Archives: Press Releases

Frisco, TX – [May 30, 2025] — Wiley X® was honored to once again sponsor the Prevent Blindness Texas (PBT) Golf Tournament, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the organization’s vital mission of safeguarding vision health across the state.

This meaningful event brought together community members, partners, and advocates in a shared effort to fund sight-saving initiatives and promote accessible eye care for all Texans. With dedicated offices in Houston and San Antonio, and the ongoing support of passionate volunteers, Prevent Blindness Texas continues to lead the way in advancing eye health through outreach, education, and vision screenings.

To learn more about Prevent Blindness Texas and how to get involved, visit https://texas.preventblindness.org/.

For more information about Wiley X and its product offerings, visit www.wileyx.com.

 

May 28, 2025 – Governor Kelly Ayotte will officially proclaim June 10, 2025, as “NH Outdoor Industry Day,” recognizing the vital contributions of the outdoor sector to the state’s economy and culture. The ceremonial proclamation takes place at 2 PM in Manchester’s Veterans Memorial Park.

New Hampshire’s outdoor economy ranks 8th nationally for its percentage contribution to state GDP and sustains nearly 32,000 jobs and 1,000 small businesses across sectors like hospitality, manufacturing, retail, tourism, and professional services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, New Hampshire’s outdoor industry generated nearly $4 billion in revenue 2023, accounting for 4.5% of the state’s total employment. These are the highest levels recorded since the agency began tracking the sector in 2012.

The proclamation ceremony will bring together local and state leaders, business owners, non-profit organizations, and outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate the industry’s vital role in driving economic growth, workforce development, and quality of life in the Granite State. In partnership with Outdoor Industry Day, the Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) will launch the Workforce Toolkit for the Outdoor Lifestyle—a comprehensive resource designed to help New Hampshire employers integrate outdoor recreation assets into recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies.

Alongside the Governor, Outdoor Industry Day speakers will include BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell and Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development (ORID) Director Janel Lawton, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais, Granite Outdoor Alliance (GOA) Director Tyler Ray, and NEMO Equipment Founder and CEO Cam Brensinger.

“We are excited to launch the New Hampshire Workforce Toolkit for the Outdoor Lifestyle and give employers tangible resources to incorporate the state’s outdoor recreation assets into their workforce recruitment and retention strategies,” said Janel Lawton, ORID Director. “By promoting a culture centered around an active, outdoor lifestyle, New Hampshire companies can attract high-quality talent, reduce turnover, and boost overall productivity.”

Following the Outdoor Industry Day ceremony, Granite Outdoor Alliance (GOA) will host a Rock City Vendor Village pop-up, featuring New Hampshire-based outdoor brands and non-profits. Rock City travels to events across the state to showcase New Hampshire outdoor brands and foster direct connections among community members and industry leaders.

“Rock City is our platform to celebrate the businesses and organizations that are the backbone of New Hampshire’s outdoor economy,” said Tyler Ray, Director of GOA. “These are the brands building gear, creating jobs, and driving innovation in communities across the state. We’re proud to showcase their impact in a visible, public way—and there’s no better place to do that than downtown Manchester on Outdoor Industry Day.”

The NH Outdoor Industry Day press conference and Rock City Vendor Village are free and open to the public. Food and music will be available. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

A series of regional partner events will continue throughout the summer to emphasize industry growth, workforce development, and public engagement, reinforcing the sector’s essential contribution to the state’s economic and cultural identity. To learn more and RSVP for the event, visit Eventbrite or www.graniteoutdoor.org.

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Press Contact Info: Sam Trombley

Granite Outdoor Alliance

sam@graniteoutdoor.org

860-319-9944

About the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs:

The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the State of New Hampshire while promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors. BEA oversees programs in economic development, international commerce, outdoor recreation industry development, planning and community development, travel and tourism, visitor services, and workforce development. For more information, visit www.nheconomy.com.

About Granite Outdoor Alliance:

Granite Outdoor Alliance is a non-profit business alliance that supports New Hampshire’s outdoor industry including brands, retailers, nonprofits, and individuals. With over 130 business members, Granite Outdoor promotes outdoor recreation as a critical anchor to integrate rural and urban economic policies, communities, and industry to enhance life in New Hampshire.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. [May  28, 2025] — ONIX Pickleball, a leader in the sport of pickleball for two decades, has unveiled the Hype X and Hype X Pro, a duo designed to represent ONIX’s patented Power Frame ThermoFused Technology, enabling players to achieve peak performance at a quality price.

With increased reliability in their paddles’ construction, players can experience the full potential of their power on the court. The high-tech specs of ONIX’s products are made for pickleball players who trust that their skills will never be limited by their equipment.

“As we continue to welcome new audiences to the game, we are thrilled to offer our patented Power Frame ThermoFused Technology to a wider range of players,” said Jay Simmons, Senior Product Manager at ONIX. “This highly advanced technology has elevated our collection since it was first released in 2023 in our high-end paddles, and we are proud to enable a broader range of pickleball players to see the advantages of a unibody construction and how it will improve their game.”

The Hype X and Hype X Pro 14mm paddles feature advanced technology and specifications tailored for competitive players, including:

• Patented Power Frame technology
• Thermoformed construction for increased power, a larger sweet spot, and reduced vibration
• Elongated shape and tennis handle for added reach and power
• Polypropylene honeycomb core insert for enhanced touch, power, and pop
• Medium weight: 7.75-8.25 oz
• Dimensions: 16.4″ length, 7.56″ width, 5.7″ handle length, 8mm core cell size
• USA Pickleball approved for official tournament play

ONIX showcases the advanced paddle technology created and patented by the brand to bring a high level of playability to pickleball play. ThermoFused Technology molds pickleball paddles to exact specifications with a unibody construction, allowing for a seamless face to handle formation. This innovative design prevents issues of breakage at the handle, allowing for better playability and less vibration. First released in its pinnacle paddles such as the Malice and the Mayhem, ONIX now shares the advantages of Power Frame ThermoFused Tech in Hype X and Hype X Pro at an accessible price for committed players.

Focused on innovating pickleball gear since 2005, ONIX has established itself for two decades as a leading brand committed to creating the most technologically advanced equipment for the sport. Working with top engineers and professional players, the brand is passionate about craftsmanship to bring the best paddle and equipment to the game. With the emergence of patented Power Frame ThermoFused Technology in 2023, Onix revolutionized equipment construction as the paddles are molded to exact specifications and provide a reliable frame to unleash users’ power on the court.

The Hype X and Hype X Pro are now available at DICK’s Sporting Goods and online at OnixPickleball.com. For more information about ONIX and its collection of pickleball equipment and accessories, visit OnixPickleball.com.

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About ONIX Pickleball

ONIX is the leading manufacturer of all performance pickleball products, such as paddles, balls, and accessories, and equips players with technologically advanced equipment that is proven to make the sport faster, more precise, and more strategic. Since its founding in 2005, ONIX Pickleball has dedicated its mission to growing and supporting the sport at a professional level. For more information on ONIX, its products, brands, instruction manuals, retailers, warranty, replacement parts, or customer service, please call 1-800-467-1421 or visit onixpickleball.com.

About Escalade

Founded in 1922, and headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, Escalade designs, manufactures, and sells sporting goods, fitness, and indoor/outdoor recreation equipment. Our mission is to connect family and friends and create lasting memories. Leaders in our respective categories, Escalade’s brands include Brunswick Billiards®; STIGA®table tennis; Accudart®; RAVE Sports® water recreation; Victory Tailgate® custom games; ONIX® Pickleball; Goalrilla™ basketball; Lifeline® fitness; Woodplay® playsets; and Bear® Archery. Escalade’s products are available online and at leading retailers nationwide. For more information about Escalade’s many brands, history, financials, and governance, please visit escaladeinc.com.

Media Contact: Verde Brand Communications | Onix@VerdePR.com

 

 

Washington, D.C. (May 21, 2025) —  More than 500,000 acres of public lands could be up for sale after lawmakers in the House Natural Resources committee passed a late night amendment as part of budget reconciliation, a sprawling bill that also includes a number of threats to conservation and the public process. The public land sales were introduced at midnight during a markup, without notice, review, or debate. The bill could pass the full House later this week.

The amendment, introduced by Reps. Mark Amodei (R-NV) and Celeste Maloy (R-UT) authorizes land sales managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, with little explanation of why these particular parcels were chosen or how the sales would benefit the public. Outdoor Alliance’s GIS Lab has a preliminary analysis of these lands which is in excess of 500,000 acres, far more than the originally reported 11,000 acres. In Nevada, there are more than 400,000 acres earmarked for disposal or exchange, and our analysis shows that proposed sell offs in Utah are places where people frequently ride, climb, hike, and paddle.

The maps include mountain biking and OHV trails in the Hurricane Cliffs, climbing in Coral Canyon Ridge, the Green Valley race course, a world-renowned bikepacking route called the Plateau Passage, and the Virgin River which is popular for camping, paddling, and whitewater in Nevada and Utah.

Unfortunately, the land sell-offs are just one part of what’s wrong with this bill. It also includes language that would allow extractive industries to bypass NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) and judicial review; it would mandate offshore oil and gas drilling; it would give timber companies greater control over public lands; it cuts funding and staff at the Park Service; and it would open up the headwaters of the Boundary Waters for mining, putting America’s most-visited Wilderness at risk.

“From weakening public input, to polluting iconic recreation areas, to outright selling public lands, this reconciliation bill would have far-reaching consequences for outdoor recreation across the U.S. Outdoor Alliance recommends that lawmakers reject the bill as written and instead advance a more holistic vision for public lands that supports recreation access and sustains the $1.2 trillion outdoor economy,” said Jamie Ervin, Senior Policy Manager at Outdoor Alliance.

A number of Republicans in the House have expressed strong opposition to public land sales remaining in the bill, including Ryan Zinke (MT-02) who has said, “I cannot and will not vote to sell public lands.”

Public lands and outdoor recreation are valued by Americans of every stripe, who want to see the outdoors protected—not stripped for parts. While Outdoor Alliance supports balanced use on public lands and waters, the current reconciliation bill is a giveaway to industries that threaten both short and long-term values on public lands.

This bill is expected to move through the full House this week, which gives the public a small window to act. Outdoor Alliance has established a quick-action form to help send personalized letters to their members of Congress. If lawmakers hear loud and clear that their constituents oppose public land giveaways and NEPA rollbacks, there’s a real chance to strip some of the most damaging outcomes for public lands from the bill.

To learn more, please visit www.outdooralliance.org.

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.

 

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (May 20, 2025) — Roads Rivers and Trails, a Milford, Ohio, independent specialty outdoor retailer and member of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, achieved status as a B-Corp this month, making it the only independent speciality outdoor store in the U.S. to achieve this milestone.

Becoming a B Corp is a rigorous voluntary process that certifies for-profit companies who commit to balancing both purpose and profit. B Corps must meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Roads River and Trails, which is also a member of 1% for the Planet, embarked on the effort to become a B Corp because owners Emily White and Bryan Wolf saw the process as an extension of their store’s mission —  to better their community through education, stewardship and positive outdoor experiences.

“We use the phrase ‘going beyond retail’ because we see our retail sales simply as a mechanism for our mission,” Wolf said. “There isn’t a facet of our business that this process didn’t improve, from employee development to customer engagement. The B-Corp journey really provided us with a roadmap for current and future decision making.”

The process started two years ago with the B-Labs self-assessment tool, a free assessment that analyzes every aspect of a business, from community, customers and governance to workers and the environment. This tool made White and Wolf realize that they were already hitting many of the B Corp benchmarks, but with some slight changes and policy tweaks they could be an even more proactive business.

“Some of the most meaningful moments were in learning what we didn’t know,” White said. “It’s really easy to hit cruise control and pat yourself on the back but being open to new ideas or even criticism of your business is what ignites positive change. Ultimately, that’s why we respect the process and those who are committed to it — because there is a clear effort toward progress.”

For instance, Wolf said the B Corp process showed his team how to measure first and then manage results. That became a huge benefit in understanding and setting goals to improve waste and emissions, but also charitable giving and employee compensation and benefits. As a result, Road Rivers and Trails added paid volunteer time off for all staff and tracked volunteer hours, setting standards for community stewardship and employee engagement.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance recently covered Road River and Trails’ B Corp Journey through its B2B publication Grassroots Stories as an example of a way that one of their members worked to stand out not only in their region, but nationally. Wolf also said that Grassroots Outdoor Alliance vendor partner Oboz, which had already been through the B Corp certification, was instrumental in providing guidance around the process.

“This is an excellent example of how specialty retailers really go above and beyond to serve not only their employees but their wider communities, and how information sharing in our network — thanks in this case to Oboz — makes everyone better,” said Gabe Maier, President of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “We applaud the two-year effort that Emily and Brian put in to hit this milestone, and we look forward to them sharing the knowledge of their journey with other retailers in Grassroots who might be interested in the B Corp process.”

About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of 104 independently owned outdoor retailers and 67 vendor partners, working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also operates Connect, a twice-annual legacy show experience that spans four days, offering an efficient and structured format for retailers to conduct pre-season line showings and business conversations.

 

May 19, 2025—Appleton, WI—TRAVOCA, a brand dedicated to elevating outdoor adventures through elegantly rugged gear,  is proud to announce its partnership with Darby Communications, a leading public relations and digital marketing agency specializing in the outdoor, endurance, and hunt/fish industries. Effective immediately, Darby Communications will serve as TRAVOCA’s agency of record, spearheading strategic media relations, digital marketing, affiliate marketing, and media events.

Founded by a longtime engineer, TRAVOCA was born from a moment of inspiration under the stars during his first overlanding trip in the Virginia mountains. After nearly 20 years of designing high-end home appliances, the founder realized that the comforts of home could be enjoyed outside the confines of four walls. That epiphany led to the creation of TRAVOCA: thoughtfully engineered gear that makes cooking, relaxing, and connecting easier wherever the road leads.

Headquartered in Wisconsin with a global footprint, TRAVOCA designs elegant yet functional products for overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts alike—from state-of-the-art 12V dual-zone eCoolers and portable power stations to beautifully crafted titanium drinkware and camp kitchen accessories. At its core, the brand is about more than just gear—it’s about creating space for shared experiences and lasting memories outdoors. TRAVOCA selected Darby Communications for its proven track record of launching and growing brands in the outdoor and overlanding space.

“We at TRAVOCA are thrilled to welcome on board the passionate professionals of Darby Communications as our PR and Digital Agency of Record,” said Stuart Rudolph, Managing Director, TRAVOCA USA LLC. “Their deep experience, connections, and enthusiasm for the outdoor and active lifestyle industries across traditional PR, social media and influencer partnerships, and paid digital will be critical to spreading the word. We’re happy to have Darby Communications help us share the amazing experiences our startup’s ruggedly elegant products enable—to be Better Outside!”

“TRAVOCA’s high-quality, rugged outdoor gear is perfect for off-road adventuring and car camping alike, and we’re excited to help them launch this new product line in the U.S. market,” says Angie Robinson, President of Darby Communications. “With our proven expertise in the outdoor, overlanding, and hunt/fish industries, we’ll work with media to get the brand and its products in front of audiences in these markets.”

TRAVOCA made its official debut at Overland Expo West earlier this month, where the brand showcased its flagship product, the Rigel 60DZ eCooler. Equipped with vacuum-insulated panels for maximum efficiency and 60-80% longer insulation protection, the eCooler features dual temperature zones—perfect for fresh food and frozen treats on the go. The Rigel DZ eCooler will be available late Summer 2025 in 25, 35, 45, and 60-liter options, with pricing from $649.99-899.99. TRAVOCA will also be exhibiting at Overland Expo PNW in Redmond, OR from June 27-29 and Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, CO from August 22-24.

For more information, visit travoca.com or contact Suzanne Hermann at suzanne@darbycommunications.com.

ABOUT TRAVOCA

TRAVOCA empowers outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers with elegantly rugged products that enhance every journey, from the backcountry to the backyard. Our gear combines timeless design and reliable performance to bring people together, making outdoor living simpler, more connected, and more memorable. At TRAVOCA, we believe the best adventures are the ones that spark connection—around the fire, at the table, or under the stars.

Frisco, TX – [May 19, 2025] — Wiley X, a pioneer in premium protective eyewear, is advancing its award-winning lens technology with the introduction of CAPTIVATE™ Clear lenses—a bold innovation that redefines what clear lenses can deliver.

Engineered for those who require or prefer a clear lens for specific tasks or environments, these lenses deliver advanced optical performance by filtering out harmful HEV blue light and other elements of the visible light spectrum that can cause visual distortion and muted colors. The result is sharper clarity, improved contrast, and more vivid, true-to-life color—offering a superior visual experience, even in a clear lens format.

The WX JAKL is the first model to feature this lens breakthrough, setting a new benchmark in Wiley X’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge performance and protection.

For more information about Wiley X and its product offerings, visit www.wileyx.com.