This week, the Big Gear Show announced a vision of showcasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in action within the industry. To do this, it partnered with two organizations, new to the show this year: Adaptive Adventures and Founded Outdoors.
Adaptive Adventures will showcase a variety of adaptive gear and put on gear demonstrations. Meanwhile, Founded Outdoors will host workshops and events that discuss and promote inclusion for the industry.
“Adaptive Adventures and Founded Outdoors’ participation in The Big Gear Show is the beginning of several inclusivity programs we are developing, with future announcements coming,” said Kenji Haroutunian, director for The Big Gear Show. “Instead of merely discussing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at industry events, attendees will see it in action.”
About the Organizations
Founded in 1999, Adaptive Adventures is the single largest nonprofit recipient of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Adaptive Sports grants. The organization provides progressive outdoor sports opportunities to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities and their families.
Launched in 2021, Founded Outdoors supports emerging businesses nationwide through community, programming, and connections. Its goal is to increase access in the outdoor industry, and in outdoor places.
The community includes more than 400 outdoor entrepreneurs at different stages across product categories. Entrepreneurs in Founded Outdoors are supported with ongoing knowledge-sharing, peer support, resource databases, and topical workshops and events.
You can find Adaptive Adventures and Founded Outdoors at the Big Gear Show in Denver, Colo., from June 8 to 11, 2023.
