There were celebrations aplenty at the recent OutDoor show. The European OutDoor Conservation Association (EOCA) announced the reaching of its first €1 million for conservation, with funds being raised towards its next €million, new members joining up and a dedication at the Saturday night party from Germany’s top coverband.
The show got off to a great start with the official announcement of the raising of the first €1 million at the press conference, 100% of which has been put directly into conservation projects worldwide. EOCA members got involved in spreading the message by using limited edition beer glasses which had been made specifically for the show, and were used during happy hours and events on their stands. On the stage on Saturday night at the OutDoor party, German coverband McSunday dedicated the song ‘Celebrate!’ (originally a hit for Kool & the Gang in 1980) to EOCA and this was followed by the distribution by EOCA board members of celebratory cupcakes to the 4,000 strong crowd, generously donated by Vaude. Polartec, sponsors of the OutDoor party, had also ensured that every t-shirt sold for the party bore the EOCA logo, complete with the €1 million message.
Fresh from the celebrations, the annual fundraiser held on EOCA’s stand, opened to a steady stream of customers. There was some great gear, generously donated by EOCA members, with all proceeds going into projecs for 2013. Keen footwear ran a HybridCare fundraiser on its stand, selling out of 100 pairs of sandals provided for the event within 40 minutes, and adding to the fun with free ice cream and beer for those that needed it after a long day at the show. Nikwax joined the action with a smoothie bike next to EOCA’s stand, encouraging people to cycle their way to a healthy smoothie – and matching the money raised in this way for EOCA’s next conservation projects. Not only this, but Bergans also committed to match donations given to them for the association at their bar during the show.
