A Fistful of Firsts for Outdoor Conservation

Zug, Switzerland – Following a very successful ispo, launching a new identity in a joint party with Patagonia, fundraising with Keen and Berghaus and increasing membership, the European Outdoor Conservation Association is delighted to have been able to clock up some ‘firsts’ from its members as well.

Six new members have joined the Association, either signing straight up at the show, or immediately afterwards – bringing the number of members to 67, a 10% increase in only a week! The Association welcomes Original Buff, Eagle Creek, Cober, Klättermusen, International Sports Marketing Ltd, and new company Roc Noir Skiwear Ltd.

Two members have also added new ideas to the fundraising spectrum for the Association. Original Buff is set to choose and entirely sponsor several of the projects that have applied for funding for 2011, meaning that the total number of projects the Association is able to support this year will increase. And another member, also in a bold move, has pledged to ‘top up’ its membership fee with 1% of its total turnover each year. “We are absolutely delighted to see companies participating in this way”, said EOCA President and General Manager of Patagonia Europe, Holger Bismann, “This type of member involvement is really going to raise the bar as to what the Association can achieve in the future”.

Fundraising events were held on existing members’ stands: Berghaus ran a lecture and a film in conjunction with top climber, Leo Houlding. DVDs of Leo’s latest conquest were sold at the show, raising over €300. Keen also sold bags and an ingenious USB stick in the shape of a miniature Keen sandal on their stand, raising a massive €1,000. All monies raised at the show will go straight into conservation projects in 2012.

Following meetings with over 50 non-members at the show, General Mangers Tanya Bascombe and Catherine Savidge are confident that, as awareness of the Association grows, so too will membership and the funds raised, “We have seen a really positive reaction to our new name and identity at ispo”, said Tanya, “and the reactions we got from companies not yet involved was very enthusiastic”. “The more companies join in, the more money the whole outdoor industry can put back into the environment, through conservation”, added Catherine, “and the customer really cares about that!”

European Outdoor Conservation Association – Outdoor business making a difference through conservation.

Notes to Editors:
The European Outdoor Conservation Association is an initiative from the European outdoor industry with the objective of protecting the wild areas it cares so passionately about. The name was formerly changed in 2010 from the EOG Association for Conservation.

Designed to harness the incredible power of the outdoor industry and to raise money to donate to grassroots conservation groups, the European Outdoor Conservation Association is funded by membership and other fundraising activities within the outdoor industry. 100% of membership fees go to the support of projects.
Membership is open to anyone that can demonstrate an involvement in the outdoor industry.

For more information, please go to www.outdoorconservation.eu
Contacts:
Managers: Tanya Bascombe or Catherine Savidge
Tel: +44 1539 727 255
Email: Tanya@outdoorconservation.eu or Catherine@outdoorconservation.eu