More than 80 chief executives and senior leaders from across the outdoor sector convened in Denver for the return of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Rendezvous, marking the first gathering of its kind in more than a decade.
Held at VF Corporation headquarters, the 2026 event brought together leaders from 65 brands to address shared challenges, including economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and evolving expectations around sustainability and consumer engagement. The theme, “Building Resilience in Uncertain Times,” guided discussions focused on industry-wide collaboration and long-term strategy.
According to a press release, Kent Ebersole, president of the Outdoor Industry Association, said the event was designed to facilitate direct dialogue among decision-makers and reestablish collaboration across the sector.
“Rendezvous is about bringing leaders together for open, honest conversations about the challenges shaping the outdoor industry,” Ebersole said. “It’s also the start of rebuilding a stronger culture of collaboration across our industry.”
Programming included keynote presentations, panel discussions, and small-group strategy sessions aimed at identifying actionable priorities.
Jeffrey Strasser of Microsoft opened the event with a keynote on leadership during rapid technological change, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence while maintaining workforce alignment and operational focus.
Sessions also addressed investment strategies and market conditions, with contributors including advisors and legal experts.
Lesford Duncan of the Outdoor Foundation and Kelly Davis of the Outdoor Industry Association presented early insights from the 2026 Outdoor Participation Report, highlighting data expected to inform business decisions across the industry.
Sustainability emerged as a central topic, with Matthew Thurston of REI leading a discussion on integrating environmental responsibility into business resilience. Additional sessions focused on public lands advocacy and communication strategies.
Susan Viscon, REI impact executive, said collaboration remains a defining feature of the sector. “The conviction to do the hard work and do it together is born from face-to-face conversations,” Viscon said.
Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia, also emphasized the industry’s broader responsibility. “That means protecting the joy and the specialness of being outdoors, not just thinking about it as a commercial endeavor,” Gellert said.