Type: OIA Press Room

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6492, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE) Act, in a significant move towards enhancing public land access and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities across the country. Introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the EXPLORE Act is a bipartisan package of recreation bills that aim to address barriers to access for veterans, people with disabilities, and underserved populations, streamline permitting processes for guides and outfitters, and support and enhance recreation opportunities on our public lands. 

“We are thrilled to see Congress taking action to ensure each American has the opportunity to enjoy outdoor spaces in their own community, bolster economic growth, and advance mental and physical health benefits for all,” said Kent Ebersole, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “The outdoor recreation economy continues to soar to new levels, accounting for over $1 trillion in consumer spending and demonstrating participant growth for the eighth consecutive year. This is an important inflection point. We must modernize, preserve, and increase access to the public lands and waterways – regardless of where someone lives or works – and support more than five million employees who help drive our industry forward.”  

The EXPLORE Act is a companion bill to S.873, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA), which passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in May of 2023. AORA and EXPLORE represent the strong bicameral and bipartisan collaboration across chambers to advance policies supporting outdoor recreation. The passage of the EXPLORE Act through the House marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, improve public land access, and support economic growth in rural communities. As the legislation advances further, bipartisan collaboration and stakeholder engagement will be essential in realizing its potential benefits for individuals, businesses, and the environment. 

Participating brands gain access to trusted insights to rise above the competition.

BOULDER, CO (April 4, 2024) – A member-led collective and the outdoor industry’s catalyst for meaningful change, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced a new Outdoor Brand Benchmarking Study, which focuses on key finance and business operations benchmarks to help brands understand their position in the market compared to competitors and make informed decisions to drive growth and profitability.

Participants will receive the full results from the study in OIA’s Outdoor Brand Benchmarking Report, which includes:

• Financial Performance: Key financial ratios and detailed indicators across Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements, such as revenue growth, profit margins, inventory turnover, and cash cycle.
• Business Operations: Benchmarks focus on metrics such as SKU count, sales channel mix, marketing mix and ROI, sourcing mix, number of employees, and sales per employee.
• Actionable Best Practices: Tailored strategies cover revenue and profit optimization, asset management, marketing and sales, sourcing and manufacturing, employee productivity, and innovation.
• Targeted Insights: Groupings by company size and product line help pinpoint opportunities within specific industry segments and compared to top performers.

“In an evolving and dynamic market, it’s crucial to know where your business stands versus the competition. Participating in this study provides brands with the strategic intelligence needed to drive growth, efficiency, and profitability,” said Kent Ebersole, President of OIA. “Our report ensures decision-makers have access to relevant data for all major business functions so that they can gauge the effectiveness of business operations, set internal goals, and be an industry leader.”

Participating in the study is easy and secure. As the sole and trusted source for finance and business operations benchmarks in the outdoor industry, OIA ensures that information is held confidential and anonymized by third-party survey administrator Qualtrics. Entering company data is straightforward through a secure survey link and takes just 90 minutes to complete. Participants have the flexibility to pause and resume the survey at their convenience and share it within their organization for collaboration.

OIA invites brands to join the benchmarking study to access data worth tens of thousands of dollars, unavailable anywhere else, and position their brand for success. Brands do not have to be OIA members to participate. The deadline to complete the study is May 8th, and participation is free. Interested brands can learn more and sign up here.

About Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

BOULDER, CO (March 19, 2024) – A member-led collective and the outdoor industry’s catalyst for meaningful change, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today released key insights from its new 2024 Outdoor Retail Sales Trends Report. Produced in partnership with Circana, the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, the report details 2023 US retail sales trends in chain, e-commerce, and specialty channels across major outdoor product categories including apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment.

 Key findings from the report include the following:

• The market was down 3% to $27.5 billion in total outdoor retail sales 
• All three retail channels experienced declines, with at least half of Independent Outdoor Specialty Retailers suffering a double-digit decline in dollars sold
• Three of the four major product categories contracted (Apparel, Footwear, Equipment), while the Accessories category grew
• New, more casual participants are changing the product mix in the outdoor market

“Overall, while the outdoor market faced challenges in 2023, there remains great opportunity for growth by understanding emerging market and consumer trends,” said Kent Ebersole, President of OIA. “Our new partnership with Circana provides our members with the turnkey access and insights needed to make informed decisions, adapt quickly to a changing landscape, and drive growth.”

“Circana is thrilled to partner with OIA on this valuable initiative giving association members streamlined access to a holistic, 360-degree view of outdoor market retail sales and trends,” said Michele Arnold, vice president of sports equipment at Circana. “With data collected directly from retailers and covering nearly 600 product categories, Circana is the leading provider of retail trends data to the outdoor market and beyond.” 

OIA’s new membership benefit equips industry brands with retail sales data at scalable levels to fit individual business needs, including monthly and annual access, along with exclusive insights, education, and training. Full membership benefits are detailed here.

To provide deeper analysis and insights, OIA will also host a free webinar on Thursday, March 21st, 2024 featuring industry experts and channel leaders as they discuss the dominant retail trends of 2023, forecasted trends for 2024, and strategies for success in the outdoor industry. Panelists include Travis Campbell, Owner and CEO of Eagle Creek, and Hy Rosario, Director of Outdoor at HOKA, as well as a presentation from Matthew Tucker, Director of Client Development for Circana.

Download the Executive Summary of the 2024 Outdoor Retail Sales Trends Report here.

About Outdoor Industry Association  

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org

About Circana

Circana is the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through unparalleled technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data, and deep expertise, we provide clarity that helps almost 7,000 of the world’s leading brands and retailers take action and unlock business growth. We understand more about the complete consumer, the complete store, and the complete wallet so our clients can go beyond the data to apply insights, ignite innovation, meet consumer demand, and outpace the competition. Learn more at www.circana.com.

Media Contact: Chris Denny / Denny, ink. / 435-655-1609 / chris@dennyink.com

BOULDER – Reports of a new Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences in Connecticut today were praised by outdoor industry stakeholders across the country, including Outdoor Industry Association president, Kent Ebersole, who issued the following statement:

“From coast to coast, it is encouraging to see the growing number of states prioritizing their local outdoor recreation economies,” said Kent Ebersole, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “The reason for this momentum is simple: the outdoor recreation economy accounts for more than $1 trillion in consumer spending nationwide and supports more than five million hard-working employees and their families across the nation. Furthermore, the number of Americans who participate in the outdoors has increased to new heights for eight consecutive years, with over 56% of the population getting outside. We welcome the state of Connecticut to this movement and look forward to working with policymakers there to increase access to public lands and waterways, advance conservation efforts, and increase outdoor participation, so everyone can experience the benefits from spending time outdoors.”

Duncan to reinforce Foundation’s mission of getting people outside for their health, the health of communities, and the health of the outdoor industry

BOULDER, CO (January 8th, 2024) –  Outdoor Foundation (OF), the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), is proud to welcome Lesford Duncan, MPH, as its new Executive Director. Lesford joins the Foundation with over a decade of experience in public management in government and nonprofit sectors. A proven and collaborative leader in outdoor equity and youth development, he has leveraged philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and programmatic best practices to promote the resilience and well-being of children, families, and communities. His previous roles include Senior Director of Programs and Associate Executive Director at Outdoor Outreach and most recently the Chief Executive Officer of the Greening Youth Foundation, the international nonprofit working to cultivate the next generation of diverse environmental leaders.

Throughout his career, Duncan has worked to lead and support coalitions and develop innovative programs addressing issues at the intersection of outdoor recreation, environmental justice, and health. He has led and collaborated on local, state, and federal public policy efforts to reduce barriers to outdoor access, advocate for equitable conservation and environmental justice, and promote the health and well-being of communities. He has also worked closely with the Outdoor Foundation over the past four years, supporting Thrive Outside Communities in San Diego and Atlanta, and serving as a board member of the Outdoor Foundation.

Through community grant-making and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation works with partners across the country to address equity barriers and help make the outdoors accessible for all. The Foundation’s Thrive Outside Community Initiative awards multi-year, capacity-building grants to diverse communities to create repeat and reinforcing positive outdoor experiences for children and families. The core goal of the Thrive Outside Community Initiative is to create healthy individuals, communities, and economies by making the outdoors a key component of daily life. 

“Lesford brings to this role an impressive track record of creating outdoor opportunities for children, youth, and families who have faced barriers to making the outdoors a part of their lives,” said Amy Dominguez-Arms, Outdoor Foundation Board Chair. “The board is excited to work with Lesford to expand our support for Thrive Outside Communities – where diverse civic leaders are mobilizing and coordinating resources to make meaningful outdoor experiences available to all. With Lesford at the helm, we look forward to capitalizing on our valuable partnership with OIA to magnify our impact in the years ahead.” 

“With the support of the Outdoor Foundation board and team, I am honored to lead the Foundation and to contribute to a mission that resonates deeply with me; fostering deep and sustained relationships between communities and nature, and cultivating a more inclusive outdoors where we all find joy, recreation, and well-being,” said Duncan. “Together, with the talented team at the Outdoor Foundation and our partners at OIA, we look forward to supporting collaborative and innovative efforts to increase outdoor access and promote community health through outdoor recreation.”

Duncan is an avid kayaker, ultramarathon runner, and mountaineer. Born to Jamaican parents who instilled in him the values of adventure, persistence, and curiosity, he is proud to have placed a small Jamaican flag at Mt. Everest Base Camp. The Outdoor Foundation looks to a promising future strengthening the multitude of networks that build accessibility and inclusivity in the outdoors with Duncan at the helm.

 

About Outdoor Foundation

The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, is a national 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people outside for their health, the health of communities, and the health of the outdoor industry. Through community investment and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation works to create a more inclusive and accessible outdoor experience for all. Visit outdoorfoundation.org for more information.

About the Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org

BOULDER, Colo. (November 29, 2023) – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole today released the following statement commending the introduction of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act in the U.S. House:

“We are thrilled to see Congress taking bipartisan action to ensure each American has the opportunity to enjoy outdoor spaces in their own community, bolster economic growth, and advance mental and physical health benefits for all, and thank House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva for their leadership on this bill. The outdoor recreation economy continues to soar to new levels, accounting for over $1 trillion in consumer spending and demonstrating participant growth for the eighth consecutive year. This is an important inflection point. We must modernize, preserve, and increase access to the public lands and waterways – regardless of where someone lives or works – and support more than five million employees who help drive our industry forward.”

Since its initial introduction by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in 2021, OIA has also strongly advocated for the companion America’s Outdoor Recreation Act which aims to bring green spaces to more people and expand access to the great outdoors.

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About the Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

BOULDER, CO (November 27, 2023) – A member-led collective and the outdoor industry’s catalyst for meaningful change, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today proudly announces that Julie M.H. Brown has joined the team as Director of Sustainable Business Innovation. In her new role, Brown will direct and manage OIA’s sustainability department in its mission to unite, empower and guide the outdoor industry to become climate positive by 2030.

Along with driving all OIA sustainability initiatives into the future, Brown will oversee OIA’s Climate Action Corps, the consortium consisting of over 75 outdoor businesses that has already made significant and crucial progress on measuring, setting targets, reducing emissions, and advocating for bold policy action in Congress. She will also lead OIA’s Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition (CCMC), the comprehensive program that provides OIA members with strategies, scalable action plans, and solutions for thoughtfully phasing out PFAS and other harmful chemicals from their products.

“Julie brings to OIA almost two decades of environmental sustainability experience at the nexus of policy, business and technology. Her knowledge in this critical area will be vital as we continue to provide meaningful council, education, and pragmatic programs to our members,” said Kent Ebersole, President of OIA.

Brown brings a wealth of experience in sustainability to OIA, with a long history of working with brands in the apparel and outdoor markets, where she executed sustainability strategies for global brands, technology companies, and circular economy partners. Most recently she served as Head of Sustainability for EON, a technology company leading the development of cloud-based digital identities for products. Prior to that, Brown worked as Director of the Higg Index at the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, where she collaborated directly with OIA to launch and optimize the Higg Index for the outdoor industry.

“The outdoor industry is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful impact and inspire profound change through sustainable innovation, advocacy, and research. In today’s world, transparency in sustainability performance is not just a choice; it’s a necessity,” said Brown. “I am truly honored to be a part of the OIA team and am looking forward to collaborating with our members to help them achieve their crucial sustainability objectives.”

“Collectively we can create more sustainable practices to ensure the outdoor industry is successful for the health of business, people, and the planet,” Ebersole added.

About Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org

 

 

BOULDER, Colo. – Today, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released new data showcasing the tremendous impact of outdoor recreation on America’s economy. In 2022, the BEA found that outdoor recreation accounted for $1.1 trillion in gross economic output, 2.2% of gross domestic product (GDP), and supported 5 million jobs across the United States.  

“It comes as no surprise that outdoor recreation and the outdoor economy continue to demonstrate outstanding growth, which also supports the historic trends in outdoor participation we have seen in recent years,” said OIA President Kent Ebersole. “The outdoor recreation participant base grew for the eighth consecutive year to a record 168.1 million participants, and new participants are increasingly diverse and looking to businesses to lead on sustainability, equity, and conservation. This new data demonstrates the strength of the outdoor recreation industry and our collective power to drive sustainable economic growth while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone.”  

BEA launched its outdoor recreation economy project in 2017 to “deepen the public’s understanding of the economic impact of outdoor recreation, inform decision making, and improve governance and long-term management of public lands and waters.” 

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About the Outdoor Industry Association  

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.  

 

  

 

BOULDER, Colo.  (September 29, 2023) – Today, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole released the following statement regarding the looming government shutdown on September 30:

“Government shutdowns are bad for business. Although no two shutdowns are alike, and the impact of a shutdown varies from agency to agency, the $862 billion outdoor recreation industry and its 4.5 million employees rely on public lands, waterways, and national parks to be open and accessible to the public. If past experience teaches us anything, we know tens of millions of dollars are at stake for communities and outdoor businesses across the country, not to mention the risk to tens of thousands of hard-working business owners, employees, and families. We strongly encourage all sides to negotiate a plan to keep the federal government running before the funding deadline.”

Washington D.C. (Sep. 28, 2023) — Aligned around the goal of facing unprecedented threats to public lands and waters, three well-established outdoor industry non-profits – representing a quarter million people and 800 businesses – are coming together with an aligned agenda and shared voice to protect the outdoors. The new coalition — Protect America’s Outdoors — is unified by the idea that speaking with one voice on behalf of a huge group of people makes their collective impact stronger.

Outdoor Alliance, The Conservation Alliance, and Outdoor Industry Association are already long-time partners. Outdoor Alliance and The Conservation Alliance are nonprofits working to advocate for the human-powered outdoor recreation community and conservation-minded businesses around protecting America’s wild places and outdoor spaces. Outdoor Industry Association is the trade association for the Outdoor Industry, whose membership champions conservation of public lands for both outdoor recreation and environmental health.

In the last few years, conservation advocates have seen rapid change around public land and outdoor activities. Outdoor recreation participation is at a new high, with more than half of Americans participating in outdoor recreation in 2022. Increased visitation has put pressure on public lands and waters, especially after years of underfunding and short-staffing. What’s more, climate change, and a lack of access to nature for many Americans threatens many communities.

“Protect America’s Outdoors was born out of these challenges,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. “Now is the time to show our collective power and make sure that lawmakers understand the importance of protecting the outdoors — not just for land, water, wildlife conservation, or outdoor recreation, but also for our identity as a nation.”

Shoren Brown, Vice President of Public Affairs for TCA, said: “We’re stronger together. We see tremendous potential to continue and grow the outdoor recreation industry and its economic impact across the country. The ceiling for progress is so much higher when we collaborate with those who share the same vision for conservation.”

The shared policy goals of Protect America’s Outdoors include:

• Conserving America’s Public Lands and Waters
• Making American Lands and Waters Part of Climate Solutions
• Supporting Sustainable and Equitable Outdoor Recreation Access
• Ensuring Funding for Conservation and Stewardship

Outdoor recreation’s economic impact has also continued to grow in recent years, contributing $862 billion in gross economic output to the U.S. economy in 2021, and sustaining more than 4.5 million jobs. Communities around the country are looking to expand outdoor recreation opportunities to enhance residents’ quality of life and support diversified local economies.

The time is now for policymakers to take action to protect the outdoors and everything they provide for the American people.

Learn more about Protect America’s Outdoors, including shared policy goals and past successes, at www.ProtectingAmericasOutdoors.com.

About Outdoor Alliance, The Conservation Alliance and Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Alliance is a coalition of 10 member-based organizations representing the human-powered outdoor recreation community. The coalition includes Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Whitewater, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, The Mountaineers, the American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, Colorado Mountain Club, and Surfrider Foundation. It represents the interests of the millions of Americans who climb, paddle, mountain bike, ski, and enjoy coastal recreation on our nation’s public lands, waters, and snowscapes. outdooralliance.org

The Conservation Alliance is an organization of like-minded businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas. Membership in the Alliance is open to all companies who care about protecting our most threatened wild places for habitat and outdoor recreation. Since its inception in 1989, The Conservation Alliance has contributed more than $21 million, helped to protect more than 51 million acres of wildlands; protect 3,107 miles of rivers; stop or remove 34 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase 14 climbing areas. conservationalliance.com

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth and climate positivity while protecting the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For information, visit outdoorindustry.org.