March 3, 2026 “No Excuses” – Outdoor Impact Summit reveals 2026 programme
Details have been unveiled of the full programme for the 2026 Outdoor Impact Summit. The core theme of the summit will be ‘No Excuses’, and content throughout the event will focus on direct, impactful actions that organizations can take to redefine the boundaries of responsibility in the outdoor sector.
Organized by the European Outdoor Group in collaboration with the MagNet publishing group and Green Media Lab SRL SB, the event will take place from 14–15 May 2026, at the Riva del Garda Conference Centre, as part of European Outdoor Week.
Launched in 2025, the Outdoor Impact Summit (OIS) is a platform that brings together the entire outdoor supply chain and a wider community of professionals, and is dedicated to sustainability, responsible innovation, and social impact. The event is aimed at company executives and environmental, social and governance (ESG) professionals.
Following the success of the first summit, the 2026 edition will take a deeper dive into exploring what ‘impact’ truly means for the outdoor industry. Over two days, keynote speakers, case studies and workshops will provide delegates with tangible and practical actions to take back and implement within their own organizations. Alongside this, a central topic of OIS will be the importance of responsible and transparent communications about sustainability.
“Last year’s Outdoor Impact Summit set a high benchmark, delivering real and substantive actions that delegates could take away and implement. But the sustainability challenge is huge and it is more urgent than ever – that’s why there are no excuses,” shares EOG Managing Director Christian Schneidermeier.
“Collectively, we must do much more and we need to be certain that we make genuine, positive impacts. I urge colleagues to join us at the summit, where together we will identify practical solutions that can be applied across the entire value chain.”
Outdoor Impact Summit 2026 opens European Outdoor Week
With the new claim “No Excuses,” the event will take place at the Riva del Garda Congress Centre (ISO 20121 certified, the international standard for sustainable event management) and will officially open the European Outdoor Week, which from May 14 to 19 will transform the Garda Trentino area into an international hub for the outdoor and running world.
A week that will engage industry operators, companies, institutions and enthusiasts, creating a unique ecosystem of exchange and cross-pollination.
Outdoor Impact Summit sessions examine industry impact
What does “impact” truly mean for the outdoor industry? It is a word that is omnipresent in strategies, reports and marketing claims, yet too often remains abstract. At the Outdoor Impact Summit 2026, the term will be placed under the microscope with a direct, critical and, above all, practical approach.
The Summit will open on 14 May with remarks by EOG Director Christian Schneidermeier, welcoming an audience called not only to listen, but to redefine the very boundaries of responsibility within the sector.
One of the central topics will be communication: during the “Walk and Talk” session led by Cira Riedel and Anna Rodewald of Greenroom Voice, together with Gabriel Arthur of Suston Magazine, discussions will explore sustainability and responsible communication through an immersive experience in the Riva del Garda area.
Among the keynote sessions to mark in the agenda is the one held by textile innovation and sustainability expert Bowie Miles, who will start from a question as simple as it is disruptive: who decides what impact really is? It is not only what positive outcomes are generated, but also what negative impacts are avoided or reduced.
Case studies presented at Outdoor Impact Summit
Three case studies will then give tangible substance to the topic: the environmental projects of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), the sustainable transformation of trail running events with Protect Our Winters (POW), and the inclusive approach of Un Para Ltd.
There will also be a celebration of the Single Use Plastics Project, with the presentation of results that exceeded initial targets in reducing single-use plastics across the value chain, presented by Verity Hardy (EOG), Debbie Read (Equip) and Marta Pellegrino (VF Corp).
Among the most anticipated sessions is Pitt Grewe (AllTrails) on the value of public-private partnerships for trail protection, as well as the presentation of the report “Care for the Outdoors” by Fredrik Ekström of Above the Clouds. The central message: trust is fragile, and sustainability must be communicated with credibility, clarity and consistency.
Thursday evening will conclude with a networking dinner at Spiaggia degli Olivi, dedicated to speakers and participants – a unique opportunity to exchange views on the themes discussed and to contribute concretely to the responsible future of the sector.
ESG leadership and governance at Outdoor Impact Summit
The second day of the Summit will open with a presentation by Hannah Worthington (Astraia), sharing the findings of an analysis conducted on 100 leading global brands, highlighting the growing integration of ESG targets into executive remuneration systems.
Particular attention will be given to the role of women on boards and the correlation between inclusive governance, financial performance and sustainability outcomes.
The topic will be further explored in a panel dedicated to female leadership, featuring Nat Jackson (The Outward Bound Trust), Patagonia and Global Game Shapers, where practical tools to support women’s advancement into governance roles will be shared.
Circular economy and industry innovation
Significant space will be devoted to circularity as an industrial lever: from end-of-life economics with REJU and Rematrix (featuring Gianluca Pandolfo and Enrico Soffiati), to the design-driven approach promoted by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, and Decathlon’s experience integrating repairability into its retail model.
The day will continue with a session dedicated to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), providing an update on the international regulatory framework and highlighting operational implications and strategic opportunities for brands and retailers.
The Summit will also address other crucial topics such as responsible withdrawal, led by Fair Wear Foundation; digital traceability with Peak 63 and Swedish Textile & Fashion 2030; and the social consequences of circular transitions, analyzed in a panel with SLCP, Textile Exchange, Fair Wear Foundation and BSR.
The closing workshop by Astraia Collective will demonstrate how to communicate sustainability credibly, avoiding greenwashing and building trust with stakeholders and consumers.
The Outdoor Impact Summit 2026 will not only be an opportunity to stay up to date on industry trends and challenges, but a true laboratory of ideas, experiences and concrete solutions to drive the sustainable transition of the outdoor industry. Participating means connecting with key industry leaders, exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices and actively contributing to building a more responsible, inclusive and circular future for the entire value chain.
About the European Outdoor Group
The European Outdoor Group was founded in 2003 (formally constituted in 2005) by 19 of the world’s largest outdoor companies, all of which recognized the need for a cohesive, cross border approach to representation of the outdoor sector. In a world of increasing internationalization, legislation, environment, the media and trade are all now multinational issues. The combined strength of the EOG’s membership of around 150 provides the group with an extremely powerful force to represent the European outdoor industry in a constructive and positive manner.
Lead photo: European Outdoor Group
