The total amount collected by EOCA (European Outdoor Conservation Association) from the recent ISPO trade show in Munich came to record €8556 this year. Not only this but four new companies signed up either at the show itself or immediately afterwards, bringing the total number of members of the growing conservation organisation to 125.
In terms of fundraising, socks were the name of the game this year! The eagerly anticipated Smartwool Vending Machine which has now seen service over 3 trade shows in the last 18 months and raised nearly €6,500 in total for EOCA’s conservation projects, spent most of the show being restocked as vouchers to select pairs of socks were purchased by the handful. In addition, the EOCA Happy Hour saw Teko Socks being sold faster than they could be displayed – all in aid of raising money for conservation projects in 2015. In all, over 600 pairs of socks were sold, raising over €3000 throughout the four day show.
The Scandinavian Outdoor Group asked for contributions towards food and drinks at their bar in the Scandinavian Village, which was topped up by Messe Munich and resulted in a joint donation of €1,000. A further €4,500 was collected through the fundraiser held each day on the EOCA stand in the East Entrance via the sales of product generously donated by members, as well as via an extra sale of products from Teko Socks and Goal Zero at the EOCA Happy Hour.
As 100% of all membership fees goes directly into the conservation projects supported by EOCA, four new members also added to the total amount ‘raised’ for 2015 by joining either at or immediately after ISPO. The Association is proud to welcome UK outdoor clothing manufacturer and distributor Rohan Designs Limited and ski bindings and climbing skins company Pomoca SA. In addition to this a number of firsts were achieved – the organisation’s first Belgian and Chinese members: retailer ASAdventure and clothes and equipment producer Shanghai Kuiran Trade Co. Ltd brought the current total number of members to 125. Roger Cann, Managing Director of Rohan Designs delighted Joint General Managers Tanya Bascombe and Catherine Savidge by signing up as soon as their meeting at the show started. “Supporting the environment in a collective manner like this is such an effective way of working that we wanted to be part of it” he said. General Manager of Pomoca Josep Castellet added, “It was one of the things I came to the show knowing we wanted to do. We have been looking to support an environmental project for a year now, and our main concern was to find the right and most meaningful way. The expertise of EOCA gives us the certainty and security that we are choosing the right projects and really giving back to the environment – which for us is far more important than telling people about the work we are doing”.
INFO: EOCA
