Ranking 5th in the nation, Maine’s outdoor industry generates 3.3% of the state’s economy. With numbers like that, Senator Angus King has a sharp eye on policies like those in the Great American Outdoors Act and the Build Back Better Act, which is currently going under debate in Congress. In today’s episode, OIA government affairs director Rich Harper speaks with King and OIA Government Affairs Committee Chair and LL Bean Executive Chairman Shawn Gorman about why they support federal...

This is the second in our series about international trade and trade policy. In this episode, our director of government affairs Rich Harper and three members of our Trade Advisory Council, discuss the recent precipitous rise in shipping costs, which, on top of punitive tariffs, trade wars and the global pandemic, have made it difficult for our member companies to remain nimble and competitive. Recently, OIA sent a letter to the White House, calling on this administration to invite all...

Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-2nd) speaks with OIA’s Director of Policy, Rich Harper, to discuss his recently introduced Civilian Climate Corps proposal, which has been included in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. Neguse also talks about his Parks, Jobs and Equity Act, which would invest millions of dollars into urban parks, creating thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars in local economic growth. Rich and the Congressman talk about the industry’s role in passing these...

Hear from OIA's Director of Policy, Rich Harper, and members of the OIA Trade Advisory Council (OIATAC) as they discuss the council's important policy role. In this conversation, Rich is joined by Sara Bowersox, Sr. Manager, Global Trade Compliance, KEEN Footwear; Ben Christensen, Vice President, Operations, Simms Fishing Products; and Jeff Tooze, Vice President, Global Customs & Trade, Columbia Sportswear.

In the second episode of our new series that’s all about climate action, Amy Horton, OIA senior director of sustainable business innovation, and Greg Gausewitz, product sustainability manager for REI, chat about the recent release of REI’s updated Impact Standards and how the retailer hopes the new sustainability and DEI standards will drive meaningful shifts among outdoor brands. He previews what REI vendor meetings will look like now that the new standards are out, and he explains why the...

In the first episode of our new series that's all about climate action, Amy Horton, OIA senior director of sustainable business innovation, and Deborah Williams, OIA director of marketing, communications and storytelling, discuss the most impactful strategies for reducing and reversing global warming by the year 2050 and how the OIA Climate Policy Agenda aims to drive those strategies through a combination of responsible business and federal, state and local legislation. ...

The 2020 election will be one of the most consequential contests for the outdoor recreation economy. Following enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act, our top priorities are all on the ballot – from tackling climate change and preserving our public lands and waters to expanding access to the outdoors for all Americans to new investments in green infrastructure and close-to-home recreation as outdoor companies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. What can outdoorists expect from the next...

Can companies in the outdoor industry afford to lean into climate action in the midst and immediate aftermath of a pandemic? That's the question being discussed around the campfire today. Jessie Curry, OIA's Sustainable Business Manager; Jenn Swain, Global Senior Sustainability Manager at Burton; JJ Trout, Chief of Staff at People for Bikes; Chris Sautter, Product Development Center Director at Yakima; and Greg Foweraker, who heads up Product Integrity at GSI Outdoors chat candidly about...

Four specialty retail shop owners across the country and an expert in consumer trends and retail strategy gather around the fire to discuss the immediate aftermath of the COVID “shutdown,” the steps they’re taking to reopen or reposition their businesses, the safety precautions they’re using and how they’re recouping their losses. From day-to-day operations adjustments (adjusted hours, curbside pickup, delivery) to staffing changes; creative inventory strategy to quick-start e-commerce...

Outdoor industry businesses and employees have been overwhelmed by the impacts of the COVID-19 situation for months now, trying to stay safe while keeping themselves afloat. But as we begin to realize that COVID-19 will be part of our lives for some time, how do individuals and businesses in the outdoor industry move from treading water to being agile and successful in our “new normal?” Join us around the campfire as we discuss how members of the outdoor industry can create resiliency to...

Leaders of four outdoor industry advocacy organizations — each representing different but overlapping stakeholder groups — gather around the “fire” for an intimate and candid conversation about the public land conservation and access issues that matter to outdoor users and the outdoor economy. Where do the organizations’ policy priorities intersect and where do they diverge? How can members of each organization best support the policy initiatives through in-person and virtual advocacy amid...

As the country begins to contemplate reopening local, county, state and national public lands, parks and trails after the COVID-19 closures, five experts gather around the fire to discuss how to do it expeditiously but safely.

In this short episode, we look back on the highlights of Day 2 at OR and preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 3 at Summer Market. You can view Thursday's full OIA events and education agenda here: outdoorindustry.org/event/oia-outdoor-retailer/ To learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies, click here: outdoorindustry.org/        

In this short episode, we look back on the highlights of Day 1 at OR and preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 2 at Summer Market. You can view Wednesday's full OIA events and education agenda here: outdoorindustry.org/event/oia-outdoor-retailer/ To learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies, click here: outdoorindustry.org/

You’ve got sustainability questions; we’ve got answers. Wherever you are on your journey to sustainability, we’re here to help. In 2019, we are helping OIA companies to Walk the Walk by hosting a series of sustainability boot camps. They are designed to help small to mid-sized brands that have limited to no dedicated sustainability staff or expertise to accelerate sustainability improvements and meet (or exceed) customer expectations. The camps are intensive full-day sessions combining...

Last week, in an overwhelming display of bipartisan support, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Natural Resources Management Act. This comes after it successfully passed through the Senate earlier in February, which means it now goes to the president for his signature. This is an enormous win for the outdoor industry, as the package includes many different components, including permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In this episode, OIA’s Managing...

In the past two weeks, America has experienced what can only be described as whiplash as Congressional leadership, the Senate, House and President Trump bicker over funding priorities and principles. The President has flip-flopped on his insistence for border wall funding and his threats of government shutdown. On December 13, the day we recorded part 1 of this two-part Lame Duck series, we were still optimistic that a handful of important public lands bills—including the Land and Water...

When the calendar turns over to January 2019, we'll welcome many new faces on Capital Hill. Likewise, we'll say goodbye to any legislative measures on Congress's docket that do not get passed before the Senate and House of Representatives adjourn for the year. In this episode, OIA's Jessica Wahl talks to Deborah Williams about the work that OIA is doing to get bills passed before the finish line and how this will impact the outdoor industry. 

This episode is the third in a series about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), America’s premier federal program that reinvests offshore energy revenue into conservation to ensure that we all have access to the outdoors. Congress created the LWCF almost a half-century ago to guarantee America’s natural, historic and outdoor recreation heritage. Most likely, there’s a park, trail, greenway or waterway very close to you that was funded in part or in whole by LWCF dollars. In this...

Saturday is Day 3 of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, and it will feature the third of our OIA lunch sessions. Hear from OIA’s new State and Local Policy Director David Weinstein about the lunch panel he’ll moderate to bring attendees up to speed on the growing trend of state outdoor recreation offices. Learn what you can do for them and what they can do for you. Also, find out about the resources and goodies on offer at the OIA booth, #30001-UL of the Colorado Convention Center. View...

This is our short preview of what’s coming up on Day 2 of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. In this episode we again hear from OIA Executive Director Amy Roberts about Friday’s OIA lunch session. The topic: “How Change Happens: Why do some social movements succeed while others don’t?” Roberts explains why she invited author Leslie Crutchfield to talk at this year’s trade show and how Crutchield’s expertise can help guide the outdoor industry moving forward into 2019 and beyond. Also on the...

In this short episode, we preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 1 of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, which begins Thursday, November 8, in Denver. Beginning with the Industry Breakfast at 7 a.m. and ending with the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award, the first day is packed with informative and inspiring programming. OIA’s Executive Director Amy Roberts talks about breakfast keynote Leslie Ghize of the TOBE Report, who will share insights about how today’s brands and specialty...

In this short interview, OIA’s managing content editor Deborah Williams sits down with Jimmy Chin to talk about to talk about the newest film that he and his wife, documentary filmmaker Chai Vasarhelyi created about Alex Honnold's free solo climb of El Cap: National Geographic’s Free Solo. Jimmy talks about the ethical questions that arose throughout the project and the team’s desire to reflect an accurate and unflinching portrait of Alex Honnold. He also talks about why this project and the...

Live from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, Deborah Williams brings you the highlights of the day's news, must-attend events, and the hottest products.