These are challenging times for both the outdoor industry and the environmental movement in Europe. Should outdoor companies scale back their sustainability ambitions and adapt? Absolutely not, says Christian Schneidermeier, the new Director of the European Outdoor Group. “We need to do even more to heal our societies and restore nature.”

It is no exaggeration to say that Christian Schneidermeier joined the European Outdoor Group (EOG) at a difficult moment. Not only are many of EOG’s 150+ member companies still struggling financially, but in 2025, the organization also had to cancel two key initiatives: The European Outdoor Summit and the OutDoor trade show in Munich. The decision to pause OutDoor was made almost at the same time Schneidermeier started his new role.

“I was fully aware that this would be a year of transition for EOG. We also have a new board and a new President, David Ekelund from Icebug. Now, we will take a deep breath and determine the best way forward together with the EOG team.”

For many in the outdoor industry, Schneidermeier is already a well-known name. He has spent his entire career in the sector, including 24 years at Ortovox, where he became CEO in 2011.

“I felt it was time to do something different, and after so many years with Ortovox, it would have felt strange to move to another brand,” he says.

“This is one of the most exciting jobs I could imagine – working for the entire outdoor industry in Europe, helping it evolve, and supporting our members in these complex times. This industry has so much more to offer than just products!”

Learning from other industries

Suston Magazine meets Schneidermeier in Stockholm, Sweden, where he has just attended Techarena, one of Europe’s leading gatherings for the tech and IT sectors.

“The goal is to relaunch the OutDoor trade show in 2026, but minor tweaks won’t be enough. We need to learn from how other successful events are structured.”

“Bringing people together will always be the essence—but how do you do it? At Techarena, I was impressed by the level of personal interaction and networking the organizers facilitated, with over 10,000 attendees.”

As part of this transformation, it is also crucial to recognize the existing strengths of OutDoor and ISPO Munich, explains Schneidermeier. One key success over the past decade has been the Sustainability Hub. Initially a small kiosk, it has grown into one of the most visited and appreciated areas at the trade shows, featuring the Green Stage for larger audiences and EOG’s smaller stage for sustainability specialists.

“We need to keep the positive energy from the Sustainability Hub alive. That’s why we’ve decided to host the Outdoor Impact Summit at the same time OutDoor was originally scheduled to take place. It will be a more focused program, with hopefully around 200 attendees.”

Sustainability under pressure

The environmental movement—and its advocates within business—has faced significant setbacks in recent months, particularly due to policies from the Trump administration and rising opposition from right-wing parties in Europe, who are pushing to rewrite international sustainability commitments. This shift is also being felt within the outdoor industry, especially in the US.

Schneidermeier firmly believes that adapting and lowering ambitions is the wrong response. Instead, he wants to raise the bar.

“We must work to restore the planetary boundaries we are currently exceeding. And we need to generate more positive impact—not just at a political level, but also within our communities. We can inspire other industries and position ourselves as solution providers.”

Here, Schneidermeier says that the outdoor industry’s heritage and values can serve as a guiding light.

“One reason we are living in such turbulent times is that many people have lost their connection to themselves and to nature. The outdoor industry’s products and services can help repair this fractured relationship. When people develop a deep connection to nature, they are more willing to adopt different lifestyles and face challenges head-on,” says Schneidermeier.

Collaboration as the key to the future

Given the combination of industry challenges and ambitious goals, it’s easy to see why EOG will need a “year of transition.” Schneidermeier explains that it is still too early to outline new milestones and priorities. However, one key factor is already clear.

“Collaboration. The EOG has already fostered many strong partnerships, but I believe we will need even more to future-proof our industry and drive real impact.”

 

Photos: Christian Schneidermeier