Outdoor Retailer Partners with Huginbiz to Launch International Pavilion Program at Outdoor Retailer 2027 this August in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS  (October 22, 2026) — Outdoor Retailer (OR), produced by Forge, today announced a new partnership with Huginbiz AB to launch an International Pavilion Program at Outdoor Retailer, Aug. 18-20, 2027. Huginbiz will serve as OR’s international advisor and recruiter, working with national and regional pavilion organizers around the world to bring curated groups of international finished-goods brands to the show floor. The program is designed for brands that sell their own products to retailers and is not open to material suppliers or manufacturers.

The program marks OR’s first dedicated international initiative since the show’s relocation to the Minneapolis Convention Center and follows a 2026 debut that exceeded OR’s goals for both exhibitors and retail buyers.

How the program works

The International Pavilion Program is modeled on the national and regional pavilion structure long used at ISPO. Pavilion organizers, such as trade associations, export councils and regional industry groups, will contract directly with Outdoor Retailer and recruit exhibiting brands from their home markets. Early regions of interest include Korea, Iberia, the Nordics and Taiwan.

Huginbiz will lead organizer outreach, support each organizer through a direct agreement with OR, and convene a new International Advisory Board. The board will bring together pavilion organizers, brand-side representatives and association leaders to advise OR on international brand development throughout the 2027 show cycle.

Huginbiz® (Helping You Grow International Business AB) is a Sweden-based firm that has advised sport, outdoor and fitness companies on international growth since 2004, working with more than 200 brands, ingredient brands and global start-ups on market entry launch plans. It represents leading international industry trade fairs, including ISPO, Outdoor, FIBO, PGA show and Performance Days and is an experienced organizer of pavilions at those shows.

Founder Martin Kössler has worked on both sides of the business. Once a W.L. Gore key account manager, he later established Haglöfs as a leading international outdoor brand until the takeover of Asics. He founded and led the cooperation between Scandinavian Outdoor brands, Scandinavian Outdoor Group and launched the Scandinavian Village at ISPO in 2001. Kössler serves as chairman of the supervisory board of Europas, a leading premium retail group, works with Sport 2000 International and is one of the co-owners of EDM, publisher of the Sporting Goods Intelligence Europe and Outdoor Industry Compass.

After a strong 2026 debut

In August 2026, Outdoor Retailer moved to the Minneapolis Convention Center and rebuilt its format around discovery and emerging brands. The debut edition drew 275+ exhibiting brands against a goal of 200, plus 400+ qualified retail buyers, among roughly 1,800 attendees from 45 states and 20 countries. Independent specialty retailers were the largest buyer segment, and OR is targeting 600+ buyers for 2027.

Brands exhibiting in an International Pavilion will have access to the programs OR introduced in 2026, including:

  • OR’s hosted buyer program, through which OR will work with pavilion organizers and their brands to identify and invite the retailers they most want to meet
  • Wild Reach, powered by Popfly, which put 150+ creators, photographers and athletes on the show floor in 2026 and led to 850+ exhibitor-creator connections
  • The Ascent Program, the Garage Grown Gear + Founded Outdoors Pavilion and the REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures showcase, which give buyers a dedicated place to find new brands
  • Urban Outdoor Experiences, a series of early-morning hikes, paddles, climbs and trail runs at Theodore Wirth Regional Park
  • The Retailer Playbook Lab and Industry Day, with sessions on tariffs, AI, sustainability and other industry issues

What the partners are saying

“We rebuilt Outdoor Retailer around discovery, and the 2026 show proved buyers are hungry for new brands,” said Matthew Mathiasen, group show director, Outdoor Retailer. “International brands have told us for years that entering the US market is expensive and uncertain. With the International Pavilion Program, they can come in as part of a group, with buyers, media and programming already lined up. Huginbiz has spent two decades helping outdoor brands enter new markets, and it already knows the organizers who build pavilions at Europe’s biggest shows. That’s the head start we wanted.”

“Trade shows play an instrumental role for the sports and outdoor industry, far beyond just greasing our wholesale business machinery.” said Kössler. “I experienced the importance of a vital Outdoor Retailer show and how the industry has suffered without it. I look forward together with my colleagues and friends in the European outdoor industry to help bridge our industry across the Atlantic again.”

Eligibility

The program is open only to finished-goods brands, meaning companies that design, own and market a completed consumer product under their own name. Raw material and component suppliers, contract manufacturers and OEM/ODM factories, private-label producers and trading intermediaries are not eligible to exhibit within the pavilions. This keeps the pavilions focused on products retail buyers can stock.

Get involved

Huginbiz will meet with prospective pavilion organizers at ISPO Amsterdam, November 3–5, 2026. National and regional organizations interested in leading a pavilion at Outdoor Retailer 2027 can contact Huginbiz at info@huginbiz.com. Outdoor Retailer takes place August 18-20, 2027, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

About Huginbiz

Huginbiz is a Sweden-based international business development firm specializing in the sport, outdoor and fitness industries. Since 2004, it has worked with more than 100 global brands, ingredient brands, investors and start-ups, helping them build go-to-market strategies for new markets. Huginbiz also represents leading international trade fairs in the Nordic region. Learn more at huginbiz.com.

About Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor Retailer, produced by Forge, is the outdoor industry’s flagship discovery event, connecting brands with specialty, mass and e-commerce retail buyers. Since relocating to Minneapolis in 2026, the show has focused on emerging brands through programs including the Ascent Program, Wild Reach, Urban Outdoor Experiences and the Retailer Playbook Lab. Learn more at www.outdoorretailer.com.

NOTHING BUT MOUNTAIN: LA SPORTIVA’S NEW GLOBAL BRAND CAMPAIGN

BOULDER, Colo. (October 21, 2026) – What remains when everything else fades away? When every thought is fixed on the next move, the next hold, the next turn, or the track stretching out across the snow? For La Sportiva, there is only one answer: the mountain.

Nothing But Mountain was born from this belief: a new global campaign that marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Val di Fiemme-based brand, reaffirming the deep bond with the mountains and the communities that have shaped its identity since 1928.

Founded in the heart of the Dolomites, La Sportiva has grown alongside generations of mountaineers, climbers, skiers and runners, developing highly technical footwear, apparel and equipment designed to support the evolution of outdoor sports and meet the needs of those who experience the mountains in all their forms. Today, that heritage comes to life through Nothing But Mountain, a new brand platform that positions the mountain not only as La Sportiva’s natural environment, but as a culture, a community and an endless source of inspiration.

For nearly a century, the mountain has been both the starting point and the destination behind every choice the company makes. More than a landscape or a backdrop, it is the benchmark against which products, ideas and innovations are tested. It is where the reliability of a shoe, the precision of a tool and the functionality of every detail are proven. Where experience in the field becomes development, and development becomes solutions designed to perform in the most demanding conditions.

For La Sportiva, the mountain is more than the place where its products are used. It is the measure of performance, quality and authenticity. The standard that continues to drive innovation, shape the brand’s evolution and keep it firmly connected to its roots while looking confidently to the future.

Nothing But Mountain is built on a simple belief: beyond disciplines, performances and generations, there is one element capable of putting everything into perspective. The mountain. A place that challenges, inspires and unites those who experience it, while remaining the ultimate reference point for those who create the tools designed to face it.

The campaign celebrates the diversity of outdoor experiences and the people who make them possible, giving voice to the community that has helped shape La Sportiva’s identity and evolution for almost one hundred years.

At the heart of the launch is the Manifesto Film, which presents the mountain as the foundation behind every choice. Its narrative weaves together the achievements of elite athletes, witnesses to and custodians of the highest levels of performance, with the reality behind every journey. Failure, mistakes and limitations are not hidden, but embraced as an essential part of growth. The result is an immersive visual and sonic experience, where the rhythm follows every breath, stride and ice axe strike, capturing the honesty of movement and the precision of the product across rock, ice, granite and indoor walls.

To mark the launch of the platform, La Sportiva also unveils its Brand Manifesto:

NOTHING BUT MOVEMENT. NOTHING BUT FOCUS.
EVERY GENERATION, EVERY SUMMIT, EVERY WALL.
EVERY FALL. NOTHING AS RAW. NOTHING AS HONEST.
NOTHING MATTERS MORE.
RESIN OR ROCK, ICE OR GRANITE, STONE OR SNOW.
EVERY MOVE, EVERY DETAIL. A MEASURE OF WHO YOU ARE.
BECAUSE WHEREVER YOU GO, WE KNOW,
THERE’S NOTHING BUT MOUNTAIN.

The strategic and creative development of the Nothing But Mountain campaign was led by Mynt, from the creation of the brand platform through to its visual identity. The voice behind the Manifesto Film is Pietro Dal Prà, professional climber and member of La Sportiva’s Product Development Team.

“The strongest brands don’t need to invent a story. They need to recognise what makes them different and have the confidence to own it. With La Sportiva, everything begins and ends with the mountain. Our role was to turn that extraordinary authenticity into a distinctive, enduring communications platform that connects the brand’s heritage, innovation and community through one powerful idea: Nothing But Mountain,” said Andrew Patterson, Founder of Mynt.

Launched globally today, Nothing But Mountain marks the beginning of a long-term journey. The Manifesto Film introduces its vision, but does not define its limits. In the months ahead, the platform will continue to evolve through new stories and perspectives, exploring the many ways the mountain is experienced, interpreted and passed from one generation to the next. Because while there may be only one mountain, there are countless stories shaped by our relationship with it.

And perhaps this is the question Nothing But Mountain will continue to explore: what does the mountain truly mean to those who live it?

Click here to watch the Manifesto Film.

About La Sportiva
With over 95 years of mountain heritage, La Sportiva brings unmatched expertise to the design of high-performance footwear, ski mountaineering hardware, and technical apparel. Driven by innovation and a passion for the outdoors, the brand offers cutting edge footwear and apparel for climbing, mountaineering, mountain running®, hiking, and ski mountaineering. Designed and tested in the heart of the Dolomites, La Sportiva’s products are built to meet the demands of athletes pushing limits in the world’s most challenging terrain. Learn more at www.lasportivausa.com or follow @lasportivana on Instagram.

VALLON x Alex Megos: A Climber’s Take on the Daytrippers

Amsterdam, Netherlands (Oct. 21, 2026) – VALLON is proud to introduce its latest limited-edition collaboration with world-renowned sport climber, Alex Megos. Designed to meet the demands of one of the world’s leading climbers, the Daytrippers Megos Edition bring together classic eyewear design, high-performance optics, and a healthy dose of Megos’ unmistakable personality.

Known for pushing the limits of sport climbing on some of the world’s toughest routes, Megos knows a thing or two about spending long days outdoors. From early starts at the crag to long afternoons working a route, reliable eyewear is essential. The goal of this collaboration was simple: create a pair of sunglasses that could keep up with his adventures, without compromising on style.

A classic, with a Megos twist

Megos was immediately drawn to the Daytrippers, VALLON’s distinctive trapezoidal sunglasses inspired by the eyewear of the 1960s. Their handcrafted acetate construction and lightweight versatility offered the perfect starting point for a collaboration that balances vintage character with modern sports performance.

The result is a new amber colorway inspired by Megos’ well-documented affinity for yellow. A recurring feature in his climbing gear and personal style, the color has become something of a signature. For this limited edition, the rich amber acetate gives the classic frame a warm, retro aesthetic, complemented by a contrasting pastel yellow sports headstrap.

The detachable headstrap isn’t just there for looks. Designed to keep the sunglasses securely in place during dynamic movement, it adds an extra level of practicality for climbing, scrambling, and whatever else the day has in store. And for anyone questioning how secure they really are, Megos has already put them through their paces, climbing and even performing handstands in his sunglasses.

Built for the rock, designed to endure

Behind the retro-inspired design lies VALLON’s proprietary V52® performance lens technology, engineered to deliver exceptional optical clarity, impact resistance, and reliable protection in demanding outdoor environments.

Constructed from premium nylon polyamide, V52® lenses achieve an ABBE value of 52, minimizing chromatic aberration and helping maintain sharp, natural vision. For climbers, where reading subtle changes in rock texture, identifying holds, and judging surface details are essential, optical precision makes a meaningful difference.

The lenses are approximately 20% lighter than Trivex, offering an excellent balance of optical performance, durability, and weight. Full UV400 protection blocks 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, while scratch-resistant coatings provide additional durability for repeated use outdoors.

Exploring sandstone walls on the Australian coast

Ahead of the launch, Megos took his new Daytrippers on a climbing trip to Australia, putting them to the test on the sandstone walls along the coastline near Sydney. With early starts, long sessions on the rock, and plenty of Australian sunshine, it was the ideal testing ground.

“It was the first time I could bring these sunglasses with me and they will come on every trip from now on. They say the sun here has teeth, even during hot winters. Having proper shades with dark lenses made it easier to pick out the details and contrast in the rock. After a few routes, we decided it was time to cool off, hit the ocean, and get some surfing in. Not a bad way to spend the day,” said Megos.

From technical climbing sessions to downtime on the coast, the Daytrippers Megos Edition reflect a shared appreciation for performance, classic style, and the adventures that happen between the climbs.

The Daytrippers Megos Edition is available on www.vallon.com/products/daytrippers, and through select retailers worldwide.

About VALLON

VALLON creates original eyewear that combines classic style with maximum performance. Inspired by iconic eyewear of yesteryear, VALLON reimagines classic silhouettes with advanced optics, innovative materials, and technical features. Trusted by professional athletes, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide, VALLON eyewear has crossed every ocean, traversed every continent, and reached the world’s highest peaks.

About Alex Megos

German professional climber Alexander “Alex” Megos is one of the world’s most accomplished sport climbers, renowned for pushing the limits of difficulty on rock. In 2013, aged just 19, he made history with the world’s first recorded 9a (5.14d) onsight ascent of Estado Crítico in Siurana, Spain. Since then, he has established some of the world’s most challenging routes, including Perfecto Mundo (9b+) and Bibliographie (9b+), alongside numerous other groundbreaking ascents. Equally accomplished in competition climbing, Megos is a multiple World Championship medalist and two-time Olympian, representing Germany at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Known for his exceptional strength, technical precision, and distinctive personality, Megos continues to push the boundaries of modern sport climbing.

Off Highway Van Unveils 2027 Lineup with Redesigned Doc Holliday Model and Premium Trim Options

SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 20, 2026) — Off Highway Van, a Utah-based, bespoke adventure van builder, today introduces its 2027 model year lineup. The new lineup is headlined by a redesigned Doc Holliday engineered for family adventure. 2027 Off Highway Vans are available to order now, with the first builds rolling off the line in fall 2026. Every van is delivered just eight weeks from a funded deposit.

Founded by automotive engineer Aaron Pfadt, whose career includes past work at General Motors, Chrysler, and in competitive auto racing, Off Highway Van engineers every van on the principles that matter on a racetrack: lightweight, high-performance, and durable. Rather than trimming cost from every component to hit a number, the company engineers for capability first and builds each van to last. The 2027 lineup carries that discipline into the latest iterations of Off Highway Van’s premium off-road camper vans.

“2027 isn’t a cosmetic refresh. We went through every system and every layout decision and asked whether each one was still the best answer for our customers. Where it wasn’t, we changed it,” said Aaron Pfadt, founder of Off Highway Van. “The new Doc Holliday is the clearest example. We designed it around how families actually use the van all day long, not just the eight hours they’re asleep.”

The New 2027 Doc Holliday

The fully redesigned 2027 Doc Holliday is one of Off Highway Van’s most family-focused builds to date. Available in both the 144 and 170 Sprinter wheelbases, the Doc Holliday 144 seats five to six and sleeps four or more, while the Doc Holliday 170 seats five to eight and sleeps four or more.

Key updates to the new 2027 Doc Holliday include:

  • An all-new galley layout with 50% more drawer storage than the previous generation. Addressing a common complaint in the category: cabinets built for show rather than real, usable storage.
  • An expanding north-south bed. Now the standard sleeping configuration across all Off Highway Van models, the company has discontinued side-to-side (east-west) sleeping arrangements.
  • 25% more onboard freshwater storage.
  • Up to three distinct sleeping areas. A two-person rooftop loft is an available upgrade alongside an expanding Olympic queen bed and a three-person seat that converts to an additional queen.

“East-west sleeping was always a workaround. The van isn’t wide enough for most adults to fully stretch out, and whoever sleeps against the wall has to climb over their partner to get up,” said Pfadt. “North-south gives each person full length and their own way in and out. Because the bed stows during the day, the family gets the floor space back.”

Despite the added storage, increased water capacity, and improved sleeping configuration, the Doc Holliday’s finished weight remains unchanged from the previous generation, averaging 7,500 to 8,500 pounds depending on trim, added features, and base chassis length.

The Doc Holliday also uniquely offers forward-facing, DOT-approved seating for up to eight occupants, the only Class B van on the market to do so.

The Doc Holliday anchors three 2027 models that also include the Sundance Kid and the Davey Jackson. Each model is custom-built to order on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform.

The Pro-X Trim

The Pro-X sits at the top of the Off Highway Van range as its most premium trim option, built for drivers who want the very best. It pairs luxury interior features, including radiant heated floors and a JL Audio package, with premium off-road components such as Fox Factory suspension.

The Pro-X trim option is available across all three 2027 models, alongside Off Highway Van’s Basecamp and Pro trims.

Availability and Pricing

Every Off Highway Van is custom-built to order on a reservation basis, and funded deposits secure a build slot. Completed vans are delivered in just eight weeks from the funded deposit. Every van includes factory-direct support with an industry-leading 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, prepaid maintenance intervals, nationwide service access, and at-your-door service.

The 2027 models are offered in two chassis lengths, 144 and 170, and three trims: Basecamp, Pro, and Pro-X. Pricing is consistent across models, starting at $199,999 for the Basecamp trim in a 144 and starting at $289,999 for a Pro-X trim in a 170 wheelbase.

To learn more about the full 2027 lineup, visit offhighwayvan.com.

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About Off Highway Van

Off Highway Van is a Utah-based adventure van builder specializing in bespoke, engineered camper vans designed on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform. Founded by Aaron Pfadt, an automotive engineer with a background in GM and Chrysler suspension systems and competitive auto racing, Off Highway Van builds are constructed from lightweight aluminum and composite materials, saving more than 1,000 pounds compared to comparable builds, and are backed by a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee and a 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Every Off Highway Van is hand-crafted, custom-built to order, and designed to your exact specifications.

Media Contact

Buck Martin, Backbone Media

buck.martin@backbone.media

POC Releases the Arcus: All-Mountain Precision

STOCKHOLM (Oct. 20, 2026) — POC, the Swedish protection brand known for safety, is releasing the Arcus, a new helmet for skiers and snowboarders that brings competition, focus and detail to every part of the mountain. Precision-built for the performance-minded, the Arcus balances race-derived performance with freeride versatility.

Arcus combines a hybrid ABS and polycarbonate shell with an adjustable magnetic ventilation system and a new Boa Fit System. With a premium Alcantara interior and a Fidlock Hook 20 buckle, the Arcus sets a new standard for a helmet that is equally at home in freeride terrain or carving sharp lines on the piste.

Oscar Huss, POC’s Chief Product Officer, explained the idea behind the Arcus. “We started with a question: What would a skier and snowboarder who likes to charge in freeride terrain, taking big turns down a mountain, actually need?” Huss said. “There are no gates in freeride and all-mountain skiing, but we still wanted to create the same race precision for those big super-G-type turns and combine it with the versatility to skin or boot-pack back up. The Arcus is the embodiment of that way of skiing and snowboarding.”

Hybrid Shell Construction

The Arcus combines a defined ABS lower shell with a finely sculpted polycarbonate in-mold crown, a construction that balances strength, low weight and impact performance. The shell features freeride-inspired lines and extends lower at the back of the neck for added coverage. Ear pads click securely into place and can be removed for hikes or warmer conditions. The strap system is anchored with CNC-machined screws and closes with a Fidlock Hook 20 buckle for high security and ease of use.

Protection, Engineered as a System

Protection is the starting point for any helmet, and the Arcus features a host of details to support that approach. The Arcus marks the first use of the highly refined and precise Boa Fit System in a snow sports helmet. The system provides crisp feedback and microadjustability so every user can fine-tune the fit to their exact needs. It is highly secure, offers plenty of flexibility and distributes pressure evenly around the head to avoid pressure points.

Integrated inside the helmet is the Mips Air Node system, the lightest and most advanced version of the rotational impact protection system to date, which has been seamlessly built into the helmet for protection and comfort. The hybrid shell keeps weight low and balanced, and the expanded polystyrene (EPS) liner keeps the helmet protective and lightweight. The Arcus is certified EN 1077 and ASTM F2040.

Ventilation and Goggle Integration

Ventilation is essential for all skiers and snowboarders, and the Arcus is engineered for long ascents and longer descents. Front, side and rear vents combine with two large foam-protected top vents to keep air moving while filtering out snow and moisture. Airflow is controlled through central channels with a tactile, magnetic three-step adjustment that works with gloves on. Borrowing a principle from cycling helmets, the internal channels are deeper than those in a conventional snow helmet liner, so air moves quickly and hot air evaporates more efficiently. Goggle chimney vents move air and pair with POC goggles to keep lenses clear, an essential component of safety. A flexible clip at the rear keeps goggles securely attached.

Padding and Fit

The interior is lined with Alcantara, a material more commonly found in high-end car interiors, chosen for its premium feel and long-term comfort.

POC’s Development Process

The foundation of any helmet is protection, which gives skiers and snowboarders the confidence to handle whatever the mountain brings or whatever terrain they choose to ride. That protection is embodied in the Arcus and in POC’s “Whole Helmet Concept,” in which each component is designed to work seamlessly with the others so the whole is always greater than its parts.

“Our objective with Arcus was to introduce a new level of detail, quality and precision to a helmet that would be used all over the mountain, taking inspiration from our race heritage and award-winning helmets, and developed using our ‘Whole Helmet Concept,’” Huss said. “Each feature is seamlessly integrated and designed to work together to create a product in which the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. The Arcus is very lightweight, extremely ventilated and highly adjustable, with premium levels of comfort and incredible levels of protection, and we are immensely proud of the overall package and what it will offer performance-minded skiers and snowboarders.”

Key Features:

  • Hybrid shell construction: A defined ABS lower shell with a finely sculpted polycarbonate in-mold crown, combining durability with lightness.
  • EPS: A lightweight expanded polystyrene liner.
  • Cycling-helmet-inspired ventilation: Deeper air channels evaporate hot air more efficiently than a conventional snow helmet liner.
  • Adjustable ventilation: A central channel with magnetic three-step adjustment, operable with gloves on.
  • Boa Fit System: Precise, flexible, evenly distributed adjustment that reduces pressure points and is highly secure.
  • Fidlock Hook 20: A highly secure, easy-to-use buckle.
  • Mips Air Node: The lightest, most advanced rotational impact protection system.
  • Goggle chimneys: Heat from goggles escapes through the helmet, minimizing fogging.
  • Integrated goggle clip: A flexible clip at the rear keeps goggles securely attached.
  • Detachable ear pads: Comfort across a wider range of temperatures.
  • Safety certifications: EN 1077 and ASTM F2040.

NOTES TO EDITORS

AVAILABILITY:

The Arcus will be available online and in-store now.

PRODUCT PAGE:
View the Arcus HERE.

MEDIA RESOURCES:
Further downloadable assets are available HERE.
Watch the Arcus R&D video HERE.
Read more HERE.

ABOUT POC
Born and based in Stockholm, POC is a safety and performance pioneer on a global mission: to protect lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for athletes and anyone inspired to be one. Creating all types of protection for cycling and snow sports, POC uses research, scientific methods and rigorous testing in its pursuit of innovation.

CONTACT
Verde Brand Communications
poc@verdepr.com

First Descents Appoints Kyle Harris as Communications Director

DENVER, Colorado — First Descents, a national nonprofit providing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions, today announced that Kyle Harris has joined the organization as Communications Director. In this role, Harris will lead integrated communications and creative direction for First Descents with fulfillment of enterprise storytelling, digital marketing, public relations and brand execution across all channels to drive mission and growth.

“Kyle’s ability to tell compelling stories and build meaningful connections with donors will help us deepen engagement, inspire greater philanthropic support, and enable us to bring the healing power of adventure to more young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions,” said Tami Tranter, Vice President of Advancement at First Descents.

Kyle Harris brings more than 20 years of industry experience to First Descents. Recently, Harris served as Director of Communications and Marketing at A New Leaf, where he successfully led communications for the organization, helping drive a 3x increase in audience growth, a new website with 4x visitor engagement, donor activations, and integrated communications across digital, paid, earned and owned media. His background also includes leadership positions at the American Cancer Society, where he directed communications and brand campaigns for diverse communities and audiences. He recently earned his doctorate in strategic communication at University of Colorado Boulder.

“I am thrilled to join First Descents and help share the incredible story of participants in their healing journeys through adventure,” said Kyle Harris. “First Descents provides critically important, life-changing programs: leveraging the outdoors to help participants process trauma and illness. The work of First Descents is truly transformational, and I look forward to contributing to this valuable work.”

Harris will report to Tranter and will lead the communications team in helping drive strategic priorities to build community and help sustain First Descents’ outreach to donors, alumni and stakeholders across the country. Harris will work out of the First Descents Denver office.

About First Descents
With more than 25 years in operation, First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. First Descents believes in the healing power of adventure to build courage, foster belonging and inspire wellbeing. The nonprofit offers its programs free of charge to young adults living with cancer and other serious conditions, as well as to caregivers and healthcare workers, keeping participants connected long after their first trip.

 

Media Contact:
Name: Kyle Harris
Title: Director of Communications
Company Name: First Descents
Email: kyle.harris@firstdescents.org
Website: firstdescents.org

Dynastar, Lange, and LOOK announce new U.S. commercial leadership

PARK CITY, Utah – October 19, 2026 – Dynastar, Lange, and LOOK today announced that Dennis Gaspari, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the brands in the U.S., will retire on December 31, 2026. Jake Stevens has been promoted to U.S. Commercial Director, effective November 16, 2026, and will lead the brands’ U.S. commercial operations.

During his 23 years with Dynastar, Lange, and LOOK, Gaspari played a pivotal role in Lange’s resurgence, including the launches of the RS, RX, and Shadow boot ranges. He also led the global reintroduction of LOOK and the successful revival of the iconic Pivot binding.

“My years with the Dynastar, Lange, and LOOK brands have been the most fulfilling of my career,” said Gaspari. “I am most proud of the people I worked with and the commitment they brought every day.”

Gaspari also thanked customers across the ski industry, many of whom he has worked with for more than 30 years, for their longstanding support of him and the brands.

Building on Gaspari’s legacy, Stevens will unite product, sales, and market strategy to drive continued U.S. growth for Dynastar, Lange, and LOOK.

A lifelong skier, Stevens trained at Carrabassett Valley Academy, competed at the University of New Hampshire, and coached before moving into the business side of the industry. Since joining Rossignol Group in 2013, he has held leadership roles across racing, product, and sales. As North American Product Director from 2023, he helped bring Arcade, Vizion, Soul, and Sender to market; in 2025, he added sales leadership responsibilities across North America.

“It is a tremendous privilege to join the Dynastar, Lange, and LOOK team in this leadership role,” said Stevens. “These are iconic brands with passionate teams, strong partners, and exciting opportunities ahead. I’m grateful for my 13 years with Rossignol and excited to help build their future in the U.S.”

Chris Horan

GM / VP Commercial

Rossignol Group North America

Popfly bans AI-generated influencers, calls on brands to keep real people behind creator content

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2026) — We now live in a world where your favorite creator might not even be human. In the age of AI, it’s getting harder to tell who is real, and harder to know whose recommendations to trust. This month, Popfly, the creator marketing platform that connects brands with vetted outdoor, travel, and adventure creators, launched a petition calling on brands, creators, and industry leaders to commit to not replacing human creatives with AI.

After an AI-generated persona attempted to join its 20,000 plus creator network, Popfly formalized a stricter policy, banning AI-generated influencers. This is what inspired Popfly to take a public stance. The petition launched Oct. 8, has garnered more than 350 signatures to date, with a goal of hitting 1,000 by the end of the month.

The petition asks brands, creators, and industry leaders to commit to three things:

  1. Keep real people behind creative work
  2. Invest in tools that support human creatives instead of replacing them
  3. Always be upfront when something is AI-generated

Popfly’s position is simple: creator content only works because there’s a real person behind it. When a creator talks about gear they’re using or a trip they’re planning, their audience trusts them because they know that creator has actually been there. AI can’t go into the backcountry. It can’t test gear in the elements, walk on a sandy beach, or find a hidden coffee shop after a long day of driving. Audiences can tell and that wears trust away fast.

“When AI creators started trying to show up on Popfly, we took a hard stance. We banned them,” said Taylor Hoekstra, Founder & CEO of Popfly. “We actively blocked them from joining campaigns with brands like GoPro, Outdoorsy, Backcountry and HydroFlask. The policy at Popfly is simple: reward authenticity and originality, and never let AI replace human creativity.”

Popfly calls mass-produced AI content what it is: digital litter. Too-perfect photos of places no one has been. Apps, websites and even flyers that all look eerily the same. Digital clones of your favorite creators. It clutters feeds, drowns out real stories, and makes every brand look the same.

The litter comparison is a natural one for Popfly. So while the petition tackles the digital side, the company has also adopted stretches of highways in California, Colorado and Utah to help protect the places its creators explore.

Brands, creators and industry leaders can learn more and sign the petition at change.org/p/stop-ai-from-replacing-creators.

About Popfly

Popfly is redefining digital storytelling in the adventure space, empowering creators and brands to thrive in the rapidly evolving creator economy. The platform connects brands with creators to collaborate on authentic content at scale. From discovery and creator storefronts to payments and performance tracking, Popfly streamlines every step of your brand-creator collaboration so you can scale brand momentum and revenue.

For press inquiries, contact popfly@verdepr.com.