the first leading snowsports brand to have its Science-Based Targets officially approved in 2022 (targeting 50% absolute reduction of Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions and 30% absolute reduction of Scope 3 carbon emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline, net zero by 2050). This comes after publishing Salomon’s climate strategy and first ever full carbon footprint.
• 80% of Salomon’s tier 1 suppliers have achieved gold level in their social audit system (targeting 100% by 2025).
• The launch of a completely renewed MTN ski touring range into a fully eco-designed collection, made with up to 40% more responsible materials.
• Global partnership signed with Protect Our Winters in North America, and Mike Douglas, current Board Chair for POW Canada, became Salomon’s sustainability ambassador.
• Supporting non-profits that help causes for women and minorities to have more access to our sports, including Hike Clerb, &Mother, Share Winter, TrailSisters, Colour the Trails, and Shejumps.
• Salomon is a participating company of the Fair Labor Association through Amer Sports and on track for accreditation by 2024.
• Salomon’s Responsible Product Framework was established to drive its product ranges towards circularity. The Fall-winter 2022 apparel collection featured 44% of its products with recycled materials, 89% of OEKO-TEX® or Bluesign® fabrics.

Mike Douglas, a longtime Salomon athlete and Board Chair of Protect Our Winters Canada, believes this collaborative work done by brands and their material suppliers is crucial.

“Part of our mission as it relates to outdoor-minded people is to get the brands and partners we work with to step up and work on cleaning up their own operations, as well as advocating for a cleaner, more sustainable planet,” says Douglas, who is also a Salomon Sustainability Ambassador.

Building on the previous Play-Minded Program, Salomon has re-structured its path to a responsible tomorrow with a two-pronged approach that places people at the center of its efforts. This approach will equip people with science-based tools that will ultimately change the culture of the company.

For 2023, the brand’s sustainability focus areas include: ​​​​​​

• Committing to new sustainability goals and a roadmap by 2030 through its new ‘Change our Tomorrow’ program.
• Reinforcing internal culture, commitment, and shared knowledge.
• Deepening links and collaboration with communities, especially with Salomon athletes.
• Amplifying transparency through open dialogue with stakeholders.
• Quantifying and strengthening social and environmental performance through processes and science-based tools.
• Consolidating the brand’s climate strategy.
• Developing a circularity approach with new principles and new business models, and scaling-up circular products.

For a full understanding of where Salomon has come from, where the company currently stands and its path to a responsible tomorrow, read the full 2022 Impact Report on Salomon.com. Please visit pages 17–18 for a full list of Salomon’s progress highlights and progress with Sustainable Development Goals.

About Salomon: Born in the French Alps in 1947, Salomon creates premium footwear, apparel, gear and winter sports equipment that is superior in function, radical in design and obsessive in style. At the Annecy Design Center, engineers, designers and athletes collaborate to write the future of sports by creating products that transform outside sports experiences and enable a deeper connection with nature, allowing people to unleash the best version of themselves so that they might positively impact the world.

Kahtoola is honored to announce the winter 2022-2023 grant recipients of the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program: The Tibet Fund, DigDeep’s Navajo Water Project, Runners for Public Lands, Soul Trak Outdoors and The Howl Experience. Three times a year, Kahtoola donates at least 1% of annual sales through the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program to nonprofits dedicated to preserving indigenous cultures, promoting environmental responsibility or efforts to support the outdoor community.

The winter grant recipients include:

• The Tibet Fund’s Nyingtob Ling project – a residential program for Tibetan children and young adults with disabilities located in Dharamsala, India. Kahtoola is proud to continue its support of The Tibet Fund and its mission to support and strengthen Tibetan community.
• DigDeep’s Navajo Water Project is the first regional program of DigDeep, the national human rights nonprofit working to ensure every American has access to a tap and toilet inside their homes. The Navajo Water Project is a community-managed utility alternative that will utilize its Kahtoola Philanthropy grant to continue bringing hot and cold running water to homes on the Navajo Nation that are not connected to piped water or sewer lines. Its community-led and region-specific solutions have helped install clean running water inside hundreds of homes through its award-winning Navajo Water Project (Arizona, New Mexico and Utah); Appalachia Water Project (West Virginia); and Colonias Water Project (Texas).
• Runners for Public Lands is dedicated to organizing runners for climate action, sustainability practices, the protection of public lands, and equitable access to nature. The grant will be used in part to bolster the “Everyone Runs Project” to help underrepresented runners break down barriers and chase their dreams.
• Other fall recipients include Soul Trak Outdoors (grant funds will be used to support an Environmental Leadership Cohort project focused on BIPOC collegiate students in the Washington, D.C. area) and The Howl Experience, which received an in-kind grant of 25 pairs of Kahtoola’s MICROspikes for its Canadian environmental youth program.

“In 2022, Kahtoola was thankful for the opportunity to award grants to more than a dozen nonprofits to support their tireless efforts to improve the world around us and the lives of countless people,” said Danny Giovale, founder of Kahtoola. “We are inspired by their hard work and happy to contribute to their efforts.”

Nonprofits interested in applying for Kahtoola’s 2023 grant cycle can visit Kahtoola.com. Annually, Kahtoola distributes three rounds of grants: spring (March 31 application deadline), summer (July 31 deadline), and fall/winter (November 30 deadline).

Internal promotions in Design, Innovation, Sustainability and Marketing to help OR continue to expand its consumer reach. 

Capping a year of strong growth in 2022, Outdoor Research (OR), the Seattle-based manufacturer of leading outdoor apparel and gear, promoted three of its department leaders to new leadership positions. The three promotions help create the structure to continue expanding the OR brand’s reach amongst consumers. 

Katarzyna Schoewe was promoted to Vice President Design and Product Innovation, Chris King to Vice President Brand Creative, and Alex Lauver to Senior Director Materials Innovation and Sustainability. 

In her previous role as OR’s Senior Creative Design Director,  Schoewe led the design team, architected the growth of the company’s product collections, and worked to elevate the brand’s design aesthetic. She also was heavily involved in the effort to bring OR’s inclusive product line to market. In her new post as Vice President Product Design, Schoewe will help create a roadmap for commercial product creation at OR, and assess material combinations and construction methods. She will also be a member of OR’s executive team. Prior to Outdoor Research, Schoewe held design team roles with Under Armour, Pearl Izumi, L.L. Bean and Lands End. 

King will move into his new job as the Vice President Brand Creative from his current role as OR’s Senior Director of Brand Creative. He will help Outdoor Research reach a wider range of consumers, and elevate its content across different marketing channels. In his previous role King focused on brand content creation. He will now assume an elevated role around brand and creative strategy. Before Outdoor Research, King was the Creative Director at Bamboo, a Seattle-based advertising agency. He also led the content team at Rover.com, and owned and ran his own production company catering to the outdoor and travel industries for a decade. 

Lauver moves to his new post as Senior Director of Materials Innovation and Sustainability from his current role as Director of Commercial Innovation. Along with bringing new material innovations to market in Outdoor Research products, Lauver’s new job title reflects his and the brand’s elevated focus on sustainability, which has been increasingly important at OR over recent years and will continue to be a major focus looking forward. Lauver has also worked in product development at Outdoor Research, and — before that — in product development at Eastern Mountain Sports, Eddie Bauer and Cabelas. 

“As we move into the dynamic environment that is 2023, we’re evolving our business and setting the stage to continue to grow and resonate even more effectively with current and new customers,” said Roger Barton, President of Outdoor Research. “Kat, Chris and Alex have helped us elevate everything we’re doing in product creation, marketing and sustainability over recent years, and who better to hire into these new roles than the very people who have been leading successful efforts already. These promotions recognize their efforts to keep Outdoor Research in a leadership position.” 

About Outdoor Research Since 1981, Outdoor Research has created trusted apparel, accessories, and equipment for you to thrive outside. Our award-winning outdoor gear is meticulously researched and tested for outdoor enthusiasts and military users around the globe. Grounded in our values of curiosity, passion, innovation, collaboration, and community, we strive to create space for all in the outdoors. We celebrate wins outside at every level together with our ambassadors, non-profit partners, and employees. For more information, visit www.outdoorresearch.com.