Public lands interest is also rising at other outdoor gatherings this spring, including this week’s Outdoor Industry Association Rendezvous in Denver, Colorado. Hosted by Switchback’s official event partner, Rendezvous will spotlight conservation advocacy, messaging, and strategies as one of several essential issues to be addressed at the sold out gathering.

“While conservation has long been an essential topic for the outdoor community, the urgency and importance of it has never been greater. Switchback is honored to be a host and facilitator for these conversations,” said Sean Smith, Switchback event director.

“Supporting efforts through The Conservation Alliance means investing in more than conservation—it’s about safeguarding the resources that are ensuring business resilience, strengthening the outdoor economy, and sustaining communities for generations to come,” said Hendricks.

“With their words, actions, and resources, our industry continues to show up when the public lands we all depend on are under threat. The rising tide of conservation awareness at events this spring is evidence of how important the topic is to our community, as well as how urgent these issues are,” said Kent Ebersole, president, Outdoor Industry Association.

The Conservation Alliance was founded in 1989 by industry leaders Kelty, Patagonia, REI, and The North Face to increase outdoor industry support for conservation efforts. They believed that cooperation among businesses was the most effective way to make the biggest impact. Today, The Conservation Alliance is the leading business coalition for conservation. Uniting companies across industries, perspectives, and geographies, they harness the collective power of our members to protect lands and waters for future generations. They pair corporate advocacy with funding for grassroots action on the ground. Investing in land and water protection today creates jobs, supports local economies, and ensures these benefits exist for future generations.

Since its founding, The Conservation Alliance and its members have helped protect over 125 million acres of land and nearly 5,000 river miles by advocating for common-sense policies and granting $34.9 million to local groups to improve and protect critical landscapes across the country. With natural places facing a barrage of threats, they welcome all brands that value North American landscapes to join them in leveraging the power of business to drive conservation.

To learn more about The Conservation Alliance and their work, please visit https://conservationalliance.com.

About Switchback

Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry, owned and operated by Diversified, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Held at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback takes place each fall in conjunction with The Running Event (TRE)  and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with robust education, peer connection, and business meetings, Switchback serves as a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates include Switchback Spring (June 16–18, 2026; New Orleans, LA) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 1–3, 2026; San Antonio, TX). To learn more, contact Michael Collin ([email protected]) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.