Outdoor Retailer and the Outdoor Foundation Join Forces to Launch an Industry-Wide Campaign to Get More Youth Outdoors

Outdoor Retailer and the Outdoor Foundation Join Forces to Launch an
Industry-Wide Campaign to Get More Youth Outdoors

Every Outdoor Retailer Attendee Given the Opportunity to Get Involved, Give Back and Support Local Projects that Engage a New Generation of Enthusiasts and Consumers

San Juan Capistrano, CA – May 13, 2015 – Today, two outdoor industry organizations, the Outdoor Foundationand Outdoor Retailer, announced a major new initiative designed to engage the industry in one of its most critical issues — activating a new generation of outdoor participants and consumers. With industry support, the campaign will invest in grassroots community programs that involve local retailers in projects that connect young people with outdoor recreation activities – driving business and participation. 100 percent of all donations will go directly to support on-the-ground (and water) projects.

During online badge registration for Outdoor Retailer, which connects thousands of professionals at its summer and winter markets, attendees will have the opportunity to support outdoor outings for youth and young adults across the US. For $20, registrants can underwrite an outdoor outing for two young people, $50 an outing for five, $100 ten, and for $500, individuals can support a college outdoor program.

“We are pleased to work with the Outdoor Foundation to form a deeper, more active partnership to support their efforts to grow youth engagement and participation in outdoor recreation,” said Liz Crawford Outdoor Retailer, VP of Marketing. “By adding a link to the Outdoor Retailer registration page to encourage industry donations we are able to quickly raise awareness with the industry, and immediately add value to this relationship. We look forward to continuing our support of their great work with the Outsiders Ball and other initiatives.”

The partners plan to involve the industry in project selection and will share weekly success stories through Outdoor Retailer’s social media channels – engaging the industry in this important cause throughout the year.

The effort builds on the success of the Outsiders Ball, the outdoorindustry’sflagship fundraiser that supports community and campus projects. Since its inception two years ago, the event has funded 200 projects across the country that have connected more than 30,000 youth with the outdoors.Tickets are available now for this year’s Ball, which will be held on August 4, 2015 at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City.

“The Outdoor Foundation is thrilled to be working so closely with Outdoor Retailer to address one of our industry’s most important issues. We hope everyone will join us and help inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and consumers,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. “The vitality of our industry depends on getting more young people into the outdoors, which will ensure healthier and more conservation-minded communities while ultimately growing business for the outdoor industry.”

The goal of the partnership is to help combat the inactivity crisis prevalent among youth and young adults in America. The statistics are staggering. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average young person today spends eight hours in front of a screen and only eight minutes outside and active.

The Foundation is working to mobilize a cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. Over the past five years, the Foundation has invested $4 million into 500 not-for-profit projects and college programs, connecting nearly 200,000 young people with the outdoors. This effort is helping to get more young people outside and active, investing in the future of the outdoor industry.

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The Outdoor Foundation
The Outdoor Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor leaders and enthusiasts. Through groundbreaking research, youth engagement and community grant-making, the Foundation works with young leaders and partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. In just five years, the Foundation has invested $4 million into 500 not-for-profit and college programs that have connected 200,000 young people to the outdoors. Importantly, 90¢ of every dollar goes directly into this critical work. Visit us at OutdoorFoundation.org.

About Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer (OR) brings together retailers, manufacturers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through tradeshows, product demo events and web-based business solutions. Produced by Emerald Expositions and based in San Juan Capistrano, California, Outdoor Retailer also provides and promotes retailer education, advocacy, responsibility and critical face-to-face business initiatives within the outdoor industry.

Consistently named among Trade Show News Network’s 25 fastest-growing tradeshows by attendance, Outdoor Retailer (outdoorretailer.com) connects approximately 50,000 attendees on a semi-annual basis for its Summer and Winter Market shows, and thousands more through its year-round online resources and platforms.

For media inquiries:
Kate Lowery
Director of Public Relations
kate.lowery@emeraldexpo.com
949-226-5779

Chris Fanning
The Outdoor Foundation
cfanning@outdoorfoundation.org
202-271-3252