Gen Z may be the most environmentally-conscious generation ever—however, that doesn’t mean they’re actually engaging with the outdoors. In fact, many young people—particularly people of color—say they feel too intimidated by outdoor activities and don’t even know where to begin.

They need brands to lead them outside.

YPulse youth expert Anastasia Pelot shared insights into the Gen Z profile, their attitudes toward the outdoors, and strategies on how outdoor brands can tap into this generation. You’ll learn:

• Insights into the diverse, tech-savvy, and socially conscious nature of Gen Z
• Gen Z’s high expectations for brands, products, and marketing
• The latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the Gen Z market for outdoor brands.

Meet the Speaker

Anastasia Pelot is the Content Marketing Manager at YPulse. As an expert in youth culture, Anastasia leverages her deep understanding of generational behaviors, attitudes, and preferences to unearth valuable insights that help brands effectively engage young consumers.

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Session was recorded on August 24, 2023.

Dirk Sorenson, of the NPD Group, reviews the big trends you need to know in order to get the most out of the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Snow Show. He dives into shifts in sales in core enthusiast categories across outdoor sports, including a deeper look into winter sports categories, and will detail out how you can take advantage of the growing interest in outdoor activity year-round.

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Down is a luxurious, natural byproduct that is widely used to provide insulation and comfort in the home, outdoor, and hospitality segments. This natural fiber maintains an optimal warmth to weight ratio and provides flexibility for product designers in terms of aesthetics, warmth, and sustainability. Unlike other fibers, down’s longevity and mono-composition make it the insulation of choice. Understanding what specification to use, when to buy, treatment options, and certifications, can be challenging.

We welcome you to join members of the DOWNLITE OUTDOOR team, along with guest host IDFL, to better understand how to Design with Down!

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Wearables devices, once a novelty, are now a “must-have”— thanks in part to a heightened focus on healthful living and a growing comfort with technology. Now, wearables are being combined with smart textiles and these “smart wearables” are the upcoming hot items in the outdoor sports and fitness world.

Taiwan is a major international player in the global textile and apparel industry — almost 70% of the world’s functional fabrics come from Taiwan. In addition to strengths in smart technology development, Taiwan now plays a leading role in the production of smart textiles as it brings together the best of manufacturing, material synthesis, IoT, AI, analytics, cloud computing, and more.

Join us to hear about and see some of the latest innovative “smart wearables” for outdoor sports and fitness coming out of Taiwan.

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Environmental sustainability has been the new mutual goal in textile industry and outdoor apparel around the globe. Green textiles, such as eco-friendly materials, circular materials, and energy-saving/ recyclable apparels, are the upcoming hot items in the outdoor industry and fashion world.

Taiwan has emerged as an international player in the global textile and apparel industry. Taiwan is an upcoming destination for producing quality textile products and is developing cutting edge technology.

The production of environmentally friendly and innovative textiles are increasing in Taiwan and setting new opportunities for this island nation. Taiwanese manufacturing companies are in the league of top innovators of the world, offering textile products that reduce pollution, are made from recycled material, and are sustainable.

Three Taiwanese influential companies will showcase their eco solution for outdoor apparel and wetsuit for outdoor industry.

Speakers:Jeff Shiue, Director of Sales / SHEICO Group (Shei Chung Hsin Ind.) Co., Ltd
Jenny Cho, Sales Manager / Singtex Industrial Co., Ltd.
Chengyun His, Product Management / Xpore, BenQ Materials Corporation
Abigail Chen, Marketing / Xpore, BenQ Materials Corporation

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Join WGSN, the world’s leading trend forecaster as we discuss how Covid-19 has permanently changed the outdoor industry. Armchair adventurers are getting outside and looking for new challenges, while influencers are impersonating national parks on TikTok. As people emerge from lockdown, their needs have changed. From luxury cocktails in a can to alfresco living rooms, we explore an outdoor future and how to align with these new attitudes.

Presented by: Joe McDonnell, Head of WGSN Insight

Coming from a media and creative background, Joe is an industry leader in consumer forecasting, market research and business strategy. He manages a global team of experts tracking consumer, marketing, retail and innovation trends. He previously worked for two of the globe’s largest communications networks, Omnicom and WPP’s Mindshare, where he helped brands execute award-winning advertising campaigns in sport, fashion and entertainment. A keen cyclist, marathon runner and open water swimmer, Joe is also passionate about adventure travel, having trekked through the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo and ridden a motorbike across Mongolia. He is currently planning a trip across the Sahara on the Mauritanian iron ore train.

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An Historic Opportunity on Climate and How Outdoor Companies Can Help

Through the Climate Action Corps, outdoor companies have stepped up on climate – now the Federal Government is poised to respond. With a new administration and Congress, we have an historic opportunity to pass ambitious legislation in 2021. President Biden’s sweeping infrastructure proposal includes important provisions for climate resilience and infrastructure, including a $10 billion investment in a new Civilian Climate Corps, jumpstarting clean energy manufacturing and establishing the U.S. as a leader in climate science, innovation and R&D. Whether it’s for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, or any number of other outdoor activities, we need to preserve the public spaces and activities our communities value and protect them from the real impacts of climate change. Now, the hard part begins, with multiple congressional committees holding hearings to begin the process of drafting legislation to implement the plan in a heightened political environment.

Join us for a discussion with key administration officials and congressional leaders on the prospects for climate legislation and key provisions of the American Jobs Plan and how outdoor companies and consumers can help ensure they are signed into law.

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The Gear Guide

Join Outdoor Retailer Magazine’s Cameron Martindell and Gear Junkie’s Adam Ruggiero as they showcase some of the new gear they’re excited about. Tune in to hear about the latest launches, innovative products you need for your store, and what you’ll see on the floor at Outdoor Retailer Summer.

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Implementing 30×30: The Essential Partnership of State and Local Stakeholders

In May, the Biden administration released the “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful” report, outlining guidelines for conserving 30 percent of public lands and waters by the year 2030, the so-called “30×30” initiative. Since the president first expressed his support for 30×30, much of the focus of this ambitious goal and the debate around how to implement it has been at the federal level. Yet, as the report makes clear, if we are to fulfill this historic opportunity, there has to be an emphasis on locally -driven conservation projects across the country. What works in Virginia, may not be suitable for Montana.

Join us for a discussion on the next steps to implement the president’s blueprint and how the input of state governments, private landowners, state-based outdoor business associations and other key stakeholders is critical to enacting conservation goals, assuring equitable access and combating climate change.

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From Fiber to Funeral: Recycling, Circularity and End of Life Planning for Outdoor Apparel & Bags

Join moderator Lindsay Parrish, Downlite, IDFL and Debrand as they walk you through recycling, circularity, and end of life planning for outdoor apparel and bags. What they’ll cover:

• From fiber to funeral by exploring Life Cycle Assessments (information gathering and application possibilities for your brand)
• Fibers, from beginning to breakdown
• Opportunities for Circularity (moving a product backwards through the supply chain) and what your brand can do with unsellable merchandise, goods and waste
• What you can do, yourself, to buy better, wear better and help mother Earth protect and maintain her finite resources

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