When Boulder, Colorado-based nonprofit Outdoor Industry Association released its 2020 annual report earlier this week, the organization wasted little time in offering an explanation of the impact COVID-19 had on outdoor businesses of all kinds.聽
鈥淚n 2020, the global coronavirus pandemic shut down our nation, ravaged communities, and caused economic disruption unseen in our lifetimes,鈥 OIA began the report. 鈥淲e won鈥檛 soon forget the devastation, and there is still much work ahead to repair the damages the outdoor industry incurred. However, our community came together to respond to this crisis and to deliver some powerful achievements, demonstrating our resilience and strength.鈥
OIA didn鈥檛 publish its financials, nor did it list the number of member organizations broken out by category, as it has in previous years. 国产吃瓜黑料 Business Journal reached out to OIA for these details but didn’t receive a reply by press time.
OIA did, however, list the areas where the organization has made strides to help member companies navigate the pandemic: policy, sustainability, participation, COVID (new this year, obviously), events, and membership.
Let鈥檚 look at the highlights from each.
Policy
The pandemic鈥檚 impact on business was undeniable, but the industry scored some wins that fell under OIA鈥檚 policy platform. The organization celebrated the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act and secured exemptions on China 301 tariffs, helping businesses save 25 percent duties on camp chairs, backpacks, bicycles, and outdoor cook sets.
OIA also submitted and received approval for eight footwear Miscellaneous Tariff Bills to be included in a larger MTB package. And the #VoteTheOutdoors campaign informed voters which environmentally conscious candidates to support in critical local and national elections.
Sustainability
The year began with OIA launching the OIA Climate Action Corps, and by year鈥檚 end, nearly 100 companies representing $20 billion in revenue had joined the effort.
The organization also released the Climate Action Guidebook and welcomed its first association partner, People for Bikes. In a sign of a times, OIA even launched a podcast called Climate Klatch.
Participation
The Outdoor Foundation continued support for its first four Thrive 国产吃瓜黑料 Communities, a program that provides grants to local and national partners to 鈥渃reated meaningful, repeat outdoor experiences for kids and families in their communities and regions.鈥
OIA also released its first Thrive 国产吃瓜黑料 Impact Report to help determine the next crop of Thrive 国产吃瓜黑料 regions.
COVID
When the pandemic swept across the U.S., member companies turned to OIA鈥檚 COVID-19 Hub to learn best practices for navigating the newfound and profound disruption. Regular webinars and podcasts kept outdoor industry stakeholders informed about how to keep employees safe and businesses operational.
Events
With all in-person events canceled鈥攊ncluding the industry鈥檚 signature B2B event, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market鈥擮IA pivoted to digital. The association hosted more than 30 webinars, and even the Skip Yowell Future Leadership cohort shifted to a virtual setting.