When Paige Boucher, PR Relations for Mountain Hardwear & Montrail. contacted me about the Second Annual Media Trends Retreat, I immediately responded with an ACCEPT once reading the agenda. Words like “change”, “sustainability” , “issues” and “Leading” really caught my attention. Historically, most of my blogs are directly associated to many of the issues that will be discussed during this retreat. These issues target sustainability in the outdoor industry and how our acts can trickle down to help make a change. The idea of this retreat is to gather journalists as well and CEO’s, presidents, marketing and pr folk from the industry to discuss and roundtable such issues.

The setting for this retreat is in Mountain Hardwear’s new headquarters at the historic Ford Plant located directly on the San Francisco Bay in Richmond, California. The facility is absolutely beautiful and Mountain Hardwear has implemented many “green” building aspects to their re-model. Recycled flooring, low PVC furniture, and solar power are only of the few “responsible” techniques they have applied to the new space. The remodel to this factory space is amazing. The lighting, use of space, and just general feel creates a very energizing atmosphere.

Mountain Hardwear was unable to get LEED certification due to the Historical Societies preservation requirements (for example, they had to keep the original single pane windows which are less efficient that the newer double pain glass.

Our first evening consisted of a meet and great and tour of the facility. They really created and excellent work environment that really compliments the design of the building. Aside from great working environments, they have also created leisure spots in the building for their employees to utilize.

The general theme for this retreat is “The Power of Change”. Several leaders from the Outdoor Industry and experts from the many diverse and creative industries based in the San Francisco Bay Area will lead discussions on providing alternative and outside views about the important trends facing our industry today.