ISPO 2026 is proud to announce it has partnered with It’s Great Out There Coalition. This alliance strengthens the existing collaboration between both parties and demonstrates ISPO’s commitment to work with like-minded, community-focused sports and outdoor organisations to increase public awareness of the benefits of outdoor activities.
Together, they will work to bolster and further support the cultural foundation of the sports industry with a renewed focus on advocacy and sustainability. Recognising that sustainability is non-negotiable, this partnership forms part of a wider commitment that underscores ISPO’s long-term dedication to environmental responsibility, industry stewardship and collaborative action across the global outdoor community.
It’s Great Out There Coalition (IGOT) is a European not-for-profit collaboration that was launched by the outdoor industry in 2017. Its mission is to break down barriers to outdoor activity and enable more people across Europe to experience the benefits of spending time in nature. With a vision for a sustainably profitable industry that gives back more to society and nature than it takes, the Coalition provides a platform for outdoor companies to show they are “doing business right” by investing in society and the environment.
Many outdoor opportunities start with local, community-led initiatives, often run by small teams or individuals. IGOT actively supports these grassroots initiatives as they create some of the most important entry points into the outdoors. Through its work, the Coalition helps amplify their impact and connect them with the wider outdoor industry.
The partnership with Raccoon Media Group provides a significant opportunity to elevate these grassroots stories, bringing them to a broader audience and strengthening connections across the sector. This collaboration reflects a shared belief that the outdoor industry has a vital role to play in ensuring nature and outdoor activity are accessible to everyone.
As part of this initiative, the It’s Great Out There Coalition will deliver 125 Outdoor Activity Days on behalf of Raccoon Media, helping to introduce more people to outdoor experiences across Europe. These activities will align with key industry moments, including European Week of Sport, reinforcing the importance of physical activity and outdoor participation across the continent.
ISPO 2026 will act as a key moment for the outdoor industry to come together, providing a platform to highlight the importance of increasing access to outdoor activity and showcasing the impact of initiatives supported by IGOT. Through the partnership with Raccoon Media, IGOT will bring its mission to life at ISPO through a series of activations, including talks, discussions and physical activities, designed to engage the industry and inspire greater support for initiatives that help more people experience the outdoors.
Mike Seaman, ISPO’s new CEO commented: “We know the power of the outdoors to transform physical and mental wellbeing. When delivered responsibly, it brings communities together, celebrates the natural world and reinforces the need to protect it. This partnership reflects our commitment to leading from the front across the sports, winter sports and outdoor industries, helping to set the agenda, raise standards and shape the future of the sectors ISPO represents. We’re incredibly proud to have It’s Great Out There Coalition on board and excited about what we can achieve together.”
Margo de Lange from IGOT said: “The outdoor industry has a long history of effective collaboration to tackle the biggest challenges and issues. It’s thanks to those principles of cooperation that the It’s Great Out There Coalition was founded, and we’ve continued the approach in all of our work. We welcome opportunities to team up with formidable organisations such as ISPO that provide a global platform and an opportunity to bring together all who share our goal of getting Europe active in the outdoors, in a responsible and inclusive way, celebrating the natural beauty around us and fostering the need to protect it.”
For further information visit www.ispo.com and www.itsgreatoutthere.com
sam@aspirepr.co.uk
Aspire PR
