Rallying Around Outdoor Recreation

Originally published by the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County in EDC Economic Insight – Q1 2016

Historically, the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County (EDC) has focused on Fashion & Apparel as a targeted industry cluster, given our region’s strengths in apparel manufacturing and retail and homegrown giants such as Nordstrom and Filson. In 2010, the EDC commissioned an economic impact study, in partnership with Washington State University and theWorkforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, revealing that the Fashion & Apparel industry was worth $8.3 billion and provided 34,500 jobs in Washington State.

The industry has continued to grow in recent years, prompting the EDC to take a deeper dive into what’s driving its growth. Looking at the companies contributing to job and revenue growth, we noticed a pattern. Many of these companies were manufacturing and selling gear or apparel for outdoor recreation. These manufacturers and innovative retailers took advantage of our region’s unique outdoor experiences – also a key driver in our quality of life – by offering goods to get you outdoors. Quality of life is often viewed as a regional asset used to recruit talent or businesses. Outdoor Recreation companies have turned that recruitment tool into a thriving industry. Therefore, we expanded our cluster focus to include Outdoor Recreation, Fashion & Apparel. In fact, the industry has been so impactful, Governor Jay Inslee announced the State’s first Policy Advisor for Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development in December of last year.

In February of this year, the EDC participated as a sponsor of the first “Big Tent Rally Day” to offer our services and network with the Outdoor Rec community. Organized by the Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition, Big Tent Rally Day was a unique gathering of Outdoor Recreation companies, interest groups, and enthusiasts to spread awareness and educate lawmakers about the Outdoor Recreation industry cluster. The crowd heard from Governor Inslee, industry leaders, and elected officials as they boasted the $21.6 billion in annual spending and 199,000 jobs that Outdoor Recreation creates in Washington State. With competition heating up in Utah, Colorado, Oregon, and California, it’s time we give Outdoor Recreation its due attention.

At Big Tent Rally Day, I met the founder of a small startup, called TOTAGO. The acronym stands for “Turn Off This App Go Outside.” The company uses technology to increase access to the outdoors, particularly for those without a car. With a web and mobile application, individuals can plan an outdoor adventure to predetermined destinations for free. For $5, TOTAGO will plan a personalized day trip for you, complete with an itinerary and offline maps.

After TOTAGO’s founder inquired about our free consulting services, I brought him and his business partner in for a meeting with our Information & Communications Technology Business Development Manager to learn more about their business. We advised them on strategic partnerships and provided a framework for further developing their business and marketing plans. With many exciting applications for TOTAGO’s technology and concept (and countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in the Seattle region), this won’t be the last time you hear “Turn Off This App Go Outside.”