Cosmically Cool Ideas for Holiday Promotions Online Training Webinar S

For Immediate Release:

Cosmically Cool Ideas for Holiday Promotions Online Training Webinar Set for September 9

BOULDER, CO (August 26, 2009) – On Wednesday, September 9, from 2:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. (MDT) Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will present Cosmically Cool Ideas for Holiday Promotions, a live Webinar workshop designed to help retailers create effective holiday promotions and marketing.

In a survey conducted for the 2007 OIA Specialty Retail Operational Report, more retailers (53%) attributed increased sales to improved advertising than to eight other reasons, including more advertising and a strong economy. During an economic downturn major brands and retailers often shift their focus to conserving cash and reducing marketing budgets. Marketing professionals argue that a recession is the best time to boost marketing activity.

Presented by Gregg Bagni with Alien Truth Communications, Cosmically Cool Ideas for Holiday Promotionswill reveal how to:

·Keep a constant flow of promotions going

·Expand rental or outfitter business

·Focus on existing customers

·Reinvigorate community relations

·Think of more out-of-this-world promotional ideas

“As other brands and retailers dial down their messaging there is that much less clutter to break through. So even if you don’t have more money to spend on advertising, this is a good time to really focus what marketing you can afford. And right now some of the best returns on investment can be made by focusing on existing customers, building up their online communities with user-generated content and generating public relations,” said Ann Obenchain, vice president of member services and marketing for OIA.

Cosmically Cool Ideas for Holiday Promotionsis the fifth of nine retail workshops in the 2009 OIA Outdoor University® program. Outdoor University is offered free to OIA members and for $99 per webinar for non members. Pre-registration is required. For complete information on the Outdoor University program, speakers or to register, visit www.outdoorindustry.org

Outdoor University 2009 Schedule

• Wednesday, September 9 Cosmically Cool Ideas for Holiday Promotions
• Wednesday, October 14 Harnessing email and e-commerce to Drive Holiday Traffic
• Wednesday, November 11 Turning Shoppers into Buyers 
• Wednesday, December 9 Maintaining Margin During the Holidays
• Wednesday, January 13 Managing Consumer Buzz on Social Media

Outdoor University is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors: Outdoor Retailer, JanSport, Woolrich, 3point5.com, The Leisure Trends Group, Alien Truth Communications, Base Camp Communications, Creative Business Consulting Group, Darby Communications, Gluskin Townley Group, Pale Morning Media, The Mann Group, and Redwood Creek.

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About Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous®, Outdoor University®, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer tradeshows. For more information go to www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.