The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) exists to support its members by providing insights, education, advocacy, and action on the things that matter to and impact the industry most.
The association believes that its members share some core values, including creating and ensuring plentiful and inclusive outdoor experiences. While members have unique needs and opinions, one of the top concerns for the industry is the protection of public lands. Public lands — from neighborhood parks to national monuments and parks — are essential to businesses and partners, whether they are small businesses, nonprofits, or large businesses with a national footprint.
In a recent survey, members ranked advocacy around creating and protecting public lands as the number one benefit they sought from their trade association. Inclusion and equity also ranked among members’ top priorities.
OIA works in a bipartisan fashion with policymakers at the state and federal levels, with engagement and in recognition of sovereign tribes, to advocate for a shared vision that ensures the outdoors thrive and outdoor businesses succeed. OIA’s advocacy and partnerships bring increased funding to outdoor recreation infrastructure, create new parks and public lands, and help businesses succeed.
OIA businesses need places for people to get out and experience the fun, joy, and wonder of the outdoors. With 160 million people getting outside last year and a total $689 billion economic impact, the industry has an important role in the economy, the mental and physical health benefits provided by the outdoors, and the community that is created in its shared outdoor spaces. The association believes will continue to serve the industry with attention to the issues that impact businesses the most.
OIA is focused on how to bring the community together because “we are stronger when we are together,” the statement ended.
About the Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation and outdoor participation. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.