Outdoor University
Outdoor University® is one of the best opportunities to conveniently augment industry education and advancement — providing workshops and online sessions that break down complex challenges and issues specific to outdoor industry businesses.
Led by industry experts and business influencers, Outdoor University sessions give participants the option to join live workshops and online discussions or access recorded curriculum online, on-demand.
OIA fosters the growth of the industry through professional opportunities that educate, develop skills and share core knowledge across six key categories: retail innovation, research, sustainability, best practices, trade and supply chains and current issues. All sessions are free for members and either a nominal fee or free for nonmembers.
Retail Innovation
Dozens of retail-focused programs bring management skills and the latest thinking in marketing and merchandising to thousands of retail employees each year.
Research
From global benchmarking and profit analysis to timely business performance data, OIA shares the insights behind critical market intelligence to increase your business I.Q.
Sustainability
Cutting edge tools and information to help brand leaders and the entire outdoor industry move toward more responsible business practices — with resources for suppliers, brands and retailers.
Best Practices
Insights in numerous forums — developed and selected by OIA — to stimulate growth in your business and to encourage the expansion of best practices across the outdoor industry and company lines.
Trade and Supply Chains
Complex federal trade policy affects your business and influences your decisions every day — learn to better understand the policies in play and how they impact you.
Current Issues
Explore the hot topics on the front burner of the outdoor industry, including the simmering issues to watch and the timely, critical issues that inspire immediate action.
Upcoming Outdoor University Sessions
Online Live and Recent Recorded Webinars
Shoulder-Season Discounting Strategies – The Eight Truths of Markdowns, presented by Paul Erickson, RMSA – January 31 at 2pm (mountain)
The Five Maxims for Hiring Millennials, presented by Roy Notowitz and Sara Schneider, Notogroup – February 2 at 2pm (mountain)
The Mysteries Behind Initial Mark-up – Pricing Strategies to Improve Your Bottom Line, presented by Paul Erickson, RMSA – February 14 at 2pm (mountain)
The State of Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry, presented by Beth Jensen, OIA – February 14 at 10am (mountain)
Gear for the Government: Identifying and Evaluating Federal Market Opportunities in a Changing Environment, presented by David Costello, Oswaldo Palomo, Matt Sparkes, A.D.S Ventures – February 17 at 10am (mountain)
The True Measure of Retail – GMROI – and What it Takes to Grow It, presented by Paul Erickson, RMSA – February 28 at 2pm (mountain)
Inventory Turnover – Three Steps to Purchasing Smarter, Turning More and Making More Money, presented by Paul Erickson, RMSA – Recorded Session
How Your Business Is Impacted by the New Transparency Law in California, presented by Andrew J. Samet, Sorini, Samet & Associates, LLC – Recorded Session
The Business of Outdoor Recreation Lecture Series
Presented by Outdoor Industry Association and The Leeds School of Business (#oialeedsmba)
- Conscious Leadership Is An Inside Job, Casey Sheahan, CEO & President, Patagonia – February 8 at 6:30pm. Free event in Boulder, Colorado.
- March 22: Mark Satkiewicz, President and General Manager, SmartWool
- Leading Through Economic Uncertainty, presented by Will Manzer, CEO, Eastern Mountain Sports and Board Chair, OIA – Video recording of presentation available for download.
- Finding Success in Specialty Business. Turning Personal Passion Into Profit. Shelley Dunbar, Co-founder/Marketing Director, Sea to Summit and Kim Walker, Founder/President, outdoor DIVAS – Video recording of presentation available for download.
OIA Industry Breakfast at ORSM 2011 Keynote Video and Presentation
- Deciphering Consumer Trends and Their Impact on the Outdoor Industry, Marian Salzman, CEO, ERWW PR and ER Life PR – If you missed this presentation at ORSM or would like to share it with your team, access the video recording and download the powerpoint presentation.
