October has been a whirlwind month for Kenji Consults, starting with the Doug Walker Memorial Retreat in the North Cascades National Park. Assembled were a diverse group of leaders from around the country, representing the conservation, media, industry and land management communities. The North Cascades Institute Environmental Learning Center played host to the group, where…
Value of Awards and Recognition Several years ago I found myself hiking down a steep mountain trail trying to keep up with a well-known chief editor of a national magazine group. He was 6’6” and had a stride like a gazelle. My top speed was still hobbit-like by comparison. I was trying to hold…
I try to be positive but also action-focused on Independence Day. Where I live there is much to be thankful for as an American, and people are not shy to show their patriotism out loud. And other, less thoughtful things. That’s fine. I’ll be celebrating too. But I also want to take a few minutes…
This morning I had an early morning breakfast meeting with town leaders from a gorgeous and popular mountain town in California, and this question underpinned most of our very lively discussion… What is the ultimate combination for healthy living? Clean air and water, education and recreation and healthcare resources nearby… cool people, and cultural diversity?…
If there were one event, or entity, relevant to the business world that utterly captures the reason why diversity is a mission-critical component of every business today, it’s the ubiquitous and highly-respected TED conferences. There is something different about TED conferences and it’s more noticeable the more presentations from TED we see. What makes them…
Just saw this from the amazing Kelly Slater. It immediately conjured images of a comprehensive adventure parks experience of the future where people of all ages/ilks/cultures/geographies can learn and try and fail and succeed in a controlled environment. Practicing adventure skills means failing where it’s safe to do so, and enabling a positive experience when…
Several key metrics jumped out at me from this year’s version of the SIA Intelligence Report, shared via video… very well produced and visually interesting, it made studying market metrics more fun. Really! 1/3rd of A/T (Alpine Touring) gear is sold online… and backcountry is down in the shops for the first time in a…
(reposted from my LinkedIn account at the urging of readers…) I just read back-to-back articles on Quiksilver going Ch. 11 (along with a host of other action-sports industry brands and retailers) and the ‘Urban to Outdoor‘ trend picked up from the Realtree blog (clearly the more ‘bloodsport’ outdoor referenced there). It does seem the Outdoorsy…
Fall is the season not only for budget deep dives and strategic plan development, but also for industry event travel. Whether buying events that gather like-minded retailers together or inspiring leadership summits, these are some of the best-of-class annual events in any industry remotely related to Outdoor Recreation. I have faithfully attended the OIA…
I’m really not sure how I feel about this ad promoting ‘Nature Rx’, in the style of the ubiquitous drug company schlock you see everywhere from Roku channel to pop ups when gaming (so I’ve heard…). On the one hand, it’s pretty hilarious; and promoting nature visitation is good for our collective community of businesses…