From OIA:
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) presented the OIA Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award to Governor Gary Herbert of Utah last evening at the Advocacy Leadership Awards Dinner. The Governor was recognized for his efforts in 2013 to promote the outdoor recreation economy, and elevate outdoor recreation as an economic priority essential to Utah’s economy and quality of life.
OIA established the Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award to recognize the most significant public policy achievements on behalf of the outdoor industry that occurred in the prior year. Since 2001, OIA has presented the OIA Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award to nearly 30 public and elected officials who have demonstrated a commitment to the growth and success of the outdoor recreation industry.
“This award does not signify the end of this story or the work to be done in Utah. We thank the governor for finding common ground and making tangible progress in support of the outdoor recreation agenda,” said Kirk Bailey, Vice President of Government Affairs for OIA.
The award was presented to the Governor for his actions following OIA Board of Directors encouragement that he create a vision for outdoor recreation in Utah. Six months later, Gov. Herbert unveiled the Utah Vision for Outdoor Recreation at the OR Winter Market 2013 and during the 2013 state legislative session, Gov. Herbert convinced the Utah Legislature to establish and fund the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, the only one of its kind in the U.S. In summer 2013, the Governor hired an Executive Director to lead the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
In addition to this unique step in support of outdoor recreation, Gov. Herbert stepped up for the Book Cliffs, urging the renegotiation of the lease to safeguard recreational values in August of 2013. He brought together stakeholder groups to get a three-year delay to preserve hunting and fishing in the Book Cliffs region. He also worked to reach a compromise with Sec. of the Interior Sally Jewell to re-open five national parks and three other nationally run locations during the October 2013 federal government shutdown. He agreed to pay the NPS to reopen the parks, and spoke out publicly about the economic important of the national parks to Utah.
Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, CO, with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.
