The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE Outdoors) and College of the Rockies (COTR), in collaboration with the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia (ORCBC), will showcase the Kootenay region’s growing outdoor recreation economy at the 2026 ORCBC Conference. The event, themed Building Stronger Communities Through Outdoor Recreation, takes place May 20-22 at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.
The sold-out gathering will bring together 300 outdoor recreation organizations, volunteers, Indigenous partners, land managers, governments, and community leaders from across the province to connect, share knowledge, and help shape the future of outdoor recreation in British Columbia.
KORE Outdoors co-founder and Executive Director Kevin Pennock and COTR President Michael Crowe will speak at the conference on Friday, May 22, at 2:15 p.m. Their presentation, “Rehub: Building Circular Infrastructure for BC’s Outdoor Recreation Economy,” will introduce a groundbreaking joint initiative to create the Rehub Circular Technology Centre at the college’s campus in Cranbrook. The project offers a new model for the outdoor sector by connecting gear repair, workforce training, product prototyping, and small-scale manufacturing.
In their talk, Pennock and Crowe will explore how circular infrastructure can extend the life of outdoor equipment while supporting skilled employment, regional innovation, and economic development.
“This initiative is about building stronger connections between education, industry, and community,” said Crowe. “Rehub and our collaboration with KORE demonstrates how partnerships can create shared infrastructure that benefits learners, employers, and the broader outdoor recreation sector.”
“Outdoor recreation is more than a lifestyle in the Kootenays; it’s a growing economic engine rooted in innovation, craftsmanship, and deep connection to place,” said Matt Mosteller, Board Chair of KORE Outdoors. “Through initiatives like Rehub, we have an opportunity to build the kind of circular infrastructure that keeps gear in use longer, creates skilled jobs, and positions the Kootenay region as a leader in the future of Canada’s outdoor economy.”
The conference marks the 50th anniversary of ORCBC, an advocacy organization that promotes responsible use of, and access to, BC’s outdoor places for public recreation.
“Outdoor recreation plays a vital role in strengthening communities, supporting local economies, and connecting people to the landscapes that make British Columbia so unique,” said Louise Pedersen, Executive Director of the ORCBC. “We are excited to welcome innovative leaders like KORE Outdoors and College of the Rockies to this year’s conference to showcase forward-thinking solutions that support sustainability, skills development, and the long-term resilience of BC’s outdoor recreation sector.”
The conference will also kick off the KORE Rehub Mobile Repair Tour for 2026. The Rehub trailer, staffed by a team of repair technicians, will be on-site for the three-day event offering free repairs of jackets, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and other soft goods. Conference participants can drop off an item and pick it up later. The KORE Rehub Mobile Repair Tour will then hit the road for the summer, providing pop-up gear repair in communities across the Kootenays and raising awareness about the Rehub Circular Technology Centre opening in Cranbrook.
About KORE Outdoors
KORE Outdoors is an economic development and diversification initiative managed by the non-profit Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Society in Kimberley, British Columbia. It is an alliance of outdoor recreation gear manufacturers and designers across the Kootenays, bringing together a network of more than 80 craft gear makers who have organically launched production in the region. KORE fosters growth through education, collaboration, and by connecting businesses to resources, grants, financing, and capital. It also works to attract outdoor product manufacturers and designers to relocate to the region or launch new ventures. Committed to circular design, KORE helps brands build durability, repairability, and end-of-life planning into products from the outset. Through its repair and reuse initiatives, KORE reduces waste and keeps outdoor gear in use longer across the Kootenays.
KORE Outdoors Media Contact:
Matt Mosteller, Board Chair
media@koreoutdoors.org
About College of the Rockies
For 50 years, College of the Rockies has provided post-secondary education that meets the needs and aspirations of the people, industries, and businesses of our region. All its campuses are located on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people, which is also home to the Kinbasket people. The college values its relationships with the four Ktunaxa bands, the Shuswap band, and the Kootenay Regional Office of the Métis Nation, BC. Each year, thousands of full-time and part-time students enroll in a full range of programs, including skilled trades, university arts and sciences, adult upgrading, early childhood education, health and human services, business, office administration, tourism, hospitality, recreation, fire services, continuing education, and contract training. Through smaller class sizes, highly personalized instruction, and dedicated support services, students are primed to succeed in the job market or the next stage of their academic journey.
College of the Rockies Media Contact:
Darryl Dux, Communications Coordinator
ddux@cotr.bc.ca