FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, January 19, 2017

For more information contact:

Todd Elsworth, Recreation Northwest

360.739.8458

2017 Outdoor Recreation Summit announces Keynote Speakers
Jon Snyder, Governor Inslee’s Policy Advisor on Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development will share the stage with Cailin O’Brien-Feeney, Local Recreation Advocacy Manager with the Outdoor Industry Association as keynote speakers for Recreation Northwest’s second annual Summit in Bellingham, WA.

BELLINGHAM, WA., January 19, 2017—Recreation Northwest announces two Keynote Speakers for the 2017 Outdoor Recreation Summit. From the state capitol in Olympia, Governor Inslee’s Policy Advisor on Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development, Jon Snyder, will be returning for a second year as a Summit speaker. Travelling from Colorado, Cailin O’Brien-Feeney, Local Recreation Advocacy Manager with the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will join Snyder on stage as a keynote speaker, in Bellingham, WA.

The Outdoor Recreation Summit will be hosted Friday, February 24th from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at Bellingham Technical College’s Settlemyer Hall. This exclusive full-day conference brings together outdoor recreation manufacturers, retailers and organizations, as well as state and local-level policy makers for networking, learning and sharing ideas on how to grow Washington’s recreation economy and get more people outside. The event builds community and connections among Washington state’s recreation business professionals.

Snyder will give an update on the status of Washington’s Recreation Economy. He will speak to the positive trajectories that established Washington-based outdoor manufacturing and retail brands like REI, Cascade Designs and Brooks are experiencing and to the great strides smaller startups like Nuu Muu, Swift Industries and Evo are making as well. Snyder will also address the challenges we face in how to continue to support our shared objective of providing the public access to the outdoors.

Snyder will provide historic perspective when he speaks about “our heritage of outdoor recreation as a part of Washington’s history since the dawn of time. We have inherited the outdoor pursuits of canoeing and fishing, for example, as local living traditions that have been unbroken for generations.” His talk will also address the challenges we are facing and how we can work together solve them.

Representing the national interests of the OIA, O’Brien-Feeney will speak about the collective impact of the outdoor industry nationally and how states like Washington are providing a model for others to emulate. “When I speak to people around the country, I use Washington State as a leading example for other states to follow. Over the past year, I have enjoyed working directly with Jon (Snyder) in the Governor’s office to increase the impact and the value of the recreation economy. I’m looking forward to joining him as a Keynote Speaker for the Summit in February,” O’Brien-Feeney iterates.

Following the Summit, the Recreation Northwest EXPO is open and free for the public on Saturday, February 25th from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in the Fairhaven district. The EXPO offers outdoor recreation-related exhibitors the opportunity to provide information to the public about their products, services and causes. Learn more at OutdoorRecreationSummit.org.

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Outdoor Recreation Summit
Friday, February 24, 2017  9:00am – 5:00pm
Settlemyer Hall, Bellingham Technical College
3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Media Assets

Outdoor Recreation Summit photos

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snyder will give an update on the status of Washington’s Recreation Economy
• Snyder will speak to the positive trajectories that established Washington-based outdoor manufacturing and retail
• Snyder will support our shared objective of providing the public access to the outdoors
• Snyder will address the challenges we are facing and how we can work together solve them
• O’Brien-Feeney will speak about the collective impact of the outdoor industry nationally
• O’Brien-Feeney uses Washington State as a leading example for other states to follow
• Following the Summit, the Recreation Northwest EXPO is open and free for the public on Saturday

 

QUOTES

Jon Snyder, Governor Inslee’s Policy Advisor on Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Our heritage of outdoor recreation as a part of Washington’s history since the dawn of time. We have inherited the outdoor pursuits of canoeing and fishing, for example, as local living traditions that have been unbroken for generations.

Cailin O’Brien-Feeney, Local Recreation Advocacy Manager with the Outdoor Industry Association
When I speak to people around the country, I use Washington State as a leading example for other states to follow. Over the past year, I have enjoyed working directly with Jon (Snyder) in the Governor’s office to increase the impact and the value of the recreation economy. I’m looking forward to joining him as a Keynote Speaker for the Summit in February.

About the Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development Policy Advisor to Governor Inslee
Governor Inslee’s Policy Advisors work closely with stakeholders, constituents, legislators and state and local government agencies to develop policy initiatives in support of the Governor’s agenda. Washington State added this position in 2016 in response to recommendations to create a sector lead by the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

For more information, visit Governor.Wa.gov

About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, CO, with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA unites and serves over 1200 manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation.
 
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the national trade association for suppliers,
manufacturers and retailers in the $646 billion outdoor recreation industry, with more
than 1200 members nationwide. The outdoor industry supports more than 6.1 million
American jobs and makes other significant contributions toward the goal of healthy
communities and healthy economies across the United States.

For more information, visit OutdoorIndustry.org.

About Recreation Northwest
Recreation Northwest is a Bellingham, Washington–based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting outdoor recreation and bringing people together to enjoy, preserve and improve the places where we play. The strategies to fulfill our mission are through Stewardship, Education and Fun.  Stewardship through facilitating collaboration between outdoor enthusiasts, local governments, businesses and individual landowners to improve local trail networks, provide direct service to maintain local parks and develop a sense of pride and ownership; Education highlighting the importance of outdoor recreation to our local economy and the value open space holds for our community health; Fun with our multi-sport races and events getting adults and children outside to be active, build community and enjoy our trails, public parks and open water.

 

For more information, visit RecreationNorthwest.org.

2017 Recreation Northwest Event Dates

Friday, February 24th Outdoor Recreation Summit

Saturday, February 25th Recreation Northwest EXPO

Saturday, May 13th Kulshan Quest Adventure Race

Sunday, May 14th Bellingham Swimrun

Saturday, September 16th Vital Choice Bellingham Traverse

Saturday, September 30th Island Quest Adventure Race