It’s been a turbulent period for the outdoor recreation industry: retail stores have closed, brands have shuttered, and the Trump Administration’s shifting tariff policies have made costs unpredictable. But Mary Beth Laughton, the president and CEO of retail giant REI, is confident that the industry’s culture of innovation, collaboration, and passion will help companies weather the storm and thrive. On Friday, May 30, Laughton addressed a crowd of outdoor industry leaders at the second annual Outside Summit in downtown Denver, Colorado, in a conversation with Luis Benitez, vice president of global government affairs for Lululemon, and the former director of the Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation.
Laughton addressed a wide range of topics, from the current threats to public lands, the environment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, to the importance of adhering to corporate values. She addressed REI’s own challenges in 2024 and 2025, and shared her vision for the company’s future goals around advocacy and charitable giving. Laughton also shared her perspective on how the outdoor…
