Dawson Wheeler of Rock/Creek Named to Retail Advisory Board

Top outdoor retailers assembled to nominate National Geographic Adventure’s “Best of Adventure” gear awards. Owner of Chattanooga-based retailer, Rock/Creek Outfitters, named to advisory board.

Chattanooga, TN (PRWEB) September 28, 2006 — National Geographic Adventure magazine announced the collaboration of an advisory board of 45 top outdoor retailers nationwide who will be responsible for recommending products for the magazine’s fourth annual year-end “Best of Adventure” gear awards. Dawson Wheeler, co-owner of Rock/Creek Outfitters, Chattanooga, TN, has been invited to be a part of this highly esteemed advisory board that will be nominating gear based on their innovation, utility/functionality, value and design. He brings over two decades of outdoor retail experience to the table and will draw on a lifetime of outdoor pursuits. Dawson’s adventures encompass everything from through-hiking the Appalachian Trail for his honeymoon to climbing the Grand Teton. He is also an avid Elvis memorabilia collector. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with these guys,” Dawson says; “I think the board represents some of the best minds in outdoor retail.”

Dawson Wheeler, an avid road biker, runner, and president of the highly successful Rock/Creek Outfitters in Chattanooga, TN, has been involved in the outdoor industry for over 20 years. Dawson’s innovative ideas, savvy marketing and cutting edge approach to business have kept Rock/Creek at the forefront of outdoor specialty retail. In the process of creating a business with an ongoing commitment to the environment, he has indirectly formed relationships that have been incredibly important in opening up access for climbing, biking and hiking in the Chattanooga area. “Dawson’s commitment to the outdoors has been instrumental in securing access locally and his retail expertise has helped shape more than a couple vendors’ offerings through the years,” explains Chad Wykle, sales rep for Chaco and Marmot.

“Input from the sharpest retailers in the business will make our gear coverage more compelling than ever before. The members of this board are the real experts on the ground — they have relationships with their customers and know what the customers want. Buying and owning great gear keeps our readers out there on the quest for adventure,” said National Geographic Adventure Editor in Chief John Rasmus.

Recipients of the “Best of Adventure” gear awards will be announced at a gala event on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, DC.

About Rock/Creek:

Rock/Creek Outfitters is a specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, www.RockCreek.com and www.ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek Outfitters provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve access to the backcountry.

About National Geographic Adventure Magazine:

National Geographic Adventure, winner of four National Magazine Awards, including the 2003 Award for Leisure Interests and the 2002 Award for General Excellence, was launched in 1999 as a quarterly to serve an audience of active, adventurous readers and to propel National Geographic’s mission of exploration and discovery into the new century. The magazine rapidly expanded in both publishing frequency and circulation size. Now published 10 times a year, with a rate base of 525,000, it is available by subscription (800-NGS-LINE) and on newsstands in the United States ($4.95) and Canada ($6.95). The magazine’s Web site is www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure.