The Outdoor Industry Association will launch its Outdoor Retailer Snow Show this week in Denver, continuing to build a movement to change carbon emissions and public lands policies.
Kicking off the event Wednesday morning is a breakfast featuring Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser that focuses on how the outdoor industry and elected officials can collaborate on climate change.
“2019 is the year of collaboration! In order to address important issues, position our industries for success and continue to innovate for the future, industry-wide collaboration is paramount,” OIA noted on its event website.
That means taking “innovative business action on climate change.”
“How the winter sports, outdoor and resorts industries along with elected officials are embracing innovative business solutions to address climate change,” the panel’s subtitle reads.
Weiser recently laid out more of his vision for the Colorado Attorney General’s office he now leads, following the decision by the Colorado Supreme Court in the ‘Martinez’ case and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission oversight. He emphasized collaboration with local communities.
“Moving forward, I will work with the Commission and other state agencies to ensure that oil and gas development in Colorado is consistent with the public health, safety, and environment,” Weiser said in a statement on the release of the Supreme Court’s decision.
At the federal level, OIA was keenly interested in the recent government shutdown, blasting what it called the use of national parks and other public lands as a “political tool.”
“Unfortunately, long-term damage has already been needlessly wreaked on the public by this nearly 6-week shutdown — whether it be vandalism at some of our most iconic national parks, or negative impacts to the local economies of gateway communities and businesses dependent on outdoor recreation visitors,” said Amy Roberts, Executive Director of Outdoor Industry Association. “OIA and our members will continue to push the administration and Congress to develop a long-term solution to funding our government, paying federal employees and protecting our public lands because we cannot keep using government shutdowns as a political tool — the consequences are too high.”
OIA’s July 2018 Retailer Summer Market featured political activism and building a movement on issues from public lands advocacy to building brand activism to promote one side of the debate, including organizing calls for action and activist and social media pushes culminating in voter action.
Those efforts include OIA’s May 2018 call-to-action for the “We Are Still In” movement. The campaign opposed the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and called for 100 percent renewables, with hopes to enlist customers and member companies to begin “scrutinizing the supply chain” of member companies.
“It’s great to be putting in solar arrays at your headquarters and sponsoring wind, but as a manufacturing company, you have a big supply chain, and that’s hands down your biggest impact,” Ali Kenney, Burton’s Vice President of Global Strategy and Insights, said last year in the release.
Wednesday’s luncheon continues that discussion on emissions reductions in the supply chain.
“For organizations striving to be leaders on climate, the foundation of a solid climate strategy includes setting transparent goals and implementing an array of practical emissions reduction strategies. As manufacturers, the bulk of our emissions are deep in the supply chain where we have less leverage and challenges with measurement. How do we work together to address the impact of our materials, invest in emerging renewable energy markets in the areas we source from, and engage with our consumers?” the description reads.
OIA’s show last January featured extensive polling on climate change issues, which found low voter resonance headed into the 2018 midterms, and strategy sessions on public lands issues. Two of the individuals who offered voter insights and campaign strategies at last year’s meeting, Lori Weigel, a Republican pollster, and Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director for Center for Western Priorities, will again be featured this year in the event’s “State of the Rockies” luncheon on Thursday.
This week, OIA is also encouraging member companies to participate in its “Capitol Summit” for April 30 to May 1 in Washington, D.C., where “[i]ndustry executives from across the country come to educate their elected officials in Congress on key issues impacting their businesses.”
That includes lobbyist training, according to the event’s registration page.
“Attendees receive an introductory training on lobbying as well as education on OIA’s policy agenda and legislative priorities. We will serve as your guide to navigating the Hill and provide timely background information and training on the industry’s policy agenda, legislative priorities and members of Congress. Attendees will leave with a full understanding of how to schedule and conduct congressional meetings on the Hill as well as tools and skills to take home and make an impact in your state,” OIA writes.
