Outdoor Industry Association to Host Capitol Summit in Washington, DC on April 26-27

April 19, 2016

REI continues long-standing support as title sponsor

(Boulder, CO) April 19, 2016 – Outdoor Industry Association^® (OIA) will hold the 24th annual Capitol Summit on April 26-27, 2016. The event brings together outdoor industry executives and emerging leaders in Washington, D.C. to represent their businesses and to lobby members of Congress and the administration to support industry recreation, trade and business priorities.

The two day event provides attendees with insight into the current political landscape, an overview of OIA’s expertise on trade and recreational issues and an interactive training on effective lobbying. OIA’s government affairs team arranges a full roster of key meetings with members of Congress and administration officials to help attendees effectively deliver the message that the outdoor recreation economy is extremely valuable to America and that the outdoor industry depends on their support.

Key to the success of Capitol Summit are the sponsors. As a long standing title sponsor of the event, REI recognizes the value of this investment as critical to the future of the outdoor industry. Their commitment and participation is critical to OIA’s efforts in D.C. on behalf of the outdoor industry as a whole.

“REI sponsors and sends people to the Capitol Summit because advocacy on behalf of our industry matters so much,” said Marc Berejka, Director of Government & Community Affairs for REI. “The Summit is a phenomenal platform for our industry leaders to raise our issues and see that we can have impact. They also can take what they learn and advocate year round, nationally and locally, to truly make a difference for outdoors.”

“The outdoor industry clearly has the attention of policymakers in Washington, D.C. and across the country,” said Alex Boian, OIA’s Senior Director of Government Affairs. “REI has been a longstanding supporter at the annual OIA Capitol Summit. We thank them for consistently helping us encourage passage of bills such as the Outdoor REC Act, which directs the government to measure the contribution of the outdoor economy to U.S. GDP and for continuing to be an industry leader and OIA ally in promoting ideas and policies that benefit the entire outdoor industry.”

Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, CO, with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA unites and serves over 1200 manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy , sustainable business, market & consumer insights and industry trends. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.