NEMO Partners with Outdoor Industry Brands to Form Ambassador Program for Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers
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The 2200-mile long Appalachian Trail is considered a rite of passage for many serious backpackers and a true test of mettle for both hiker and gear. A testing ground for many brands in the outdoor industry, those who complete this long trail will come to love or hate the gear they have chosen to travel with.
In 2014, Vasque, along with partner brands NEMO Equipment, Inc., Osprey Packs, Leki Trekking Poles and Darn Tough, will offer AT thru-hikers an unique opportunity to use some of the industry’s best gear on the trail, along with access to product support, VIP treatment and a platform for sharing their tales from the trail with the general public.
As an AT Ambassador, each selected thru-hiker will receive product and support from all of the brand partners. Once candidates have been selected, brands will hold educational sessions to ensure the Ambassadors are familiar with their message and can answer questions about the company and products when speaking with others on the trail. In addition, the brand partners will host an exclusive AT Ambassador-only VIP lounge at the Appalachian Trail Days event. The lounge will included free massages, food, drinks, music and more. As a special treat, the brands will also pull together one additional VIP treatment further along the trail.
“We’ve been working with AT and other long trail thru-hikers for years. Having thru-hiked the AT, as well as many other long trails, I understand the excessive amount of wear and tear a thru-hiker puts on his/her gear. Well-designed, thoughtful, and durable products are a necessity, as is the real-world testing it takes to prove and refine a product. We’re excited to team up with other great brands on this project and look forward to working with the new ambassadors,” said NEMO’s Director of Product Design, Suzanne Turell.
The hunt for the perfect candidates is currently open and will be wrapping up on December 15th, at which point the brands will begin evaluating candidates to narrow the team down to a predetermined number. Final candidates will be announced on January 14, 2014. People can follow the stories and adventures of all the AT Ambassadors via the new website www.findoutwhatswithin.com, starting in February.
Thru-hikers planning to hike the AT in 2014 who are interested in participating are encouraged to visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NSDLDZ5. For more information on the AT Ambassador Program, please contact Angie Houck at angie@darbycommunications.com.
Upon the success of the partnership, the brands involved in the AT Ambassador collaboration hope to expand the program to include thru-hikers attempting other long distance trails throughout the US in the coming years.
NEMO Equipment, Inc. is a New Hampshire-based outdoor gear manufacturer bringing high-level design and engineering to the outdoor industry. Founded in 2002 by Cam Brensinger, NEMO’s product line includes AirSupported® and traditional poled tents, sleeping bags, pads and accessories to enhance the outdoor experience. Expanding its product line with camp tools like the Helio™ Pressure Shower, and encouraging collaboration with like-minded brands, NEMO continues to appeal to a larger customer base. For more information and sales inquiries, please contact Brent Merriam, brent@nemoequipment.com, or 603-236-7683 and for media inquiries, Kate Ketschek, kate@revolutionhousemedia.com, or 603-828-1050.
