Archives: Press Releases

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, California – (May 2, 2024) – Outdoor Retailer, the leading business event for the outdoor industry, and Collective Shows, the premier wholesale marketplace for activewear and swimwear, today announced a collaboration for this year’s winter events. For the first time, Collective Shows will host a marketplace as part of Outdoor Retailer Winter this November 6-8, 2024, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In November, the Outdoor Retailer show floor will feature an exciting new addition: the Outdoor Retailer x Collective Shows space. This integration offers buyers from both events an opportunity to discover more brands and more products for their stores. Exhibitors in this space can select a Collective Shows all-inclusive booth package, allowing them to meet new buyers from across both markets. Attendees will have full access to the Collective Shows space, the Outdoor Retailer show, and the new Outdoor Design + Innovation sourcing show, as well as to all programming throughout the three days.

“We’re thrilled to bring Collective Shows into Outdoor Retailer this winter and create opportunities for buyers to explore activewear, swimwear, and athleisure, as well as see top brands across more categories as they plan their 2025 buys. And it provides avenues for exhibitors to build relationships with new buyers and enter new stores,” said Sean Smith, Outdoor Retailer show director. “There’s tremendous benefit in the ability to connect with new markets and support buyers from both events by delivering a larger assortment of products they’re already buying for, all under one roof. The November show will be a great preview into 2025.”

“Collective Shows is excited to be part of Outdoor Retailer and bring two great shows that complement each other together in November,” said Devon Ranger, show director for Collective Shows. “This opportunity expands our platform and provides greater value to our retailers and brands, creating more avenues to see emerging products and learn about future trends across multiple markets. Our priority is to ensure brands and retailers can successfully grow their businesses, and we’re looking forward to seeing new connections and inspiration through this collaboration.”

The Collective Shows allow buyers to connect with a curated selection of brands from activewear, swimwear, athleisure, performance wear, wellness, and more. Retailers gain a deeper understanding of the products they are buying through unique experiences and place orders for upcoming seasons. Renewal and early bird rates are available for Collective Shows exhibitors, and interested brands can inquire with their sales representative for more information on joining the new space in November.

Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Design + Innovation, the new co-located sourcing event, bring buyers and brands from the outdoor industry together to connect, discover what’s new, learn from experts, and network with the outdoor community. Education sessions and networking events are held each day on the show floor and are accessible to all attendees and exhibitors. The early bird rate for Outdoor Retailer Winter 2024 exhibitors is approaching, and brands interested can contact the sales team.

Outdoor Retailer, Outdoor Design + Innovation, and Collective Shows are owned and produced by Emerald. The shows’ respective summer events are staging as scheduled. Outdoor Retailer and Outdoor Design + Innovation Summer is this June 17-19, 2024, at the Salt Palace. Collective Shows West, Swim Collective + Active Collective, is in Huntington Beach, California, on July 23-24, 2024.

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 Collective Shows

Collective Shows are curated business to business trade shows that serve as an essential marketplace for top designers, manufacturers, and retailers in the swimwear, resort wear, activewear, and athleisure industries. A focus of the Collective Shows – Swim Collective + Active Collective – is to engage retailers and brands in ways that are unlike conventional trade show methods. Multiple annual events create a place for deep engagement through exhibition spaces, networking, immersive experiences, and advertising opportunities. Visit collectiveshows.com to learn more.

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 www.emeraldx.com.

 

 

(May 2, 2024) – The Conservation Alliance (TCA) celebrates today the Biden Administration’s  announcement of the  expansion of California’s Berryessa Snow Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains National Monuments that  will protect over 100,000 acres of public lands in California. The Biden Administration’s decision to expand these monuments will not only safeguard and preserve the natural beauty of these areas but also honors the profound connection various Tribes and communities have to these lands.

“We thank President Biden, Secretary Haaland, and Congressional champions for these historic protections in California that will provide conservation benefits and enduring recreational opportunities for generations to come,” said Rebecca Gillis, TCA Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach. “The Conservation Alliance has long worked alongside our grantees to support National Monuments because they are a proven tool to permanently protect public lands for all to enjoy while also directly benefiting our economy. These kinds of expansions are exactly what we had in mind when we launched Mobilizing for Monuments last year. We are now proud to stand with nearly 100 companies advocating for National monuments across the country.”

The addition of Molok Luyuk to Berryessa honors the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation who have sought tribal co-management of these ancestral homelands. Protecting the entirety of Berryessa Snow Mountain is a win for tribes, local communities, and the outdoor recreation industry. Berryessa Snow Mountain was first designated as a national monument in 2015 and The Conservation Alliance is proud to have supported grantee, Tuleyome, and have given $80,000 to protect this monument.

The Biden Administration is protecting 105,000 acres of public lands by expanding San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Located near Los Angeles, over 18 million people live within a 90-mile radius of these public lands and the expansion will help ensure equitable access to nature for these residents. TCA grantee, CalWild, worked alongside the coalition of local organizations, tribes, and businesses to advocate for the expansion of San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Fueled by this success and the support of the Biden Administration, TCA will continue to advocate for the expansion and conservation of public lands in the United States with the support of its members, through political advocacy and with campaigns like  Mobilizing For Monuments.

For more information about The Conservation Alliance, please visit conservationalliance.com. For more information on the Mobilizing for Monuments campaign and to sign the pledge to support public lands conservation through national monument designation, visit mobilizingformonuments.com.

About The Conservation Alliance

The Conservation Alliance is a coalition of over 270 like-minded member companies who pool resources to fund and advocate for the protection of North America’s cherished wild places and outdoor spaces. Through the collective power of their membership – companies from a range of industries from outdoor industry to brewers, bankers, sportsmen, and renewable energy – take bold steps to conserve wild public lands and waters. Since 1989, we’ve awarded over $31.9 million in grants and helped protect over 82 million acres and 4,570 river miles, remove or halt 38 dams, purchase 22 climbing areas and designate five marine reserves. For complete information about The Conservation Alliance, visit conservationalliance.com.

SEATTLE (May 1, 2024) – Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op will open a store in College Station, Texas in fall 2024, less than a half mile from Texas A&M University. The location will offer a wide assortment of outdoor gear and expertise for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, climbing, and more. For those who adventure on two wheels, a full-service bike shop will be staffed by certified mechanics.

“College Station and the surrounding region have many natural places to play, explore and relax so being outside can be part of everyday life,” said Kristen Engels, REI regional director. “With incredible settings for hiking, camping, mountain biking, trail running and much more so close to the city, the co-op looks forward to being a resource when we open our 11th store in the state. We also are excited to develop partnerships with local nonprofits to support their efforts to welcome more people outside.”

Store facts

• Location: University Park at 615 University Drive East, College Station, TX. Adjacent to Crunch Fitness (opening fall 2024)
• Store size: 21,732 square feet
• Store features: Full-service bike shop, buy online-pickup in store, curbside pickup
• REI co-op membership: 7,000 members in College Station, 32,300 members in the Waco-Temple-Bryan region and 1.44 million members in Texas
• REI stores in Texas: Austin-Downtown (107 miles away, opened 2006), Austin-Gateway (107 miles away, opened 1989, relocated 1995), Dallas (186 miles away, opened 1993, relocated 2015), Fort Worth (174 miles away, opened 2016), Houston (93 miles away, opened 1996, relocated 2003), Houston-Baybrook (117 miles away, opened 2016), Houston-Willowbrook (72 miles away, opened 2004), Plano (200 miles away, opened 2005), San Antonio (173 miles away, opened 2012), and Southlake (194 miles away, opened 2014)

REI is the country’s largest consumer co-op. Everyone is welcome to shop REI and tap into the vast amount of expertise provided by the co-op’s store staff and online resources. Members who join the co-op enjoy a wide range of benefits, including a used gear 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; and more.

New members join a growing community that fights for a life outside. With each new membership purchased, the co-op donates $5 to support the REI Cooperative Action Fund. The community-supported nonprofit is fueled by donations from REI members, customers, employees, foundations, and corporate partners – including the co-op. The REI Fund provides support to nonprofit organizations across the country doing essential work to create a more equitable outdoors for everyone. As part of the REI College Station grand opening, a donation will be made to a local nonprofit. Since launching in 2021, the REI Fund has invested $815,000 in 19 Texas nonprofits. To learn more about REI Cooperative Action Fund grantees in Texas, visit www.reifund.org/grantees.

Join the REI team

REI expects to hire approximately 40 employees for the new College Station store. Candidates interested in joining the REI team can apply online at REI.jobs. Those interested can set up a job alert on the co-op’s career site to be notified when positions are posted. New employees will receive a variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay, and retirement contributions. Health insurance is also offered to both full-time and part-time employees.

About the 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. If you can’t visit one of our many stores, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.

 

Boulder, Colo. (May 1, 2024) — Boulder, Colo.-based Backpacker’s Pantry, the family-owned maker of gourmet adventure meals, announces Backpacking Nutrition Week, a week-long holiday aimed at elevating the importance and awareness of backpacking food and nutrition among camping enthusiasts. Starting today, May 1 through May 6, the industry is encouraged to participate in this newly established holiday to bring meal planning to the forefront of trip planning.

To help elevate this category, Backpacker’s Pantry encourages everyone to chime in with their nutrition tips and tricks and use the hashtag #BackpackingNutritionWeek throughout the first week of May.

“We’re excited to announce Backpacking Nutrition Week! This initiative is designed to raise awareness of the importance of proper meal planning for backpacking trips,” said Chris Dickerson, Marketing Director at Backpacker’s Pantry. “By focusing on nutrition early on in their trip planning, backpackers can ensure they have the energy they need to enjoy their adventures.”

Taking place early in the spring, before peak camping and backpacking season begins, the hope is that this educational week gives consumers the time and awareness to plan for their summer adventures and understand the importance of nutrition as a key component to their planning. Through the industry-wide sharing of fun and informational content related to backpacking nutrition, the goal is to uplevel this category which can sometimes be an afterthought when it comes to trip preparation.

Backpacker’s Pantry is joined by other outdoor industry brands and groups to celebrate and amplify #BackpackingNutritionWeek, such as American Hiking Society, BearVault, Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Crazy Creek, ExpertVoice, Fjallraven, Good-To-Go, Gregory Packs, Heather’s Choice, Mountain Safety Research, National Parks Fund, Outdoor Prolink, Royal Robbins, The Conservation Alliance, The Trek, and Washington Trails Association. Backpacker’s Pantry invites other brands, retailers, athletes, consumers, and ambassadors alike to take part in the celebration of all things backpacking nutrition this week.

To kick off Backpacking Nutrition Week, the company also announces its recently launched loyalty program called Trail Crew Rewards. To participate, customers need to set up an account on the Backpacker’s Pantry website, which will automatically reward them with 250 points. Customers can then earn extra points with every purchase, every $1 spent rewards customers with 5 points. Points can also be earned by completing special actions, such as following the brand on social media, referring a friend, points for your birthday, and leaving online reviews. With every 500 points earned, customers can spend their points on a variety of rewards, such as money-off vouchers, and more!

Check out some of Backpacker’s Pantry’s articles on backpacking nutrition, which include tips, advice from experts, and more on their blog here: https://backpackerspantry.com/blogs/news/tagged/backpacking-nutrition

For more information about Backpacker’s Pantry, please visit backpackerspantry.com.

About Backpacker’s Pantry

Backpacker’s Pantry is a Boulder-based, family-owned producer of gourmet adventure meals made with healthy and sustainable ingredients. Since 1951, the company has been delivering high-quality freeze-dried meals with an emphasis on taste. To give back to the community we love, the places we adventure and the planet we must protect, Backpacker’s Pantry donates 1% of every sale, every day to nonprofits around the world through 1% For the Planet and is 100% solar-powered. Today, Backpacker’s Pantry is sold in over 2,000 stores in North America. For more information and a complete list of products, visit https://backpackerspantry.com.

About American Outdoor Products

American Outdoor Products (AOP) is a food manufacturer located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, CO.  Established in 1951, American Outdoor Products remains an independent, privately held, family-owned, and operated company distributing products throughout the world. Inspired by a passion for unique cuisine and exciting adventures, the company produces Backpacker’s Pantry, adventure food for the outdoors; Astronaut Foods, out-of-this-world novelty treats; Chef Soraya grab-and-go plant-based meals; and Colorado Spice, all-natural and organic artisan spice blends. To learn more, visit: https://backpackerspantry.com

May 1, 2024 – PORT COQUITLAM, BC. – After Norco announced the addition of Greg Minnaar as Team Captain, all eyes are on the Canadian brand going into the 2024 UCI Downhill World Cup season. Of course they’re going to go big this season.

Today, the brand is unveiling the new Norco Race Division, aimed at building a long-term, high-impact presence in the Downhill scene. They’re also giving fans an unfiltered peek behind the scenes in a docuseries that will run for the entire race season.

“As we celebrate our 60^th anniversary, it felt right to elevate the brand by introducing a new-look for the team”, said Gwen van Lingen, Head of Brand at Norco. “The Norco Race Division is made-up of world-class riders, mechanics and support staff, all of whom will be featured in a raw and emotional docuseries running throughout the season, while the bold team look takes inspiration from our heritage and modern street culture”.

You may have seen the team roll into Fort William, where they will don their new kit and bikes, while the iconic team truck will take its place in the pits. The overall aesthetic is reminiscent of motocross, BMX and jet ski racing during the 80s and 90s.

The kit design is a curated mix’n’match of simple graphics and colour to create bold shapes. The truck celebrates the mindset of the dirt bike pioneers who packed up the car or the box van and went racing for kicks, bringing unrivalled attitude and flamboyance.

Norco worked on the new team visuals with renowned design pairing Nick Larsen and Paul Bliss out of London, well known within the bike world for their work with Cannondale, Fox, Charge Bikes and more. The pair looked back through 60 years of Norco heritage, taking inspiration from past logos, retro colors, iconic bike designs and decades of innovation, to create a look and feel that is unique in the world of mountain bikes.

“I have known Greg since the 90’s and was intrigued by his move to Norco,” said Larsen. “I suggested to him that it could be fun to do something really disruptive with his new team’s kit, and it turned out that both he and Norco really wanted to push the boat on the new DH team.”

On the design, Bliss added, “We took Norco’s origin story in British Columbia, the brand’s passion for racing BMX in the region during its formative years, mixed it with influences from streetwear, freestyle mountain biking, and the symbolism of the rock.”

More kits and bike graphics will be revealed as the season progresses so get ready for a wild ride.

To capture the excitement of the Norco Race Division this season, the brand will be launching an exclusive docuseries entitled “Just Getting Started” with new episodes dropping days after each race. The series will provide an all access, no-holds-barred look into what it means to be a part of a World Cup team, with behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive access to Minnaar, his teammates, and the wider support network.

Check out the trailer HERE and find a complete asset package HERE.  Keep an eye on Norco.com for more team updates and episode releases.

For more, please reach out to brandon.martinez@backbone.media or AshleyR@Norco.com.

About Norco Bicycles

Norco is a global leader in high-performance mountain bikes, known for its commitment to innovation, quality craftsmanship, and the pursuit of trail-blazing excellence. Founded as Northern Cycle Industries in 1964, operating out of a chicken coop, the brand has evolved over the years, but hard work, passion, and commitment to innovation have always been at the forefront. The mountains and trails of British Columbia are hard-wired into the DNA at Norco, and they will always be the ultimate inspiration for the character and performance of every Norco bike. Norco.com

BOULDER, Colo., April 30, 2024 — La Sportiva, maker of the world’s finest mountain gear, celebrated its first retail store in the United States with a Grand Opening event in Boulder, Colorado this month. The new location opened its doors to the public on January 2, 2024. Located at 2100 Broadway, at the intersection of Spruce and Broadway Streets, the store is perfectly situated to serve local mountain enthusiasts.

The Grand Opening was a vibrant event that brought the Boulder community together under one roof. It also helped to underscore the brand’s commitment to continued expansion in the US market. The event was held April 18 through April 19 and featured an impressive lineup of activities including live music, gourmet food trucks, and an array of Italian wines and premium beverages. A video of the Grand Opening festivities can be found here.

The weekend also marked the brand’s first North America Athlete Summit, a convergence of La Sportiva’s ambassadors that represent the brand’s expansive line of products. The summit included climbing and group runs in the picturesque Flatiron mountains as well as educational sessions focused on injury prevention and nutrition.

La Sportiva Leadership and Exclusive Experiences

Several members of the Delladio family—founders and owners of La Sportiva—traveled from Italy for the event, joining leadership from both the North American and global teams. The Grand Opening kicked off on Thursday with an exclusive shopping experience for key media, followed by a more expansive VIP event on Friday evening. Notable figures from the Boulder community and the outdoor industry attended the event, mingling with the brand’s elite athlete team, which spans across climbing, mountain running, and ski mountaineering

“The La Sportiva brand was founded in the shadow of the Dolomites,” notes Lorenzo Delladio, CEO of La Sportiva. “We are at home in the mountains, and as we continue to increase our presence in the US market, it is communities like Boulder that we want to plant deeper roots in. These mountain towns share our love for the outdoors and mirror our commitment to preserving rugged landscapes for future generations.”

La Sportiva currently has 12 retail stores in Europe. Each location is situated in a town renowned for its access to world-class climbing, mountaineering, and skiing. The Italian company is continuing to grow its reach outside of Europe, and is planning to open similar retail locations in North America and other key markets in the coming years.

A Hub for the Mountain Sport Community

“This new location is more than just a store, it’s a place where we can showcase the La Sportiva brand and everything that it can be,” said Jonathan Lantz, President of La Sportiva North America. “This Grand Opening event was a chance for the entire La Sportiva team to come together and bond over the thing that unites all of us, a love of wild places. The North American arm of the company has called Boulder home since its inception, and this event gave us the opportunity to celebrate this amazing town and the people that make it such a special place.”

The Boulder store features La Sportiva’s entire line of products, from climbing and mountaineering gear to Mountain Running® shoes and ski mountaineering hardware. The brand invites the Boulder community and all who love the outdoors to stop by and visit the new location.

Contact La Sportiva PR representative Sean Van Horn at sean.vanhorn@backbone.media for more information.

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With over 90 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market as well as ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information on La Sportiva visit www.lasportivausa.com or visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/LaSportiva.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRISCO, Texas (April 25, 2024) – Wiley X, a global leader and pioneer in premium protective eyewear, is excited to announce it has restructured and expanded its sales team to enhance the brand’s relationships and support across retail partners and customers.

Completed in unison with its recent brand refresh, Wiley X has expanded its sales team to add more than 100 representatives across the U.S. and has welcomed seasoned industry executive Aaron Quigley as its Senior Vice President of Sales. Quigley joins the brand with over 20 years of experience as a sales executive for companies such as Oakley, Stussy and VonZipper.

“I’ve admired Wiley X for years and the more time I spend with the wonderful people and professionals here, the more I realize how special the brand is,” Quigley said. “I’m truly humbled, excited and motivated to join such an outstanding company.”

Alongside Wiley X Co-Owners Myles and Dan Freeman, Quigley is leading the company’s efforts to enhance support for its retail partners and develop a more impactful brand presentation across sales channels. As part of this initiative, Wiley X has expanded the teams of both its Outdoor and Optical Divisions with the addition of over 100 industry professionals and agency representatives across the U.S.

“This strategic and aggressive expansion of our sales team will help us better serve our partners and customers with more regionally specific knowledge, expertise and relationships,” said Quigley.

Carl Stout, Director of Outdoor Sales for Wiley X, joined the Outdoor Division in 2023 after holding senior sales positions with Sellmark and Meprolight. During his time with the company, Stout and his team have strategically expanded the brand’s dealer network while boosting alignment with new and existing retail partners.

In the Optical Division, long-time leader of the Optical Business at Wiley X, Karen Wilkerson, partnered with Quigley to welcome Alana Clarke as the Regional Sales Manager for Optical. Clarke joined the brand with a strong track record of results during her time with Luxottica and Safilo. Clarke is now spearheading efforts to supercharge business with independent and large-scale eyecare professionals.

“We’re very confident and excited about the team of leaders, representatives and agency partners we’ve put in place,” said Quigley. “Wiley X is moving toward a bright future and our fortified sales team will ensure we continue to provide exceptional service to all of our local, regional and national partners.”

For more information, or for dealer inquiries, please contact Wiley X Customer Service at (800) 776-7842 to be put in touch with the sales representative for your area.

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About Wiley X

Veteran-founded in 1987, Wiley X has been producing the world’s most protective eyewear to various markets that rely on impact resistance for over 30 years. Myles Freeman Sr., a military veteran, started Wiley X to protect the eyes of those who protected America. The company’s military heritage helped carve a roadmap for Wiley X in the years to follow for many well-respected weekend warriors. Every adult sunglass style made by Wiley X meets ANSI Z87.1 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety Standards, for protection that goes far beyond the harmful rays of the sun. Several styles also meet U.S. military MIL-PRF-32432 (GL) standards for ballistic eye protection, a key reason why Wiley X has been a leading provider of vision protection equipment to the U.S. military and law enforcement for more than 30 years.

 

 

 

SEATTLE – REI Path Ahead Ventures is celebrating 16 emerging companies completing its Embark program, bringing the latest products and experiences to the outdoor industry. Embark is a three-month curriculum created in partnership with Founded Outdoors to support founders of color as they turn their early-stage ideas into viable businesses.

The Embark program is part of REI Path Ahead Ventures, the co-op’s $30 million organization and investment fund to accelerate the success of founders of color in the outdoor industry. In addition to virtual programming, founders in this year’s Embark cohort also connected in-person at REI’s recent store opening in Beaverton, Oregon, giving them the opportunity to share their innovations directly with customers.

“Path Ahead Ventures is focused on supporting founders at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey,” said Dan Kihanya, director of REI Path Ahead Ventures. “After hearing from founders that in-person connection is highly valuable, we were able to create an opportunity this year to bring the Embark cohort together with each other and with customers. Being together in-person only added to the excitement we have for the companies these founders are building and the products they are bringing to the industry.”

Path Ahead Ventures partners with Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, Asian American and Pacific Islander founders to offer a full spectrum of support as they start and scale their businesses. Founders participating in Embark receive a $10,000 equity-free grant to kickstart their businesses. In addition, founders are connected to industry and startup experts as they learn best practices and gather valuable feedback on their businesses.

“This year, our programming used more of the ‘inside-out classroom’ model. Almost every week participating founders accessed recorded lectures, questions, and activities, leaving the live sessions with more time for group discussion,” said Enhao Li, director of programming for Founded Outdoors. “We’re excited to see this year’s cohort moving at a rapid pace to build out important operational capabilities and growth strategies, allowing them to gain early traction with key partners and early customers.”

This year’s Embark cohort includes a range of companies:

Gear & Apparel

• ANDA – Ultralight, eco-friendly shelters to venture deeper into the unknown. (Daniel Gerken; Atlanta; Instagram: @andaultralight)
• Leimert Mountaineering – Performance outdoor apparel focused on Black cultural perspectives and product innovations that serve the needs of the new and diverse outdoor consumer. (Ron Meade, Jabari Marshall & Haley McGinest; Los Angeles; Instagram: @leimertmountaineering)
• Pangoo Apparel – Outdoor apparel dedicated to creating clothes that support women’s bodies in motion and centering the voices of women of color in outdoor spaces. (Sara Chen; Detroit, Michigan; Instagram: @pangooapparel)
• The Petite Outdoors – Outdoor apparel designed for women 5’4” and under. Perfect fit, comfort, and performance for your next adventure. (Robin Song; San Luis Obispo, California; @thepetiteoutdoors)
• Sojourn Trekkr – Ultralight hiking gear for the female form for increased outdoor access, representation, equity and adventure. (Jennifer Villamin; Austin, Texas; Instagram: @sojourntrekkr)
• THINK BLUE – Giving new life to expired aviation life vests by repurposing them into waterproof gear pouches for outdoors enthusiasts. (Catherine Chin and Marlene Renee Smith; Honolulu; Instagram: @daretothinkblue)
• WARPONYBMX – Native American-made soft goods for the outdoor community. (Joeseph Arnoux; Albuquerque, NM; Instagram: @warponybmx)
• ZeenYo – Protective childrenswear designed for worry-free outdoor adventures. (Natasha Medeiros; Arlington, Virginia; Instagram: Natasha Medeiros,@zeenyokids)

Digital, Community & Experiences

• Dulce Base Tipi – A tipi destination on the Jicarilla Apache Nation reservation in Dulce, New Mexico, with a great view of Archuleta Mesa, also known as the Dulce UFO Underground Base. (Heather Gomez; Dulce, New Mexico; Instagram: @dulcebasetipi)
• Hightag – Giving athletes the power to automatically capture action media of themselves that would otherwise be impossible. (Alex and Jonathan de la Fuente; Bentonville, Arkansas; Instagram: @app)
• Islandclimber – Puerto Rico’s outfitter of climbing experiences for every travel itinerary. (Carlos Salinas Linares; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Instagram: @islandclimber)
• Intrsxtn Surf – Creating a safe space for Black women and women of color to explore the outdoors through surfing. (Jessa Williams; Los Angeles; Instagram: @intrsxtn_surf)
• Ma’wa Collective – An adventure community rooted in faith, exploration, and self-discovery for Muslim American women. (Nadah Feteih; Denver; Instagram: @collective)
• Outdoorithm – An all-in-one digital platform that simplifies camping trip planning for urban families. (Sally and Justin Steele; Oakland, California; Instagram: @outdoorithm)

Consumer Goods & Packaged Food

• The Good Detour – A lifestyle brand that empowers South Asians to explore the great outdoors by providing flavorful and nourishing food on the go. (Pooja Naik and Rutwij Devashrayee; San Francisco; Instagram: @gooddetour)
• Khám Phá – Vietnamese-inspired performance snacks to fuel trail adventurers. (Huy-Liem Nguyen; Seattle; Instagram: @khamphafoods)

Applications for Embark open in the fall each year. In addition to Embark, Path Ahead Ventures provides direct equity investment and dedicated support for founders through its investment fund. Since launching in 2021, Path Ahead Ventures has built a strong community, partnering with more than 70 founders, providing nearly $700,000 in grants and investing $4 million across 23 companies. To learn more about Path Ahead Ventures, visit REI.com/path-ahead.

About Founded Outdoors

Launched in 2021, Founded Outdoors supports emerging businesses nationwide through community, programming and connections, with the goal of increasing access in the outdoor industry as well as in outdoor places. Their community includes over 400 outdoor entrepreneurs at different stages across product categories, and is supported with ongoing knowledge-sharing, peer support, resource databases, and topical workshops and events; their strategic connections are continually built between their community and industry leaders, such as state offices of outdoor recreation, economic development agencies, legacy outdoor business founders, and early-stage investors; and their structured programming is comprised of both short-term learning events as well as long-term industry initiatives. For more information on Founded Outdoors, please visit foundedoutdoors.com.

About the 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. If you can’t visit one of our many stores, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.

 

Hilleberg has two new tent models coming in the spring of 2024. In the all-season Black Label series, the Saivo 4 is the ultimate 4-person base camp expedition dome tent. And in the Yellow Label series of snow-free adventure tents, the Rogen 3 is the first 3-person dome tent in the Yellow Label group.

“The Saivo 4 is one of our largest tents, and is essentially a mountain fortress,” says Petra Hilleberg, CEO of the Hilleberg Group and president of Hilleberg the Tentmaker. “It’s also amazingly spacious.”

The Saivo 4’s poles’ length creates ample headroom and impressive overall volume, and for storage, it features one roomy standard-sized vestibule and a new, even larger vestibule with an added pole. The inner tent is square-shaped and offers plenty of space for sleeping either lengthwise or crosswise. And despite its being such a large tent with multiple pole crossing points, the continuous pole sleeve and clip system make pitching a straightforward process in any weather, no matter how bad. The Saivo 4’s structure gives it the ability to easily handle heavy snow loads and its outer tent walls go all the way to the ground for protection from sideways wind, rain and snow.

“No matter if you’re waiting out the very worst winter storm or enjoying a beautiful sunny day, the Saivo 4 is a spacious and comfortable choice for any group,” says Petra.

The current 3-person Saivo, which has long been an outstanding dome tent for expedition and base camp use, will become the Saivo 3, and receives the same new vestibule structure and configuration as the new Saivo 4.

“The Rogen 3 is our roomiest Yellow Label dome tent and is a great lightweight and airy option for the summer and shoulder seasons,” says Petra.

The original 2-person Rogen has long been a popular snow-free adventure choice for its strength, light weight, and simplicity. It becomes the Rogen 2 while the new Rogen 3 gives added versatility to the Rogen “family.” These models are quick to pitch, have two roomy vestibules, and are very lightweight: the Rogen 3’s packed weight is an impressive 2.5 kg / 5 lbs 8 oz, only 400 g more than the Rogen 2’s packed weight of 2.1 kg / 4 lbs 10 oz. The Rogen 3 is easily light enough to be used by a pair for extra space and comfort and is still more than strong enough to handle any unexpected rough weather conditions.

“Safety has always been important to us, so we build all of our tents with added strength and features so you’re always prepared for the worst conditions within your tent’s Label category performance range,” says Petra.

New guy lines on both entrances and on the head and foot ends of the Rogen models add extra stability in less than fine conditions and more ventilation options in warm weather, while large mesh panels on the inner tent doors and curved patterning on the bottom of the outer tent walls provide constant airflow.

Both the Saivo 4 and updated Saivo 3 and the Rogen 3 and updated Rogen 2 are available now.

About Hilleberg the Tentmaker

Founded in 1971, Sweden-based Hilleberg the Tentmaker is a family-owned company that manufactures lightweight tents of the highest quality for every season. The company is known for setting the standard in making tents by em- ploying the lightest, yet strongest materials, by using double wall construction, and by setting up and inspecting every tent in their own European factory to ensure the ultimate in quality and safety. The company is still very much a family affair: Bo Hilleberg is Chairman of the Board and heads up the product development team; his wife, Renate and their children Rolf and Petra comprise the company’s board, and Petra is CEO of the Hilleberg Group as well as President of both the US and Swedish operations.

Louisville, CO – March 21st, 2024 – onWater Fish, a leading mobile app for anglers across the US, and Trout Unlimited, the nation’s premier coldwater fisheries conservation organization, today announced their formal partnership. This collaboration will bring the onWater Fish app to select new Trout Unlimited members as an exclusive subscription benefit to provide them with valuable tools and resources to elevate their fishing experience and support conservation efforts. The membership program will be tested with a select group of Trout Unlimited members before being rolled out to the wider angling community. Members who participate in the testing phase will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the mobile app and a unique set of offerings housed inside for TU members, all to help shape the future of the program. Smarter Fishing with a Conservation Focus

Through this partnership Trout Unlimited members will have access to onWater Fish’s comprehensive suite of features included with an onWater+ subscription, including:

● Real-time fishing conditions: Stay informed about water flow, weather forecasts, and fish activity at their favorite spots.
● Interactive maps: Discover new fishing locations, navigate to public access points, and find hidden gems.
● Trip tracking: Log your catches, share photos, and analyze trends to improve your fishing skills.
● Conservation resources: Learn about local regulations, responsible fishing practices, and how to protect coldwater fisheries.
● Coming soon: All onWater users will have access to exclusive, conservation-based map data within the onWater Fish app, helping them identify areas where their fishing impacts conservation efforts while being able to find opportunities to give back.

A Shared Commitment to Healthy Fisheries

onWater Fish and Trout Unlimited share a deep commitment to conservation. The app promotes responsible fishing practices and will educate users about the importance of protecting aquatic habitats. This partnership further strengthens this commitment by providing Trout Unlimited members with the tools and information they need to be informed stewards of any fishery. “We are incredibly honored to have been selected by the country’s preeminent organization dedicated to protecting our watersheds and wild trout and salmon populations”, said Scott Carver, Founder and CEO of onWater. Not only are our core values of protecting our precious resources completely in sync, we share a common mission of building a more informed and engaged angling community.”

“Trout Unlimited is thrilled to test a membership marketing partnership with onWater. Our goal is to enhance the member experience by partnering with corporations that give unique offerings to anglers across the nation,” said Sherice Evans, Senior Director of Partnerships at TU. “By working together, we can ensure that our rivers and streams remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come.”

About onWater Fish
onWater Fish is a mobile app designed to empower anglers of all skill levels to find success on the water, while promoting conservation awareness and responsible fishing practices. The app provides users with real-time fishing information, interactive maps, catch tracking tools, and a platform for sharing experiences.

About Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to conserving and restoring coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Through science-based programs, advocacy, and education, Trout Unlimited works to ensure healthy and sustainable fisheries for future generations.