Booking Now Open For OIA Conference

Delegate booking for the OIA conference is now open for the annual two-day event, which this year is being held at a new venue, the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield on the 7th and 8th September 2022.

Now that we are getting back to a more normal way of life in the trade it is a very exciting time to come together for this key event in the outdoor industry calendar. It is a great opportunity to network with industry colleagues once again and learn from inspirational speakers about topics which affect the outdoor market.

Online delegate booking at the discounted ‘Earlybird Rate’ is only available for a limited period (ends 15th July) and can be accessed via the event section on the OIA website where further background information and conference updates will be available.

The event offers a packed programme of outdoor activities and keynote presentations and during the two days there will be the opportunity to gain valuable insights from influential speakers. This year is the 10th Anniversary of the OIA Conference, at which we will be focusing on: The Evolution of the New Outdoor Consumer.

In the forthcoming months they will release details of the speaker line up and outdoor activities. Whether you belong to the retail, distribution or manufacturing sectors or come from an education or activity provision background or from the charitable and non-profit sector, this is an event you cannot afford to miss!

MAIN SPEAKERS

CHARLES ROSS
ABOUT CHARLES
Charles started his career as an Outward Bound Instructor, but gave that up when he returned to a wet, dark, windy, & cold UK. Fortunately it coincided with the transition of the Outdoor industry to AthLeisure roots. He started his career in retail at Rohan, became a mature student, then got volunteered to teach Performance Sportswear Design & has ended up with some Ingredient Suppliers. He is meant to focus on teaching the PSD pathway at the Royal College of Art, but is more visible at Performance Days & the Functional Fabric Fair. His work has always had the theme of the next generation of materials, especially in relation to progress in sustainability. Others highlight his best ability as dumbing things down so everyone else can understand the issues.

ANDREW DENTON – OUTDOOR INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION

As well as welcoming delegates, opening and closing the conference and AGM, Andrew will be presenting the OIA’s Annual Review and apart from presenting his own sessions he is the main moderator for the whole event. Andrew Denton will take centre stage to deliver the conference agenda and explain what the OIA had been doing over the last 12 months.

Andrew has been working in the outdoors since 1984, starting his career in outdoor education and then moving on to a series of senior management & ownership roles in businesses such as Rohan, Mountain Equipment, Sprayway, the Outdoor Sports Company and now ownership of several indoor climbing walls.

He is best known as the modern founder and co-owner of the international technical brand Mountain Equipment where he built the brand over 17 years and then sold in 2003 to The Bollin Group. Andrew has been CEO of the OIA since August 2011.

ANDY GREEN – SPORTPURSUIT
Commercial Director

Andy is Commercial Director at SportPursuit, the UK’s leading flash sale site for outdoor and sports enthusiasts. He has worked in the Outdoor trade for 20 years now having previously been Merchandise and Logistics Director at Outdoor & Cycle Concepts.

Andy passionately believes in the physical and mental benefits of participating in sports and the outdoors and is keen to bring this passion to the Development Board. He spends his spare time outside, trail running, hiking and skiing.