Sustainability in Action: Insights from the Inaugural Catalyst Conference

By Meg Carney

The inaugural Catalyst Conference, hosted by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) from November 13-14, united outdoor industry leaders, innovators, and advocates to address sustainability challenges and strengthen their collective impact. Over two days, participants explored strategies to innovate, collaborate, and address pressing environmental issues impacting industry businesses and participants.  

Julie Brown, Director of Sustainable Business Innovation at OIA, opened the event with a powerful call to action: “The outdoor industry is uniquely positioned to lead the charge for sustainable change. And so we must ask ourselves if not us, then who?”  

Within the last five or more years, the outdoor industry has seen a value shift. While we’ve always been an industry loudly championing environmental conservation, we often grappled with the fact that we cannot sell more and reduce our impact at the same time. During the Catalyst Conference, industry leaders from brands like Patagonia, W.L. Gore & Associates, REI, Outdoor Research, and more shared their optimism and ideas as we move into a new generation of product production centered around sustainability and climate action. 

As the outdoor sector navigates shifting political landscapes, tightening regulations, and increasingly eco-conscious consumers, its leaders emphasize one unifying truth: the industry’s strength lies in its ability to innovate, collaborate, and act with integrity.  

Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainability

During the conference, participants tackled conversations regarding timely sustainability challenges. Presentations and panel discussions centered around topics such as climate change, global supply chain complexities, and evolving consumer demands.  

Eric Artz, CEO of REI Co-op, highlighted the need for resilience and adaptability. “There’s always opportunity, but it requires us to think differently and engage differently than we have in the past,” he stated.  

Even now, as an industry, thinking differently and engaging with the environment needs to look different. One clear issue we all face is the existential threat of the climate crisis, but while sustainability leaders push for new innovations, financial backing and the business of profit don’t always support or at the very least, push back, providing consistent challenges to our progress as an industry. 

Artz also pointed to the growing importance of state and local action, citing the success of recent ballot measures addressing public lands and climate policies. “Given the choice and education, consumers want to make the better choice,” he added, emphasizing the power of informed decision-making.  

Consumers now more than ever expect more from companies, and it has become increasingly obvious that consumers in the outdoor sector look to brands to be transparent and truthful. Not only that, but to take accountability for their shortcomings and the impact they have, whether positive or negative. 

Panelists like Jacqueline Levy of OIA encouraged businesses to engage policymakers at all levels, underscoring the need for outdoor companies to serve as advocates and connectors to drive systemic change.  

Industry Innovations and Collaboration

Throughout the Catalyst Conference, speakers showcased their individual and collective advancement in pushing the boundaries of sustainability. Artz described REI’s use of bioengineered yarns as an example of progress. “One of the most innovative things we do is open source and collaborate on everything,” he said, reinforcing the importance of collective effort.  

Collaboration was a primary theme of conference panel discussions and is something the outdoor industry has done well for some time. Brands like REI have immense power and influence within the industry as a whole, and within their collaborative pursuits can create frameworks for others to follow. 

Kelly Hughes of Ruffwear detailed how product redesigns are reducing emissions. By leveraging tools like the Higg Index, Ruffwear identifies opportunities to optimize material usage, streamline production, and ensure that new designs outperform older ones in sustainability metrics.  

Efforts like redesigns are an essential part of reducing our impact and carbon footprint, but is it enough? At the end of the day, all of these brands have one common goal: to sell more products. The actual production and energy consumption required to do this are immense and often reflect the largest percentage of their carbon emissions. 

To combat this impact, Ryan Kelly of W.L. Gore & Associates highlighted the company’s renewable energy projects, such as “Kentucky Fried Solar,” which are transforming manufacturing operations. Meanwhile, Stanley demonstrated how collaborative efforts through OIA’s drinkware initiative are helping suppliers decarbonize while driving industry-wide change.  

All of these initiatives are a step in the right direction, but are part of a much-needed bigger strategy that reflects a broader trend: sustainability can no longer be an optional add-on but must be a core business principle. As Ashley LaPorte of Burton Snowboards explained, “We can’t be profitable on a failing planet.”  

Leadership Perspectives

For many of these initiatives to be successful, sustainability must be central to organizational strategies. 

Artz advocated for companies to tie their efforts to measurable business outcomes. “Ensure that your purpose is centered on your principles. Sustainability can’t just be a feel-good initiative; [there] has to be a business case,” he emphasized.  

Something that stuck with me the most from all of the discussions was the idea that everyone on the sustainability team should have a friend in the finance department. Decarbonization is a huge challenge that ours and many industries struggle to achieve, and a big part of the delay is the lack of funding to make these changes. If, as an industry, we are claiming to lead the charge in sustainability, we need to, in a sense, put our money where our mouth is, and invest in carbon reduction efforts more aggressively. 

With issues as large as climate change, it can be hard to put into perspective until climate disasters meet us at our front doors. In many instances, those impacted the most by climate change and environmental harm have a socioeconomic disadvantage and are overlooked throughout the product development process. 

Leah Thomas, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, introduced the “curb cut theory” to illustrate how designing solutions for society’s most vulnerable benefits the collective in the long run. “Start with environmental justice because it ends up benefiting everyone,” she explained, encouraging companies to align their efforts with community needs.  

As an industry, we can and should also support employees most affected by climate impacts, according to LaPorte, who suggests resilience funds and stronger community-focused initiatives. “Employers are trusted more than the government to do the right thing,” she noted, referencing the Edelman Trust Barometer to highlight businesses’ unique position of influence.

Building a Sustainable Future

The path forward requires systemic change and coalition building, a theme many speakers echo. Levy reminded attendees of the industry’s significant economic influence. “This is a $1.1 trillion bipartisan powerhouse that can get things done,” she said. This sentiment highlights how companies can use their collective strength to drive policy change.  

Ashley LaPorte of Burton Snowboards and Troy Sicotte of Mountain Hardware called for businesses to align sustainability goals with financial targets. They emphasized the importance of anticipating challenges and preparing for stricter regulations on emissions, toxic substances, and materials even before regulations push them to do so.  

If the rapid phase-out of PFAS taught the outdoor industry anything, it should be to act before being regulated to do so. We need to follow the science and be able to substantiate claims not only for marketing purposes but also for the integrity of our industry and the future of the planet. 

Some speakers explored the importance of proactive approaches to regulatory compliance. Alex Lauver of Outdoor Research noted, “Stop being so reactive. There’s going to be more restrictions, so how can we prepare?” This shows the urgency for the industry to stay ahead of evolving requirements while maintaining its commitment to sustainability.  

Community and Consumer Engagement

Consumers drive the market, and throughout the conference, many speakers highlighted the importance of consumers and communities in driving change. Artz reiterated the need for transparency in communicating with customers: “Every time we put choice in front of informed customers, they will make the better choice with us.”  

But we should not rely solely on customers to make those decisions for us. Each brand has a distinct responsibility to learn and then inform to become better advocates and examples for their customers. If consumers are looking to brands as an authority on topics such as sustainability and climate change, it should not be them holding us accountable, but us setting a higher precedent and expectation of their consumption. 

Our supply chain impacts are one way to do this, but another is to be more civically involved. Levy detailed strategies for engaging policymakers, including fly-ins, congressional briefings, and public education campaigns. These efforts build trust and amplify the industry’s voice in legislative spaces.  

While we have a long way to go to meet our climate goals, a sense of optimism prevails as we reflect on the first and hopefully not the last Catalyst Conference. The panels, speakers, and discussions seemed to inspire participants to lead the outdoor industry—and the planet—toward a more sustainable future. 

Still, this Catalyst Conference left one lingering thought in the closing remarks from Kevin Myette of Bluesign for industry leaders and advocates: 

‘We get to choose where we are on this trail. Are there any crusaders amongst you? Are we at an end, or a beginning’? I’ll be curious to see how we can leverage collective equity and transform obstacles into opportunities, to ensure a thriving future for people, the planet, and the products that connect us.



Meg Carney is an outdoor and environmental journalist, author, executive producer, and podcast host specializing in outdoor product coverage, supply chain research, and investigative environmental and conservation journalism. 

People, Product, and Planet: Celebrating Catalyst Conference 2024

We’re still buzzing from the energy of OIA’s sold-out, inaugural Catalyst Conference that took place in Seattle, Washington on November 13th and 14th. Catalyst Conference convened members of the outdoor industry around a common theme: sustainability. The sessions explored a broad range of topics, including circularity, decarbonization, chemical compliance, and supply chain resilience, and featured speakers from various sections of the outdoor industry.

The Catalyst Conference brought the industry together at a time when community was more important than ever. Attendees shared that the event fostered a strong sense of camaraderie while delivering the expertise needed to tackle the industry’s toughest challenges. In addition to an impressive lineup of speakers, Catalyst offered opportunities to connect with peers through brand-led activities and
immersive experiences. 

Highlights included exploring innovative products with a textile microscope, offsetting carbon emissions from travel, and renewable energy demos—all tied together with an expedition log for a chance to win prizes. The energy carried into the evening at the industry party, where attendees celebrated collective action and reaffirmed their commitment to sustainability progress. What was a sense of fear of the unknown path that lays ahead for sustainability quickly transformed into an atmosphere of hope and determination by the end of the day.

Read on for a recap of the event and explore select session recordings here.

On Opening Note of Inspiration from OIA's Director of Sustainable Business Innovation, Julie Brown

“Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the inaugural Catalyst Conference! It’s an honor to be here with all of you as we gather to confront some of the industry’s most urgent issues, and discuss solutions for people, product, and planet. Now, I realize that for many people in this room, the last week has been difficult. The election results have left many in the fields of sustainability or DEI feeling uncertain. I’m glad we’re here together because at times like these we need to remind ourselves and each other why we do this work—and why we cannot afford to slow down.

When I’m feeling like our sustainability goals are daunting, there are a few things that give me motivation, and I want to share them with you:

First, Collective Action: OIA’s Climate Action Corps has 354 professionals from 85 companies actively taking bold, collective action against climate change by reducing and removing emissions from their value chains. OIA’s Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition has 320 individuals from 97 companies who are blazing the trail in the innovation and adoption of safer chemicals. OIA’s philanthropic arm, the Outdoor Foundation, has 13 communities (including here in Seattle) reaching 95,000 youth nationwide to ensure that everyone can thrive outside. All this effort leads to real, measurable benefits on a global scale.

Second, Rising Standards and Expectations: Sustainability is no longer optional. European and state regulations are tightening, forcing businesses to adapt—or risk being left behind. From PFAS laws to new waste and emissions regulations, the pressure is mounting. But here’s the thing: these changes aren’t just about compliance; they represent a powerful opportunity to innovate, improve, and stay ahead of the curve. Consumers are also demanding more. They expect their favorite brands to be responsible, fair, and accountable. The playing field for sustainability has fundamentally shifted, and the outdoor industry is in a prime position to rise to the challenge.   

Third, we use our outside voices to advocate: Let’s not forget that the outdoor industry is a $1.1 Trillion bipartisan powerhouse – it can get things done. OIA will continue to work across the aisle, bringing diverse voices to advance policy solutions that protect lands, ensure equitable access to the outdoors, and promote sustainable trade.   

Finally, Community: This industry is collaborative. We share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and support one another. Let’s face it, the election was a setback for climate action, and thus for the future of the safety of the outdoors, in a time when our industry really doesn’t need more setbacks. But you — the people in this room — understand these stakes better than anyone. And you keep showing up. You keep working with urgency and purpose to move toward a future we believe is possible. Your talent, creativity, and vision are vital in driving the sustainability successes we need. You are the catalysts for change, and there’s no place I’d rather be at this time than with this group of intelligent and inspiring professionals to move forward, together.”  

Day One Session Takeaways

After Julie Brown’s inspiring introduction to kick-off the day, she sat down with REI CEO Eric Artz to discuss the outdoor industry’s responsibility to lead in sustainability. Artz shared that despite whatever administration is in the White House, the outdoor industry has managed to prevail and make progress. 

We thrive when conditions are extreme, and we are motivated by the unknown. Artz highlighted the multitude of climate and public lands initiatives on the ballot across the country that passed this election cycle – showing that consumers are continuing to choose the planet.

Artz said: “Let’s focus on the millions that we serve, that are invested in the things we care about. How do we leverage that community more? How do we lean into it?”

Artz’s question was undoubtedly tackled throughout the rest of the Catalyst Conference as sustainability leaders in the industry discussed the most pressing issues of today.

Leah Thomas, Founder of Intersectional Environmentalist and environmental justice advocate, sat down with Ashley LaPorte (VP of Purpose & Impact, Burton), Jaclyn Levy (Senior Director of Government Affairs, OIA), and Troy Sicotte (President and Global GM, Mountain Hardwear) to discuss how sustainability practitioners can influence leadership in their organization.

LaPorte encouraged sustainability practitioners to build coalitions across their company – particularly with the finance team.

Sicotte pointed to consistently focusing on the consumer: “When people buy a Columbia stock, they know there’s a thread of consistency of the Columbia brands doing the right thing for the people and the planet.” LaPorte also mentioned the direct climate impacts on her staff. Hailing from Vermont, the extreme flooding Vermont has experienced in the past two years has severely impacted Burton’s staff’s ability to be productive.

Sicotte pointed to consistently focusing on the consumer: “When people buy a Columbia stock, they know there’s a thread of consistency of the Columbia brands doing the right thing for the people and the planet.” LaPorte also mentioned the direct climate impacts on her staff. Hailing from Vermont, the extreme flooding Vermont has experienced in the past two years has severely impacted Burton’s staff’s ability
to be productive.

“We will not be able to run a profitable business on a failing planet, and let’s make that really specific to our headquarters, in Burlington with 500 people, where twice in the past two years now we have lost serious productivity from folks because we are experiencing the impact of that crisis now.”

Moving on from a focus on leadership, the next panel highlighted how W.L. Gore, Ruffwear, Stanley 1913, and Patagonia are reducing their emissions. Kelly Hughes highlighted how at Ruffwear, they are focusing on reducing their scope 3 footprint through design, with their new designs beating the Higg Product Module LCIA score of the old designs in the following categories: global warming potential, eutrophication, water scarcity, fossil fuel depletion, and chemistry impacts.

Ryan Kelley from W.L. Gore shared that they have been able to achieve a 50% reduction in their GHG emissions to date, and highlighted two actions W.L. Gore has taken to reduce scope 1 emissions:

(1) By installing a heat pump in their facility in Shenzhen, China, the facility was able to reduce the site’s overall natural gas consumption by 31%; and

(2) by installing electric steam generation for their DWR line in Putzbrunn, Germany, they were able to decrease the site’s overall natural gas consumption by 20%.

Emily Cichy from Stanley 1913 shared the roadmap they followed to reduce scope 3 emissions, which entailed: measuring monthly data, setting goals and targets with their suppliers, creating reduction plans with their suppliers, and incorporating sustainability metrics into their supplier scorecards. Cichy also highlighted the work with the OIA Drinkware CoLab.

Kim Drenner from Patagonia shared how they are funding industry-wide studies to assess how suppliers can best reduce their emissions. They funded a number of electrification feasibility studies at suppliers in Taiwan, and determined that Electrified Thermal Energy Storage (ETES) has vast potential to achieve largescale decarbonization, and be a “drop-in” replacement for traditional boilers.

After the session on collective climate action, attendees had the option to choose between breakout sessions focused on circularity or attending a workshop on tackling organizational emissions. A highlight from the circularity panel included a robust discussion around “business as usual,” and changing the way the industry
creates and sells products to decouple production and profit. The less new product we produce – the less emissions we produce as an industry.

In the climate leadership workshop, members joined a facilitated discussion with industry peers about a specific emissions reduction topic, such as emissions measurement, target setting, logistics, carbon removal, etc. These discussions facilitated learning and collaboration amongst the participants, and attendees came away with next steps for the industry in the topic of their choice.

During the next pair of breakout sessions, attendees had the opportunity to choose between a session focused on building supply chain resilience, or a chemical compliance workshop. A theme that emerged from the supply chain resilience panel is that as the world warms, production is only going to become more interrupted by extreme heat and weather. Simultaneously, more energy will be needed in the supply chain to cool manufacturing facilities. Jason Judd, a professor at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations, implored the attendees to coalesce around enforceable working standards for supply chain workers that include wet bulb temperatures.

In the chemical compliance session, members had the opportunity to discuss shared challenges and key learnings of from PFAS phase-out in recent years. The challenge was: “Can OIA members agree on the next three chemical families to phase out before regulation?”

The last full-length session of the day centered around sustainability claims, and how to navigate today’s regulatory landscape. James Pollack, attorney at Marten Law, overviewed the legal concepts and regulations that apply to most of the outdoor industry, including FTC’s Green Guides, recyclability claims, “free of” claims, and carbon related claims.

Jason Parkin, Founder and President of Compose[d] talked about the benefits of sustainability marketing, and shared that education is paramount to connecting with your consumers on sustainability. Parkin also suggested breaking down sustainability reports into digestible, bite-sized pieces that can be spread out into a year-long content marketing strategy.

Leah Thomas, Founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist, encouraged brands to get involved at the local, grassroots level when engaging with environmental justice, to create reciprocal solutions in your community.

The programming of the day concluded with an industry address from Norah Stowell (Americas Regional Commercial Leader, W. L. Gore), who championed the industry’s progress in climate and chemistry postpandemic, and Kevin Myette (Director Global Brand Services, bluesign technologies ag), who shared the genesis of sustainability in the outdoor industry.

Myette shared: “What I do know is what got us here is certainly not going to get us where we ultimately need to be. I suggest we must also consider collaboration on scales we’ve never even imagined. It’s easy to get down by all the negativity that surrounds us.

Especially when business becomes so hard. However, we get to choose where we are on this trail. Are there any crusaders amongst you? Are we at an end, or a beginning?”

Attendees concluded the day participating in sponsor-led activations, including Title Sponsor GORE-TEX’s iconic “Rain Room” adventure, Worldly’s Product Impact Calculator, Community Gearbox’s new app, Patch’s carbon credit projects, Change Climate Project’s The Climate Label certification simulation, and Sol System’s renewable energy demos.

Day Two Session Takeaways

Day 2 of the Catalyst Conference was dedicated to working group meetings, exclusively for OIA members. The day began with a meeting for members of OIA’s three advisory councils (trade, sustainability, and recreation). All other attendees who are not members of OIA’s three advisory councils participated in networking and workshop tables focused on a specific sustainability topic. OIA’s advisory councils discussed 2025 policy priorities for the organization, with a specific focus on the intersection of trade and sustainability.

Register for OIA’s webinar on December 5th that will overview OIA’s policy priorities and the 2025 outlook for the outdoor industry here.

After the morning sessions, the entire Day 2 group reconvened, and OIA Sustainability Manager Breana Nehls overviewed collaboration at OIA, and each OIA Sustainability Task Force leader gave an overview of their task force, its progress, and its outlook for 2025. To learn more about the current OIA Sustainability Task Forces, click here.

Attendees then got together in groups, and workshopped ideas for new sustainability task forces to launch in 2025. The top ideas were:

• Traceability
• Toxic Chemicals and Solvents
• Design for Sustainability
• Funding Decarbonization
• Textile-to-Textile Recycling
• Durability Standards and Measurement
• Humans/Fair Labor
• Green Claims Guidance
• Clean Heat Installation

Attendees then regrouped according to the top idea that they were most interested in, and took time to brainstorm as a group what the objective and time frame for that topic’s task force would look like.

One person from each group then reported out to the larger group on their idea for their respective task force. The day ended with next steps: OIA will assess the task force proposals, and select a limited number to launch in 2025. Throughout Day 2, attendees were able to dive deeper into sustainability topics that interested them with their industry peers. 

The day 2 activities fostered deep collaboration amongst OIA members, and simultaneously enabled OIA members to give direct input on how OIA will support them with sustainability in the future.

The OIA Team celebrates the inaugural Catalyst Conference as a tremendous success. OIA members were able to gather in person (many for the first time since the pandemic), share ideas, learn from one another, and connect on a deep level. Old friends were able to reunite, and new friendships were formed across generations. In a time of great uncertainty for the future of climate and sustainability, 200 outdoor and sustainability professionals showed up, and planned for a more sustainable future. We look forward to reconvening next year!

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Outdoor Retailer Summer: Learning, Connecting, and Inspiring Innovation

Learn. Connect. Innovate.

This is the framework that guided our conversations and collaborations at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City this June. 

From learning about outdoor recreation participation trends, to innovating solutions for phasing out harmful chemicals in outdoor products, to connecting with industry peers and allies, we united a collective of catalysts for meaningful change. 

Thank you to everyone who attended our education sessions and stopped by our booth to share ideas and forge connections. Together we will continue to tread a path towards climate positivity, increased outdoor inclusivity, and a healthy outdoor economy. 

Read on for a recap of our Outdoor Retailer adventure. 

Day Zero: OIA Member event at evo 

We started Outdoor Retailer with a bang at our welcome party at evo Salt Lake. Attendees enjoyed a live DJ, food trucks, a rooftop bar, gear giveaway spoils, and friendly conversations with industry peers and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. 

      

Day One: Celebrating Juneteenth, DEI, and a more diverse and young new participant base 

We kicked off Day One with a community breakfast gathering where we heard from our President Kent Ebersole, COO Dr. Arlene Charles, and keynote speaker Will Akuna Robinson. In recognition of the day’s cultural and historical significance, our conversations centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and what that looks like in the context of the outdoors. 

Receiving a standing ovation from attendees, Will Akuna Robinson, a Triple Crown Thru-Hiker and community advocate, inspired us and shared anecdotes of healing, discovery, and self-love from his time on the trail.  

“This was about learning how to live again, learning how to socialize, learning how to be a part of a community. Two days in, and I had my trail family,” – Will Akuna Robinson. 

We also unveiled our most anticipated research report of the year, our Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report. Research Director Kelly Davis revealed key insights and narratives around who’s doing what, when, and how outdoors. 

Read the Executive Summary here 

   

 

Day Two: Innovating Sustainable, Climate-Forward Solutions for the Outdoor Industry 

One of the highlights of Day Two was our discussion on ‘forever chemicals’ and our new sustainability program, Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition, a comprehensive program, working group, and consulting service to provide OIA members with strategies, scalable action plans, and solutions for thoughtfully phasing out these harmful chemicals from their products and navigating sustainability regulations across the country. Our goal is to support members as they innovate on sustainability and build consumer trust in their favorite brands. 

Join CCMC today 

“For the outdoor industry, the path towards phasing out forever chemicals includes finding safer replacement materials that don’t sacrifice performance. Recently, many leading outdoor brands have become committed to phasing out PFAS, and members like REI, Keen, and Patagonia are already supporting the cause by screening products for PFAS and eradicating toxic materials from their own product lines.  

With the new CCMC, OIA looks to catalyze even broader compliance by bringing the entirety of our industry to the forefront of this vital chemical phase-out.” — OIA President Kent Ebersole 

   

 

Day Three: Exploring the Industry’s Foremost Challenges to Business Success 

We wrapped up Day Three of Outdoor Retailer with sessions that delved into some of the most pressing challenges for outdoor businesses today, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, navigating supply chain obstacles, and avoiding potential patent infringement issues. 

Through creative collaboration with industry peers and Q&As with industry experts, we generated solutions in real-time.  

   

 

At Our Booth: Real-Time Data Collection, Real-Time Connection 

We invited OR attendees to engage directly with our Outdoor Participation Trends data by selecting their top three favorite outdoor activities from our list of some of the sports with the highest growth rates in 2022. It came as no surprise that the Outdoor Retailer attendee base enjoys any and all outdoor fun (as evidenced by our stickered-out poster – see below). 

 

Post-Outdoor Retailer: The Movement Continues 

Thank you to everyone who attended our sessions, stopped by our booth, shared ideas with our team, and engaged in our work. Outdoor Retailer presented a wonderful opportunity for our industry to come together and collaborate, but our work doesn’t end here. 

As a member-led collective serving as the outdoor industry’s catalyst for meaningful change, we at OIA are here to support the outdoor industry, people, and the planet year-round.  

Tread the path with us. Join OIA today. 

 

 

The Summit: What Happened and What’s Next

Read highlights from The Summit, our industry’s next steps, and how you can get engaged. Take a look at photos from the event and a thank you to our sponsors here.

In service of OIA’s mission to support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all, we hosted The Summit last month, a first-of-its-kind event bringing together 100+ leaders across the outdoor ecosystem to collaborate and commit to act on the most pressing issues – and greatest opportunities – of our time: climate change and outdoor equity.  

Our intention for The Summit was for business executives, community-based partners, and policymakers to come together and make bold commitments toward a shared future that is inclusive, equitable, and climate positive. We knew that in order to be successful, this event required a different approach and design than industry convenings in the past, and we engaged community leaders and businesses across the outdoor ecosystem to co-create The Summit. It took over a year of planning, learning, and growing along the way.  

Graphic facilitation during each day of The Summit captured ideas, thoughts, and themes discussed during the programming.

While The Summit is just the beginning, we are proud to see the progress our industry made through engaging in authentic conversations, challenging what we think we know, stepping into discomfort, and agreeing to collective action. Read on for highlights, our next steps, and how you can get engaged. 

Together at The Summit, outdoor leaders: 

1. Learned about the links between climate, equity, and inclusion and why they are vital to securing our shared future.

  • Historian and award-winning journalist Jelani Cobb set the stage for engaging conversations on the dynamics of race in our society, relating the country’s history of inequality to today’s issues, including climate change.  
    • “The only way in which we have ever made social progress is by beginning to recognize our own fallibility, our own complicity and then proactively saying: it is incumbent upon us to do something different … the willingness to step aside from our comfortable position and ask ourselves how we factor, how we benefit, how we replicate the kinds of pre-existing conditions that we see routing disaster through that societal rain gutter to the most vulnerable parts of our population.”  
  • Dr. Cobb joined our opening panelists Dr. Carolyn Finney, Middlebury College and Chris Speyer, REI to bring this historical context into a discussion about the present-day ethical and business drivers for bold, urgent action on climate, equity and inclusion. We learned that while diversity is accelerating in America, only 28% of the outdoor participant base is BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) – off pace with the general population and that 3 in 4 BIPOC persons live in nature-deprived places, compared with 1 in 5 white persons. We explored our role as business and organizational leaders in both creating, perpetuating, and solving for these disparities.

 

2. Amplified the leadership power already evident in outdoor community-based organizations and demonstrated what it looks like to meaningfully engage in sustained, healthy partnerships.

  • At Anacostia Park, Thrive Outside D.C. community leaders and program participants led Summit attendees through a series of outdoor activities that highlight how the local community utilizes the park for healing, community, and growth.  
  • During the Ally to Accomplice session, panelists shared struggles and successes in our journey to overcome equity barriers to the outdoors, along with real-life partnerships that put trust in community leaders and build relationships that go beyond financial transactions.  

 

3. Empowered and equipped each other to expand audiences, connect with customers beyond the transaction, and demonstrate our industry’s values and capacity for doing good.

  • Halla Tomasdottir, CEO + Chief Change Catalyst of The B Team, and Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia, shared how successful stewardship of our businesses can exist alongside responsible stewardship of our communities and planet, along with practical guidance on how to implement a leadership model that places humanity at its heart. 
  • Climate change is not just a math problem: It’s a social justice issue and a threat to the outdoor experience for all. To break the cycle of injustice, bold action is needed across all sectors. Climate leaders and experts from YETI, Burton, and LifeStraw shared the ups and downs of setting science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets and meeting them. And a panel of climate finance experts illuminated how our banking decisions can support or undermine all that effort.  
  • Senator Angus King, I-ME, and Shannon A. Estenoz, Assistant Secretary For Fish And Wildlife And Parks, shared how businesses can help the administration take proactive and ambitious steps to preserve our public lands, combat climate change, make investments in green infrastructure, promote environmental justice, and ensure that the outdoors are open and accessible to all. 

 

4. Built our leadership capacity for candor by listening and engaging in difficult conversations about equality and climate change. 

  • Dr. Gerilyn Davis, Founder and Chief Inclusion Officer of Inclusion on the Slopes, and OIA Board members shared real-life examples and tactics to help business leaders model inclusive behaviors, foster psychological safety, and build a fearless outdoor ecosystem. 

 

5. Co-created and committed to act on a shared 2030 vision for an inclusive, equitable, and climate-positive future.

  • Our force for change is a compelling vision that clarifies what our most passionately held desire for the future is. We were blown away to see the hundreds of visionary ideas generated by participants that collectively represent what this community most wants to see become a reality by 2030 on climate, equity, and inclusion – and what you’ll do to make it happen! 
  • See our 2030 vision + outcomes framework and meeting report-outs, and details below on how to contribute. 

 

OIA is committed to the following immediate next steps to support our members and partners: 

  • Finalize the 2030 vision. With your feedback and in consultation with partners and members, we will draft the next version of our shared 2030 vision and desired outcomes and share it back with the outdoor community this summer. This will serve as our collective North Star. The OIA staff and Board will use this to inform our strategy – including new programs and partnerships to advance climate and inclusion action. See below for how to contribute!
  • Be a resource for action on equity and inclusion. While we already operate a thriving climate program called the Climate Action Corps, we want to do more to support our members to take immediate and holistic action on equity and inclusion – across product design and development, marketing, supply chain, and outdoor participation. OIA will conduct a deeper assessment of member needs, existing programs, potential partners, and gaps in this space to determine how we can play a unique and valuable role. We do not intend to reinvent the wheel; many great resources are already available, and we intend to align with and support existing programs wherever possible. 
  • Continue to advocate for inclusive and equitable climate policy, especially at this pivotal time as Congress weighs significant and consequential climate legislation. We will also continue our advocacy for federal, state, and local policies that help ensure an outdoors for all. 
  • Set the date and location for our next Summit in the Spring of 2023, as well as a separate D.C.-based fly-in to bring back our traditional annual lobbying event. 
  • Cultivate community on these business imperatives and beyond. In the meantime, OIA will explore the creation of cohort-based “meet-ups” that enable smaller groups of executives and teams to connect more frequently on common challenges and solutions that are critical for business success.  

 

Here’s how you can continue to learn and act between now and our next opportunity to gather: 

  • If you did not attend the meeting, or just have more to say, contribute to our 2030 vision + outcomes by clicking here and following the prompts to add your ideas and let us know what you need to take action. 
  • Action on climate and equity is easier when you can collaborate with your peers. Join the OIA Climate Action Corps and sign the In Solidarity Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge if you have not already – then, take a stand and make your commitment public! If you have already done both, how can you take your commitment to the next level?  
  • Sign on to this timely climate policy letter by June 9, urging Congressional action on bold emissions-reducing legislation. It may be our last significant moment for the scale of climate policy action needed to help all companies and the U.S. achieve our climate targets. 
  • Money doesn’t just sit in a bank – it goes out in the world and finances things. Find out whether your company’s money is helping fund a sustainable future or fueling the climate crisis, and learn how you can take action. 
  • Join this list to stay informed on OIA’s work in these spaces. 
  • Stop by this Outdoor Retailer session on Thursday, June 9 at 3:30 MT to get a deeper look into what happened at The Summit and what’s next. 

OIA is the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry in the U.S. We collaborate to support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all. When you become a member of OIA, you gain access to the insights, action, and advocacy opportunities to help your organization and the greater outdoor ecosystem thrive.  

Did you attend The Summit and are interested in connecting with speakers? Contact us. 

For media inquiries, please contact Quinn Trainor at quinn@dennyink.com. 

 

Outdoor Retailer Winter Online Summit Day Education Session Recap

2021 Summit Days education featured in-depth discussions on inclusive marketing, the outdoor recreation economy, climate action, trade and expanding outdoor participation, as well as the catalyst that moves all these issues forward: our shared commitment to advocacy.

In case you missed a session, or want to dive deeper, we rounded up the key insights and takeaways from each Summit Day. Read more below and if you haven’t already, watch the sessions on-demand. They’ll be available in the Outdoor Retailer platform until March 19.

THRIVING PEOPLE AND PLANET: HOW PUBLIC POLICY CAN BUILD AN OUTDOORS FOR ALL

Leaders from all sectors of the outdoor community, including Secretary-Designate of Interior Deb Haaland, discussed how public policy can increase outdoor participation in diverse communities and how increasing participation, in turn, supports outdoor policy and benefits such as youth development, environmental stewardship, overall health and wellness and more.  Key topic areas that surfaced:

  • As highlighted by Haaland, the outdoor industry has many opportunities to expand equitable access to the outdoors, particularly with BIPOC communities, through advocating for legislation, administrative action and other public sector measures.
  • The Thrive Outside programs in San Diego and Oklahoma City have very different approaches to youth outdoor engagement, but both have been successful in advancing their advocacy and policy efforts.
  • State offices of outdoor recreation play a critical role in the work to increase outdoor participation and pass policies to ensure and grow thriving outdoor communities.

WATCH NOW

THRIVING PEOPLE AND THRIVING PLANET: THE 30 BY 30 INITIATIVE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A SHARED OUTDOOR FUTURE

Outdoor recreation advocates, sportsmen and sportswomen, tribal leaders and equity experts convened to explore how we can work together to support public and private land conservation traditions in the U.S., address climate change, honor the sovereignty of tribal nations and ensure equitable access for current and future generations. Takeaways included:

  • Our economy, our businesses, and our communities are dependent on the health and well-being of public lands and waters and natural spaces across America.
  • As outdoor industry businesses, intact and conserved outdoor spaces are fundamental to our existence. Investing in America’s natural infrastructure — can help the U.S. economy recover from the current economic crisis.
  • Our success will depend on our honoring tribal nations who have stewarded lands and waters since time immemorial, on supporting private landowners committed to conservation on their property, on collaborating with outdoor recreation interests and historically underserved communities, and on heeding scientists

WATCH NOW

THRIVING PEOPLE, THRIVING PLANET AND THRIVING BUSINESSES: BIDEN, CONGRESS AND THE OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY

Representatives of the outdoor industry and Congress came together to highlight the exciting opportunities we have to advance priorities for the outdoor recreation economy under a new Congress and administration. From combating climate change to promoting diversity and equity in the outdoors to preserving our public lands and waters and supporting a stable and predictable federal trade policy, the outdoor industry is in a unique position to work with friends and allies in support of our policy agenda. Highlights included:

  • Outdoor companies will help the U.S. be a leader on climate. With this Congress and administration, every bill will be a climate bill. Every agency will be a climate agency.
  • Investment in green infrastructure is critical to preserving our public lands and spurring economic recovery. Green infrastructure is critical infrastructure.
  • In the face of uncertainty due to trade wars and a global pandemic, outdoor companies have been resilient and, with a balanced trade agenda, are set up for growth and success.

WATCH NOW

THRIVING PEOPLE AND THRIVING BUSINESS: OUTDOOR COMPANIES LEADING WITH INCLUSIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE MARKETING

Outdoor brands, advocates, athletes and marketing leaders joined together to discuss the work they are doing to rethink their marketing strategies, build authentic relationships and incorporate strong representation in their advertising. This candid and transparent conversation dug into the pivotal moments from each participant’s journey and the lessons learned and best practices they’ve developed along the way. Key insights included:

  • Change starts within. There can be no external change at a brand or company without internal change – marketing and advertising must reflect an authentic shift in company culture.
  • Take the time for a “transformational pause.” The work ahead takes time. Ensure your team takes the time to reset and shift priorities to truly do it.
  • Acknowledge and represent all marginalized populations. What does true representation look like for your brand? Partnerships can only advance and accelerate your work.

WATCH NOW