Outdoor Specialists Promote America's National Parks

December 21, 2005 - BOULDER, CO   Specialty retailers will make a big splash this Spring, thanks to a new partnership between American Parks Network and Catalyst Communication's Outdoor Guide.

Each retailer's edition of The Outdoor Guide for Spring 2006 will profile at least 142 national parks, along with photographs by renowned nature photographer David Muench. Each park will have useful details written to inspire the reader to visit.

The Outdoor Guide is part of Catalyst's award-winning family of "magalogs" and reaches some 500,000 customers. The quality of the Guide's production and targeted distribution helps independent stores harness world-class direct marketing at a surprisingly affordable cost.

The concept, now in its third year in the outdoor industry, wins praise from suppliers and retailers alike. Mike Plante, owner of Travel Country Outdoors in Orlando, FL also appreciates the program's results. "The Outdoor Guide reinforces your image of being high-quality and it definitely increases sales. I've tracked measurable sales results from it for the last three years.

With an increase in local competition and web influence, The Outdoor Guide is the only thing we have done differently. We are a 25 year-old company and are back to double digit growth thanks to the catalog. It brings in a lot of new customers. Plus, Catalyst makes the Outdoor Guide better every time."

Catalyst's program allows each retail business to customize its version of the Guide by selecting from a menu of pages from brands like Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, Black Diamond and Royal Robbins.

Royal Robbins uses the Guide as a key sales tool by noting Guide-featured products in its seasonal workbooks. The resulting orders make the program traceable right down to the S.K.U. level.

Jean Brewer, Buyer, North Cove Outfitters, says the Guide is a key selling tool. "The Guide works for us because manufacturers support it with new products and their best-sellers. I order additional product because I know if it's featured in the Guide, people will come to the store ready to buy it. Having the manufacturer's support is key."