Many business owners in the growing outdoor industry are choosing Austin to expand and open new businesses due to its location and enthusiastic outdoor- loving communities.

A panel last Tuesday brought together a group of industry executives downtown to discuss Austin’s prosperity in the area. The group included the leaders of Yeti Coolers, who make high-quality steel coolers and cups, and Austin B-Cycle, public bicycle stations. They discussed what makes Austin a great place for the outdoor products business, and listed the city’s climate, culture, and age among its benefits.

“When you’re in the outdoor space you have the ability to build an experience as opposed to a brand,” said Ravi Parikh, co-founder and CEO of RoverPass, an Austin-based camping mobile app.

In recent years, America’s entire outdoor recreation economy has shown strong signs of growth and prosperity. Outdoor retailer REI reported record profits last year, and their competitor Cabela’s shows a five-year increase in profits, according to marketwatch.com. The Outdoor Industry Association reports $646 billion in yearly outdoor recreation spending.

Corey Maynard, vice president of Yeti Coolers, explained the industry’s appeal through his personal experience in the field.

“Being in an environment where people love and believe in what they are doing is pretty special and unique to the outdoor space,” Maynard said.

The outdoor space has many appeals to companies, among them the passion they inspire within their customers. With the opportunity to create such a uniquely positive experience, businesses are creating brand ambassadors. Brand ambassadors are customers who have such a strong love for a company that they advertise the products to the people around them.

However, reliance on brand ambassadors doesn’t crowd out online advertisement. Peter Li, CEO of Atlas Wearables, an Austin-based fitness electronics company, merges online advertisement with their brand ambassadors.

“Our experience is a little bit of a different experience because it’s digital,” Li said. “This company can lead and grow the community through online and social media.”

Not all companies based in Austin in the outdoor industry have experienced

immediate growth. Investors have bases in larger cities and aim their spending toward larger markets. Parikh addressed that most of the capital is located on the West Coast.

Li and Parikh both experienced significant difficulties finding funding. Parikh said Austin is “a smaller market compared to San Francisco and New York. Funding is difficult, but requires more hustle.”

One of the most important elements of these companies is their location in Austin. The panelists listed the location, the community, and the culture as benefits of basing their business in Austin.

The city has not only allowed the growth of the outdoor industry, but cultivated it as well. Elliott McFadden, CEO and founder of Austin B-Cycle, listed Austin’s “laid back culture,” the fact that it’s a pretty location and the University of Texas. Austin B-Cycle, a private company, partnered with the City of Austin to allow citizens rent bicycles for a short period of time.

Ally Davidson, CEO of Camp Gladiator, noted the “great attitude and accepting culture” of Austinites as the reason for the city’s outdoor development. When asked for his opinion, Mark, a San Diego native who attended the panel, said he believes the city has “a lot of passion. Really what it takes.”

All of the executives who attended the panel remain confident about the future of Austin’s outdoor industry, but unsure where it will go.

“Innovation comes from something that is broken,” Davidson said. “24 Hour Fitness, Lifetime Fitness is boring. Whoever can disrupt this, look out for them.”