Outdoor Unfiltered

Revamping ISPO, Inside KMD's Strategic Review & The Truth Behind Recreation dot Gov

June 1, 2026·48 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Dive beyond the PR spin with Outdoor Unfiltered, your insider look into the outdoor industry's biggest shifts. In this episode, host Eoin Comerford breaks down why KMD Brands -- the parent company of global surf icon Rip Curl, retail giant Kathmandu, and hiking footwear favorite Oboz -- has launched a major strategic review. Next, we call out the non-stop promotional spam from recreation.gov, peeling back the curtain on its operator, Booz Allen Hamilton, and how their contract impacts public lands' funding. On a brighter note, we highlight Mountain High Outfitters and their impressive 31-store expansion, showing why the "Big Os" specialty retail model is thriving. Finally, Mike Seaman and Tracy Bebbington of Racoon Media Group join the show to discuss their massive €3 million investment to revitalize and completely revamp the iconic ISPO show as it moves to Amsterdam this November.Timestamps:[00:22] – KMD Brands Strategic Review: What does the future hold for Kathmandu, Rip Curl, and Oboz under their New Zealand-based parent company?[04:45] – The Recreation.gov Spam Machine: Why a private contract with Booz Allen Hamilton is driving massive revenue away from our underfunded National Parks.[07:11] – Specialty Retail Success: How Mountain High Outfitters is bucking the trend with its 31st store expansion.[09:05] – Interview with Racoon Media Group: Mike Seaman and Tracy Bebbington lay out their €3 million plan to relocate, revamp, and revitalize the iconic ISPO show in Amsterdam.Connect With Us:We would love to hear your thoughts on the show, inside intel, guest ideas, sponsorship inquiries, or whatever's on your mind.Email: outdoorunfilteredpod@gmail.comLinkedIn: Connect with Eoin Comerford on LinkedInOur Sponsors:We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors who make this show possible. Please support them by checking out their services:ENDVR: The network that connects brands, retailers, and frontline associates to power sell-through across your wholesale channel.Crux Retail: Creating bold retail displays for bold brands.

Podzilla Summary coming soon

Sign up to get notified when the full AI-powered summary is ready.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of Outdoor Unfiltered and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.