OIA Hosts “Not to Miss” Events at ORWM 2012

Outdoor Industry Association, the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer, will host a variety of events and Outdoor University® educational workshops during the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market (ORWM) trade show in Salt Lake City, January 18 through 21, 2012.

All OIA events at ORWM are available at no cost to Outdoor Retailer attendees. The full schedule of events include:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19:

OIA Industry Breakfast, presented by The North Face:
The Greening of Business – Pathways to Stronger and Smarter Company Performance
7 am to 9 am (program starts at 7:30 am)
SLC Marriott Downtown, Salons A-J
Andrew Winston, founder of Winston Eco-Strategies and co-author of Green to Gold, explores the landscape of current environmental pressures and economic trends, what they mean for your company, and how they are driving a movement toward smarter, more sustainable business practices. Don’t miss the chance to hear how to respond to global challenges like resource constraints, rising prices, and growing transparency demands while capitalizing on opportunities for increased efficiency and innovation.

Beyond the Eco Index: Innovation in the Wool Supply Chain – Focus on Processing
11 am to 1 pm
SLC Marriott Downtown, Salon E
Discussion around the sustainability opportunities associated with the use of wool, as well as the challenges inherent in its processing, including water use, energy use, and chemicals management. Panelists include: Les Wong, Vice President of Operations, SmartWool; David Carter, Innovation and R&D Manager, Designer Textiles International; Jim Hiers, Sales Manager, Chargeurs; Martin Luger, Schoeller Wool; and Peter Orwick, Executive Director, American Sheep Industry Association.

The Retail Realities of Winter Apparel – What Customers Want and What They’re Buying
12 pm to 1:30 pm
(SLC Marriott Downtown, Salons A-C)
A dynamic look at current sales trends and what they mean for the 2012-13 winter season. Learn about the hot categories, the important price points, and what to expect from consumers in this uncertain marketplace. Panelists include: Kim Brannock, Principal, SY Design; Kristin Choi, GMM, bigskycountry.com; Tracy Collins, GMM, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports; James Hartford, CEO and Chief Market Analyst, SportsOneSource Group; and Marshall Merriam, VP Merchandising, Eastern Mountain Sports.

Can You “Make it in America?”
1:30 pm to 3 pm
SLC Marriott Downtown, Salon E
Explore new opportunities to make your products closer to home, discuss what it takes to market “Made in the USA” around the world, and examine when heading West makes sense and when it doesn’t. Panelists include: Alex Boian, Director of Trade Policy, OIA; James Curleigh, President and CEO, KEEN, Inc.; Rob DeMartini, President and CEO; Kim Glas, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Textiles and Apparel, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce; Cass Johnson, President, National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO); and Geoff O’Keeffe, Vice President Supply Chain, American Recreation Products.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

The Dollars Dating Game – How Outdoor Companies Find and Maintain a Credit Companion Today
10 am to 11:30 am
SLC Marriott Downtown, Salon E
Learn about what credit companions are available, the courtship process, potential deal-breakers for your credit companion, how to maintain a strong relationship with your credit companion and how to recognize if it’s time to move on. Panelists include: Sean Beers, Chief Executive Officer, Korkers Products; Matt Harvey, Director, Prudential Capital Partners; Tony Hull, VP of Commercial Banking Middle Market Division, Key Bank; Bill Kirth, VP of Summit Financial Resources; and Kent Thomas, Founder and CEO, Advanced CFO Solutions.

Training Sucks (And It Can Suck the Life Out of Your Business)
12 pm to 1:30 pm
SLC Marriott Downtown, Salons A-C
Dan Mann, founding partner of The Mann Group, looks at everything that’s wrong with traditional retail employee training – it’s expensive, time-consuming and only a temporary performance booster. Learn five things to do to improve your results.

Beyond the Eco Index: Status Report on the Down Supply Chain
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
SLC Marriott Downtown, Salon E
Discussion around down quality and performance, exploring the current landscape within the down supply chain – specifically, the challenges inherent in traditional down harvesting practices and their implications for the outdoor industry. Panelists include: Steve Richardson, Director of Material Development, Patagonia; Chad Altbaier, VP, Sales & Marketing, Downlite; Rebecca Che, Kwong Lung; Wilf Lieber, IDFL; and Daniel Uretsky, General Counsel, Allied Feather & Down Corp.

OIA Outdoor Inspiration Awards Celebration presented by adidas Outdoor
6 pm to 8 pm
Capitol Theatre, 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah
Get inspired and celebrate the individuals, groups, and companies whose efforts excite and motivate others to make the great outdoors a part of their lives. Hear about renowned mountaineer and author Reinhold Messner’s and world champion climber Sasha DiGiulian’s motivations and how they “pay it forward” as we recognize the most inspiring influencers affecting outdoor recreation today.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21
Outdoor Investment Idol – Equity Judges Debate What’s Cool to Invest In and Why
11 am to 12:30 pm
SLC Marriott Downtown, Salon E
Learn how to present your company to private equity investors for the best shot at “yes.” Panelists include: Nathan Pund, Managing Director, Investment Banking, D.A. Davidson & Co.; Scott Elaine Case, Managing Director, VMG Equity; Ryan Craig, Principal, Bertram Capital; and Blythe Jack, Principal, TSG Consumer Partners.

For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org/OR.

Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Outdoor Industry Association® is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information go to outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.

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