Judges Announced For 10th Annual Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Awards

Nomination deadline extended to June 17, 2020; Winners unveiled live during awards online ceremony during Outdoor Retailer Online

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, California – (June 10, 2020) – The 10th annual Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Awards will highlight the new Outdoor Retailer Online event this summer, and today Outdoor Retailer announced the 13-member judging panel. The awards recognize people, organizations, and companies encouraging others to enjoy and protect the outdoors, and judges will determine this year’s finalists and winners across six categories. Winners will be revealed in a live online ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, during Outdoor Retailer Online.

The deadline to nominate has been extended to Wednesday, June 17, 2020, for all categories: individual, manufacturer, retailer, nonprofit organization, youth, and a new #weareCommunity award. Judges will consider all based on efforts to promote outdoor recreation, and looking at those who demonstrate leadership, a commitment to sustainable practices, promotion of equality and inclusivity, community engagement, conservation, volunteer efforts, research, and programming for all ages.

“In time where we both seek and are surrounded inspiration, we are glad to present the 10th annual Outdoor Retailers Inspiration Awards during Outdoor Retailer Online this summer,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer senior vice president and show director. “We are part of a community of advocates in the outdoor industry, and this incredible panel of judges will face a difficult task in narrowing down nominations to select the winners. We’re grateful for the support of this year’s judges, and we encourage our community to nominate those who are leading the way in preserving and protecting the outdoors.”

The 13 judges are active leaders in the outdoor community with experience in participation, diversity, sustainability, education, and business and brand development. The 2020 judging panel:

• Nicole Browning, manager, For All marketing at REI
• Sasha DiGiulian, professional climber; a World Champion, undefeated panAmerican Champion (2004-14), and three-time U.S. National Champion
• Chris Enlow, senior director of sustainability for KEEN; board of directors for The Conservation Alliance
• Carolyn Finney, author, storyteller and scholar-in-residence at the Franklin Environmental Center at Middlebury College
• Kristen Freaney, director of emerging leaders programs at the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
• Latria Graham, writer, editor, and cultural critic; contributing editor for The Daily and The Weekly
• Lila Leatherman, diversity educator and consultant; founder of Lamella, a trans-owned small business helping clients develop understanding, empathy, and advocacy with queer and trans people
• Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro; a nonprofit recipient of the Inspiration Award; member of Outdoor Industry Association board and the California State Parks Commission
• Bryan Martin, executive director of Big City Mountaineers
• Doug Schnitzspahn, editor-in-chief of Elevation Outdoors, Outdoor Retailer Magazine, The Daily, and The Weekly
• Greg Thomsen, part of the outdoor industry since 1970; co-founded Wilderness Experience; led the launch of adidas Outdoor; last year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award
• Jim Thomsen, adventurer, executive, and small business consultant; co-founded Wilderness Experience; past president of Eastpak/JanSport/Kipling International
• Dieter Tremp, U.S. spokesperson and market contact for all ISPO tradeshows and projects

Rules and nomination form for the Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Awards can be found online at outdoorretailer.com/inspirationawards.

For information on sponsorship opportunities around the awards or Outdoor Retailer Online, contact Krista Dill, director of sales, at [email protected] or an Outdoor Retailer account executive.

The new Outdoor Retailer Online platform will serve as the place for the outdoor community to connect and collaborate this summer. An online, three-day outdoor business, networking, and educational event will be hosted by Outdoor Retailer. Live programming will run from July 21-23, 2020, and Outdoor Retailer Online tools will be available to registered exhibitors and attendees throughout the summer. Exhibitor information is available now, and registration will open soon.

About Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor Retailer, the largest U.S. tradeshow and premier business event for the outdoor industry, brings together retailers, manufacturers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through trade shows, Outdoor Retailer Magazine, product demo events, media events and web-based business solutions. The Outdoor Retailer trade shows are the premier outdoor industry events for North America, providing platforms for critical face-to-face business initiatives, line previews, innovations, launches, networking and retailer education. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information.

About Emerald

Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers’ businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, please visit http://www.emeraldx.com

Media Contact:
Lisa Ramsperger
Outdoor Retailer
[email protected]