Thank you for being part of the OIA community. As May comes to a close, we’re gearing up for a couple of the most anticipated moments of our year. We’re putting the finishing touches on the 2026 Outdoor Participation Trends Report — the most detailed research resource we release each year. We’re also getting ready to head to New Orleans in a few weeks for three days of education, networking, and community at Switchback Spring 2026.
We appreciate your continued support. There’s a lot more to come, and we’re glad you’re in it with us.
A First Look at the 2026 Outdoor Participation Trends Report
For more than 15 years, the Outdoor Participation Trends Report has served as the most trusted and comprehensive source on who is doing what outdoors — and when and how they are doing it. Outdoor Industry Association and the Outdoor Foundation collaborate on the research and publish the findings every year.
This year’s report tells a more nuanced story than in years past. While participation has reached new highs, how Americans engage with the outdoors is changing in ways every brand and retailer should plan around.
Leadership members get exclusive early access to the report on Monday, June 1. OIA Senior Director of Research Kelly Davis will then reveal the full findings live on the Switchback Spring stage on Tuesday, June 16. The complete report will be available to all OIA members following her session.
Get in touch to learn how your team can access this valuable resource.
Switchback Spring Is Just a Few Weeks Away
Switchback Spring 2026 is heading to New Orleans June 16–18, and we hope to see you there. Retailers and professionals from across the outdoor industry are coming together for three days of informative educational sessions, exciting networking events, and an immersive exhibit hall that provides the opportunity to connect with emerging and established vendors.
This year’s education program is centered around the theme “Equipping the Outdoor Industry for the Future” and features over 30 sessions on topics like leadership and change management, outdoor culture and community, supply chain management, merchandising, AI, cybersecurity, and marketing. Explore the full agenda for the complete lineup of sessions and speakers, and check out the event guide to start planning your three days in New Orleans.
Join us at the premier education and business gathering for the outdoor community.
Reflecting on Capitol Summit 2026
Last month, leaders from across the outdoor industry gathered in Washington, D.C., for Capitol Summit 2026. Over two days, attendees received expert advocacy training and participated in face-to-face meetings with members of Congress to advance the issues that matter most to our industry.
This year’s policy agenda focused on advocating for sensible trade policy, ensuring reliable access to public lands, and supporting legislative action on climate and conservation.
Visit the Capitol Summit page for a full recap of the event, and get in touch to learn how you can get a seat at the table in 2027.
New Policy Brief on the EU’s ESPR Framework
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a landmark EU framework that will change how textiles and apparel are designed, sold, and tracked. It applies to any company placing covered products on the EU market, regardless of where they are based. Some compliance deadlines are already in effect, and knowing what is required, and when, is essential for any brand or retailer selling in Europe.
Our new policy brief gives outdoor companies a practical overview of what ESPR requires and how to prepare, including reporting obligations, ecodesign requirements for textiles, Digital Product Passport rules, and steps your team can take now ahead of the Textile Delegated Act expected in late 2027.
Contact us to learn how your team can access this brief and other sustainability guidance through OIA membership.
OIA Joins the Nylon Materials Collective
OIA has joined the Nylon Materials Collective, a Samsara Eco initiative working to accelerate the adoption of circular nylon in the outdoor industry. Nylon is essential to performance apparel and equipment, but it can carry a significant carbon footprint, making circular alternatives critical to our industry’s sustainability goals.
By joining the collective, OIA is helping members reduce environmental impact, navigate evolving regulations, and transition to circular materials without compromising performance.
We’re proud to stand alongside the European Outdoor Group and leading global brands including Burton, W. L. Gore & Associates, Black Diamond Equipment, Red Wing Shoe Company, and Big Agnes.
Visit Samsara Eco’s website to learn more about the important work the Nylon Materials Collective is doing.
A Year of Collective Sustainability Progress
Despite the challenges of 2025, engagement in OIA sustainability programs only grew stronger, with more than 500 individuals from 118 companies actively participating throughout the year.
OIA Sustainability’s 2025 Impact Report captures that collective progress across climate, chemistry, and compliance. It features Climate Action Corps milestones, advancements from the Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition, expanded compliance resources, and highlights from the launch of OIA Learning and the virtual Catalyst Conference.
Read the report to see what our community accomplished together last year and how OIA will continue supporting these efforts in 2026 and beyond.
What’s New on OIA Learning
Since launching last year, OIA Learning has grown to include more than 25 courses covering topics like sustainability compliance, government advocacy, market research, consumer trends, and trade policy.
We’re excited to share that two new certification-level courses are coming to the platform this summer:
- “From Footprint to Future: Climate Action in the Outdoor Industry” (launching June 1)
- “From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Cleaner Chemistry in the Outdoor Industry” (launching July 1)
Whether you’re sharpening a specific skill or building broader industry knowledge, OIA Learning is here to help you and your team grow.
Get Ready for GS1 Sunrise 2027
The GS1 mandate for 2D barcodes on retail packaging is only months away, and most brands have less runway than they realize once packaging lead times, internal approvals, and content production are factored in. Join OIA partner Authentic Labs on Tuesday, June 2, at 1 p.m. (ET) / 10 a.m. (PT) for a webinar that will help your brand get ready.
Authentic Labs President David McCloskey and GS1 US Global Standards Manager Andrew Morehead will cover what the GS1 Digital Link standard requires and how to build codes that work at checkout and satisfy your retail partners. They’ll also share how brands are using these codes to connect with consumers post-scan and common mistakes to avoid.
Get Access to OIA Single Sport Participation Reports
OIA Single Sport Participation Reports give your team a closer look at the activities driving outdoor recreation, with detailed data on participation growth, demographics, frequency, and evolving consumer behaviors.
2026 reports on hiking, camping, and running are available now, and additional single sport reports will be continuously released throughout the year. Whether your team is shaping product strategy, marketing campaigns, retail initiatives, or long-term business decisions, these resources offer the market intelligence to inform your work and identify emerging trends.
Get in touch to learn how your team can access this market intelligence through OIA membership.
