First OIA conference makes the right connections

22 Mar '11

6 min read

The conference concluded with two presentations from very different sources. First, Andy Robinson, CEO of the Institute for Outdoor Learning, and Adnam Zamam, and outdoor instructor and youth mentor, explored the topic of promoting greater accessibility to the outdoors to the UK's ethnic minorities. Adnam related his own story and his journey from being a computer games obsessed Asian teenager who saw no relevance in the outdoors to someone who earns a living instructing and inspiring others to get outside. He was able to give an invaluable insight into the cultural challenges that the industry faces in reaching different communities.

Mark Held of the European Outdoor Group completed the programme with a presentation about sustainability and the outdoor industry. Mark outlined the fundamental ways in which companies will have to change the way they do business in order to find a genuinely sustainable model. He also revealed some of the support and tools available to help firms achieve that and demonstrated how the outdoor industry is in some ways leading the way for other sectors.

Corry Taylor closed the conference by repeating his call for all outdoor organisations in the UK to work closely with the OIA so that the industry can collectively reach more of the general population and in the process drive business growth for the benefit of all.

Louise Ramsay, chief executive of the OIA, comments:
“I believe that the first OIA conference has proved to be a significant success. We had a full and varied agenda, a great turnout of members and some non members (though I hope to convert the latter very soon), and I felt that each session offered something of real value to delegates. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to a stimulating day.

“So far, the feedback I have received has been very positive, but this is just a platform. If the OIA is going to be a genuinely successful and influential trade body, we need to bring in more members, drive interest and revenue through The Active Guide, and generally start to be more outward looking. The rollout of our retail skills training programme is also going to play a very important role in driving the sector forward, setting a benchmark in customer service standards that will mark out the industry as progressive and consumer friendly.

“Lorely Burt's contribution was very welcome and we will now seek to open a constructive national dialogue with the Government. This conference was a very good milestone and gives me even more confidence that we will achieve our strategic objectives.”

Lorely Burt MP comments:
“The outdoor industry is one that ticks many of the Government's boxes, not least because it is a sector that is growing in difficult economic times. The businesses that the Outdoor Industries Association represents not only support tens of thousands of jobs, they also contribute to the health and wellbeing of this countryin a green and sustainable way. I was glad to be able to speak at this inaugural conference and meet some of the people who are working hard to build the outdoor industry for the benefit of all.”

Richard Cotter, Berghaus brand president, adds:
“The conference was well organised and there was a good balance of content. I think that the OIA put together a programme that was both stimulating and practically useful. For an inaugural event, I was impressed by the turnout from across the outdoor industry and I certainly hope that the association uses this as a platform for even bigger events of the type in the future.”

Outdoor Industries Association (OIA)

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