OIA Launch Plans For Growth

8th March 2011

The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) launched a new industry wide retail training skills programme at their first conference last week. The event took place in Solihull and was attended by around 60 representatives from all parts of the outdoor sector. The conference was opened by OIA chair Corry Taylor, who issued a rallying cry to outdoor organisations to work closely with the OIA to collaborate on projects designed to encourage more people to experience the outdoors in order to build the industry’s size and influence. OIA Chief executive Louise Ramsay made reference to ongoing research into the size of the UK industry, which is set to reveal its true economic contribution to the UK. She pointed out that the final figures will show that the sector has been "underselling" itself for too long and the OIA will use the data to lead a sustained campaign to improve the outdoor industry's profile and influence at a national level. Louise then outlined the OIA's main plans for 2011 and introduced two of the year's key initiatives. The first of these is the launch of an industry wide retail training skills programme and the second is The Active Guide (TAG), which was described in more detail by its developer, Nick Salloway of Different Digital. Other speakers included local MP Lorely Burt. IOL Chief Executive Andy Robinson and Mark Held of the European Outdoor Group.
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