TimBuk2, NOLS: Expedition Denali and Timmy O’Neill Receive 2014 Outdoor Inspiration Awards, Created by adidas Outdoor

TimBuk2, NOLS: Expedition Denali and Timmy O’Neill Receive

2014 Outdoor Inspiration Awards, Created by adidas Outdoor

Special Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Industry Icon, Jeff Lowe

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, January 23, 2014— The fourth annual Outdoor Inspiration Awards winners were announced at a special recognition event January 25 at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market held in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City Utah. Created by adidas Outdoor, the Outdoor Inspiration Awards recognize individuals, groups and companies whose efforts are breaking new ground and encouraging others to participate in outdoor activities. Winners include: Timbuk2, in the company category, NOLS: Expedition Denali in the group category; and Timmy O’Neil in the individual category. This year, Jeff Lowe was granted a special Lifetime Achievement award.

Lowe, an American alpinist from Ogden, Utah, is known for his visionary climbs and first ascents established in the US and Canadian Rockies, Alps and Himalayas. In 2004, he had to give up climbing and now continues his passion for climbing through Ogden Climbing Parks. His goal is to promote and develop the climbing potential around Ogden, Utah. In addition, he runs programs enabling underprivileged children and those with disabilities to enjoy the climbing experience.

“This years’ winners are incredible brand ambassadors for our industry,” said Greg Thomsen, managing director, adidas Outdoor USA. “Each has found the time to impart the amazing benefits of outdoor pursuits and have made us a better community. Jeff is an inspiration to all of us, as he finds the strength to battle his challenges today. We thank them for their absolution devotion and commitment. It is always especially tough to choose finalists because all the nominees are all heroes in their own right.”

The 2014 Outdoor Inspiration Award Winners Are:

Company Winner — Timbuk2™
Timbuk2, a San Francisco-based company, pioneered the messenger bag in 1989. Since its inception, the company has been a supporter of Bike to Work Month on a national scale each May. Timbuk2’s involvement in Bike to Work Day reflects the company’s unremitting dedication to promoting the positive benefits of cycling on individuals, communities, and the environment. Timbuk2 Bike to Work Month activities this May 2013 included: Bike to Work Day Energizer Stations, Bike to Work Day Instagram Contest, a Bianchi x Timbuk2 Limited Edition Bag which honors Timbuk2’s unique bike heritage and allegiance to two-wheeled machines. GoPro Bike Commuting Videos, a Facebook Sweepstake and ended the awareness campaign by exhibiting at the Bike Expo New York.

Group Winner — NOLS: Expedition Denali
Expedition Denali inspires youth of color to get outside, get active, and become stewards of our wild places. The team inspires children to take on outdoor pursuits, be it recreation, education, policy, conservation, land management, or government. The first ever All-African-American climbing team climbed Denali this past year in an effort to spread diversity in the outdoors, critical if the outdoor industry and the environment is to be important to people of future generations.

Individual Winner –Timmy O’Neill
Co-founder of Paradox Sports, Timmy O’Neill is changing the lives of adaptive athletes and war-ravaged veterans with opportunities like climbing the Grand Teton, paddling the Colorado River or scaling El Capitan. In the last year, O’Neill has ferried Paradox to new heights, with record participation and fundraising. He studied to be an ophthalmic tech in Katmandu and travels every year to Africa to help a team of doctors restore sight to the blind. A professional climber and kayaker, Timmy has turned his passion for the outdoors into avenues for elevating others and championing the downtrodden.
“Timmy changes people’s trajectories, said Jason Blevins of the Denver Post. “He shows them a better way, using laughter, rocks, rivers and mountains as his tools.”

“The class of 2014 Outdoor Inspiration Award winners truly have a love for exploring the outdoors and use their passion to impact and change people’s lives,” said Kenji Haroutunian, Emerald Expo Outdoor group vice president and OR show director. “We are pleased to celebrate each winner’s accomplishments. Their work and achievement represents outstanding examples of the tenacity it takes to set and accomplish goals and celebrates their noble mission to share their passion with others.”

Nominations, submitted through the OR and OIA websites, were selected based on inspiration criteria for individuals and groups – impact, creativity, service, technology, philanthropy, engagement, longevity, sustainability, activities, and awareness. 

Other sponsors include Boy Scouts of America and Litle & Co.

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Questions about the Outdoor Inspiration Awards can be directed to Outdoor Retailer Director of Public Relations, Kate Lowery, at 949.226.5779 or kate.lowery@emeraldexpo.com.

About adidas Outdoor
adidas Outdoor is the athletic brand in the outdoors. The company’s founder, Adi Dassler, designed equipment solutions for athletes that improved their performance. The long history of adidas Outdoor began in the 1970s with the creation of the first light trekking shoes. Climbing legend Reinhold Messner helped adidas design super light and fast approach hiking shoes for his first Everest ascent without supplemental oxygen in 1980. The tradition continues today with products influenced by Messner, as well as notable extreme outdoor adventurers from around the world. 

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 (www.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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kate Blom-Lowery
Outdoor Retailer
Director of Public Relations
949-226-5779
kate.lowery@emeraldexpo.com

Kristen Bujold, CGPR

adidas Outdoor

kristen@cgprpublicrelations.com

517-404-7539