Issue No. 10: Feeling Outdoorsy 🚐
Hey Outsiders! Thanks for subscribing to Outsider Insider and opening up Issue No. 🔟. A busy week from World Wildlife Day to International Women’s Day and a whole lot more.
In this week’s edition:
Fast Company's list of Most Innovative is looking Outdoorsy
Fish rejoice - The High Seas Treaty has been signed!
And more!
— Scott Crowder
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From 0 to 60 for Outdoorsy 🚐
Outdoorsy, a peer-to-peer (P2P) online marketplace that connects RV owners with people who want to rent an RV for a short-term trip, has landed at #4 on Fast Companies 2023 List of Most Innovative Companies in the Travel and Hospitality Sector. The company was founded in 2015 by Jeff Cavins and Jennifer Young, and is based in Austin, Texas.
Outdoorsy offers a wide range of RVs, including Class A, Class B, Class C, and travel trailers. Renters can search for RVs based on location, price, and amenities, and can also read reviews from previous renters. Once a rental is booked, Outdoorsy provides insurance coverage, roadside assistance, and 24/7 customer support.
For RV owners, Outdoorsy offers a platform to list and manage their RV rentals. Owners can set their own rental prices and availability, and Outdoorsy handles the marketing, booking, and payment processing. Outdoorsy also provides comprehensive insurance coverage, through its offshoot company Roamly, including up to $1 million in liability coverage and $250,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage.
Outdoorsy has been growing rapidly in recent years and has raised over $130 million in funding from investors. The company has also expanded internationally, with operations in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Outdoorsy is seen as a disruptor in the traditional RV rental industry, which has historically been dominated by large rental companies.
Other notable companies to make Fast Companies list of Most Innovative Companies this year is AirBnB, Patagonia’s Holdfast Collective, On Running, and Taos Ski Valley. To see the full list click here.
UN-der Water Celebration 🎉
🌊 The High Seas Treaty has been signed! After years - well close to 40 of them - members of the United Nations have agreed to “protect biodiversity in international waters.” This is important because two-thirds of the world’s oceans are considered international waters and by our count that is a lot of water, animals, planets, and organisms.
Although this is the first international agreement on ocean protection since 1982, the United Nations has been actively working to support ocean conservation through a range of initiatives and programs aimed at protecting the health and sustainability of our oceans. Some of the ways in which the UN has supported ocean conservation include:
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: This is a global treaty that was adopted by the UN in 1982. It sets out the legal framework for the use and conservation of the world's oceans and their resources and establishes rules for managing marine environments and resolving disputes.
Sustainable Development Goals: In 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 14 focuses specifically on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
The United Nations Environment Programme: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) works to protect and conserve the natural environment, including the oceans. It supports initiatives that promote sustainable fishing practices, reduce marine pollution, and protect marine biodiversity.
The Global Ocean Observing System: This is a global network of ocean observation systems that is coordinated by the UN's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. It collects and shares data on the state of the world's oceans, including information on temperature, salinity, and sea level.
The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development: In 2021, the UN launched the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which aims to promote ocean science and support the sustainable use and management of the world.
Business, Industry & Economy:
🎟 No more ticket flapping on the slopes of Vail Mountain Resorts - the company announced a new mobile lift ticket platform through the Epic App to be rolled out for the 2023/24 ski season.
🥃 National Parks Conservation Association renews partnership with Yellowstone Bourbon and is slated to receive $250,000 from the company in 2023. This cool 1/4 of a mill makes Yellowstone Bourbon NPCA's largest annual corporate donor.
Johnson Outdoors splits Eureka offering and is under an agreement to sell the military and commercial tents business for $13.7M
REI’s Path Ahead Ventures Navigate Program applications are open till March 12 - the program is designed to give emerging Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry by offering opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.
📉 Hibbetts underperforms in Q1 but raises outlook for the year - projecting single-digit overall increase year over year.
🛹 Quiksilver, Billabong, ROXY, DC Shoes, RVCA, and Element are six flagship brands under the Boardriders, Inc portfolio which are rumored to be acquired by Authentic Brands Group.
🏄🏽 Surf Industry Member Association is almost at capacity for its first consumer event dubbed Surfscape, in Huntington Beach, CA.
🤝 Third REI location votes to Unionize its workforce.
🦆 Influencer vs Content Creator? Individuals in the hunting and fishing space walk a fine line between influencing or simply becoming an extension of the content development team for companies and brands. The size of the audience is the deciding factor.
⚡️ The newest entry into the camper market is Lightship, self-dubbed America's first all-electric recreational vehicle company. Founded by former Tesla employees - their first product is nothing short of futuristic.
🎣 Vista Outdoors names new president of Simms Fishing Products
Two outdoor brands make the list of the top 10 most popular sports brands on Instagram. The Northface comes in at #7 with 5.3M followers and right on their tail is Patagonia #8 with 5.1M followers.
🪨 Vail Resorts Mountain Division just got a little “rockier” 🤘🏼 with the appointment of Bill Rock as president.
🇨🇦 Now Canada can say they have one - Mount St. Louis Moonstone in Ontario will be home to Canada’s first high-speed 8-pack chairlift.
🌱 If your company has a CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer), which might be the case because more were hired in 2021 than in the previous 5 years combined. HBR lays out 8 responsibilities they should be tackling.
Rubi, the company creating a new way of manufacturing that exists in harmony with the planet with the goal to decarbonize the fashion industry secures $8.7M in funding from some notable players Patagonia Tin Shed Ventures, and the H&M Group
⛷ Aspen Ski Co. has named their new CEO and they found him at a different mountain - a Vail Mountain to be more specific.
🏠 What is it like to come to America and work at a ski resort for a winter? Well in the housing department, it can look like week-to-week accommodations, nine different locations, sharing with upwards of 14 people, a 45-minute bus commute to the mountain, and paying some astronomical rates.
It’s going to be a little harder to get gear and rentals next winter in Aspen, Telluride, and Snowmass Village. SSI Ventures, Vail Resorts’ retail arm has announced its plan to shutter 19 retail and rental locations. It should be noted that Vail doesn’t own or operate any mountains in these towns but their closure will eliminate 69 jobs and leave a void in the market.
Patagonia Provisions, the food and beverage division of Patagonia, has made its first acquisition, and it is a cracker company called Moonshot. Moonshot's claim to fame is all elements of their supply chain are within 100 miles of each other, which results in a lower carbon footprint.
Health, Wellness, & Fitness:
🚶🏽♀️You know the old saying “a daily walk keeps the grim reaper away.” Actually, we don’t think that is correct but a new study from researchers at the University of Cambridge might just make it true. They found activity for as little as 11 minutes a day could help prevent 1 in 10 premature deaths. We like you - so get walking!
The World Obesity Federation predicts by 2035 more than half the world’s population will be overweight or obese. Come on people - let’s tip the scales in the other direction ⚖️
🍸 Top trends impacting the alcohol industry right now are not clever names and cool labels but health and affordability.
💤 Another week and yet another study showing the benefits of sleep. This time coming from the American Heart Association. They report people who routinely get regular, uninterrupted sleep were better at sticking to exercise and diet plans while trying to lose weight.
💪 Health & Wellness industry might shed some lbs and experience consolidation in 2023 according to these venture capitalists
Sustainability, Conservation & Environment:
A $4.7M e-bike program in Denver launched in the Spring of 2022 led to 4,734 residents purchasing e-bikes and fewer car trips.
❄️ The Greatest Snow on Earth is in danger as the Great Salt Lake continues to recede. A smaller lake many fear will negate lake effect storms which provide high annual snowfall. A representative from Snowbird said, “that a single inch of snowfall is worth $2.8 million in Utah’s $1.6 billion ski tourism industry.”
Snow-filled winters lead to snow-melt springs. Europe’s lack of snow is exacerbating the growing water crisis coming off the driest summer in over 500 years.
Patagonia made the earth its only shareholder but the company’s president believes “the next level of progress can only come when different, otherwise-competing companies, can work together toward a common goal.”
🦋 At least 12 states don’t recognize insects as wildlife in their conservation statutes which makes protecting them quite difficult. The New York Times explores why insects are worth fighting for.
🐨 World Wildlife Day marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which was signed on March 3, 1973, and has helped protect thousands of species of plants and animals.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Nike, AirBnb, and over 300 other companies commit to the Hispanic Promise 2.0 - where they pledge to hire and engage more Hispanics.
Outlandish - a Brooklyn, NY-based hiking store - only the 4th black-owned hiking store in the U.S. is working to make the outdoors more inclusive for all.
🙋🏽♀️ The founder of the Sports Bra Bar in Portland, Oregon raised $50k in 9 days to open a bar that only shows women’s sports.
Newsweek drops its list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women and some outdoor companies make the list. AirBnb, Backcountry, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Eddie Bauer, Hibbets, K2, LL Bean, and more!
Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality:
The farm just found a new revenue stream - thanks to platforms like The Dyrt and Hipcamp - farms are diversifying their business and offering unique experiences by offering their land to campers.
🤿 A Snorkel Trail? Yup - that’s right. The Blue Ridge snorkel trail is slated to open this spring in Western North Carolina.
Reservations, limited day passes sold, and better control of season tickets are helping ski resorts in the American West handle the record snowfall and masses of people looking to hit the slopes.
✈️ Did the Travel Agent just become a Travel Advisor - the proponents of the sustainable tourism industry see Travel Advisors playing a huge role in the education and management of the travel industry.
🏨 We know after a day of exploring the parks, nothing beats a good spot to rest your head. Check out these top hotels near State and National Parks.
Government, Grants & Policy:
🤑 Up to $166M heading to locally-led conservation efforts from the Biden-Harris Administration and the National Fish and Wildlife Association.
Illinois Gov carves out $60M in grant money to support 118 local park and recreation projects across the state.
🦬 $25M dedicated to supporting American Buffalo Restoration coming from the Department of the Interior.
Proven projects to advance Climate Resilience, Conservation, and Equity slated to receive $120M from the Inflation Reduction Act managed by the Department of the Interior. Funds to support projects that rebuild and restore units of the National Wildlife Refuge System and partnering State Wildlife Management Areas that have been affected by adverse weather events.
Gear & Gadgets:
🐢 Turtlefur 🤝 Share Winter Foundation team up on neck gator with 50% of proceeds going to support Share Winter’s mission of well…Sharing Winter.
3️⃣ Three Colorado companies and three innovations to improve your camping experience.
🦙 Why Cotopaxi is now this guy’s go-to outdoor brand - colors/styles, a travel bag, and the company’s commitment to creating sustainable products and leveraging business operations that make a positive impact.
Patagonia might have just bought a cracker company but it certainly doesn’t want people, let alone babies eating its clothes. The outdoor manufacturer has issued a recall on an infant base layer due to a possible choking hazard with the product’s snaps that may become detached.
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