• News
    • Brands and Retailers
    • Industry Press Releases
    • People
    • Show News
  • Gear
  • Events
    • OR Snow Show
    • OR Summer
    • OAX
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Brands and Retailers
    • Industry Press Releases
    • People
    • Show News
  • Gear
  • Events
    • OR Snow Show
    • OR Summer
    • OAX
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
Q

View All Photos

News:
Brands and Retailers
April 20, 2023

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Attendees and speakers discussed how to work through business challenges and industry issues this week at the Sea Otter Classic Summit in Monterey, California. Click through the slideshow to see some of the speakers and attendees.

By Bart Schaneman
Share on Email
Share on Linkedin
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter

View All Photos

News:
Brands and Retailers
April 20, 2023

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Attendees and speakers discussed how to work through business challenges and industry issues this week at the Sea Otter Classic Summit in Monterey, California. Click through the slideshow to see some of the speakers and attendees.

By Bart Schaneman
Share on Email
Share on Linkedin
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter

E-commerce needs brick-and-mortar support to thrive today. Inventory overhang remains top of mind for brands and retailers. Creating a memorable experience for customers can help keep them coming back throughout their lifetime.

Those were a few of the themes attendees and speakers discussed at the Sea Otter Classic Summit this week at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa in Monterey, California.

Nearly 200 outdoor industry professionals attended, including cycling, snowsports and outdoor apparel brands and manufacturers. A handful of retailers were also in attendance.

The event took place ahead of the Sea Otter Classic bicycling and outdoor sports festival and exposition on April 20-23 held at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey.

Broader Outdoor Industry

Bekah Sands, senior marketing manager for Life Time Inc., which puts on the summit and the classic, said the Sea Otter Classic has become more than a biking event and includes more brands from the outdoor industry.

“Which led to an opportunity to make this event that leads into Sea Otter a broader event, talking to the whole outdoor industry, about the current issues and challenges that the outdoor industry is facing,” Sands said. “Let’s get everyone together and work through the challenges.”

Sands highlighted climate change, making the industry more inclusive, and how to get children away from screen time and outside as key issues concerning the industry.

Learning From Experience

Sessions ranged from panels analyzing consumer trends and retail technology to how to start sustainability initiatives and the continued expansion of outdoor recreation.

Bryce Phillips, founder and CEO of Seattle-based retailer evo, keynoted the summit in conversation with Scott Kerslake, operating partner at Stride Consumer Partners.

Phillips spoke at the conference about the beginnings of evo and where his passion for the outdoor space originated.

Following that, panelists explored the intersection of the cycling industry with business, tribes and land management reform. Other sessions focused on how businesses can spur positive change in the industry and how companies can operate as future business trends play out, including a post-pandemic marketplace.

Cassie Abel, founder and CEO of Wild Rye, a woman-owned outdoor apparel brand based in Sun Valley, Idaho, said coming to this event was a great opportunity to learn from more-experienced business owners.

“Above all else meeting these people who’ve been where I am or where I’m trying to go, that aren’t naturally in my everyday network,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been taken under the wings of some really amazing people just by being here.”

One key takeaway for her as an attendee and business owner was to focus on “purpose above all else.”

“It’s good to be reminded of that as important. We need to stand for something to stand out. That’s been echoing through these these hallways,” she said.

The talk by Phillips at the start of the summit about how he handled evo’s giveback programs was illuminating for Abel.

“We have a really big ‘women’s-first’ slant,” Abel said. “We’re also members of 1% for the Planet. We’re just trying to figure out how this strategy works, where we can support women and the planet, but not being pigeonholed into everything.”

She envisions Wild Rye as continuing to offset as much of its carbon footprint as possible, but not have too rigid of requirements so that the company can also donate to Planned Parenthood or local abortion funds “if we’re dealing with a major political slam on women’s rights.”

For Jason Hyde, brand manager for Ford Motor Company, the summit highlighted how brands can expand their reach in a meaningful, authentic way.

Ford Motor Co. sees a lot of overlap between the Sea Otter Classic attendee and what Ford does, according to Hyde.

“I just wanted to personally capture some more insight as we learn more about this industry,” he said.

“For me, it’s really insightful to see the way other companies are thinking about their customers.”

The Daily will have more stories in the coming days about individual sessions from the summit.

Bart Schaneman can be reached at bart@ordaily.outdoorretailer.com.

← Previous Article Next Article →
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Chris Speyer, senior vice president for REI, Elysa Walk, Chief Business Officer for Burton Snowboards, Chris Walton, co-CEO and founder of Omni Talk, Anne Mezzenga, co-CEO and founder of Omni Talk, and Erik Saltvold, owner and founder of Erik’s Bike Shop

Chris Speyer, senior vice president for REI, Elysa Walk, Chief Business Officer for Burton Snowboards, Chris Walton, co-CEO and founder of Omni Talk, Anne Mezzenga, co-CEO and founder of Omni Talk, and Erik Saltvold, owner and founder of Erik’s Bike Shop

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Bryce Phillips, founder and CEO of evo, and Scott Kerslake, operating partner for Stride Consumer Partners

Bryce Phillips, founder and CEO of evo, and Scott Kerslake, operating partner for Stride Consumer Partners

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Tina Butler, marketing director for Gazelle, and Jocelyn Vande Velde, marketing director for Bosche E-bike Systems

Tina Butler, marketing director for Gazelle, and Jocelyn Vande Velde, marketing director for Bosche E-bike Systems

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Eliot Jackson, founder of Grow Cycling Foundation

Eliot Jackson, founder of Grow Cycling Foundation

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Stewart Sheppard, director of sustainability for Higg, Andrea Kelly, CEO and founder of Make Plus Equal, Magdalena Boulet, president of Gu Energy Bags, and Celia Camargo, director of community and purpose for Gu Energy Labs

Stewart Sheppard, director of sustainability for Higg, Andrea Kelly, CEO and founder of Make Plus Equal, Magdalena Boulet, president of Gu Energy Bags, and Celia Camargo, director of community and purpose for Gu Energy Labs

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Michelle Duffy, marketing director for Life Time Events, Jamie Martin, editor in chief of Experience Life, and Julie Seymour, director of Life Time Apparel

Michelle Duffy, marketing director for Life Time Events, Jamie Martin, editor in chief of Experience Life, and Julie Seymour, director of Life Time Apparel

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Alessandro Pregal, sourcing lead for Upway

Alessandro Pregal, sourcing lead for Upway

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Kimberley Taylor, CEO of Shingleback Off Road, Andrew Taylor, director of Shingleback Off Road, Eric Olsavsky, vice president of community engagement and partnerships for Pelotonia, and Joe Apgar, president of Pelotonia

Kimberley Taylor, CEO of Shingleback Off Road, Andrew Taylor, director of Shingleback Off Road, Eric Olsavsky, vice president of community engagement and partnerships for Pelotonia, and Joe Apgar, president of Pelotonia

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Kyle Kendzicky, outside sales for Tentcraft

Kyle Kendzicky, outside sales for Tentcraft

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Shannon Allen, vice president of people and operations for Wild Rye, and Cassie Abel, CEO and founder of Wild Rye

Shannon Allen, vice president of people and operations for Wild Rye, and Cassie Abel, CEO and founder of Wild Rye

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Zack Helminiak, CEO of Nomadix, Jim Gunning, CMO of Best Day Brewing, Nick Despotes, principal of active outdoor lifestyle for IMC

Zack Helminiak, CEO of Nomadix, Jim Gunning, CMO of Best Day Brewing, Nick Despotes, principal of active outdoor lifestyle for IMC

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance

Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Lauren Cooley, CRO of ExpertVoice, Matt Ford, vice president of sales for ExpertVoice, and Steve Gendron, CEO of ENDVR

Lauren Cooley, CRO of ExpertVoice, Matt Ford, vice president of sales for ExpertVoice, and Steve Gendron, CEO of ENDVR

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

John Tefler, business development for Sparc HubSoft

John Tefler, business development for Sparc HubSoft

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Victor Lee, deputy general manager of Youngone Holdings, Juwon Kim, senior managing director of Youngone Holdings, Daniel Waltermire, sales manager for Comodule, Legrand Crewse, CEO of Super73, and Lucas Lim, manager of Youngone Holdings

Victor Lee, deputy general manager of Youngone Holdings, Juwon Kim, senior managing director of Youngone Holdings, Daniel Waltermire, sales manager for Comodule, Legrand Crewse, CEO of Super73, and Lucas Lim, manager of Youngone Holdings

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

TJ Taylor, manager for Icelab

TJ Taylor, manager for Icelab

Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit
Outdoor Industry Leaders Talk Inventory, E-Commerce at Sea Otter Classic Summit

Andy Burke, vice president of sales for Outdoor Research, and Brock Bill, director of marketing for Alvarado Street Brewery

Andy Burke, vice president of sales for Outdoor Research, and Brock Bill, director of marketing for Alvarado Street Brewery

News Brands and Retailers

Hoka Adds More than $500 million in Revenue for Year

Deckers Brands expects to grow Hoka into a multibillion-dollar business in the near future.

News Brands and Retailers

Alterra Mountain Company Bets Big on Next Year

The Denver-based mountain resort company spoke with The Daily about its strategy to deploy $500 million for capital improvements at its resorts.

News Industry Press Releases

Patagonia Names Nina Hajikhanian as New General Manager, EMEA

Hajikhanian has been part of Patagonia’s EMEA leadership team since 2019, most recently as director of direct-to-consumer.

News Industry Press Releases

Thermore Releases First Thermal Insulation Made from 100% Ocean Bound Raw Materials

Ecodown Fibers Ocean is Ocean Cycle-certified and made at Thermore’s production site in Hong Kong.

News Brands and Retailers

Hoka Adds More than $500 million in Revenue for Year

Deckers Brands expects to grow Hoka into a multibillion-dollar business in the near future.

News Industry Press Releases

DU/ER Appoints Burt Damsky as Vice President of Global Sales

Former Juicy Couture and Bench executive to drive global growth.

News Industry Press Releases

Christy Sports Opens New Location in Aspen, Colorado

The store, which opens May 26, sits inside St. Regis Aspen Resort and will provide year-round specialty outdoor rental and retail services.

News Brands and Retailers

Timberland Impacted by Inventory Challenges in Americas Region

Details about how Timberland performed around the world for the quarter and full year ended April 1.

Subscribe for free today!

FOLLOW US ON

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
© 2023 Emerald X, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT    CAREERS    AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS   TERMS OF USE   PRIVACY POLICY