The Big Gear Show / (e)revolution announces partnerships with Adaptive Adventures and Founded Outdoors to showcase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in the outdoor and bike industries.
By Eugene Buchanan
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity will be on full display big time at this year’s combined Big Gear Show and (e)revolution in Denver’s Colorado Convention Center June 8–11. Show organizers have announced new partnerships with Adaptive Adventures and Founded Outdoors, organizations which support and amplify the show’s vision of showcasing DEI in action within the industry. The move offers retailers, media, consumers and other attendees the chance to experience a truly inclusive outdoor industry show.
“Their participation marks the beginning of several inclusivity programs we’re developing,” says Big Gear Show show director Kenji Haroutunian, touting additional partnerships with REI Path Ahead Ventures, In Solidarity Project, and the Moosejaw Accelerator program. “Instead of merely discussing DEI at industry events, attendees will now see it in action.”
Launched in 2021, Founded Outdoors supports emerging businesses through community, programming and connections, with the goal of increasing access in the industry and outdoors. The group acts as a national “platform for outdoor entrepreneurs,” offering them—especially those from historically under-supported populations—the tools needed to become successful. Facilitating connections with industry leaders, including state offices of outdoor recreation, economic development agencies, outdoor business founders, and early-stage investors, their community includes 400 outdoor entrepreneurs across product categories supported by peer support programs, resource databases, workshops and events and more. Its programming also includes such long-term initiatives as fundraising, networking, educational founder events, and Embark—a three-month business accelerator held in partnership with REI for new and aspiring outdoor entrepreneurs from Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.
Founded Outdoors, the national platform for outdoor entrepreneurs, will showcase seven rising brands at the Big Gear Show, including Literally Outside, Outpatch, ICONI, Embark Maple, Zip Hers, Utu, and DMOS Pro Shovel Tools. Photo courtesy Founded Outdoors
Entrepreneurs need specific skill sets, industry knowledge, and professional connections to drive growth,” says Katie Doherty, partnership head at Founded Outdoors. “But historically, access to these resources has been limited based on demographic, geographic, or socioeconomic factors. We’re committed to helping a growing community of outdoor entrepreneurs have a more supported and successful journey, and in-person events like the Big Gear Show provide important opportunities for building those relationships.”
It also works with such bigger partners as REI’s Embark program, now entering its second year and graduating 18 founders of color this year, and Michigan’s Outdoor Recreation department to connect their members with the states 400-plus manufacturing opportunities. At this year’s Big Gear Show they’ll have a booth with its founders, as well as such organizations as baby Gamico, Hatcher Packs, Outpatch, Literally Outside, Iconi, Embark Maple, Ziphers and Utu-sun.
“We’re building the support that makes it possible for entrepreneurs from all different backgrounds to build successful companies,” adds curriculum director Enhao Li. “When leadership is more representative of humanity, a broader group of people will feel seen, heard, and welcomed in the industry and in the outdoors.”
As the largest nonprofit recipient of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Adaptive Sports grants, Adaptive Adventures will also be represented at the show, furthering its mission to provide outdoor sports opportunities to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities. As well as showcasing their wide variety of adaptive gear—including equipment for adaptive cycling, climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, skiing, and dragon boat racing—they’ll help spread the word on what is possible in adaptive outdoor recreation.
“The BGS provides the opportunity to learn from each other and continue growing together as a community of outdoor enthusiasts and advocates.” —Chelsea Elder, Adaptive Adventures
As the largest nonprofit recipient of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Adaptive Sports grants, Adaptive Adventures will also be represented at the show, furthering its mission to provide outdoor sports opportunities to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities. As well as showcasing their wide variety of adaptive gear—including equipment for adaptive cycling, climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, skiing, and dragon boat racing—they’ll help spread the word on what is possible in adaptive outdoor recreation.
“Shows like the Big Gear Show are critical to the industry, bringing together like-minded individuals to collaborate, innovate, create, and educate, says Adaptive Adventures executive director Chelsea Elder. “The BGS provides the opportunity to learn from each other and continue growing together as a community of outdoor enthusiasts and advocates.”
She adds that getting outdoors is a powerful tool. “It provides a plethora of benefits that improve the quality of life for everyone,” she says. “From the freedom and joy of exploring nature to the healing and camaraderie that comes with spending time outdoors, it’s a space that brings people together. However, access to outdoor activities is not always equal for everyone, so it’s essential to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the outdoor industry to remove barriers to participation, promote greater creativity, and enhance sustainability efforts.”
One in four U.S. adults live with a disability, she adds, a demographic that intersects with historically marginalized populations. Increasing access and reducing barriers to participation is crucial as it helps promote positive health outcomes while reducing isolation, depression, anxiety, negative coping behaviors and more. And attendees at this year’s show can help in numerous ways, she says.
“Retailers and exhibitors can play a significant role in promoting DEIA within the outdoor industry,” she says, adding one way is to evaluate their inclusion marketing efforts to ensure representation of individuals with disabilities. “It’s crucial to represent the ‘average’ individual with a disability versus a Paralympian, which limits the scope of inclusion to a small percentage of the population. Attendees can also evaluate their store layouts for accessibility and inclusion, thinking about everything from wheelchair paths to the height of signage displays. And they can also partner with organizations like us for inclusive marketing and design, team member training, volunteer opportunities, specific initiative efforts and more.”
“The Big Gear Show is the perfect venue to engage and educate the outdoor industry on a very active and able group of outdoor recreation enthusiasts,” she adds. “Through training and education, equipment, adaptation, collaboration, innovation, and the establishment of sustainable programs, we aim to break down barriers and create greater accessibility and inclusion in the outdoors. And we’ll help provide attendees with the necessary insights into how to grow the industry through greater accessibility and inclusion.”
Come by the Founded Outdoors space to meet and engage with emerging brands from the community. Founded Outdoors will also be hosting a happy hour at Improper City on Friday, Jun 9, 2023 from 5:30-8:00pm MT for any outdoor business entrepreneurs who are attending the show. The aim of the event is to cultivate community-building and knowledge sharing among founders in the industry.
