Gear to Grow Program Launches at Summer Outdoor Retailer Show

Gear to Grow Program Launches at 2010 Summer Outdoor Retailer Show Salt Lake City, UT, Jun 30, 2010 - “Don’t send your samples back to the warehouse, Donate Them,” Says Gear to Grow Founder J.T. VonLunen. “We’re offering all exhibitors the opportunity to make an in-kind donation before, during and after the 2010 Summer Outdoor Retailer Show.” The Gear to Grow program allows outdoor retailers and manufacturers to make tax deductible gear donations for the benefit of getting more people involved in outdoor recreation. “We’re asking donors for products that have been returned, samples, overstocks, out of season or seconds; basically gear that is difficult to resell, that would benefit companies to donate,” VonLunen added. Donation Process at Summer OR PRESHOW: Please contact Gear to Grow to make arrangements for donation collection on Wednesday, August 2nd. AT THE SHOW: Drop gear donations off at the Gear to Grow booth located at the East Entrance of the Salt Palace. Show your support of the Gear to Grow program by displaying donated products as attendees pass by. AFTERSHOW: Product donations can be brought to the Gear to Grow booth or Gear to Grow representatives will pick-up donations at the exhibitor’s booth after 1:00pm on the closing day. Gear to Grow program representatives will coordinate gear drop off or collection from booths and provide documentation of all donated items for proper accounting. Donors will also be listed on the Gear to Grow website for positive public recognition, with additional pictures of the non-profit groups using the gear available over time. As donors to the program, participating companies will be able to use the Gear to Grow logo and program collateral in their marketing and public relations efforts. “This is the first time we’ve done this at the Outdoor Retailer Show, but we feel that this can become a standard program for future shows.” Vonlunen then said, “It’s easy for brands (exhibitors) to plan on making semi-annual donations at Summer and Winter OR shows. We’ve found that the OR shows coincide with the seasonal gear needs of the organizations the Gear to Grow program supports.” Join brands like Backcountry.com, Cascade Designs and Jetboil, who have made donations to the Gear to Grow Program. Please visit the Gear to Grow booth located at the East Entrance of the Salt Palace. For more information, visit GeartoGrow.org or call J.T. VonLunen at 801-243-0731.