Kenji gets the final word in an August 4 NYT article about how the pandemic has brought unprecedented demand for outdoor gear, disrupting supply chains across the greater outdoor recreation industries, including cycling, paddlesports, climbing gyms, and even trampolines. Read Full Article Here from August 4, 2020
Are you interested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in the Outdoor Industry? Are you wondering how you fit into the growing movement to diversify the outdoor user base? Do you feel like you want to increase your activism in this space? Want to build your network of DEI advocates already at work in the industry?…
At an Inclusivity Lunch a few years ago, we featured as a keynote speaker David Labistour, CEO of MEC. MEC (known as the REI of Canada) was undergoing a seismic rebranding effort to change from a ‘core mountain shop’ style of retailer to a more inclusive, welcoming outdoor recreation community hub. This meant shedding…
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…
Earlier this month I participated in a ‘Blab’, hosted by my good friends over at New Normal Consulting. Moderated expertly by Kristin Carpenter-Ogden of Living Uber and Verde Communications, the Blab circled around one of my favorite topics… Climbing. Specifically the place where rock gyms meet a non-outdoorsy public. What a great opportunity for the…
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…
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…