SNEWS® View: OIA’s new online directory great idea -- with a few wrinkles still to smooth

(May 9, 2008) -- We applaud OIA for embarking on the creation of a complete online directory for the outdoor industry (http://outdoorindustrydirectory.com). Naturally, however, with any launch come a few hiccups. We believe, in its eagerness to launch, there are a few things OIA did not get right and needs to address quickly to maintain the level of professionalism, member service, and integrity we have come to and should expect from our member-driven trade association. Read Full Story...

(May 5, 2008) -- Since SNEWS® first addressed the issue of BPA leeching into water in a Nov. 12, 2003, story, "Sierra magazine story causes stir over Lexan safety," the curiosity and mild concern over possible human health impacts has turned into a feeding frenzy whipped up by government and media reports and devoured by consumers. Read Full Story...

(Mar 17, 2008) -- We’ve all seen it at one time or another on the emails that come across our computer. A glaring warning statement that reads: “This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the intended recipient, are confidential, and may be privileged.” Weighty words, but will they stand up in a court of law when push comes to shove? To understand the court’s final verdict about email confidentiality statements, we first need to understand what confidential and privileged communications are and the differences between the two. Read Full Story...

(Feb 11, 2008) -- The SNEWS® View column is an occasional editorial by the editors at SNEWS®, but we also welcome guest editorials on topics pressing to our industries. This one is offered by Steve Lindenau, president of Diamondback Fitness, about the current state of the fitness industry, the competition and challenges we face, and some solutions that could help the industry move forward, including the suggestion for industry-wide collaboration on some kind of industry advisory board. Read Full Story...

(Jan 7, 2008) -- Like the company party, holiday gift exchanges and that ever endearing fruitcake, the Christmas card has become ubiquitous with the season of giving. For many, both companies and individuals, it is the one time of the year when a personal message conveying thank you and best wishes is conveyed. Read Full Story...

(Jul 23, 2007) -- On June 26, Outdoor Retailer made official what SNEWS® and others in the industry have long known or suspected -- Summer Market dates are sliding forward into July. The explanation varies somewhat, depending on who you speak with, but the overriding force driving the change to July is an industry feeling that Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is losing its relevance to the market as a vital national trade show simply because it is too late in the season for many exhibitors. Order dates and buying cycles have been moving earlier each year to such an extent that show management and Outdoor Industry Association, which derives a significant portion of its revenue from the trade show, were becoming more concerned about exhibitors bailing out of the show en masse since it wasn’t as necessary to their business. While we don't argue that the show is at risk of losing relevance as a buying show (what trade show isn't), does moving dates into July really change that trend? Read Full Story...

(May 8, 2007) -- Imagine hearing of a meeting that is intended to set in motion a process for establishing standards that affect the entire industry. A meeting that is hosted by the industry association of which you are a member in good standing, but then finding out you were not welcome at the meeting simply because you: A) didn't get an invite, or B) had the wrong job. Sound a bit off to you? Read Full Story...

(Apr 27, 2007) -- Each month, we are buried in a landslide of paper catalogs, press releases, workbooks and other promotions. We are continually bombarded with paper press kits and a barrage of printed mailings. Why is this, we wonder, when electronic or digital delivery is easier, cheaper, and less damaging to the world? There are no excuses: We make our lives and living espousing healthy lifestyles and being environmentally responsible in all ways should be second nature to every one of us. Who among us does not know all about global warming, energy waste, and paper’s impact on forests? Read Full Story...

(Aug 16, 2006) -- The hoots and laughter heard at the first Outdoor Industry Women's Coalition "Ramp It Up" event were the likes of nothing heard previously over the many years of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market events. Think of it: Seventy or so high-profile, respected and well-known men in the industry, representing outdoor industry leadership from executives and company founders to journalists and sponsored athletes, all modeling technical women's outdoor clothing in a rowdy and packed bar to raise awareness of the OIWC and money for its professional development and mentoring funds. Read Full Story...

(Aug 4, 2006) -- When we first announced several weeks ago that Hummer was a sponsor at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and would be offering test drives of its new H3 at a specially constructed off-road track during the Open Air Demo, the crescendo of protest via emails and calls to our office rose tenfold. A significant number asked us to spearhead an effort to kick Hummer out of the show (not really possible nor, frankly, is that our role as media). A few yawned and basically stated that the industry needed to get off its high horse and let buyers and show attendees vote with their time – either they drive the Hummer or they don't. Others wondered what our official stance was and when we would publish that along with comments from Outside, Outdoor Retailer and the Outdoor Industry Association. Read Full Story...

(Apr 26, 2006) -- ForestEthics attended Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in 2006 to introduce itself formally to our industry, ask for support in protecting endangered forests, and, frankly, to let us know that it is watching. The group recently submitted an editorial it asked us to run, which we have agreed to do, after some editing to soften some of the saber-rattling ForestEthics clearly appears to enjoy. Read Full Story...

(Mar 3, 2006) -- While the Army is now issuing better gear to its troops, there is still much to be desired. Consequently, there are many opportunities for outdoor manufacturers to provide gear directly to the approximately 185,000+ troops deployed to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Read Full Story...

(Oct 31, 2005) -- Aside from seeing your boss dressed as Spiderman or Catwoman – tights and all -- there are some other very frightening things to name on this traditionally scariest holiday of the year. So, the SNEWS® team put on its thinking caps to come up with a list – top 10 of course -- of things that frighten us more than practically anything else in this world. Be warned, it's not pretty: Read Full Story...

(Sep 16, 2005) -- There is no doubt that American youth are less active today than ever before. With the wild enthusiasm over video games, the Internet and the endless supply of TV channels, children and teenagers have little need to walk out their front door to find entertainment. Add to that parental safety concerns of unsupervised activity and the urban sprawl that has made automobile transportation a necessity for most activities, and we’ve got an entire generation growing up indoors. Read Full Story...

(Sep 6, 2005) -- I believe our industry uniquely qualified to aid the displaced citizens of the northern Gulf in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. This is a great opportunity for our industry, our explorers, adventurers, professionals and enthusiasts to supply targeted and substantive aid to our southern neighbors. If not us, then who? Read Full Story...

(Jul 18, 2005) -- In your recent article: "Prana works to protect specialty retailers when faced with overstocks," you set out to research a tip that the Burlington, Vt. T.J. Maxx Store had several two way racks of Prana shirts for sale. After confirming the tip you went on to white-wash the incident making T.J Maxx the hero of the story by recommending them as a "best solution" for specialty closeouts in that they are "outside the industry" as compared with Sierra Trading Post. The Marmaxx buyers love it when specialty insiders adopt their rhetoric and close their eyes. Do you really believe that TJX does not compete with specialty outdoor? Read Full Story...

(Mar 21, 2005) -- Hotels starting saying years ago that they recognized travelers' needs and desires for an on-site workout room. That got those of us who travel and like to workout regularly pretty excited. But these rooms are in most cases pretty UNfit, offering only a shadow of the promise. Could suppliers and dealers offer more than just a sale? Read Full Story...

(Jan 17, 2005) -- Organizers of the Outdoor Retailer trade shows deserve a hearty "hoorah!" for their move to power the Winter Market with green energy. Read Full Story...

(Dec 20, 2004) -- Hunters, fishermen, mountain bikers, paddlers and backcountry skiers look alike once you strip away our various uniforms. And, surprisingly enough, they all want pretty much the same thing-- to be able to pursue what they are passionate about and ensure that their kids will have an opportunity to do the same. However, somewhere along the way things got sideways. Read Full Story...

(Jul 12, 2004) -- Delivering the message that wilderness is good for business, I recently joined four outdoor industry representatives in lobbying congressional representatives on behalf of legislation that would protect 300,000 acres of public land on California’s North Coast. Read Full Story...

(May 7, 2004) -- I had just had a major heart attack. It came out of the blue, with no warning, no family history: a wake-up call for me as I was strolling into middle age with the cavalier confidence shared by many ageing athletes. Read Full Story...

(Feb 11, 2004) -- We received the following commentary from PR pro Michael Hoffman (Heart Communications) in response to our anonymous editorial in the Feb. 3 News Digest. It takes the discussion further. We welcome commentary from others -- see link to our Forums section at the bottom of the article. Read Full Story...

(Jan 28, 2004) -- SNEWS® received this contribution from a long-time fitness industry member as a follow-up to our own Fitness Wish List for 2004 from Jan. 2. Yes, it is a tad harsh and a tad cynical, but they are the contributor's thoughts – and thought-provoking ones at that. Read on... Read Full Story...

(Dec 22, 2003) -- One of our favorite all-time reps was Roch Horton who gave many a Monday night clinic at our store representing Black Diamond equipment and Patagonia. Years ago, we talked about increasing competition and the perilous existence of some of the best outdoor specialty shops in the country. He referred to his favorite quirky traditional stores as heirlooms -- something you don't want to lose. Read Full Story...

(Jun 30, 2003) -- Listen, puleez, to the plaintive voices now: Before you print your next new catalog or brochure for an upcoming trade show or new season, think about this one thing: "Will this fit in a hanging file?" If not, just step away from the cute design board and return to basics immediately. Read Full Story...

(May 12, 2003) -- A week ago last Sunday the Salt Lake Tribune published as its lead piece in the OpEd section an editorial I wrote with support from the B4W group of OIA. The piece was an economic rebuttal to Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt and the Secretary of Interior Gail Norton's backroom deal to remove Wilderness Study Area protection from some 6 million acres of potential Utah Wilderness. Read Full Story...

(Feb 24, 2003) -- Color plays an important role in our lives, as does the way pieces in a space are laid out. Guest writer Del Reanne Lucas suggests business people pay more attention to these things. Read Full Story...

(Oct 10, 2002) By Paul Kirwin -- The outdoor market is flat and getting flatter. Our problems started well before September 11. In fact, our problems began to quietly appear on the radar screen well before the recession. Read Full Story...

(Apr 2, 2002) -- Last October, SNEWS took the rather bold step of suggesting that the fitness and outdoor industries could learn a lot from each other, should work together and, in fact, in many ways were already co-mingling, albeit still "holding hands in the dark" for fear someone would see them together. Read Full Story...

(Dec 15, 2001) -- Good bye, printed SNEWS®. Our loyal bathroom-break readers will miss you. Ditto, those on the routing slip as monthly copies surreptitiously made the rounds of your offices. Read Full Story...

(Jul 1, 2001) -- Endorsement -- the word is not one we at SNEWS® had given much thought to outside of the world of athletes and sponsorships. Not much thought, that is, until this week. A letter on Backpacker magazine letterhead, signed by publisher John Viehman, and sent to retailers subsequently found its way onto our desk and hurled us headfirst into a story dealing with the ethics of publishing and journalism. Read Full Story...

(May 28, 2001) -- The recent layoffs and departures at Confluence and the rumored challenges of flattening sales and overstocked warehouses at other large paddlesports companies are proof enough, we think, that the paddlesports boom is sadly over. The reality is that paddlesports, like everything in business life, is subject to boom-and-bust cycles. No, paddlesports isn't going bust. It's just going through a natural cycle. Read Full Story...

(Mar 28, 2001) -- It's an opening question heard all over trade show floors: "Seen anything new?" And we at SNEWS® have come to find it distasteful. Every trade show, the same question, over and over again from retailers, manufacturers, and fellow press. "Seen anything new or hot?" Heck, even we've been known to utter the dreaded words ourselves. The implication is that unless something is new, innovative, eye-catching, and hot, it's not worth talking about or even noticing. Read Full Story...

(Feb 28, 2001) -- Thinking outside of the box can be a good thing when it comes to business practices and marketing creativity. There appears, however, to be an increasing trend toward wasteful promotional gimmicks that do little for a company's image and that fly in the face of our industry's underlying goal of environmentally responsible business practices. The SNEWS® team is speaking of promotions that mostly promote waste. To that end, we have begun a recognition program where no one should be proud to be a nominee: The SNEWS® Wastrel Awards. Read Full Story...

(Jan 28, 2001) -- It's that time of year again… The time of year we all love to hate. Trade show hell. Think Super Show, followed by Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, followed by ispo in Germany, followed by Magic, followed by SIA,… followed by a heavy round of drinking and a heck of a lot of introspection. Granted, not everyone goes to so many shows – only journalists in search of the hot story (yawn) could ever be so foolish. Still, we hear more and more these days that there are "too many damn trade shows!" Read Full Story...

(Dec 28, 2000) -- It wasn't much more than a year or so ago when most of us who worked regular 9-to-5 jobs were suddenly labeled as old economy, old school, tired thinkers, or perhaps even behind the times. A new technology was taking over with a new economic model that was causing a reinvention and reawakening of American business. As a result of our collective inability to think "new," we were told over and over that we risked being left behind, and that our perceptions of the retail marketplace were clouded by antiquity. Read Full Story...

(Nov 28, 2000) -- We elder statesmen and women of the outdoor industry now spend as much time pontificating and blustering about what should be done, or is not being done as we do heading outdoors ourselves. At every trade show and board meeting, we search and scratch for answers to the question: Why aren’t younger folk as enamored with the outdoor world as we’d like or we were? Is the younger generation uninterested? It seems so, but the reasons may have more to do with us than them: Read Full Story...

Credit & Collections Administrative Assistant (Seasonal)-CDI -- Listed Jul 22, 2008
Quality Control Manager -- Listed Jul 22, 2008
General Manager - Sales & Operations -- Listed Jul 21, 2008
Access Fund Grassroots Coordinator -- Listed Jul 21, 2008
Customer Service Rep - Entry Level -- Listed Jul 21, 2008

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