Press Information
8th April 2025
OIA Conference 2025 - A Huge Success
The 19th and 20th of March saw 130 delegates gathering at Shrigley Hall Hotel in Cheshire for the OIA Conference & AGM 2025, featuring two days of speakers, networking and activities, and including the presentation of the UK Outdoor Industry Awards2025.
Delegates heard from a wide range of expert and inspirational speakers, from the outdoor industry and beyond, across the two days, including:
- James Blake, CEO of the Youth Hostels Association (YHA), on the YHA's road to recovery after Covid and the subsequent perfect storm of cost of living, energy and interest rate rises.
- Laura Ball, Group Director of Marketing forNikwax, on engaging and motivating a younger audience
- Ben Seal, Head of Access & Environment atPaddle UK, on the 2024 launch of the "Outdoors For All" manifesto.
- Oliver Spark, CEO of Sweet Analytics and Al Keck, Founder & CEO of Infinity Nation, on how outdoor brands can leverage their customer data.
- Will Hayler, CEO of Blue Earth Summit, on how to avoid getting lost in compliance. But instead being part of the solution that drives your business forward.
- Mark Edridge, Product Manager at Bluesign Technologies, on how governments can control your USPs, and how to be ready.
- Dan Yates, Executive Director of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), on his life spent learning how nature is our number on stakeholder.
- Tim Bradshaw, Director of Sandstone Communications and former British Army Intelligence Officer, on the importance of resilience as a "team sport".
Delegates also enjoyed a wide range of outdoor activities across the two days, notably walks led by Lou Beetlestone from Plas Y Brenin and sponsored by Merrell, mountain biking sponsored by Pertex and led by Monica Dew from local company Kickback Coffee, trail running also sponsored by Merrell and led by Chris Lines from Right Lines Communications, and yoga sessions led by the OIA's CEO Andrew Denton.
At the OIA's Annual General Meeting, held at the start of day 1 of the conference, OIA chairman Nick Giles OBE and Chief Executive Andrew Denton presented the Association's 2025 Annual Report.
The report can be accessed via the OIA website, and it provides a review of the OIA's activities, highlights and achievements during 2024, together with a summary of the results of the Financial Year.
The close of Day 1 saw a reception and dinner, kindly sponsored by The Camping & Caravanning Club, Rab and Keela, prior to which the winners of the UK Outdoor Industry Awards2025 were announced, and presented with their awards. The winners were voted for by more than 1500 consumers. The overall winner was the Rab Veil XP 30 backpack, chosen as Product of the Year.
Winners from this year, with OIA Conference Guest Speaker Tim Bradshaw (fourth from right).
"The OIA Conference was a fantastic event — well-organised, engaging, and full of valuable insights. It covered a range of important topics, providing plenty of useful information to take away. From the very first day, there was a great atmosphere, with endless opportunities to meet new people, exchange ideas, and have meaningful conversations. Whether catching up with long-time industry colleagues or making brand-new connections, the conference provided an ideal setting for networking and relationship-building. I'm already looking forward to the next one!"
Alan Walker, Field Sales Manager, Keela
"A brilliant couple of days at Shrigley Hall connecting with the industry - a fantastic opportunity to hear from such inspiring and optimistic speakers on the real-world issues we're facing."
Tabitha Cross, Product & Sustainability Developer, JD Outdoor
"Fantastic conference with a great, well-balanced line-up of inspirational speakers. Perfect opportunity to network with industry peers in a relaxed atmosphere."
Anthony Greasby, Managing Director, Countryside Ski & Climb
ENDS
For further information about the OIA contact:info@theoia.co.uk
www.theoia.co.uk