Outdoor industry leaders have explored the big issues facing business at the 2024 European Outdoor Summit (EOS). The tenth anniversary event was held in Cambridge in the UK and delivered a two-day programme of speakers, discussions, workshops and networking. The summit was organised by the European Outdoor Group (EOG) in partnership with host national association the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA).

For 2024, the agenda put a strong emphasis on core business topics, with insights and contributions from within the sector, and from wider industry.

Founded in 2014, the European Outdoor Summit is a business-focused annual gathering of senior outdoor industry professionals. Each summit addresses the major topics that concern the outdoor sector and other businesses, cultivating conversation and cooperation to confront challenges, and open up opportunities. Gore-Tex has been a major sponsor of EOS since it was founded. Other sponsors and partners include YKK, Bleckmann, EXPED, Outdooractive, IWA Outdoor Classics, OutDoor Trade Show, Sporting Insights, myclimate, Altra, EDM Publications, Outdoori and Suston.

The 2024 EOS attracted 200 business leaders to the Cambridge Union Society, the oldest continuously running debating society in the world. Organisers worked closely with the faculty from the University ofCambridge Judge Business School to develop the programme and the internationally renowned institution provided three keynote speakers for the event. Other presenters at the summit included senior figures and experts from numerous sectors, covering topics ranging from recommerce, putting nature at the heart of strategy, and the drive for more equality and diversity in the outdoors, to risk management and compliance, leadership in times of uncertainty, and rethinking how to engage with AI.

Along with presentations, discussions and workshops, the summit provided numerous networking opportunities over its two days, including a dinner event that was sponsored by the European industry’s premier trade show, OutDoor. During EOS, delegates were presented with details of the all-new concept for the show for 2025, which have since gone live at www.theoutdoor.show. There were also outdoor activities on both days, with two morning runs organised by Altra, and ‘walks and talks’ with #itsgreatoutthere, Opening Up the Outdoors and Protect Our Winters. Those who wanted to clear their heads at the start of the day had the option of meditation sessions with the EOG’s Sophie Bulman.

 Scott Nelson, managing director of the European Outdoor Group, comments:

“We really made an extraordinary effort to make this edition of the EOS memorable, and responsive to the feedback we have been receiving over the years. This is why there was an elevated focus on the economic as well as the ecological challenges and opportunities facing our sector. We set out to provide content that would stand up to the truly inspiring venue and weighty setting, and from the feedback we have received, it’s clear we were able to achieve that. A lot of hard work by many individuals and organisations made that possible. We’re grateful to all of them, to our great sponsors, and to the Outdoor Industries Association for helping us to bring EOS back to the UK.

“As its name suggests, the Cambridge Union Debating Chamber proved to be a wonderful venue for wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversations. They started during the first session on day one and continued all the way to the day two wrap-up by our excellent comperes Yasmin Dufournet and Keme Nzerem. It was a great way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the European Outdoor Summit and we’re excited about the future of this important platform for our sector. Watch this space for news soon.”

To find out more about the European Outdoor Summit, visit www.europeanoutdoorsummit.com and find the event on LinkedIn.

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