With just one week until the 31st July ‘Early Bird’ booking deadline for the European Outdoor Summit (EOS) 2017, the European Outdoor Group (EOG) is pleased to announce further keynote speakers in the Summit line-up, as well as details about the Networking Evening.

Bookings for the EOS, which takes place 4th – 5th October 2017 in Treviso, Italy, can be made with an early bird discount at the website www.europeanoutdoorsummit.com/index.php/book/.

The EOG is pleased to present Senior VP of Merchandising & Private Brands at Recreational Equipment Inc (REI), Susan Viscon, who will be delivering a keynote presentation at the EOS.

Headquartered near Seattle, REI is a specialty outdoor retailer and the largest co-op in the United States; with a growing community of more than 16 million members. Susan oversees REI’s gear and apparel assortment of more than 1,000 leading and emerging brands and REI’s own award-winning co-op line, and last year she helped lead REI to record company revenues of $2.56 billion. A 20-year industry veteran, Susan has led efforts to develop partnerships with the industry’s top brands and searched the world for innovative and new brands to deliver award-winning outdoor gear and apparel to REI members.

Presenting the breakout session: The Business Value and Benefits of Using Sustainability Standards, Karin Kreider is the Executive Director of the ISEAL Alliance – the global backbone organisation for the sustainability standards movement. One of the world’s leading experts on ecolabels, sustainability standards and certification, Karin will outline a range of short-term and long-term benefits that materialise from the adoption of sustainability standards for businesses along the supply chain; benefits range from operational efficiencies, improved market access and sales, and stakeholder engagement, including the finance sector.

Before joining ISEAL in 2009, Karin was involved in the start-up of the Rainforest Alliance, where she worked for more than 20 years, first as Associate Director of the organisation, and then as Director of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme.

The EOG is also pleased to announce the stunning Castello Di Roncade as the venue for the EOS Networking Evening. The social highlight of the EOS, the Networking Evening, which takes place on the evening of Wednesday 4th October, is the ideal opportunity for delegates to eat, drink, mingle and unwind after the first day of the Summit.

Built in 1490 and boasting 110 hectares of vineyards, Castello Di Roncade is an award-winning winery set in stunning historical gardens situated in the countryside between Treviso and Venice. The grand villa sits on the ruins of a tenth century castle given to the Collalto Counts by Emperor Otto II. Featuring atmospheric great halls, the castle will give delegates the opportunity to discover one of the most unique examples of living Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy.

Delegates will be welcomed with a wine tasting session of the wines produced by the Castle’s vineyard, followed by a delicious buffet dinner and thereafter ample opportunity to wander and relax in the tranquil grounds.

For more information about the Summit.

For more information about Castello Di Roncade.