About

Outdoor and Social, is an outdoor learning event, held at Newfold Farm, Edale, in the Peak District.

It is an outdoor trade event providing workshops and practical sessions designed to increase knowledge and confidence in outdoor products and skills through experience.Delivered under the guidance of brands, experts and professionals it is completely free of charge to all retail staff and aimed to help all retailers and their staff deliver better information to the consumer.

Retail staff have the opportunity to camp out at the site, in tents kindly provided by attending brands, and experience nights under canvas. During the day brands explain how their equipment works and the best way to use them, while retail staff then have the opportunity to use them on guided hikes.

The attendees were also entertained throughout the day and night by a host of guest speakers. This is a learning event and and Social and the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) joined together to implement the first certification scheme for outdoor retail staff in the UK.

and social working with the Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL) have now made the first step in an educational path to guide specialism through specific modules covering outdoor categories.

The learning sessions available at Edale are the first phase of an education and training system specifically designed for outdoor retail staff, and which will be recognised by the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) and the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA). The IOL is the professional body for organisations and individuals who use the outdoors to make a positive difference to others.

At the event top brands such as Vango, Osprey and Montane provide dedicated educational sessions, briefing outdoor retail staff on everything they need to know to be able to knowledgeably and confidently explain, promote and sell their products. Topics covered include items like footwear (shoes vs boots, differing sole units and stiffness, basic orthotics, socks, laces and boot bags and footwear aftercare) and sleeping bags (materials, liners, volume, mats, shapes, robustness, packing and storing, care and maintenance), tents, clothing, cooking systems and so on.

Attendees who complete the training over the duration of the event not only greatly enhance their outdoor product knowledge but also receive a certificate in recognition of completion of the training, endorsed by the OIA and IOL. Certificate holders can also be assured they are firmly on the first step of the ladder of a Continued Professional Development programme that will help them upskill, strengthen the image of outdoor retail staff as a profession and enhance their own career paths.