Don’t miss:
The 1st Outdoor Impact Summit

The Outdoor Impact Summit will focus on three themes:

• impact and circularity
• impact and biodiversity
• impact, policy and compliance

Over two days, a line-up of thought leaders and industry experts will deliver a focused, collaborative experience designed to provide valuable insights and actionable strategies that delegates can return to their organizations. The Outdoor Impact Summit has secured high-profile support from across the industry. The headline sponsor is Worldly, the major sponsor is ISPO, policy and compliance sponsor is Bluesign, biodiversity sponsor is Patagonia, and contributor sponsors are Helinox, Fair Wear and Ohana Public Affairs, with EDM Publications and Suston as media partners.

Some of the highlights include:

• Interactive workshop led by textile innovation and sustainability expert Bowie Miles, offering tools and collaboration opportunities to support a business in becoming “nature positive”
• Panel discussion on why sustainability still matters with brand leaders Eva Karlsson from Houdini, Nina Hajikanian from Patagonia, Antje von Dewitz from Vaude and Ruth Oberrauch from Oberalp Group
• Session about how embracing circular models can be both a sustainability strategy and business opportunity with Circular Republic
• “Circularity – the Alchemy of the 21^st Century” – presentation by Rüdiger Fox, CEO of Sympatex
• Update from Brussels on policy and the new European Commission with Jérôme Pero of the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI)
• Session on working together to use business as an activism multiplier, with Patagonia, 1% for the Planet and EcoAlbania
• Learning how to communicate effectively in the face of regulation with One Voice for Outdoor and Peak63
• Content from key industry organizations such as Protect Our Winters, the European Outdoor Conservation Association, It’s Great Out There Coalition and Opening Up the Outdoors

It’s only by taking a deeper dive into the schedule and format that it becomes clear how EOG intends to provide the practical takeaways vital to the summit’s success. The agenda items for each content theme will consist of three elements: A keynote presentation delivered by topic experts and thought leaders; a choice of two workshops to explore the subject in depth; and a coming together to discuss actionable outcomes from the workshops, exchange insights and discuss challenges and next steps.

Here’s what delegates can expect:

Impact and biodiversity: Strategy and solutions for a better future

In these sessions, the summit will explore in detail how the outdoor industry can reduce its negative impact on biodiversity while actively increasing its positive contributions to the natural world.

Impact and circularity: Reimagining consumer relationships

These sessions will focus on best practices and innovative ways to build stronger, more sustainable consumer relationships through circular business models.

Impact and policy: Understanding and implementation, together

These sessions will provide an in-depth look at the European Union’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness plans, including upcoming confirmed and proposed legislative actions.

Innovation and sustainability expert Bowie Mills will be leading one of the workshops. Mills has spoken at a couple of EOG-organized events in recent years and always packs out the room, and keeps her audience very engaged. She anticipates a great event in Munich: “I’m very much looking forward to open, interactive conversations at the Outdoor Impact Summit. Tackling the complex topic of ‘Impact and biodiversity’ is no easy task – and that’s exactly the challenge I’m embracing. Our first step is to understand how our industry impacts landscapes and ecosystems. From there, we must focus on measuring that impact and integrating proactive strategies into our business models. This is the outdoor industry coming together – working collaboratively to preserve the environments we depend on and love. It doesn’t get more rewarding than that. See you there.”

Another key contributor will be Antje von Dewitz, managing director of Vaude. As CEO of the brand, she transformed Vaude into a genuinely and thoroughly sustainable company. She advocates tirelessly for ecological and social responsibility in the supply chain – not only at Vaude, but also on both national and international levels. Von Dewitz will join a panel with four other industry leaders – Eva Karlsson from Houdini, Nina Hajikanian from Patagonia, Ruth Oberrauch from Oberalp Group and EOG Director Christian Schneidermeier. Together, they will explore why sustainability should still be a vital focus for businesses, especially in times of uncertainty.

Von Dewitz is clear that collaboration is key to this topic and that events like the summit will play a crucial role: “In the outdoor industry, the idea of cooperation and joint action is very actively practiced. Together, we have already achieved great things, be it social improvements in supply chains, joint decarbonization projects, and much more. Living and demonstrating this shared spirit is more relevant today than ever. The Outdoor Impact Summit provides a wonderful opportunity for this!”

Along with the formal program, the first Outdoor Impact Summit will also provide numerous opportunities for networking and freeform discussions, including a party on the evening of 19 May. Everything will be based in the CCN conference center at Messe Munich. EOG has announced that all profits from the summit will be donated to the Impact Accelerator Fund. This collaborative outdoor industry initiative is dedicated to supporting decarbonization projects and climate mitigation actions within supply chains.

Tickets for the first Outdoor Impact Summit on May 19–20 in Munich cost €179, which includes the one-and-a-half-day conference, refreshments, networking drinks, dinner and lunch. Find the full agenda and book your place at outdoorimpactsummit.com.