Travel & Outdoor Gear
Outdoor Industry Association Awarded Portland Development Commission Grant for Development of Industry Eco Index
January 13, 2010
BOULDER, CO, January 13, 2010 – Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) has received a $10,000 grant from the Portland Development Commission (PDC) that will allow OIA to finalize the development of the association’s Outdoor Product Environmental Leadership Standard (OPELS) project, a family of environmental leadership standards for outdoor products scheduled to debut in August 2010. The Phase 1 Eco Index, scheduled to be released at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2010, will include guidelines for packaging, product manufacturing and materials used in outdoor products as well as tools for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, water and waste. The initial Index will be open for beta testing by global brands. The final Eco Index will be released in winter 2011. OIA has also announced plans to develop a companion tool focusing on fair labor practices and recently opened collaboration with the European Outdoor Group to ensure global adoption of the index. OIA will hold a panel discussion... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases Travel & Outdoor GearEddie Bauer Sponsors Adventure Travel Trade Association, 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit
August 25, 2009
(SEATTLE) – (August 24, 2009) – Forty-six years ago, Jim Whittaker, donning Eddie Bauer mountaineering gear, became the first American to summit Mount Everest. Today, Eddie Bauer is in the midst of its significant launch of a new adventure and mountaineering gear and apparel line. To reclaim its mountaineering heritage, Eddie Bauer has launched major promotional efforts, including a year-long Key Sponsorship of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and its 2009 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS). Cooperative marketing exchanges are central to the Eddie Bauer-ATTA agreement, which includes financial backing for the ATTA and cross-promotion. The partnership provides Eddie Bauer with branding exposure and direct access to the association’s trade network, which includes hundreds of outfitters and agents worldwide who serve millions of adventure travelers annually. For its part, the ATTA receives branding exposure for its consumer initiatives such as www.adventure.travel within... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases Travel & Outdoor GearATTA and Teva Introduce Scholarship Program for Adventure Tour Operators
August 20, 2009
(SEATTLE) – To assist deserving adventure tour operators in growing responsibly, today the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Teva® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, NASDAQGS: DECK) announced the launch of a new scholarship program that provides financial support to early-stage adventure tourism enterprises. Providing young businesses with access to the ATTA’s global network, its membership resources and the Adventure Travel World Summit, is the strategic impetus behind the ATTA‘s Tour Operator Scholarships – made possible by Teva. In 2009, three scholarship recipients will receive: A complimentary membership in the ATTA for one year ($500 USD value); One pass to the Summit ($895 USD value); and A $1,000 USD travel stipend for travel to the Summit “Now more than ever, we want to continue supporting the needs and interests of business leaders who are committed to building sustainable businesses in culturally and ecologically rich regions worldwide,” said... Read More →
By the Numbers Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearOutdoor Industry Association Survey Reveals Industry Cautious About Economic Recovery
June 5, 2009
Revenue and inventory plans appear appropriately conservative Boulder, CO, – In a survey released June 1, 2009, by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), small businesses reported they have lowered revenue expectations, reduced inventory levels, and believe their businesses will rebound later than they expected last fall. OIA, in conjunction with Piper Jaffray Companies, recently surveyed industry executives with respect to their view of current economic prospects, recovery timeline, cost inflation, and the effect of tightened credit market on near-term business operations. Results of that survey are now available in a new report entitled, The Piper Jaffray Outdoor Industry Survey. This was the second survey conducted by OIA and Piper Jaffray in the past six months, and reflected a cautious and realistic picture of the economic situation facing the industry. Nearly all respondents were independent businesses with revenues less than $50M annually, which provides an excellent gauge of the... Read More →
Member Press Releases Must Read/View Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearFirst Ascent Team Summits Everest, Including ATTA Advisory Board Emeritus Member Viesturs
May 22, 2009
Viesturs and Whittaker Return Eddie Bauer to the Top of the World SEATTLE, WA – On the morning of May 19, two legendary mountaineers on the First Ascent “Return to Everest” expedition reached the highest point on Earth. Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker stood on the summit with members of their production crew before descending to High Camp at 26,000 feet. Forced to spend an extra 24 hours in the “death zone” while waiting for high winds and whiteout conditions to improve, the team began their final summit push around 11:00 p.m. on the evening of May 18. Their successful summit comes 46 years and 18 days after Whittaker’s uncle, Jim, became the first American to do so, on May 1, 1963. The common thread between the two expeditions besides the Whittaker name: Eddie Bauer was the outfitter, then and now. First Ascent marks Eddie Bauer’s return to its heritage as America’s original expedition outfitter. The Return to Everest expedition includes... Read More →
By the Numbers Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearMarch and Q1 (U.S.) Outdoor Sales Decline, Camping and Internet Sales on Rise
May 6, 2009
BOULDER, CO – March 2009 retail sales for all core outdoor stores (chain, internet, specialty)* combined dropped 5% compared to last March, moving from $369,182,477 to $349,797,17, according to the most recent edition of The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report, produced for OIA by the Leisure Trends Group. Sales for the entire first quarter totaled $1.1B, down 7% from the same period in 2008 Although both chain and specialty stores declined in March and so far this year, with specialty stores down 12% in dollar sales compared to last March and chain stores down 8%, declines softened in both channels and multiple categories gained in each. Signs of life, however, emerged as internet sales were back in the black this month, jumping 14% in dollars over both last March and Q1 2008. Internet Rebounds, Equipment Sales Increase 26% According to the OIA Outdoor Topline Report, internet sales totaled $81M this month, jumping 5% in units, 8% in retail price and 14% in... Read More →
Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearOutdoor Industry Association Launches Economic Confidence Survey
April 21, 2009
BOULDER, CO (April 21, 2009) – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the launch of a new online survey, the results of which will shed light on the outdoor industry’s current economic situation. OIA, in partnership with Piper Jaffray & Co, fielded the Piper Jaffray Economic Confidence Survey to provide real time data about how industry leaders view the macro economic environment and the overall health of the outdoor industry. The survey builds on the initial results collected in its late 2008 survey, entitled Piper Jaffray Survey of Consumer Industry Executives. “Many of our members have told us that they are concerned about employment trends, inventory levels, effects of the credit market and sustainability and environmental trends in our industry,” commented Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. “Outdoor Industry Association is committed to helping our members by providing the critical business information contained in this survey.” The brief survey... Read More →
ATTA Press Releases Travel & Outdoor GearDestinations Continue Building In-Roads with Outdoor Gear Brands
February 26, 2009
ATTA-facilitated meetings at Outdoor Retailer show create new marketing opportunities Continuing to open doors between the adventure travel and outdoor gear industries, the ATTA recently hosted key adventure destinations at the Outdoor Retailer (OR) trade show in Salt Lake City, Utah (June 22-25, 2009). The show is North America’s biggest gathering of outdoor gear manufacturers, retail buyers, media, athletes, associations, and more. More than 16,000 industry professionals attend the winter OR show. All are influencers and/or decision-makers within an industry that reaches millions of North American outdoors enthusiasts – but all are also passionate outdoors people and travelers themselves. “Going into it, I wasn’t sure what we’d be able to get out of [meetings at the OR show], but I was really impressed with the number of meetings the ATTA was able to set up for us,” said Molly Budinsky with Mercury Advertising on behalf of Travel Montana. “I was... Read More →
By the Numbers Partner News Travel & Outdoor Gear2008 Outdoor Sales Gain 5% Despite December Decline
January 30, 2009
BOULDER, CO (January 29, 2009) - Outdoor sales for the entire year in all three core outdoor store channels (chain, internet, specialty)* totaled $5.2B, a 5% gain over 2007, according to the most recent edition of The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report, produced for OIA by the Leisure Trends Group. For the entire year, internet stores and chain stores grew a healthy 18% and 7% respectively, while specialty stores were down 2% in dollars. December Decline According to The OIA Outdoor Topline Report, December retail sales for all core outdoor stores (chain, internet, specialty)* fell 1% in dollars ($1,078,598,888) compared to December 2007 ($1,094,277,086). All declines came from specialty stores, which lost 10% in dollar sales for the month. Positively, chain and internet stores both saw dollar sales increase; chains grew 7% and internet retailers were up 13%. Christmas was tough for retailers across the country, as retail sales fell by record amounts and retailers... Read More →
New & Different Partner News Travel & Outdoor GearOutdoor Industry’s Eco Working Group Developing Product Index
January 8, 2009
BOULDER, CO (January 8, 2009) – “We are engaged in an unprecedented collaboration. It is a clear demonstration of how to collectively rise to a value-driven vision of the Outdoor Industry,” said Kevin Myette, chairman of the Outdoor Industry Association Eco Working Group. “We will soon have hard choices to make as we define the metrics and criteria of industry-wide environmental sustainability. We have the players and resources to do it right. But we always need more participation. Everyone should be at the table to help shape this effort – everyone will likely be affected by it.” Myette was describing the mission and progress of the Eco Working Group between his stints to Asia, Europe and the many REI locations in the US in his role as Director of Product Integrity for REI. Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) formed the Eco Working Group in 2007 to explore issues of environmental sustainability related to the outdoor industry and to develop an industry... Read More →
