Outdoor Recreation Is a $862 Billion Industry
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently released economic data for 2021, and the numbers show that outdoor recreation generates approximately $862 billion in economic output (1.9% of GDP) and 4.5 million jobs. To put that in some context: This means the outdoor recreation economy contributes more to the United States economy than oil and gas extraction, mining, and agriculture. The report includes national and state level data.
This is the fifth consecutive year that BEA has released government data on this industry sector. The numbers show how the outdoor industry, which played a vital economic and social role throughout the pandemic, has since sustained remarkable growth, and continued to bolster local economies. The outdoor recreation economy came back stronger than ever after the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a steady source of strength nationally and a booming job creator locally.
“The latest BEA numbers are a testament to the power of outdoor recreation, and we are thrilled to see our industry’s economic impact grow,” said Vista Outdoor CEO Chris Metz. “This data shows that people continued to venture into the outdoors for health, wellness and adventure in record numbers last year as businesses across the industry worked to expand participation and bring more people into the outdoors. The goal now: Build on that momentum. We will stay focused on increasing access to public lands, building more recreation infrastructure and growing participation across all outdoor activities.”
Sales Records Set on Black Friday and Cyber Monday
According to Adobe Analytics, which tracks sales on retailers’ websites, American shoppers spent a record $9.12 billion online this Black Friday, which is a 2.3% increase compared to 2021. The biggest sales drivers were electronics, smart home items, audio equipment, toys and exercise equipment.
“As Black Friday hit record spending online, we’re also seeing more prominent signs of a budget-conscious consumer this year,” said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst, Adobe Digital Insights. “Shoppers are embracing the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payment method more this year to be able to buy desired gifts for family and friends.”
Despite ongoing inflation, online sales on Cyber Monday reached a record $11.3 billion, up 5.8% from 2021. Mobile transactions accounted for 43% of these sales, up from 40% in 2021.
Adobe Analytics says that Cyber Week (Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday) brought in $35.27 billion overall, up 4% from 2021.
“With oversupply and a softening consumer spending environment, retailers made the right call this season to drive demand through heavy discounting,” said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst with Adobe Digital Insights. “It spurred online spending to levels that were higher than expected, and reinforced e-commerce as a major channel to drive volume and capture consumer interest.”
Schnepp-Giger Joins NDA as Director of Grassroots Support
The National Deer Association (NDA) recently announced that Kristen Schnepp-Giger has joined the NDA team as Director of Grassroots Support. Schnepp-Giger will work directly with NDA branches and volunteers to further NDA’s mission at the local level.
“We are really thrilled to have Kristen join the NDA team and bring with her a lifetime of passion for the outdoors and conservation,” said NDA Chief Development Officer Lauren Varner. “She has both the experience and the knowledge to move the needle for not only our organization but our mission here at NDA. We are excited to see her hit the ground running in this new position.”
A Pennsylvania native, Schnepp-Giger has spent her entire career in conservation and has worked with various organizations including the National Park Service in Yellowstone National Park, The United States Forest Service in the Allegheny National Forest, and most recently with the National Wild Turkey Federation as a wildlife biologist. She obtained degrees in both wildlife and business from Penn State University. Additionally, Schnepp-Giger currently sits on the Pennsylvania Game Commission Board of Commissioners for Region 1. Schnepp-Giger is a dedicated parent and hunter who actively works to pass along her knowledge of the outdoors and conservation to her family and everyone around her.
“I am excited and humbled to continue my conservation career with NDA. Conservationists are some of the most passionate volunteers of any group in the world,” said Schnepp-Giger. “The opportunity to work alongside them as we drive the NDA mission forward should be fun, challenging and rewarding.”
Team Bowtech’s Paige Pearce Wins the Pan American
The Pan American Championships held in Chile hosted archers from North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. This event provides the largest number of earned spots for the 2023 Pan and Parapan Am Games, which serve as an important qualifier for the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris in 2024.
Team Bowtech’s Paige Pearce took the top spot this year. Pearce has been a dominate shooter this past year, but what makes this victory especially impressive is she was using the new 2023 Bowtech Reckoning Gen2, which she had in hand for only 2 days prior to the competition.
"After only having 2 days with the Reckoning Gen2 36, I took it to Chile for the Pan American Championships,” Pearce said. “I'm still in disbelief that I was able to work my way through the bracket, and ultimately end up at the top of the podium! I shot strong in the final, which gives me so much hope for the upcoming season with this new Reckoning Gen2!”
Team USA Archery Wins Double Gold in Barebow
During the 2022 Pan Am Championships, Team USA Archery won gold in both Barebow Men’s Team and Barebow Women’s Team. The Barebow Men’s Team topped Argentina for the win. Marcus Cooley, Rick Stonebraker and Matt Yacca make up the USA Barebow Men’s Team. Barebow continued its gold streak with USA Barebow Women’s Team consisting of Maggie Brensinger, Fawn Girard, and Christina Lyons, clinching gold against Brazil.
