Be an Advocate with Patagonia at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2010

Continuing to encourage everyone to be an advocate for the planet, Patagonia is giving Outdoor Retailer attendees the opportunity to gear up at reduced prices and support conservation efforts. To celebrate the launch of its super versatile moccasin, the Advocate, Patagonia is selling the lightweight slip-on for $20 (Patagonia Footwear booth 13043). Proceeds benefit 1% For The Planet. Attendees also have the opportunity to support Conservacion Patagonica through the purchase of Patagonia’s new Refugio daypack for $30 (Patagonia booth 13027) – a stand out daypack from Patagonia’s modern, all-new daypack collection.

Additionally, the Patagonia Footwear team invites show goers and industry colleagues to share how they plan to be an advocate for the planet in 2010. Patagonia will upload select videos to its Facebook page and encourage consumers to do the same. Sales will begin at the Advocate Happy Hour at 4 pm on Thursday, January 21 in both booths (13027 and 13043) and continue throughout the show while supplies last.

ABOUT THE ADVOCATE MOC: Patagonia has partnered with 1% For The Planet to create a clean and simple, ultra comfy, lightweight slip-on with a purpose. The Advocate is a super packable, go-anywhere moc that can hook to a backpack or stow in a glove compartment ready for your next adventure. By co-branding the Advocate with 1% For The Planet, Patagonia aims to increase awareness of the organization and get more companies and consumers on board. The Advocate will retail for $50 starting in July, but as a promotion at Outdoor Retailer, it will be available for $20 with proceeds benefiting 1% For The Planet.

ABOUT THE REFUGIO DAY PACK: The Refugio, which debuts at Outdoor Retailer, is a three-compartment day pack that features an airflow mesh back panel and shoulder straps, ample internal organization, two exterior waterbottle pockets and v-pull compression straps for load management. The padded computer sleeve is raised for protection and doubles as a hydration reservoir with exterior port. At 1526 cubic inches and $75 retail, a limited number of Refugio day packs will available for purchase at $30 for Outdoor Retailer attendees. Proceeds benefit Conservacion Patagonia.

ABOUT 1% FOR THE PLANET: In 2001, a mountain climber and a fisherman realized they had a lot more in common than the disdain for wearing a suit to work. Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Files, were also passionate environmentalists who happened to be running successful businesses. More importantly, they understood it was good business to protect the natural resources that kept them in business. Thus, 1 % For the Planet was born, and today is a growing global movement of more than 1,246 companies that donate 1% of their sales to a network of environmental organizations worldwide.

ABOUT CONCERVACION PATAGONICA: Created in 2000 to protect and restore the Wildland Ecosystems in Patagonia, Conservacion Patagonica has already placed 460,000 acres of critical Patagonian habitat into permanent protection. The organization has successfully created one Argentine national park, and is in the process of creating a second in Chile.

Patagonia, with sales last year of $315M, is noted internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism. Its Environmental Grants Program has contributed over $35M to grassroots environmental activists since the program began in 1985. Incorporating environmental responsibility into product development, the company has, since 1996, used only organically-grown cotton in its clothing line and in Fall 2010 77% of its products are recyclable. Known for a unique corporate culture, the company was named The Coolest Company on the Planet by Fortune Magazine in 2007.