Outdoor Retailer Introduces Judging Panel For Third Annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards

Entry window open through November 6, 2020; Ceremony moves to Thursday, January 21, 2021

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, California – (November 1, 2020) – Outdoor Retailer announced the judges for the third annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards. The awards recognize the products, materials, and retailers pushing the industry forward, and this year’s 16-member judging panel will determine both the finalists and winners. An online ceremony to unveil the winners will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021, as part of the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Winter Online digital experience.

“This year’s judging panel understands product innovation from concept to consumer use, and we’re excited they are part of the third annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer senior vice president and show director. “Each brings a unique perspective to the judging process, and their knowledge is already helping shape the way we experience the outdoors. We appreciate their support, and their work as part of this panel will continue to inspire our industry.”

The 16-member panel carries an incredible depth of experience in product development, design, materials, strategy, testing, and consumer engagement. A combination of new and returning judges will evaluate all submissions based on the criteria of Spark, Design, Function, and Impact, and the panel will be joined by additional student judges for the final round to decide the winners.

The 2021 judging panel:

• Richard Bangs, adventure travel pioneer, co-founder and chief adventure officer for Steller
• Patrick Brown-Hayes, faculty member in the Apparel, Textiles, and Design program at University of Idaho and private consultant
• Joe Croft, Stanford Product Design grad, former Oakley program manager, founder of GUNNAR Optiks, Ju-Ju-Be and HyperDrive International
• Ron Griswell, founder of HBCUs Outside
• Amy Horton, senior director of sustainable business innovation for the Outdoor Industry Association
• Gayatri Keskar, VP of research at Material ConneXion
• Yvonne Lin, designer and founder of 4B Collective and the Femme Den
• Erin MacDonald, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Stanford University, Design Group Company
• John Martin, senior product development engineer at IDeology Firm
• Cameron Martindell, adventure correspondent and gear editor
• Jennifer Nolfi, executive director of the Center for Retail Leadership at Portland State University’s School of Business
• Andrea Olsen, apparel designer and assistant professor at Utah State University in the Outdoor Product Design and Development Program
• Jorge Rojas, industrial designer at Industrial Design Workshop Inc.
• Susan Sokolowski, founding director of the Sports Product Design Graduate Program and Associate Professor at the University of Oregon
• Brandon Stoddard, director of the Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center and professor at Weber State University
• Peter Whittaker, mountaineer, guide, television host, co-owner of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., founder of Whittaker Mountaineering and Bight Gear

The annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards recognize achievements in outdoor products, materials, and retail services. The deadline to enter this year’s awards is Friday, November 6, 2020. Entry categories cover all seasons of outdoor products, as well as outdoor specialty retail operations and support services: Accessories, Apparel, Backpacks / Bags / Luggage, Cycling, Books / Electronic Applications / Electronics, Camping, Climbing, Consumables, Footwear, Materials, Retail, Support Services, Sleeping, Water Sports, and Winter Sports. Complete rules and the entry form are available online at outdoorretailer.com/innovationawards.

All finalist products and services will be displayed in the online Innovation Gallery to be featured on the Outdoor Retailer Winter Online site from January through March 2021. The winning products and services will be revealed during an online ceremony Thursday, January 21, 2021, as part of Winter Online. The ceremony can be viewed by all registered attendees on Winter Online or on the Outdoor Retailer YouTube channel.

For information on sponsorship opportunities around the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards and Innovation Gallery, as well as to exhibit during Outdoor Retailer Winter Online, contact Krista Dill, director of sales, at Krista.Dill@outdoorretailer.com or an Outdoor Retailer account executive.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Online is a digital marketplace and enhanced online experience to support this winter season. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Outdoor Retailer Winter Online replaces the in-person show and brings the winter sports and outdoor communities together online to connect, learn, and discover what’s new in the industry. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information on exhibiting and attending.

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

Outdoor Retailer Media Contact:

Lisa Ramsperger
Outdoor Retailer
lisa.ramsperger@outdoorretailer.com