TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS
+++ The third edition of Skimofestival, the Italian festival of ski mountaineering, is scheduled to take place on March 6-8, 2026, in Santa Caterina Valfurva
+++ Cycling (“Pitti Bikes”) has been unveiled as the theme of the summer 2025 fairs of Pitti Immagine in Florence
+++ Gartex Texprocess India – Mumbai, a collaboration between Messe Frankfurt Trade Fair India and MEX Exhibitions, dedicated to the latest advancements in garment and textile machinery, is set to take place at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai on May 22-24, 2025, and to showcase more than 300 brands +++
CORPORATE
+++ Portland-based outdoor retailer Next Adventure will close all four of its Oregon stores later this year after nearly 30 years in business
+++ Rotor America, the subsidiary of Spanish firm Rotor Bike Components in North America, has announced that it will close its doors effective June 15, 2025, citing “ongoing tariff insecurity” among the reasons for this decision
+++ ThredUp has overhauled its resale-as-a-service platform by eliminating branded shop fees, lowering usage costs and positioning the offering as a potential tariff defense in the US +++
INSTITUTIONAL
+++ The US Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has added five new specialty retailers across Michigan, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Maryland, expanding its network to 104 members and 223 storefronts nationwide +++
PRODUCT
+++ Italian footwear brand Zamberlan has launched the Adak 6 GTX and Adak 10 GTX hunting boots, combining lightweight synthetic construction with rugged protection and traction for Western backcountry terrain +++
EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ X Games has appointed former Nike, Apple and Beats executive Kevin O’Connor as Chief Marketing Officer, marking its sixth C-suite hire under CEO Jeremy Bloom amid a global brand transformation
+++ Smartfit, a German provider of bike fitting systems, has expanded its sales team by appointing two new experts – Jonas Trauth and Marco Marsili – to strengthen market development and customer support +++
MARKETING
+++ Rock Experience has extended its partnership with Ragni di Lecco, the legendary mountaineering club founded back in 1946, based in Lecco, Italy, until 2027
+++ Mountain Hardwear has added US elite boulderer and content creator Noah Wheeler to its athlete roster, marking a partnership rooted in innovation, storytelling and next-generation climbing performance
+++ Swiss performance brand On and the Swiss Ski Federation have extended their partnership through 2034, continuing their collaboration on off-snow training gear +++
+++ Altra has been named the title sponsor of the 2025 Kielder Marathon, using the partnership to champion women’s safety and participation in running through a new initiative with Boldli
+++ Helly Hansen and the Norwegian Sailing Federation have extended their nearly 40-year partnership with a new four-year agreement focused on product innovation and grassroots support
+++ Outdoor Research has added freeride mountain bikers Casey Brown and Carson Storch to its pro athlete team, further strengthening its presence in the MTB community +++
TRADE & SOURCING
+++ Intersport Austria has opened a 40,000 sqm high-tech logistics campus in Wels to centralize operations and boost supply chain efficiency through automation and AI +++
DISTRIBUTION
+++ Sport Guide reports that Matador outdoor gear and equipment will be distributed in France by Plein Nord +++
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
+++ eBay will serve as Circularity Partner for June’s Blue Earth, leading a Circularity Studio at key events to foster innovation in circular commerce +++
EVENTS
+++ X Games will return to Aspen’s Buttermilk Mountain from Jan. 23–25, 2026, marking the event’s 25th consecutive year at the Colorado venue +++
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