The sixth annual Outdoor Inspiration Awards, presented by adidas Outdoor, will be celebrated at a ceremony at the Salt Palace Convention Center on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 6 p.m., the second night of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. The Outdoor Inspiration Awards celebrate those that inspire and encourage others in their communities to enjoy, participate in and support outdoor activities and the outdoor industry, say event organizers
New this year, the Outdoor Inspiration Awards event will include both general sponsored category nominations gathered from the Outdoor Retailer community as well as sponsor nominated categories. The event format will also change to encourage more outdoor retailer engagement and networking, “to include a more robust awards presentation platform, professional emcee, extended happy hour, and round table seating,” according to an official release.
Nominations for the general categories are now open. The community is encouraged to nominate retailers, non-profits, manufacturers, and individuals for this year’s Outdoor Inspiration Awards. The Boy Scouts of America Sponsored youth category is also available for a general submission through this nomination format. The nomination entry form has been streamlined for a quick submission process, giving a few examples to help guide your submissions. Nominations are now being accepted at outdoorretailer.com. Detailed guidelines are available online, and nominations are due no later than 6 p.m. (PST), November 20, 2015.
The Lifetime Achievement award, sponsored by adidas Outdoor will honor the late Skip Yowell a passionate outdoorsman who helped found JanSport, a leading producer of backpacks. He was a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association, and worked with the Big City Mountaineers, a wilderness mentorship program. His life, accomplishments and love for the outdoors will be celebrated posthumously at the annual gathering of the outdoor industry.
“adidas Outdoor established the Outdoor Inspiration Awards to recognize organizations and individuals whose love for the outdoors is used to inspire others to experience the benefits of getting outside,” said Greg Thomsen, managing director, adidas Outdoor US, presenting sponsor of the Outdoor Inspiration Awards. “I encourage you to nominate those within the industry that are using their passion to make the outdoors accessible to everyone.”
The 2016 Outdoor Inspiration Awards will feature additional sponsor selected or community based nominated categories to recognize a broader range of those serving our industry. Future announcements will provide details. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Anyone interested should contact Sales Director Krista Dill at 949.226.5728 or via email at krista.dill@emeraldexpo.com.
“The Outdoor Inspiration Awards provide the industry with a platform to come together and celebrate heroes of our industry. By partnering with industry associations, media and brands to define categories and identify leadership and inspiration within them, we believe the event will truly be inclusive of the amazing work our industry is doing,” said Marisa Nicholson, VP, Show Director of Outdoor Retailer. “Those members of our community that take it upon themselves to encourage people, of all ages, ability, or economic position, to enjoy and experience the outdoors, through programs, innovative product, retail events and more, are worthy of recognition and celebration.”
Jeremy Collins, Patagonia, National Interscholastic Cycling Association/NICA, The Mountaineer, and Matt Moniz were named the 2015 Outdoor Inspiration Award Winners. Also in 2015, John Roskelley, noted mountain climber and author from Spokane, Washington, was recognized with the adidas Outdoor Inspiration Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other past recipients of the Outdoor Inspiration Awards include: Bill Sweasy, CEO and retired Chairman of Red Wing Shoe Co.; REI, Timbuk2, The Sierra Club, The North Face, NOLS: Expedition Denali, Soldiers to Summits, Suunto and Outdoor Afro. Fred Beckey and Jeff Lowe were given Lifetime Achievement Awards during past ceremonies.
adidas Outdoor, and Boy Scouts of America work with Outdoor Retailer and its panel of industry leaders to select the annual winners. Questions about the Outdoor Inspiration Awards can be directed to Outdoor Retailer’s Director of Public Relations, Kate Lowery at 949.226.5779 or kate.lowery@emeraldexpo.com.
