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FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) and OUTTECH INC. announced a strategic partnership between the two groups on January 11, during the Innovations party at the Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding in front of hundreds of archery and outdoor industry executives, manufacturers and retailers.
The basis of the partnership is a new concept to the industry. The USA is a nonprofit conservation organization, and OUTTECH is an industry leading product sales group. The USA doesn’t have a “product” to sell. How could a partnership possibly work?
“Each of the industry nonprofit organizations have hundreds of thousands of members who love to hunt and fish,” said Jay Scholes, OUTTECH founder and president. “The face of outdoor retail is changing; it’s important to us to strategically partner with an organization like the USA. We want to bring benefit to their members and keep them engaged in the outdoors. Our ability to introduce new and innovative products helps retain and introduce new hunters, anglers and shooters to products, which is important to all of us.”
The USA is a nonprofit conservation group created for union members and their families. In only a decade, the USA has amassed more than 230,000 members from more than 25 different international labor unions. A little more than a month ago, the USA’s leadership celebrated its 100th Work Boots on the Ground project by dedicating a restored fishing pier in Jones Point Park in Alexandria, Virginia. Jones Point Park is a National Park Service property.
The project is a great example of how private and public partnership can help restore and maintain our treasured parks when money and resources are not available through traditional sources. Since 2012, the USA has provided more than 21,000 hours and nearly $800,000 in skilled volunteer labor to restore and maintain public access across our nation.
What makes the USA truly unique is its ability to harness the power of skilled union volunteers who put their professional knowledge to use by tackling projects that create or improve public access to the outdoors, improve wildlife habitats, mentor youth in the outdoors and restore America’s parks, which are in disrepair. The USA also raises funds that cover materials and equipment through local conservation dinners, sporting clays and trap shoots.
“Partnerships will play a vitally important role in our industry, and we are always open to combining forces for conservation with a great partner like OUTTECH,” said Scott Vance, CEO and Executive Director for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Our hardworking union members are very active in their communities. Fueling their efforts through partnerships with industry giants, such as OUTTECH, allows us to focus on, and increase, the great work that’s being done every day by union men and women across the United States.”
About the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance: The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Media Contacts:
Kate Nation
Communications Manager, USA