Outdoor Retailer Report - it's easy bein' green

Green is king here at the 2007 Outdoor Retailer.

THE theme of this year's show is the number of outdoor manufacturers, from the ma and pop canteen makers to the corporations outfitting elite athletes, is sustainability. From carbon-neutral travel to 100% sustainable production, green is the key word. There are seminars, there are demonstrations, there is green beer (mmmm)...everyone is on the green train. It's not just Patagonia, Timberland and the like focusing on eco-friendly commerce anymore- a slew of companies are initiating a fundamental shift in industry mandates.

Many outdoor product manufacturers are finally getting it - that aside from the humanistic morality of conservation that they'd like us to think is their first concern, they're realizing that without a severe push to begin protecting that which gives their consumers a place to play, they'll be out of business. And that's fine - hey, however the companies get there...just as long as they do, right? It's a great step in the right direction, and let's hope it becomes an industry standard, instead of the trendy thing to do.

In other exciting news, Patagonia is set to hold a "ground breaking" press conference tonight - and mum's the word on what they're going to announce. Only media credentialed show goers (yup, that means me) have been invited. To add to the mystique around the event, they're going to bus us out to a remote location for the announcement (and I suppose to whack us, if they so choose). I'm excited, to say the least (promised free Patagonia schwag may have something to do with it).

Expect big news tonight from the House that Yvon Built - read about it here first later this evening!