Ann Obenchain (aobenchain@outdoorindustry.org)

Retail sales for all core outdoor stores combined (chain, internet, specialty)* grew 2% compared to last April, moving from $339M to $347M,according to the most recent edition of The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report, produced for OIA by the Leisure ...read more

On Wednesday, May 13, from 2:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. (MDT) Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will jumpstart the 2009 Outdoor University® retail education program with Staffing for Summer: Hire Wisely, No Regrets, a live Webinar workshop designed to provide retailers with ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced its 2009 Outdoor University® retail education program. The 2009 program, consisting of monthly, one-hour webinar workshops, is designed to help improve business infrastructure, ensure skill development and provide information on ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the fielding of the Outdoor Retailer Financial and Operational Benchmarking Survey and is seeking retail participation.Created in conjunction with input from an advisory panel of independent outdoor retailers, the OIA report will ...read more

January 2009 retail sales for all core outdoor stores (chain, internet, specialty)* started off the new year on a mixed note, according to the most recent edition of The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Outdoor Topline Report, produced for OIA by the Leisure Trends Group. ...read more

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 ...read more

Results of the executive committee officer election for the OIA Eco Working Group were announced Monday, January 19, 2009, by Outdoor Industry Association (OIA). The executive committee oversees the governance of the OIA Eco Working Group and develops the strategies to establish ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA), has retained industry heavyweights Paul Gagner and Charlie Lunan to assist with special projects targeted at increasing the communications and business resources for association members in the uncertain economic business climate.Paul Gagner, ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today unveiled its strategy to assist specialty retailers in strengthening their businesses in 2009 as businesses continue to grapple with unpredictable market shifts. As part of its refined strategic direction, the OIA Retail Program will focus ...read more

While early predictors show evidence of a decline in specific outdoor channels starting in November 2008, outdoor industry sales have remained fairly robust since the nation officially entered a recession in December 2007; posting a healthy 9.6% increase overall and outpacing ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), in conjunction with Piper Jaffray, recently surveyed industry executives with respect to their view of current economic prospects, recovery timeline, cost inflation, and the effect of tightenened credit markets on near-term business operations. ...read more

Overall September numbers reported in the most recent edition of The Outdoor Topline Report, produced for Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) by the Leisure Trends Group are a mixed bag as September saw one of the worst economic crisis in recent history affect all types of ...read more

Core outdoor retailers have been able to see the silver lining in a soft economy so far this year as sales continue to grow in a tough retail landscape. August sales in all three channels (specialty, chain, internet)* totaled $346M, 12% above August 2007, according to the most ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the release of the 2008 Manufacturer Financial Performance Report. The report, the first of its kind, is part of two separate reports: The 2008 Manufacturer Financial Performance Report and the 2008 Manufacturer Employee ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the release of the 2008 Manufacturer Employee Compensation Report. The report, the first of its kind, is part of two separate reports: The 2008 Manufacturer Financial Performance Report and the 2008 Manufacturer Employee ...read more

Core outdoor retailers kept up the positive momentum in July, in spite of tough economic conditions. Sales in all three channels (specialty, chain, internet)* totaled $372M, a full 10% above July 2007, according to the July edition of The Outdoor Topline Report, produced for ...read more

With gas prices through the roof and air travel becoming the stuff of nightmares, Americans are looking for a better alternative for their 2008 summer vacations. Enter the "staycation" – an idea that you don’t have to travel far to have a great time. Savvy outdoor retailers ...read more

Consumers geared up to get out in May, snapping up products such as tents, sleeping bags, packs, climbing gear, water bottles, camp accessories, shell jackets, hiking boots, trail running shoes, multisport shoes and sportswear, all of which made significant gains over May 2007 ...read more

On Thursday, October 2, Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) Rendezvous™ conference attendees will have an opportunity to roll up their sleeves for an afternoon of community service at one of Boston's oldest parks. OIA and Timberland, along with The Appalachian Mountain Club ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and The Conservation Alliance announced today a collaboration to present a special seminar to provide outdoor industry leaders the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with two of today’s leading voices in the conservation field and discuss how ...read more

April 2008 was a positive month for the outdoor industry, as sales grew 6% in dollars against April 2007, according to the Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Topline Report (produced by the Leisure Trends Group).Sales grew across all outdoor retail channels (Chain, Specialty ...read more

Quarter 1 2008 ended on a high note for the outdoor industry, as sales grew 9% in dollars against Q1 2007, according to the Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Topline Report (produced by the Leisure Trends Group). Sales grew across all outdoor retail channels (Chain, Specialty ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announced today a partnership with MultiView Inc., a leading publisher of Online Supplier Directories (OLSD) for national associations, to launch the Outdoor Industry Directory.The Outdoor Industry Directory will provide OIA members and other ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the program for its 2008 Outdoor University national tour. Designed to give specialty retail store owners, managers, and staff tools to improve their business operations and market competitiveness, Outdoor University will be ...read more

Senator Gordon Smith from Oregon and Representative Mark Udall from Colorado will be this year's recipients of the “Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award” for their leadership and dedication to the active outdoor recreation industry. The awards will be presented during Outdoor ...read more

The Outdoor Foundation Teens Outside program partners youth with mentors across the country and introduces them to close-to-home recreation and outdoor activities. Utilizing existing high-quality youth-oriented programs, Teens Outside connects hard-to-reach teens with outdoor ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association, the national trade group representing over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry, and American Hiking Society, the only national organization that protects foot trails and the hiking ...read more

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Board of Directors recently approved the formation of the OIA Political Action Committee. The new political action committee, known as OIAPAC, will support candidates seeking election to Congress or the presidency.OIAPAC will support ...read more

OIA agenda supports active outdoor recreation industry by dvocating for increased funding for recreation destinations and ensuring fair treatment of our innovative products through the global supply chain.The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Board of Directors recently approved ...read more

Outdoor Manufacturers Needed to Participate in Industry Operational SurveyOutdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the fielding of the first-ever Outdoor Manufacturers Operational Report.Created in conjunction with input from an advisory panel of over 30 outdoor ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) last week announced the recipients of the 2008 Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award and Outdoor Industry Innovator Awards, as nominated by the outdoor industry and then selected by OIA's Board of Directors. The awards were presented at the Industry ...read more

Outdoor University, an Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) event, recently announced its 2008 national schedule. The program, which provides regional retailers with training aimed at equipping them with tools to help improve their profitability, will be offered at four sessions ...read more

This fall, hundreds of high level outdoor industry professionals will head to Boston for Outdoor Industry Association's (OIA) 13th annual Rendezvous, the premier leadership and learning conference for the industry.Held at the Boston Park Plaza, in Boston, Massachusetts September ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announced today it will partner with Boxwood Technology, Inc., the leading provider of online career centers for associations, to create an Outdoor Industry Career Center and job board. The Outdoor Industry Career Center is a natural progression ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), the premier trade association for the active outdoor lifestyle industry, and Nielsen Business Media (NBM), parent company of Outdoor Retailer, today jointly announced a 15-year strategic alliance that will boost efforts to ensure the long term ...read more

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced the finalists for the 2008 Outdoor Industry Ambassador Award and Outdoor Industry Innovator Award, as nominated by the outdoor industry and then selected by OIA’s Board of Directors. The award winners will be announced at the ...read more