The KORE Outdoors Summit is supported by:
Thursday, October 3
9:45 – 10:30 am / New Dawn B
Opening Keynote: Mallory Ottariano
“How to grow a brand with $0 in marketing.”
Learn More About Mallory’s Presentation
Mallory Ottariano is the founder of Youer and she runs her company from her factory based in Missoula, Montana. She has had an incredible career that’s culminated in her owning a multi-million-dollar brand and a US-based factory where she makes her own line of active apparel. In her presentation called “How to grow a brand with $0 in marketing,” she will talk about building a community through in-person events and social media. Mallory is an energizing and inspiring person who has been featured in Forbes, Outside Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Buzzfeed as well as on the TEDx circuit.
Thursday, October 3
11:00 – 12:00 pm
Concurrent Workshops
New for the 2024 Summit are workshops designed to provide practical skills and insights on specific topics within the outdoor industry. Sessions will cover a range of topics, from sustainability and product development to influencer marketing and intellectual property. These workshops, led by industry veterans and subject matter experts, offer invaluable opportunities for actionable take-aways and networking.
Thursday, October 3
11:00 – 12:00 pm / New Dawn B
The Unique Development of the World’s Lightest 3-Piece Trekking Pole
Presenters: Dan Durston of Durston Gear & Cam Shute of Dark Horse Innovations
Facilitator: Christian Rawles of Ambler Mountain Works
Learn More About The Iceline Workshop
Join Golden, BC resident Dan and Cam of Nelson, BC as they discuss the genesis and process of designing and producing Durston’s Iceline poles, the lightest three-piece trekking poles in the world. This workshop will provide valuable insights into product design, developing supplier relationships, and how to leveraging skilled partners.
Thursday, October 3
11:00 – 12:00 pm / North Star
Influencer Marketing
Presenters: Presenters: Pat Simpson of Ghostrider Equipment, Rick Lee Jones of North 45, and pro climber Zoe Beauchemin
Host: “Powder Matt” Mosteller of the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Learn More About The Influencer Marketing Workshop
When should you use social media influencers in your marketing? Join our panel as they discuss their experiences from the standpoints of the product designer, the coordinator, and the influencer.
Thursday, October 3
11:00 – 12:00 pm / Sullivan
PFAS & Sustainability
Presenters: Joël Mertens, director of Higg Product Tools at Cascale
Host: Russell McPherson
Learn More About Joël’s Presentation
Joël Mertens is the director of Higg Product Tools at Cascale, a global non-profit dedicated to collective action on sustainability for the consumer goods industry. Before joining Cascale, Joël was with Mountain Equipment Co-op where he held roles on product sustainability, material research and development, quality assurance, chemical compliance, and supply chain environmental responsibility. In this workshop he’ll be discussing the challenges and opportunities of regulatory phasing out per- and Poly-fluorinated Alkyl Substances including tips when considering alternative chemistry. He’ll also go over examples of greenwashing cases from around the world along with mechanisms to ensure your environmental claims are suitably substantiated.
Thursday, October 3
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Concurrent Plenaries
Thursday, October 3
1:00 – 2:00 pm / New Dawn B
Jenna Celmer, Co-founder of Basecamp Outdoor
“Ask me anything! Gaining clarity about hiring and job searching in the outdoor industry.”
Learn More About Jenna’s Presentation
Jenna is a foremost expert on all things job seeking and hiring in the outdoor industry thanks to thousands of hours spent speaking, listening, and building emerging technology platforms that solicit unique data on the topic. Every week Jenna offers one-to-one and group hiring advice and “career therapy” to Basecamp’s audience of over 200,000 people to help employers and job seekers gain clarity in their search or hiring process. Common topics involve unbiased hiring practices, breaking into the industry mid-career, networking tips, and communication of value. While Jenna doesn’t have all the answers, she welcomes all questions, whether general or specific to a particular situation, and she has the network to point you in the right direction.
Thursday, October 3
1:00 – 2:00 pm / New Dawn A
Cam Stuart, R&E Manager at Arc’teryx
“The development of the world’s first hike-assist pant.”
Learn More About Cam’s Presentation
Designing product for the outdoors can be extremely challenging. It has to withstand years of abuse in harsh environments, perform as promised, remain comfortable for all-day use, and be aesthetically pleasing. Now, add the complexity of working alongside a fast-paced Silicon Valley tech startup in a novel product category! From machine learning to hiking pant design, I will share the development journey of MO/GO, the world’s first hike-assist, and the lessons learned along the way.
Thursday, October 3
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Concurrent Workshops
Thursday, October 3
2:15 – 3:15 pm / North Star
All You Need To Know About Angel Investing
Presenter: Carollyn Schafer, Past Interim CEO of Accelerate Okanagan
Facilitator: Beth Gallup
Learn More About Carollyn’s Presentation
In this presentation, Carollyn will touch on the secrets about soliciting angel investing as well as how to think more conscientiously and sustainably, and to use design and digital technology as a tool to better our futures. She is an active angel investor with a background in law and recently spent a year acting as the Interim CEO of Accelerate Okanagan. She’s also worked in the start-up space and is a general partner of OKGN WMAN, a past director and Fund Manager of the OKGN Angel Summit, and acts as the facilitator for their investor discussions.
Thursday, October 3
2:15 – 3:15 pm / Sullivan
Creating Brand Loyalists
Presenter: James Retty of Uptrack Solutions
Facilitator: Christian Rawles of Ambler Mountain Works
Learn More About James’s Presentation
We are producing the most advanced product our industry has ever seen. Technology in materials is advancing, technology in design is advancing and technology in production is advancing. Past and present KORE participants prove this. Yet our industry is stagnating, with decreasing margins and an excess of supply. All this when we have just recognized that over 16 million new users exist in the outdoor marketplace. The future of retail is a harmonization of Select Specialty Retailers and the Direct to Consumer model. Come and explore with James Retty how doing this will move our industry to new heights in social, environmental, and fiscal achievements and allow vendors to invest in innovation.
Thursday, October 3
2:15 – 3:15 pm / Jerry Johnston
Outdoor Gear Repair
Presenter: Nicholas Courval of Basecamp Repairs
Facilitator: Kevin Pennock of KORE
Learn More About Nicholas’s Presentation
Basecamp Repair is a company that specializes in repairing recreational outdoor equipment. It was co-founded by Nicholas who had worked for leading national outdoor equipment retailers and found there was huge problem in the industry he loved: all of it revolving around waste. On a daily basis he saw returns come through the door, many of them easily fixable. In this workshop he will talk about the growing industry of gear repair, how it applies to your business, and how money can be made from it.
Thursday, October 3
3:30 – 5:30 pm
Outdoor Connect
New for the 2024 Summit are outdoor activities catered for attendees that are intended to be part workout, part exploration and part networking. There will be four activities including:
- Freewheelers Group Mountain Bike Ride
- Spirit Rock Climbing Gym Group Session
- Group Trail Run
- Ski Hill Hike
Thursday, October 3
5:30 – Late
Campfire Social Hosted by ETSI-BC
Join attendees in the courtyard outside the Conference Centre for drinks, burgers (including vegetarian and vegan) and more networking.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Friday, October 4
8:30 – 9:30 am
Concurrent Plenaries
Friday, October 4
8:30 – 9:30 am / New Dawn A
Chase Anderson, Industry Relations Manager at Utah State University
“The Outdoor Recreation Archive as a Resource For You”
Learn More About Chase’s Presentation
The Outdoor Recreation Archive is the home for all things outdoor industry history. Started in 2018 through a partnership between Utah State University Special Collections and Archives and the Outdoor Product Design & Development program, the ORA collects catalogues, magazines, documents, photographs and more related to the development of outdoor gear and apparel and the stories of the brands and people behind them. To date, the collection is comprised of over 10,000 catalogs and magazines from over 1,000 brands and publications in addition to a growing number of rare document and photo collections from gear pioneers and brands. The collection is becoming a gathering place and resource for gear enthusiasts, researchers, creatives, designers, and brands looking for inspiration from the past.
Friday, October 4
8:30 – 9:30 am / New Dawn B
GOSO Cookware Panel Discussion
“The KORE Network in Action”
Learn More About The GOSO Panel
The launch of GOSO Cookware exemplifies the KORE network in action. Brent Firkser, GOSO’s founder, utilized the connections he made within the KORE network to successfully design, build and launch his first product: the Everywhere Pan. In this panel discussion, Brent will be joined by a few of the collaborators who worked with him to bring GOSO to market including Cam Shute, James Friedrich and Christian Rawles. This in-depth conversation will talk about how the team took GOSO from concept to successful crowdfunding.
Friday, October 4
9:30 – 10:30 am
Concurrent Workshops
Friday, October 4
9:30 – 10:30 am / North Star
Small Business Accounting Issues To Get Right
Presenter: Clare Kelly, CPA
Facilitator: Christian Rawles of Amber Mountain Works
Learn More About Clare’s Presentation
Join Clare as she discusses solutions to common outdoor industry accounting issues including:
- Supervising external bookkeepers (including accounting AI) and how to effectively review your own bookkeeping entries.
- How to deal with apps (e.g. POS or inventory) and accounting software: keep it simple.
- Decision-making: cashflow tools vs. accrual method reports.
Friday, October 4
9:30 – 10:30 am / Sullivan
Diversity Initiatives
Presenter: Dylan Murray, Indigenous Backcountry Training & JoJo Das, SOARE
Facilitator: Ashley O’Neill of Ash Firewear
Learn More About Dylan & JoJo’s Presentation
In 2023 Dylan started the company Indigenous Backcountry Training. Developed from scratch, the avalanche safety training program is catered to Indigenous people aged 16+ at backcountry lodges. The program is a mix of AST training, career opportunities, Indigenous teachings, and community building. JoJo is the executive director of the Sea to Sky Outdoor Adventure Recreation Enterprise (SOARE) and the director of programming for Mountain Mentors. He and Dylan will be discussing diversity initiatives in the outdoor industry throughout BC.
Friday, October 4
9:30 – 10:30 am / Jerry Johnston
Industrial Design
Presenter: Robbie Roberts of Form3 Design
Facilitator: Cam Shute of Dark Horse Innovations
Learn More About Robbie’s Presentation
Using examples from his work in the bike and ski industry, Robbie will highlight the key ways that industrial design can take a product to the next level.
Friday, October 4
11:00 – 12:00 pm
Concurrent Plenaries
Friday, October 4
11:00 – 12:00 pm / New Dawn B
David Harley, Founder of Valhalla Pure Outfitters
“If I were to do it all over again, what would I do differently?”
Learn More About David’s Presentation
David is one of the architects of Canada’s Outdoors industry. WL Gore’s 5th customer, David built Far West into North America’s largest Gore-tex apparel producer during the 1980s from his headquarters in Vernon, BC. From 1990, David has built Valhalla Pure Outfitters into Canada’s largest premium outdoor retailer at $50 million annually. He’s been in the industry for 50 years but if her were to do it all over again, this is what he would do differently.
Friday, October 4
11:00 – 12:00 pm / New Dawn A
Jack Finn and James Hearn of Skeleton Crew Creative Studio
“Yes Yes Yes! No No No! A Guide to Creative Decision Making”
Learn More About Their Presentation
Businesses often struggle with their brand, because unlike its other functions, such as operations, logistics, product, and accounting, it is difficult to quantify. For Skeleton Crew, they believe the key to a strong brand is about having the confidence to make clear decisions — to separate the subjective from the objective, but harness both to your advantage. This session will be part talk, part interactive workshop and will explore the tools and techniques Jack and James use to help brands make better creative decisions.
Friday, October 4
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Concurrent Workshops
Friday, October 4
1:00 – 2:00 pm / North Star
Everything You Need To Know About Carbon Fibre Composites
Presenter: Join Truls Ytre-Eide of UBC’s Composites Research Network
Facilitator: Jason Taylor
Learn More About Truls’s Presentation
Truls Ytre-Eide is a research engineer with the Composites Knowledge Network and works directly with small and medium enterprises across Canada to support them with their composites manufacturing. He experienced working in composites manufacturing in the aerospace and defence industry before joining the CKN. This presentation is for those considering carbon fibre composites for a rec-tech product. Join Truls for a design and manufacturing journey from concept to prototype to production. Using an L-bracket as an example, Truls will systematically explore the benefits and challenges of composites, and introduce the vast array of materials and manufacturing methods available.
Friday, October 4
1:00 – 2:00 pm / Sullivan
Break Your Own Barriers – A Product Launch How To
Presenter: James Friedrich of MEC and Venturing Up
Facilitator: Christian Rawles of Ambler Mountain Works
Learn More About James’s Presentation
This is your chance to stop being the major obstruction to your success and start taking decisive action toward your biggest ambitions.
In this actionable workshop, you’ll learn to unlock your full potential by overcoming the internal obstacles that hold you back.
Drawing on powerful insights from leading psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and seasoned entrepreneurs, you’ll gain a toolbox of strategies to engage fully, stay consistent, and become your own greatest ally in the pursuit of your goals.
Join us and break through your own barriers.
Friday, October 4
1:00 – 2:00 pm / Jerry Johnston
How To Protect Your Intellectual Property
Presenter: Pablo Tseng & Robert Piasentin of McMillan LLC
Facilitator: Beth Gallup
Learn More About Their Presentation
Learn how to protect and commercialize your intellectual property with Robert Piasentin and Pablo Tseng of McMillan LLP. In this workshop, you will be introduced to the different aspects of intellectual property, the importance of intellectual property to the growth and value of your business, and ways in which you may commercialize or leverage your intellectual property. Come with questions; leave with answers.
Friday, October 4
3:00 – 4:00 pm / New Dawn B
Closing Keynote: Rob Owens of OnwardUp Marketing
““The Mountain Athlete X Entrepreneurship Relationship”
Learn More About Rob’s Presentation
Rob began his career as an outdoor retail sales representative in 2001 when he started as a technical rep for Petzl. At that time he was a professional ice and alpine climber and had begun the path toward becoming an IFMGA Mountain Guide. Rob established OnwardUP Sales and Marketing in 2009 and now represents nine outdoor brands including Patagonia. While pursuing his path as an alpinist, and then as a mountain guide, Rob developed a relationship with risk that has served him well in many aspects of running his business. Just as a focus on outdoor education led him to guiding, he feels his current business can enable elevated outdoor experiences that in turn elevate a participant’s mind, body and spirit.
SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE
OUR PARTNERS
SUMMIT SPONSOR
Pacifican
PacifiCan is the federal economic development agency dedicated to British Columbians. PacifiCan works with partners who are building innovative businesses, creating quality jobs and supporting inclusive growth throughout our province.
BASECAMP SPONSORS
City of Kimberley
KORE thanks the City of Kimberley for the financial support for the “Experience Kimberley” and “Invest Kimberley” conference components for the optional day on Saturday, October 5. Summit delegates can discover both adventure amenities, such as trails and recreation facilities, as well as local businesses and economic development opportunities including light industrial and workshop manufacturing areas.
Website: kimberley.ca
PBJ Merch Co.
New Westminster, BC-based PBJ Merch Co. makes custom merchandise, gifts, and apparel for your company. Founder Rich Patterson says his “deep roots in Cranbrook and connections across the Kootenay region, where I spent my youth skiing, camping, and revelling in the outdoors, inspire our dedication to environmental stewardship and to supporting organizations like KORE.”
Website: pbjmerch.co
Gear Re-Store
Calgary-based Gear Re-Store specialises in extending the life of outdoor gear, including waterproof/breathable jackets and pants, down products, sleeping bags, tents, and backpacks. Premium repairs and restoration services with above average turnaround time. Industry-leading technology. Reducing impact on the planet by keeping good gear out of the landfill. That’s who we are.
Website: gearrestore.com
COMMUNITY FUTURES EAST KOOTENAY
Community Futures is a community-drive, non-profit business loan, business development, and community economic development organization. We partner with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth, and build vibrant, sustainable communities. Funded by the Government of Canada, Community Futures has been supporting rural entrepreneurs and communities for over 30 years. To find the Community Futures office nearest you, visit communityfutureskootenay.com.
Website: cfek.ca
TOURISM KIMBERLEY
From arts and culture to feasts, flavours, and festivity, Kimberley is a place to soak up magic moments with every turn.
Website: tourismkimberley.com
Simply Kimberley
Simply Kimberley plans, organizes and books vacations, transportation and lodging in Kimberley. With its very own selection of condos, luxury private chalets and transportation services, Simply Kimberley creates customized vacation packages for the golf or ski adventurer in the Kimberley area.
Website: kimberley.com
TRAILHEAD SPONSORS
KUMA OUTDOOR GEAR
Kuma Outdoor Gear offers North America luxury camping supplies designed in Canada. They believe in creating durable, outdoor products; it’s that simple. Their emphasis is on rugged and tough products that you can depend on. Using premium materials and a focus on ultimate comfort creates products that you can’t live without.
Website: kumaoutdoorgear.com
Economic Trust of the Southern Interior BC
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from ETSI-BC for helping fund part of the KORE Outdoor Rec-Tech Summit.
Website: www.etsi-bc.ca
FUTURPRENEUR
Futurpreneur has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades. They are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Their internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,400 volunteer mentors.
Website: futurpreneur.ca
CRANBROOK TOURISM
As the basecamp of the Kootenay Rockies, Cranbrook has it all. From all the trails one can dream of to multiple award-winning golf courses all within a 20-minute drive from town, Cranbrook is an adventure and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
Website: cranbrooktourism.com
AMBLER MOUNTAIN WORKS
Ambler specializes in ethically-made hats, toques, tees, felt slippers and other products that encourage people to get out and enjoy life outdoors. But the company does more than just make nice stuff to sell. The husband and wife team who own it believe that small businesses can make a difference in our local communities and across the globe by the decisions we make and actions we take. Ambler wants to make a difference in the lives of the people they work with, from the makers to the wearers and everyone in between.
Website: amblermw.com
REVY WEB DESIGN
We’re a small team of creatives who design and develop really great websites for the businesses of the Kootenays. Our team has a wide range of skills to help your business shine online. Whether you’re looking for web design, branding, photography, SEO and analytics, or engaging content creation, we’ve got you covered.
Website: revywebdesign.ca
KOOTENAY ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Since 1998, KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology) has led our region’s economic development through technology and innovation. We are the only non-profit tech association serving the entire Kootenay region. Our main offerings are: the Venture Acceleration Program, DER3 program, Kootenay Pitch Competition, Tech Resiliency Program, Nelson Innovation Centre and GLOWS. Our mission is to enable a vibrant, thriving and healthy tech community in the Kootenays by creating inclusive economic opportunities, stimulating job growth and by providing entrepreneurs and businesses with the support they need to thrive in the local and digital economy.
Website: kast.com
IN-KIND SPONSORS
KOOTENAY COMPUTER
From computer sales and repair to proactive IT management and support, Kootenay Computer offers a complete range of strategy-driven solutions for business and residential. Their skilled technicians are knowledgeable and well-trained on the latest technology to support any operating system you might use. Whether it’s Apple products or Windows computers, they repair and maintain them all. Even Linux, Unix and FreeDos systems are supported.
Website: kootenaycomputer.com
BLACK DOG CYCLE & SKI
Kimberley-based Black Dog Cycle & Ski is all about offering quality service and products we can stand behind with confidence and knowledge. That goes from our high-end skis and electric bikes, down to our t-shirts. If we won’t wear it, we won’t sell it. So, drop in and let’s see what we can do to make your outdoor leisure time everything you hope it can be.
Website: blackdogcycleandski.com
MOUNTAIN LIFE MEDIA
Mountain Life isn’t just a magazine or website, it’s a lifestyle. A vibrant, healthy, outdoor-loving lifestyle that we want to share with the world. We seek to showcase the extraordinary characters and epic adventures from Coast to Coast to Coast in Canada’s vast wilderness (and beyond). People from all ages and walks of life check out Mountain Life and our award-winning publications to get inspired to make stories of their own.
Website: mountainlifemedia.ca
CHOOSE CRANBROOK
Choose Cranbrook provides support to help your business establish and grow in this dynamic and innovative East Kootenay city. With access to important market research and business intelligence, they work actively to facilitate local connections to help support the establishment of your business in Cranbrook. In addition, local partners and stakeholders in the region recognize the need to remain competitive against other rural cities in the province in order to attract business. Your company can benefit from a number of incentives offered by the regional, provincial, and federal organizations to help lower your costs and move your business to Cranbrook.
Website: choosecranbrook.ca
OUTDOOR CONNECT PARTNERS
The following organizations have partnered with KORE to provide a variety of activities for the Outdoor Connect part of the agenda on the afternoon of the first day of the Summit.
