Three hundred people gathered on December 5, 2013 for A&O: Next Generation, the fourth annual Athletic & Outdoor celebration, an event that’s become a mainstay for the local industry.
Held at OMSI, this year’s gathering began with an optional in-depth presentation by Julia Clark Day, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Leisure Trends, a trends and insights publication for the outdoor industry. Day’s presentation addressed what consumers are looking to buy in 2014 and beyond, and noted popular products, sports, outdoor activities and gear and how companies should be approaching consumers with different types of in-store and online marketing and promotions.
View Julia’s full presentation >
A short program followed in OMSI’s Theory eatery. Attendees heard from various organizations and initiatives throughout the city that are working to get youth active and outdoors and engage future leaders of the A&O industry. Presenters included Ted Gilbert, Friends of Gateway Green Board; Craig and Cindy Trames, Children’s Museum Outdoor Adventure Capital Committee; and Taylor Hinshaw, A&O Young Professionals (AOYP) Committee.
Networking and happy hour followed, with a pitch to participate in the A&O holiday toy drive, in partnership with KGW. Attendees brought nearly 100 new toys to the event; by the following week local A&O companies had contributed more than 1000 toys.
The annual gathering is presented by PDC with the A&O Industry Council. Industry council members are Peter Bragdon, Columbia Sportswear; D’Wayne Edwards, Pensole; Tom Hughes, Adidas; Rob Morrison, Leupold & Stevens; Roy Notowitz, Notogroup; Bobbie Parisi, Yakima; Lisa Thompson, Icebreaker; Scott Welch, Columbia Sportswear.
The event sponsors were Perkins Coie, OMSI, Bank of the Cascades, Cresa, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Portland State University, Generator Group, Mandala Agency, TKW and University of Oregon.
