Peak Design Joins Boycott of Outdoor Retailer in 2017 Over Concern of Bear’s Ear National Monument

February 10, 2017

San Francisco, CA (Feb, 10 2017) — In response to steps taken by the Utah legislature to rescind the designation of the Bear’s Ear National Monument in Southeastern Utah, Peak Design, maker of essential carry equipment and camera accessories, has decided to boycott the 2017 Outdoor Retailer. Peak Design strongly believes that public lands are an engine of economic growth for the outdoor industry and that any financial commitment to Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, Utah would violate this core principal.

The oil and gas industry in Utah has grown accustomed to using influence to advance public policies that benefit oil and gas industry at the expense of others. Peak Design joins a growing chorus of companies in the outdoor industry who are deeply concerned about this influence in rolling back federal protection of the newly established Bear’s Ear National Monument in Southern Utah. The proposed abolishment of Bear’s Ear National Monument would open 1.3M acres to energy extraction and severely limit the kind of recreational opportunities that serve as the backbone to outdoor industry consumers, devastate ancestral Native American lands and serve as a foreboding move upon the integrity of all National Monuments.

“It’s worth noting that Peak Design has made it part of our mission to stand up for causes we believe in,” commented Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design. “That’s why we are doing things like this. Gone are the days when businesses can simply lounge in the background of politics. We need to do what we can to fight for what we believe in.”

Peak Design hopes by announcing their absence at this year’s Outdoor Retailer, similarly positioned small and mid-sized brands will feel empowered to withdraw their participation as well. Dering went on to say, “We’d love to inspire the hundreds of small companies that are closer to our scale to do the same, because if we all band together, it’s actually going to sting. Plenty of states who do the right thing are ready and willing to take Utah’s place. It’s time for Governor Herbert to hear that message loud and clear.”

As Peak Design has grown so too has the brand’s commitment to social and environmental causes. In 2016, Peak Design began participating in 1% For The Planet, a non-profit organization that assists and connects businesses with initiatives to support a healthy planet. Peak Design has plans to roll out a new web-based platform in 2017 which will match-make socially inclined creatives and non-profit organizations.

For more information on Peak Design’s decision: http://journal.peakdesign.com/a-leader-worth-following

About Peak Design

Peak Design began as a professional-grade camera accessory brand dedicated to engineering thoughtful solutions to improve the way photographers transport and manage their cameras. Born out of a successful Kickstarter project in 2011, Peak Design has returned to crowdfunding 6 times to bring over 20 innovative, durable products to likeminded photographers and adventurers. The company’s most recent Kickstarter project, the Everyday Line of bags, won over $6.5MM in funding, breaking category records and ushering Peak Design further into a new product category — carrying and bags. The San Francisco based company now designs products not just for photographers, but also travelers, commuters and the creative class. For more information, visit peakdesign.com.