Archives: Press Releases

Vuarnet, the legendary French eyewear brand, is proud to unveil the new “IT’S A VUARNET DAY” brand relaunch campaign for Fall Winter 2024 – 2025. It celebrates the brand’s iconic tagline originally coined during the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics. This bold initiative celebrates a renewed commitment to adventure, style, and authenticity, uniting Vuarnet’s heritage with a fresh vision for the future.

“The ‘IT’S A VUARNET DAY’ campaign is more than a celebration of eyewear; it’s a call to seize every moment and embrace journeys in the outdoors,” said Alessandro Zanardo, Thélios & Vuarnet CEO. “Together with Vuarnet, we are excited to inspire individuals worldwide to explore new horizons, just as this iconic brand has always done.”

It features the extraordinary endeavors of Vuarnet Fellows: mountaineers Charles Dubouloz and Liv Sansoz, climbers Adrian Ballinger and Emily Harrington, and snowboarder Forrest Shearer. These world-class athletes and adventurers embody the essence of Vuarnet and showcase Vuarnet’s seamless blend of performance with elegance in every environment—from alpine peaks to city streets. Vuarnet Fellows embody this ethos through their daring pursuits and unshakable passion for exploration and bring the campaign to life across stunning landscapes.

“A VUARNET DAY for me is a beautiful day in the mountains, filled with effort, contemplation, and the comfort getting back to base, all while being well protected from the sun by Vuarnet mineral lenses!” explains Charles Dubouloz. “Being part of this campaign is a great source of pride. I’m happy to promote mountaineering alongside Vuarnet, a historic brand here in the Alps. Vuarnet is a true partner throughout the year and a real asset for achieving ambitious goals. Beyond the sunglasses that accompany me everywhere and protect me no matter where I go, there are strong human connections and shared values that help us grow together.”

As part of the campaign, Vuarnet is partnering with Strava to put on the IT’S A VUARNET DAY Challenge. The challenge is designed to inspire outdoor activity, community connection, and peak performance. Athletes of all abilities are invited to log a total of 4 hours on the slopes by skiing, snowboarding, hiking, skating, or snowshoeing. Through this partnership, the campaign will encourage athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday adventurers to seize the day and make every outing extraordinary.

The Fall Winter 2024 – 2025 Collection marks a new era for Vuarnet, including three distinctive families of eyewear that honor the brand’s pioneering spirit. This collection debuts 10 new shapes and redefines Vuarnet’s catalogue into three families: Atelier, Lifestyle, and Outdoor.

The Atelier family is inspired by mountain exploration and combines refined elegance, lightweight protection, and high impact-resistance to provide peak protection with great style. Arctic 01 and 02 join the Glacier models in the Atelier collection. Both feature side-shield inspired lens accents and a removable leather nosepiece and integrated cord. Crafted from Japanese titanium and genuine leather and feature signature Vuarnet mineral glass lenses. Arctic 01 is a classic pilot shape while Arctic 02 takes on a rectangular statement.

The Lifestyle range features the beloved Legend, Edge, and Belvedere lines, and now includes three new Belvedere shapes – 05, 06, 07 – and Alpine 01 and 02. Belvedere 05, 06, and 07 are bold in sculptural Italian acetate frames. Alpine 01 and 02 take inspiration from the Vuarnet archives and bring back the iconic hooked temple for secure protection in any condition. All feature signature Vuarnet mineral glass lenses.

Performance with style describes the Outdoor offering. Three new shapes crafted from bio nylon and inspired by vintage ski goggles – Altitude 01, 02 and 03 – join ICE and Racing to round out the lineup. Altitude 01 provides complete protection with mask-like fit and top visor. Altitude 02 evolves Vuarnet’s classic Legend 02 cat eye shape with integrated side shields. Altitude 03 is bold with its angular lens shape and flat brow bar, and features integrated side shields for protection against glares. Altitude 01 features organic polycarbonate lenses, Altitude 02 and 03 are equipped with signature Vuarnet mineral glass lenses.

Vuarnet is renowned for its undisputed know-how and is the only eyewear brand to produce its own mineral lenses. Its manufacturing site in Meaux, France, is certified by the French government as “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company). Mineral glass lenses provide exceptional optical clarity for high-definition vision and are scratch and shock resistant.

Proprietary to the brand is its reputed Lynx™ technology. It provides the best protection from the sunlight directed to the sensitive upper part of the eyes and from the light reverberation to the lower part of the eyes through a unique bi-shaded mirror treatment.

The Fall Winter 2024 – 2025 collection is now available on vuarnet.com, in Vuarnet boutiques and at select opticians. The “IT’S A VUARNET DAY” campaign launches globally in January 2025. The IT’S A VUARNET DAY Challenge on Strava is live through April 23, 2025.

About Vuarnet :

Jean Vuarnet was a free-spirited, legendary champion. He was constantly pursuing improvement, leading him to create the VUARNET brand. 

Jean Vuarnet pioneered such innovations as inventing the “egg” or “tuck” position and was the first skier to compete on metal-edged skis, helping him win the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. He is known for creating Avoriaz, the first car free resort, and Portes du Soleil with an avant-garde approach to the mountains.

Since 1957 VUARNET has relentlessly pursued excellence, preserving its “esprit sportif” with developing the highest performing products with an impeccable sense of style. Today, VUARNET still produces its mineral glass lenses in its own French factory, using traditional manufacturing methods unchanged since its inception. This unique savoir-faire is recognized by the label “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” by the French government.

VUARNET mineral glass lenses are unparalleled in clarity and durability, and provide the best protection against sunlight and sunflection thanks to Lynx™ technology. VUARNET is an invitation to enjoy the outdoors, IT’S A VUARNET DAY TODAY.

About Thélios:

The name “Thélios” is the synthesis of the names of the Greek gods Theia, goddess of light and sight, and Helios, god of the sun. Born from the will of LVMH Group, world leader in luxury, to establish itself in the eyewear sector, Thélios designs, produces, and distributes sunglasses and optical frames for some of its most prestigious Maisons: Dior, Fendi, Celine, Givenchy, Loewe, Stella McCartney, Kenzo, Berluti, Bulgari, Tag Heuer and Fred. In addition, Thélios owns two proprietary brands, Barton Perreira and Vuarnet. With its Manifattura, located in Longarone, Italy, Thélios blends the distinct identity of each Maison with Italian craftsmanship to

create exceptional luxury eyewear. Thélios offers its own “enlightened look” on the sector, providing the highest level of quality and excellence both in its products and service.

Park City, UT, USA – Pret Helmets (“Pret”), a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of innovative ski and snowboard helmets and goggles, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Cavanaugh as its new CEO, effective immediately.

“Building brands, forging authentic partnerships, and empowering companies to reach their full potential have always been my core priorities,” said Mr. Cavanaugh. “I am excited to work alongside Pret’s talented and passionate professionals to execute on the incredible global growth opportunities that lie ahead. I am confident in our ability to build on Pret’s historical brand commitment to product innovation, while further enhancing and growing global consumer demand and Pret brand loyalty.”

As CEO, Cavanaugh will focus on driving Pret’s continued global growth, further strengthening the connection with customers and athletes, and accelerating the company’s product innovation pipeline within the global outdoor marketplace.

Cavanaugh brings over 30 years of experience leading and scaling businesses across global markets in a variety of consumer product categories at leading global brands such as Under Armour, New Balance, and Nike, where he launched category-defining products and drove exceptional results.

“Mark’s proven ability to lead global teams and deliver outstanding results at top-tier brands makes him the perfect fit for Pret,” said a statement from the Company’s Board of Directors. “We are confident that Mark’s expertise, passion, and relationships will propel Pret to new heights as we continue to serve skiers and snowboarders around the world with products that combine innovation, safety, and style.”

About Pret

Founded in 2010 in Park City, Utah, Pret was established by a team of sports veterans, engineers, and professional athletes. The brand has since become an industry leader, renowned for its innovative helmets and goggles that combine cutting-edge technology, enhanced performance, and sleek, modern design. Pret is dedicated to serving skiers and snowboarders who get

after it whether in or out of bounds. With a focus on safety and style, Pret offers a comprehensive collection of lightweight, high- performance gear that reflects both modern aesthetics and vibrant personality. For Pret, the experience of outdoor adventure is everything. Discover more at prethelmets.com.

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ANGELS CAMP, CA — OARS is proud to announce the release of A Guide to Fighting for Wild Rivers, a new film that is both a tribute to the Yampa River in northwest Colorado and an inspiring call to action for river conservationists around the globe. The 10-minute film will premiere January 22, 2025 at 5 p.m. PST on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vFDqfjar7wg

Filmed by Logan Bockrath during the 2024 Yampa River Awareness Project (YRAP) trip, A Guide to Fighting for Wild Rivers illustrates how a rafting company, a local conservation group and a national river advocacy organization have worked together for more than a decade to build a coalition of support for the last free-flowing river in the Colorado River Basin.

Every spring, American Rivers and Friends of the Yampa invite key decision-makers, stakeholders, and activists on a transformative rafting journey, offering them the chance to experience firsthand what could be lost if the Yampa is threatened by a major dam, diversion, or dewatering project as water supplies continue to diminish in the West. Each YRAP trip builds a growing network of passionate river defenders, united by a shared commitment to preserving the Yampa for future generations.

“The reality is that the Yampa River in the Colorado River system needs people to care beyond this basin, and OARS and American Rivers help us expand that network,” says Lindsey Marlow, Executive Director of Friends of the Yampa.

“We grow our network in support of wild rivers, healthy rivers, then their networks grow,” explains Matt Rice, American Rivers’ Southwest Region Director. “That’s how you build a movement for river conservation.”

The conservation model highlighted in the film takes a lead from early river crusaders David Brower, Bus Hatch, and Martin Litton, whose advocacy efforts in the 1950s and 60s helped achieve several major conservation wins for western rivers, galvanized by people’s love of a place. It’s a blueprint that the organizations believe can be implemented for other wild rivers and public lands that deserve long-term protections.

“If there is ever a threat to the Yampa, there’s an army of folks who are connected to it through these YRAP trips—people that love it, that know it, that have gotten the silt under their fingernails—and they’ll fight for it,” said Mike Feibig, American Rivers’ Southwest River Protection Program Director. “They’ll protect this place.”

View the trailer here: https://youtu.be/PpSj0_fW9CE

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About OARS

In 1969, OARS became the first exclusively non-motorized rafting outfitter authorized by the National Park Service to run trips on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. Today OARS caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes. Each year the company contributes to regional conservation organizations around the globe via voluntary donations and annual fundraising events, and in partnership with their guests, OARS has contributed more than $6 million in donations and fees toward the preservation of the environment and to various conservation initiatives since the company’s inception. For more information on OARS’ eco-friendly adventures, visit www.oars.com  email the company at info@oars.com or call 1-800-346-6277.

 

 

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY – January 21, 2025 – Black Diamond Equipment^®, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and gear, has partnered with the premier mountain guiding service Rainier Mountaineering Inc. (RMI) Expeditions, one of the largest guides services in the US with over 70 guides leading expeditions on Rainier, Denali, Aconcagua, Everest and other high peaks around the world. This collaboration is designed to spark innovation, advance the state of mountaineering gear, provide intensive field testing, and drive product design improvements to meet the demands of high-altitude adventurers.

Through this partnership, Black Diamond becomes the official equipment and apparel sponsor for RMI Expeditions. Black Diamond has integrated RMI guides into their product development and field testing programs while outfitting them across key categories such as apparel, packs, ice axes, harnesses, helmets, and more.

“This partnership comes full circle for me,” explains Neil Fiske, President at Black Diamond Equipment. “Earlier in my career, I teamed up with Peter Whittaker and the guides at RMI to create and launch the First Ascent line. Now we’re taking all that guide-built know-how to a new level by integrating them into the climbing and mountaineering expertise of the Black Diamond brand. There’s no better product testing lab: every imaginable weather situation, millions of vertical feet climbed, on users of varying sizes, skills, and needs. The product that comes out the other end is bomber through and through.”

Given RMI’s extensive guide network, this partnership provides invaluable opportunities to test and influence future gear design decisions.

“Since 1969, RMI has guided over 100,000 climbers on Mount Rainier, Denali, and the world’s tallest peaks,” expands Peter Whittaker, owner of RMI Expeditions. “After 50+ years above treeline, we’ve developed a deep understanding of what works, and what doesn’t. We’re excited to partner with Black Diamond to put our vast mountain knowledge and experience into the competent hands of Black Diamond’s designers and developers, opening up an exciting new route to innovation and improved mountain products.”

One standout example of this partnership is the cooperative development of Black Diamond’s upcoming 6000-meter parka. Designed for extreme high-altitude conditions, the parka is undergoing rigorous testing with RMI guides to ensure it meets the needs of climbers tackling the harsh conditions present on peaks above 6,000 meters.

“Professional guides who spend 30-50 hours a week working in the mountains have unique insight into what those conditions require out of their gear,” says Julie Hirsch, Apparel Business Unit Director at Black Diamond Equipment. “Their constant exposure to extreme environments and variable weather allows them to push equipment to its limits in ways that everyday users rarely can.”

The partnership also extends beyond equipment, with the goal of empowering and supporting the guiding community through scholarships, resources, and shared expertise through the following collaborative initiatives:

• Educational Content: Black Diamond and RMI will produce content to inspire and educate climbers and mountaineers.
• Guide Scholarship Fund: Supporting guides in furthering their education through the AMGA, this fund underscores the shared commitment to the guiding community.
• Whittaker Mountaineering Shop-in-Shop: A wide selection of Black Diamond gear will be available at this retail location at the foot of Mount Rainier in Ashford, WA.
• Presence at Black Diamond’s New Seattle Store: An informational kiosk on RMI Expeditions will be available at this upcoming Black Diamond retail location alongside co-hosted educational events.

For more information about Black Diamond and its partnership with RMI Expeditions, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com or learn more about RMI Expeditions at www.rmiguides.com.

About Black Diamond Equipment:

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, and durability in the outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.

About RMI Expeditions:
Founded in 1969, RMI Expeditions is one of North America’s premier guide services, offering guided climbs and expeditions around the globe. Known for safety, expertise, and passion for mountaineering, RMI has guided thousands to summits like Mount Rainier, Denali, and Aconcagua. Their experienced guides provide exceptional instruction and leadership, fostering a love for the mountains through education, community engagement, and partnerships. For more information on RMI Expeditions, visit www.rmiguides.com.

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (January 20, 2024) — Moultrie, the undisputed leader in connected hunting technology, invites SHOT Show attendees to experience the future of hunting technology and property management at Booth #80615. As the dominant force in the connected outdoor market, Moultrie stands alone in delivering a truly integrated ecosystem that transforms how hunters pursue their passion and manage their property.

Moultrie’s connected ecosystem harnesses hardware and software to gather intelligence around deer movement, weather conditions, feed activity, and more. Cellular-connected trail cameras and feeders allow you to monitor and control activity from the periphery while the game moves pressure-free. Now, you only need to enter the property when it’s the perfect time to hunt.

“Our connected ecosystem isn’t just leading the market – it’s defining it,” said Daniel Wilson, General Manager at Moultrie. “We’re the only brand offering hunters a complete, interconnected solution that delivers actionable intelligence for both hunting success and comprehensive property management.”

If you have 15 minutes, spend your time in Moultrie’s hunt-connected ecosystem in booth #80615. Any other “hunt connected” booth will leave you wanting more. Expect a fully immersive experience in cameras, feeders, and real-time conditions, feeding intelligence to the palm of your hand. The benefit – a more informed pre-season, a more effective in-season, and a healthy herd all-season.

“Moultrie has been the innovator in feeder and trail camera technology for more than 45 years,” added Wilson. “We have a heritage built on being the best, by looking ahead and delivering solutions to problems that hunters didn’t know existed. Our smart ecosystem doesn’t just collect data – it delivers meaningful insights that help hunters increase their chances for success in the field.”

Visit Moultrie at Booth #80615 to experience firsthand why Moultrie is the leader in connected hunting technology. For more information about Moultrie’s complete line of products, visit www.moultrieproducts.com.

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About Moultrie

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Moultrie is the leader in deer feeders and cellular trail camera innovation, building products used by hunters, property owners, and others for real-time remote monitoring. Moultrie is a business unit of PRADCO Outdoor Brands. PRADCO’s hunting brands include Ani-Logics, Whitetail Institute, Texas Hunter, Summit, Knight & Hale, and Code Blue. PRADCO Fishing manufactures and markets products for freshwater and saltwater anglers under 20+ brands, including Rebel, YUM, BOOYAH, War Eagle Custom Lures, Great Lakes Finesse, and Bomber.

 

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 17, 2025) — PHANTOM Glide, the permanent, single-application base treatment for skis and snowboards, is partnering with a number of high-profile resorts and brands in the ski industry in 2025 to enhance the experience of skiers and snowboarders while also reducing their environmental impacts. On the heels of a very successful sales year during the 2023/2024 ski season, and capitalizing on the momentum from the recent hires of Olympic Gold Medalists, Ted Ligety and Billy Demong, PHANTOM Glide has been chosen to come standard on DPS’ new Pisteworks® carving skis and on refurbished DPS skis at Geartrade.com.

This season, PHANTOM Glide is proud to partner with some of the nation’s premier resorts, including Aspen Snowmass, Sunday River, Loon Mountain, Pleasant Mountain and Sugarloaf. PHANTOM Glide is in its seventh year of partnership with Aspen Snowmass to treat its entire rental fleet of skis with the innovative base treatment, which provides unparalleled glide performance and boosts the efficiency of Aspen Snowmass’ rental shops by lessening the required maintenance on the rental fleet skis.

“At resorts like Aspen Snowmass and Loon Mountain, I’m hearing firsthand how PHANTOM Glide is making a real difference,” says Doug Sheehy, Global Sales Manager at PHANTOM Glide. “These great resorts, along with Sunday River, Pleasant Mountain, and Sugarloaf, are deeply committed to creating unforgettable mountain experiences while protecting the environment they depend on. They see PHANTOM Glide as a win-win: it enhances ski and snowboard performance for their guests while supporting their sustainability goals. It’s exciting to see how enthusiastic they are about offering this innovative solution to their visitors this season.”

In addition to its resort partnerships, PHANTOM Glide is collaborating with several ski and snowboard manufacturers to test and implement the treatment across demo fleets and product lines. Weston Backcountry and Cardiff Snowcraft, are offering PHANTOM Glide as a preferred option on all skis, snowboards and splitboards sold on their websites and DPS Skis will feature PHANTOM Glide on all Pisteworks® skis.

“Our partnerships with leading resorts and manufacturers reflect PHANTOM Glide’s growing reputation as a game-changer in snow sports,” said Billy Demong, Head of Strategic Product Development at PHANTOM Glide. “When you glide with PHANTOM, you’re not just enhancing your time on the mountain, you’re contributing to a cleaner, greener future.”

PHANTOM Glide is a permanent, wax-free treatment applied just once to the base of skis or snowboards. The treatment bonds deep into the base material, delivering consistent and reliable glide in all snow conditions without the need for traditional waxing. PHANTOM Glide provides increased glide for the lifetime of the ski or snowboard and possesses no environmental harm or harm to humans. For maximum efficacy, it is recommended that customers take their skis and snowboards to an authorized PHANTOM Glide dealer with a PHANTOM Glide “Magic Box” cure station.

For more on PHANTOM Glide, visit www.phantomglide.com. For media inquiries, please contact Account Manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us.

About PHANTOM Glide: 

PHANTOM Glide was created by a team of expert scientists to revolutionize the way your skis or snowboard perform. Unlike regular wax, PHANTOM Glide is a one-time application that permanently alters the structure of your ski or snowboard base making the base hydrophobic, delivering excellent glide for the entire life of your gear. It provides consistently fast and smooth performance on snow, regardless of conditions or temperature. Additionally, PHANTOM Glide is made with eco-friendly, non-toxic materials that are safe for both you and the environment. Learn more about PHANTOM Glide at www.phantomglide.com.

Contact: Ryan Silven
ryan.silven@rygr.us

970-924-0704 ext. 2114

 

 

 

 

Greenville, S.C., (Jan. 16, 2025) – Gran Fondo Hincapie has been creating cycling experiences for over 13 years and today announces the official courses for their Merced, Calif. event, the only West Coast and gravel event of the Gran Fondo series. Taking place on March 15, and in partnership with El Capitan Hotel Merced and the City of Merced, this is the second year the Hincapie team will host its event in Merced. The event brings a multi-day cycling celebration with scenic and epic rides delivering stunning views, challenging climbs, fast descents, and a post-ride Family Fun Festival. Registration is now open.

Riders will experience an abundance of rolling hills through California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. See below for the course specifics:

• Gran – 81 miles, 4945 ft of elevation, 3 rest stops, 3 timed Speed Zones, 49% gravel
• Medio – 61 miles, 2305 ft of elevation, 2 rest stops, 2 timed Speed Zones, 45% gravel
• Piccolo – 6.5 miles out-and-back loop on the bike path

“The courses in Merced are what gravel dreams are made of,” said Joe Coddington, Technical Director for Gran Fondo Hincapie. “Wide open roads rolling through some of the most beautiful ranch lands the West has to offer paired with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains make this one impossible to forget.”

The Gran Fondo Hincapie offers more than just a big ride—it’s a multi-day cycling celebration. By registering for a Hincapie event, you’re signing up for an unforgettable experience that includes an epic ride and a Family Fun Festival, all included in the registration fee. After Saturday’s ride, enjoy the post-ride festival, featuring gourmet food, live entertainment, podium awards, giveaways, sponsor activations, and drinks alongside hundreds of other riders including cycling pros, celebrities, weekend warriors, and first-time riders. Retired pros, including Olympian and former American professional road cyclist George Hincapie (the event’s namesake), and Iván Domínguez, former Cuban/USA professional road cyclist will be among the Merced event participants.

Riders also receive an event jersey, chip timing, on-course SAG support, fully stocked rest stops, and complimentary participant photography. To pick up your event jersey on-site (rather than having it shipped later), be sure to register by January 20.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Hincapie event back and to once again serve as the hotel sponsor. The El Capitan Hotel truly stands at the heart of the event weekend,” said Robin Donovan, Managing Director at El Capitan Hotel Merced. “Last year, the event brought significant community impact, with downtown businesses thriving and many local vendors actively participating. This event not only creates a fantastic economic opportunity for our community but also serves as a vibrant platform to showcase all that Merced has to offer.”

Gran Fondo Merced kicks off the 2025 Hincapie season. There are four additional world-class events on the calendar for this year; the next taking place in Chattanooga, Tenn. (May 3), then Lehigh Valley, Pa. (May 31), Bentonville, Ark. (Sept. 7-8), and finally Greenville, S.C. (Oct. 18), which is where it all started back in 2012. Registration is now open for the 2025 events.

To learn more about Gran Fondo Hincapie please visit https://hincapie.com/ or follow along on social media on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

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Photos from Hincapie Gran Fondo Merced 2024 HERE (Credit: Hincapie)

General Hincapie Gran Fondo photos HERE (Credit: Hincapie)

About Hincapie

Cycling is our life. It’s what we know, and it’s who we are. But we are not a bike company. We’re a people-who-ride-bikes company. We are cyclists, and we are makers. We are master craftsmen of custom-made, high-performance cycling apparel. Our team is our family. Not only do we design our cycling apparel, but we also make it in our family-run factory. We also create and run upscale cycling events. We have a restaurant and hotel that hosts visiting cyclists from all over the world. We manage a spring series of races. Cycling inspires everything we do, and every day we work even harder to improve the sport, make it more accessible to others and build a strong community for future cyclists. Join us on our journey.

​​About George Hincapie

George Hincapie is a retired professional road cyclist who was one of the most accomplished American cyclists of his generation. Over his 19-year career, he competed in 17 Tours de France, the most of any American cyclist, participated in five Olympic Games and excelled in the Spring Classics, including winning Gent-Wevelgem in 2001 and securing multiple top-10 finishes in Paris-Roubaix. Since retiring from professional cycling in 2012, Hincapie has remained active in the sport as a co-founder of Hincapie Sportswear, which specializes in cycling apparel, and launching a professional cycling team. He is also the co-owner of Hotel Domestique, a luxury cycling destination in South Carolina, and hosts the Gran Fondo Hincapie series with his family.

BUFFALO, NY (January 16, 2025) – LEKI, a leader in innovative skiing, trekking, and trail running poles, announces the appointment of Scott Park as national sales manager. Park will oversee all sales operations for LEKI’s summer and winter collections in the U.S., working closely with General Manager Chris O’Donoghue and Marketing Director Sven Brunso.

“We’re really excited to have Scott join the team, as his industry experience, knowledge, and sales network will be of paramount importance as we continue to navigate the changing landscape of the retail space in the outdoor industry,” said Sven Brunso, marketing director for LEKI, USA. “This business is more turbulent than ever, and the addition of a seasoned pro to the team will help us continue to build momentum.”

Park brings two decades of experience in the outdoor industry, having held key sales positions at Deuter USA where he most recently served as sales manager for the last 11 years. In that role, he managed the national sales budget and implemented aggressive sales targets for the U.S. market with a focused approach for national retail accounts, specialty brick-and-mortar, and e-commerce. In his free time, Park enjoys backcountry skiing, traveling, rock climbing, and backpacking.

“Throughout my career in the outdoor industry, LEKI has always been known as an industry leader in both product and service. I am excited and honored to be a part of the LEKI family and look forward to contributing to their continued success,” said Park.

For LEKI USA sales inquiries, Park can be reached at spark@leki.com.

ABOUT LEKI USA

Founded in 1948, LEKI is the leading manufacturer of Skiing, Trekking, and Trail Running poles and gloves that are German-engineered and mostly produced in the company’s Czech Republic factory. This in conjunction with extensive research and independent testing, makes the best

products featuring quality, value, and technology. LEKI equips over 1,000 of the world’s best athletes and brand ambassadors in the disciplines of alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, trail running, ski mountaineering, mountain guiding, and alpine climbing. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, LEKI USA, Inc. is the sole distributor of LEKI brand products in the United States. For more information, visit lekiusa.com.

PORTLAND, Maine (January 15, 2025) –  Switchback Spring, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry community, has received a wave of brand commitments ahead of registration opening next week. The initial agenda has also been released for the event taking place June 16-18, 2025, in Nashville, TN.

“What we’re hearing from the 70-plus brands already committed to Switchback is that while supporting a gathering for the outdoor community is important, specific business motives are also driving their decision to exhibit,” said Christina Henderson, Event Director, Switchback. “There’s a lot of optimism in the outdoor market as we head into 2025, and we’re ready to be the space where that momentum translates into business and new opportunities.”

The first day of Switchback Spring features educational programming including keynote presentations, leadership and executive insights, and various other informational sessions targeted to outdoor specialty retailers and their team. The following two days move to the exhibit hall where retailers, brands, media, and industry professionals can connect to discover new products, share trends, and explore new brands. To see the schedule-at-a-glance visit this page.

In the coming months, Switchback will announce keynotes and featured speakers as well as a detailed schedule of the presentations taking place during the education day and on the exhibit floor.

To date, more than 70 brands have committed to exhibiting at Switchback Spring, including Altra, Arcteryx, Biolite, Birkenstock, Cotopaxi, Helinox, Liberty Mountain, LifeStraw, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Rumpl, Scarpa, Teva, The North Face, and Toad & Co., among others. A complete list of attending brands will be posted on the Switchback website in the coming weeks.

“We believe there is strong business value in gathering in real life, and Switchback Spring is a great opportunity for us to get reacquainted with many of our customers,” said Matt Burbach, VP of Marketing, Mountain Hardwear. “Simultaneously, Switchback Spring provides the opportunity to create new connections and relationships that will fuel our growth along with the industry’s as a whole.”

Registration for Switchback Spring will open the week of January 20, 2025. Those interested in attending will be able to register through the Switchback website: www.switchbackevent.com. Registration is open to retailers, media, and outdoor industry professionals; for details about available passes and pricing, visit this page.

Switchback Spring will be hosted within a dedicated portion of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, a spacious venue with 12 restaurants and an attached premium hotel. With all attendees staying and meeting in a single location, the focused environment will enable both private planned meetings as well as organic meetups and run-ins.

For more information about Switchback, please visit www.switchbackevent.com/switchback-spring/.

Brands interested in exploring exhibiting opportunities can contact Christina Henderson at chenderson@divcom.com.

About Switchback

Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry owned and operated by Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Scheduled at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback is held each fall in conjunction with The Running Event and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with a schedule of education, peer connection opportunities, and business meetings, Switchback is a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates for the event include Switchback Spring (Nashville, TN; June 16-18, 2025) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 2-4, 2025; San Antonio, TX). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.

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