If you're interested in a turning your love of the outdoors into a career, try to attend the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) gatherings in Portland and Seattle.

Join the OIWC and other outdoor enthusiasts to network and discuss the group’s recently launched online “how-to” guide for navigating the outdoor industries entitled, “The OIWC Guide to Turning Your Passion into Your Profession,” sponsored by Keen Footwear and plum (www.thinkplum.net).

Other highlights of the event include:
• Key networking opportunities with influential women in the outdoor industry and community
• Learn top leadership skills crucial to business success
• Q & A with outdoor industry leaders

OIWC Meeting Sites

Portland, Oregon
Thursday, October 30th from 4-6:30 p.m.
Cubespace’s Forum Room
622 SE Grand
Portland, OR 97214

Portland panelists will include spokespeople from: Columbia Sportswear, Nau, Keen Footwear, Yakima, LaCrosse

Seattle, Washington
Friday, November 7th from 4-6:30 p.m.
ExOfficio Belltown Store
114 Vine Street
Seattle, WA 98121

Seattle panelists will include spokespeople from: REI, Outdoor Research, Moving Comfort, Washington Trails Association

For more information visit www.oiwc.org.

Here's the press release:

NEW ONLINE GUIDE MAKES OUTDOOR INDUSTRY EASY TO NAVIGATE FOR WOMEN
Evening seminar to recap The Guide, provide tips and local insight to help women looking to turn their passion into their profession

(Portland, OR -- October 21, 2008) -- The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) is hosting an event Thursday, October 30th at Cubespace’s Forum Room in Portland, Oregon from 4-6:30 p.m. to provide an opportunity for networking, education and discussion surrounding the group’s recently launched online guide entitled, The OIWC Guide to Turning Your Passion into Your Profession, sponsored by Keen Footwear and plum (www.thinkplum.net). This valuable resource is quickly becoming the benchmark ‘how-to’ guide for OIWC members and industry newcomers for navigating the outdoor industries.

“The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition is excited to share our Guide and offer this networking opportunity to Portland. In such an outdoor-focused community, we hope this event encourages, educates and facilitates those women interested in turning a love for the outdoors into a prosperous and successful career,” said Sally Grimes, executive director of the OIWC. “The OIWC appreciates the local sponsors—without their participation this event would not be possible. Thank you Keen Footwear, Columbia Sportswear, plum, Twenty Four Seven, and Yakima.”

The OIWC event will open and close with networking sessions and offer leadership, as well as insight from local, influential women on how to succeed in the workplace and hone new business skills. An open question and answer period with industry leaders from Keen Footwear, Columbia Sportswear, Nau, Lacrosse, Yakima and plum will wrap-up the evening’s events.

“We got involved with the OIWC over two years ago because we believe it is important to support the education and development of the people in the outdoor industries,” states founder and owner of plum, Betsy Curtin. “We truly think this guide will be an essential read for people who are pursuing professional opportunities within the outdoor industries and for those already gainfully employed and looking to advance their careers.”

The Guide, which was authored by many seasoned professionals of the OIWC, is a culmination of decades of industry experience organized in a usable, easy to read format to assist the user. The Guide explains various segments of the outdoor industry and offers advice on making career transitions; additionally, it provides an overview of industry positions, available networking opportunities, non-profit resources, and more.

The event is free for OIWC members and $20 for non-members. To register for the event, access the OIWC Guide, and to become an OIWC member, visit www.oiwc.org.

About OIWC
OIWC is a 501(c) 6 non-profit corporation focused on the mission of equipping women to achieve their success. The OIWC Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated specifically to providing women educational programs and career development resources. The OIWC is the only professional organization that works across all the key industries—outdoor, bike, and snow—and can offer perspective and guidance within each. To learn more about the OIWC online member community or to become a new member or sponsor, please visit www.oiwc.org.

OIWC is sponsored at the Gold Plus level by EMS, Fox River, Keen, REI, Vasque and W.L. Gore & Associates. At the Gold level, sponsors are Jansport, Mountain Hardwear, and The North Face. Silver sponsors are Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, Burton, Camelbak, GearTrends/SNEWS, Giant Bicycles, Hi-Tec, Interbike, KPS3, Marmot, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Retailer, SIA, Timberland, Tubbs Snowshoes, Twenty Four Seven, and Yakima. Bronze sponsors are Backpacker, Bikes Belong Coalition, Black Diamond, Cascade Designs, CGPR, Chaco, Contourwear, ExOfficio, Falcon Guides, Filson, Fuji Bicycles, GoLite, Gramicci, Guyot Designs, Kokatat, Moving Comfort, Nuun Active Hydration, Open Creative, Osprey, Outdoor Research, plum, Primaloft, Quality Bicycle Products, Rogers Corporation, Schoeller, Shimano, Sierra Magazine, Specialized, Specialty Sports Venture, Terramar, Thule, and Turtle Fur. Friends of OIWC include, Aloe Up, Chaos, EarMitts, Earth Creations, Kiss My Face, ProTech Skin Care, Trade Association of Paddlesports, Wallaroo Hat Company and Zeal Optics.

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