Asheville-area outdoor gear makers create alliance to support, promote one another

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Check out these moves to unite and boost the brands of local outdoor gear companies:

-First, Eagles Nest Outfitters, located on the South Slope in Asheville, has spearheaded a move to unite outdoor gear builders across Western North Carolina. Similar to the Asheville Brewers Alliance, the Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC aims to unite local companies and boost business. They’ve recently launched a new website.

-Second, Prestige Subaru is opening a new marketing venue, the Prestige Adventure Center. It will be a big showroom featuring custom Subarus, as well as locally made adventure gear. “The Prestige Adventure Center will be a lot like a community center, a place where local outdoor gear builders, retailers like Diamond Brand, REI, and Black Dome, and adventure companies like NOC, Navitat, and others, can all get together, have their products on display, and help promote each other,” according to a press release.

Sounds like a great idea, and a sign that Western North Carolina’s outdoors scene is coming into its own. Here’s the press release about the  Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC:

After launching in the flesh at the Mountain Sports Festival (MSF) and the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, the Outdoor Gear Builders of Western North Carolina, a spirited network of outdoor gear manufacturers, now boast an online presence at outdoorgearbuilders.com.

The group, which first assembled before the MSF in Asheville, NC on May 23-25, also welcomes eight new sponsors – Astral, Bellyak, American Backcountry, Harmony House Foods, Inc., liquidlogic, Native Watercraft, Recover Brands and Simple Shot Shooting Sports – in addition to its two founding sponsors, Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) and SylvanSport.

“We are so excited to welcome the new sponsors and to continue building on the solid foundation we already have,” Amy Allison, Event Coordinator for ENO said. “We have new interest every day and we hope we will be welcoming more new sponsors over the coming months.”

The Gear Builder’s new Web site, created by Sarah Benoit of Creative Original Online Marketing, launched just before the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market at the end of July. It features a full manufacturer’s directory, an upcoming calendar of events OGB Sponsors are attending, product images and sponsorship information. It will also serve as the virtual ‘basecamp’ for all sponsors who are spread out over the region’s 11,000 square mile footprint.

The coalition is the first of its kind in the area and is looking to unite over 20 local gear manufacturers that call WNC home. Although currently open to just gear manufacturers, there are plans to extend the sponsorship to outdoor retailers and media partners with the aim of increasing publicity and improving economic development.

“We realize that support from local retailers, suppliers, financial partners and the general public is extremely valuable to our members as we all try to succeed and grow in this economy,” said Kyle Mundt, Director of Marketing for SylvanSport.

The Gear Builder’s will next be together at the launch of the Prestige Adventure Center in Asheville, NC on Sept. 14.

ABOUT THE OGB of WNC

The Outdoor Gear Builders of Western North Carolina is a spirited network of gear-making companies based in the outdoor mecca of WNC. Founded in the summer of 2013, the group was organized to form a creative, inclusive and supportive space to encourage each other and new business. OGB is dedicated to stimulating communication, sharing ideas, and generative crossover opportunities between ourselves and others.

1 Comment

Tim Weber September 6, 2013 - 12:48 pm

Oh WOW! I had no idea they were located there! We are going to have to hook up and do some promotions together. I plan to use an ENO hammock when I have to sleep overnight in the brewery.

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