OEDIT to Host Second Outdoor Recreation Virtual Trade Mission to Canada

DENVER -- The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade will host a virtual trade mission to Canada throughout the month of June, focused on growing the state’s outdoor recreation industry. 

Throughout the month, companies will learn about the Canadian outdoor recreation market, as well as participate in one-on-one matchmaking with potential buyers and partners.

“The new reality of online, virtual trade shows means being able to showcase Colorado companies to more vendors and companies than individual trade shows that vendors might not have attended in person,” said Michelle Hadwiger, director of Global Business Development at OEDIT. “We look forward to the new business and exporting opportunities provided by this event.” 

Nathan Fey, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, added, “Outdoor recreation is an essential part of Colorado’s economy and our quality of life. The outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.1%, or $459.8 billion, of the GDP for the US in 2019. In Colorado, that number jumps to 3.1% of Colorado’s GDP and supports almost 150,000 jobs in our state. Exposing our Colorado-based manufacturers to international markets makes a real impact to Colorado’s outdoor economy, supporting good jobs and strong local communities.” 

Eight Colorado companies have joined the virtual mission to further expand their brands into the Canadian market:

Bishop

Bishop Logo

High in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Bishop designs and manufactures Telemark bindings and skis. The original model made its debut back in 2001. Coveted by hardcore Telemark skiers, Bishop’s precision machined bindings have withstood the most extreme skiing conditions and continue to stand the test of time. We are a team bound by a love of innovative design and playing in the mountains.  

Cusa Tea and Coffee

Cusa Tea and Coffee

Jim Lamancusa launched Cusa Tea, single-serve packets of crystallized organic tea in 2017.  Quick, packable and tasty, Cusa Tea & Coffee is for rushed mornings, business trips, outdoor excursions or anytime you might need a little boost or soothing refreshment in a hurry.In the past year, the product has been picked up by a host of retailers and is available in about 750 stores.

FishSki Provisions

Fishski logo

Rob and Tania met at college and since have traveled the country and the world seeking great adventures and interesting food. A few years back they settled in the Mountain Southwest, where fly fishing, skiing and chili abound. FishSki Provisions was created as an opportunity to share their passions for Mountain Southwest foods, flyfishing, and skiing. They’re named FishSki because 3%+ of their sales are given to grassroots conservation or recreational access projects that protect or improve local fishing and skiing resources. They hope their foods inspire customers to eat more adventurously and be more adventurous. FishSki is based in Boulder, Colorado.

Grass Sticks

Grass sticks

Grass Sticks is located in Steamboat Springs, CO and was started there in a garage in 2014 by engineer-turned-ski bum/coach/instructor Andrew Beckler. While skiing over 100 days a year, we became fed up with our ugly, bent, kinked and broken poles. There is no reason to trash 3 pairs of poles a season, so we set out to create our own. They develop ski poles and bamboo paddles. 

Trango

Trango logo

Trango’s ethos is to pursue what you love and encourage others as they do the same. They believe that whatever discipline you’re into and whatever ability level you’re at, you are a climber. The company is passionate about creating innovative, solution-oriented products that help climbers pursue the sport they love. Every Trango product fills a specific need in the quiver of the modern climber. Trango is based in Lafayette, Colorado.

Punkshun Wear

Phunkshun logo

Officially founded in 2011, Phunkshun Wear has been manufacturing our products in the rocky mountains since day one. Originally designed to meet the demands of ski and snowboard instructors, Phunkshun Wear continues to produce items that stand up to winter weather conditions and protect from the elements.

Tools For Trails

Backslope Tools

In 2012, two colleagues in the outdoor recreation industry were lamenting that there was not a single source for high-quality durable tools to build trail.  Tools For Trails was born after years of sourcing tools from an array of vendors for various trail building projects. On the drive home from a New Mexico road trip, the two guys decided it was time to create an online store for all the go-to project tools available in a one-stop-shop fashion, narrowing down the wide selection of trail building tools to just the necessities.

SPORTea

Sportea logo

SPORTea® is a high-performance beverage formulated for active people desiring a nutritious alternative to coffee, soda, alcohol, and sugary "athletic" drinks.

 

About the trade mission

The virtual trade mission is part of a new series that OEDIT will be hosting to give companies the opportunity to connect and continue expanding and exploring international exports without traveling. If you are interested in future virtual trade missions, please contact Katie Woslager for more information.