2022 Outdoor Industry Workforce Assessment

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The Outdoor Industry Workforce Assessment looks to identify major trends in workforce hiring and retention, help further educational and up-skilling initiatives, and provide a snapshot of where the industry stands in its efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. Key findings from the survey include the following:
  • New hires: The industry expects to hire for a high volume of entry and skilled professional positions over the next year.
  • Work/life balance: Outdoor companies are prioritizing flexible work arrangements and work-life balance as attraction and retention strategies ahead of employee benefits and financial rewards.
  • Qualified applicants: 66% of survey respondents report having difficulty finding qualified applicants. The largest barriers to recruiting hard-to-fill jobs are finding qualified applicants, and lack of affordable housing options proximal to the job location.
  • Increasing DEI: Companies who have a diversity plan in place are utilizing a wide variety of methods and tactics to achieve their goals. However, companies that do not currently have a diversity plan in place largely do not plan to implement one or do not know where to start.
Read key takeaways from the report and areas of opportunity for organizations and the outdoor industry here. The Outdoor Industry Workforce Assessment was conducted by Oregon State University’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy with input and support from Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Basecamp Outdoor, Path to Peak Education + Consulting, and the Confluence of States. Financial support for the development and execution of this survey was provided by a grant from The VF Foundation.

2021 Outdoor Foundation Annual Report

Read the Outdoor Foundation’s 2021 Annual Report to see evidence of the transformational impact our network delivers, insights from our 2021 research reports, and success stories from our partners across the country.

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2022 Special Report on Fishing

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Recreational fishing is a vibrant part of America’s outdoor tradition, promoting wellness, fostering bonding with family and friends, and forging a deep connection with nature, particularly amid COVID-19 related limitations. Whether fishing on lakes, rivers, streams, or seas; from shorelines, boats, or embankments; millions of Americans were united in 2021 by the love of fishing. Using 15 years of fishing participation data, the Outdoor Foundation and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) partnered to produce the Special Report on Fishing for the 12th consecutive year. This report provides a comprehensive look at overall trends in participation, as well as detailed information on specific fishing categories. Insights include motivations, barriers, and preferences of key groups. Special sections are dedicated to youth, Hispanic Americans, and females—populations we must engage, activate, and retain to ensure future growth. Key findings from the report include the following:
  • In 2021, 52.4 million Americans went fishing, up 4.5% over 2019.
  • 12.9 million youth (ages 6-17) went fishing in 2021, up 14% over 2019.
  • 4.7 million Hispanics fished in 2021, up 7% over 2019.
  • 19.4 million women went fishing in 2021, up 8% over 2019.
  • 86% of current fishing participants first fished before age 12, demonstrating the critical importance of introducing fishing at a young age.
  • Americans primarily fished to enjoy the splendor of nature while escaping the usual demands of life.
 

Webinar: Reduce Credit Card Processing Fees Without Switching Processors

Watch on-demand! Merchant Cost Consulting is excited to be a partner with the Outdoor Industry Association and hopes to help members get a better understanding of their merchant fees. Credit card merchant fees are a necessary evil when it comes to accepting payments for businesses. As more consumers shift to carrying plastic in their pockets, it’s necessary to understand just how much these credit card merchant fees can add up and affect your bottom line. In this webinar, you will:

  • Learn the average cost you should pay to accept credit cards
  • Identify hidden processing mark-up fees your payment provider or software doesn’t want you to know
  • How Merchant Cost Consulting can help to make sure you are priced at the most competitive pricing in the industry

All of these will help boost the profitability of your business by lowering your overhead costs and keeping payment processing fees as low as you can. Keep more money in your pocket!

Webinar: Resourcing for GHG Measurement and Target Setting

woman pours hot coffee in mountains near campfire

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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 12 pm MT

Climate Action Corps members, join us for the second edition of the Coffee and Climate series! In this live discussion, we will discuss the importance of proper resource allocation to accomplish data collection for GHG measurement, the calculation itself, and target setting. In addition, we’ll go in-depth on the suggested number of FTEs required to complete the work, gaining CEO/Leadership buy-in, budgeting, organizational structures, roles and responsibilities, and more.

As opposed to more formal Corps training webinars, Coffee and Climate sessions are a candid but guided conversation on a chosen topic. They include facilitated group discussion to share tips, tricks, and strategies, as well as an opportunity for Q&A. Be ready to bring your questions (and coffee) to the table!

Speakers

Kari Shafer, Climate Action Corps Manager, Outdoor Industry Association

Eric Brody, Founder and Principal, Shift Advantage

This Coffee and Climate session is for Climate Action Corps members only. If you’re a Corps member, you can register here. Not a member? Contact our team to learn more and join today.