The European Outdoor Group (EOG) held its 2023 Annual General Assembly (AGA) online on Tuesday 21 February, completing formal business and agreeing a programme for the year ahead. During the meeting, members were given an update on the association’s key activities and achievements over the last 12 months. Early in 2022, the EOG opened up membership to organisations in the wider value chain. This action resulted in the addition of 17 new members over the year, from both the core outdoor sector and the wider value chain. At the AGA, five new EOG Board members were also appointed, including a role that has a dedicated CSR and sustainability portfolio.

Membership growth

In 2022, EOG members agreed to accept applications from the wider value chain to join as Associated Members. At the same time, members had backed proposals to increase membership fees for the first time since 2014, along with a reorganisation of the fee tiers. This was designed to better reflect the scope and scale of the EOG’s projects, and support the continued development of key work. Following these decisions, the association embarked on a proactive push to recruit new members. During the 2023 AGA, EOG General Secretary Arne Strate reported that this initiative had been successful, with 17 new members joining during 2022, plus another in January this year. The EOG now has a total of 120 members, including 18 Associated Members.

Arne Strate comments: “Our members backed some very significant changes a year ago and those decisions have certainly paid dividends. We have been really encouraged by the interest in joining the EOG from the wider value chain, with each new Associated Member bringing different perspectives and insights that have made important contributions to our core projects. Alongside that, we have also welcomed new members from the core outdoor sector, who have also recognised the value of pre-competitive collaboration. This increasing critical mass from every part of Europe adds more weight and impact to what we can achieve as an organisation on behalf of our industry.”

Changes to the EOG Board

Several changes to the EOG Board were agreed during the 2023 Annual General Assembly. Five members stood down at the meeting - Benjamin Thaller, Guillaume Meyzenq, Martin Riebel, Matthias Zaggl and Michel Gogniat. In their place, the meeting elected five new board members: Marie-Laurie Piednoir of Salomon; Celine Brunel of Outdoor Sports Valley; Achim Löffler of W.L. Gore & Associates; Andrew Shand of Helinox; and Stefanie Rieder-Haas of Ortovox, who will hold a dedicated CSR and sustainability role on the board.

EOG President Matt Gowar comments: “The EOG is grateful to Benjamin, Guillaume, Martin, Matthias and Michel for their significant contributions in recent years, which have presented some major and unusual challenges. Throughout that time, board members have continued to dedicate valuable time to the work of the association, and for that we thank them.

“Our five new members bring great knowledge and experience to the role and alongside their continuing colleagues, ensure that the EOG Board includes representation from the whole European outdoor sector. Last year, we noted that the gender balance on the board needed to improve and I am pleased that this has happened. I relish the opportunity to work closely with our new board members, as we all support the association’s extensive work programme.”

EOG Annual Report 2022

During the 2023 Annual General Assembly, the EOG presented its 2022 annual report and accounts to members, following a successful audit. The report summarises the association’s year, with details from each department, along with contributions from close partner organisations the European Outdoor Conservation Association and the It’s Great Out There Coalition. An e-book of the EOG Annual Report 2022 is available to download from this page (link below).

Individual EOG departments have started briefing members and other industry colleagues in detail about their plans for the year ahead and how to get involved.