
The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) is delighted to announce that online delegate booking is now open for the 2018 Conference and AGM, which is to be sponsored by The Camping and Caravanning Club for the third year in a row.
Taking place at Shrigley Hall Hotel, in Cheshire, on 14th and 15th March 14-15, the event will see over 200 delegates gather together for two days of inspirational speakers, workshops, outdoor activities, and a series of networking opportunities, including the OIA’s annual gala dinner on Wednesday evening, during which the winners of the UK Outdoor Industry Awards will be announced.
Keynote speakers confirmed so far include Patagonia general manager (EMEA), Ryan Gellert, and Liz McMahon, managing director of the Madison Muir Group and former head of international marketing for the London 2012 Olympic bid.
Gellert oversees all sales, marketing, sustainability and operational initiatives for Patagonia throughout the EMEA region. Based at the European Headquarters in Amsterdam, Ryan leads a team who live and breathe the Patagonia mission statement to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.
Prior to joining Patagonia, Ryan spent 15 years at Black Diamond Equipment, where he held a number of roles including Brand President, VP of Supply Chain Management and Managing Director of Black Diamond Asia.
Liz McMahon is managing director of the Madison Muir Group – strategic advisors on brand governance, marketing and partnership programmes. She also is a non-executive director on the London 2017 Athletic and Para-Athletic World Championships board and sits on the Sport Policy Task Force of Pro Bono Economics. She was a non-executive director for the Olympic Park Legacy Company/London Legacy Development Corporation and the Sport & Recreation Alliance.
Professional Climber Nick Bullock will also be at the event, speaking to delegates about his “Grizzly Bear Incident” – a tale sure to contain both drama and comedy. Nick is a nomadic writer and climber with opinion, imagination and an open mind.
The annual conference will follow the same format as previous years, with a choice of activities on Wednesday afternoon, followed by the AGM and gala dinner, with Thursday dedicated to presentations and breakout sessions.
The OIA is offering delegates the opportunity to book places at the same rate as last year between now and December 30, when the prices will be increased.
Places are limited, so booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment via www.theoia.co.uk/conference-agm is recommended – everyone in the outdoor industry is welcome to attend the event, regardless of level or function, whether involved in management, sales, marketing, production or retail.