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Show APRIL 5,2007 MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR DESERT RENDEZVOUS HELD IN SOUTHERN UTAH Escalante, Utah — Utah is still the belle ofthe outdoor industry ball and continues to attract the attention of the industry's biggest players. But aside from bringing in companies to manufacture or retail here, Utah's rugged landscape is an ideal spot to test how gear will perform in the roughest environments in the world. That's why Mountain Hardwear, a leading manufacturer of high-end outdoor equipment, selected Escalante Outfitters in Escalante, Utah, as the site of its 2007 Desert Rendezvous, which took place March 22-25. Brad Bates, a Mountain Hardwear sales manager who helped organize the event, said, "We have targeted this area. We wanted to create a unique educational environment. It's all here." Bates cited the presence of a campground, an on-site cafe and gear shop with nearby guide services, and an abundance of terrain to explore as reasons for the choice. The Desert Rendezvous is an opportunity for outdoor gear retailers in Mountain Hardwear's western region to mingle with gear designers and product managers. It is one of two retail events Mountain Hardwear calls "Backcountry Basecamps" taking place this year. The second event will be on the East Cost ALL ABOARD! Our Brace Caboose is now making life easier for our patients in outlying communities: Beaver, Bicknell, Circleville, Delta, Ephraim, Fillmore, Gunnison, Manti, Milford, Junction, Monroe and Salina. On days we're in the mobile office, our office phone is forwarded to us, so we can still be reached. 1-888-BRACEME 150 E 200 N • Richfield, UT Page 10 T H E GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER next month. The goal of the Rendezvous, says Bates, is "to introduce store employees to the products in an environment for which they are designed." During the event, participants attended gear clinics run by Mountain Hardwear designers, who discussed the nuances of the company's product lines and with special emphasis on tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks. Chris Hilliard, Mountain Hardwear's product manager for sleeping bags and tents, said the purpose of the clinics is to teach retailers how Mountain Hardwear gear differs from gear produced by competitors like The North Face, and Sierra Designs. "All of design is a series of compromises and choices," he says. "The devil is in the details, and what we do is truly different." Making sure retailers know about the differences and can communicate them to potential buyers is important to Mountain Hardwear, says Hilliard. But aside from the retail aspects of the Desert Rendezvous, there was also the opportunity to have a little fun with the gear. After the nightly activities, which included a big meal, live music, slide show presentations by Mountain Hardwear sponsored athletes, and a campfire, participants hunkered down in Mountain Hardwear tents pitched in the campground at Escalante Outfitters. During the day participants carried Mountain Hardwear backpacks on hikes to Phipps Arch or went on guided canyoneering tours with Excursions of Escalante guide Rick Green. Overall, organizers and participants consider the Mountain Hardwear Desert Rendezvous a success. The goals of the event were more than realized, said Bates. "Escalante Outfitters made it easy for everyone to feel comfortable." Micah Dash, a Mountain Hardwear sponsored climber said, "I didn't know what to expect, but they've made a really good venue for events like this. The food was awesome, and everyone was so psyched to help out." Bates and Dash both stated that the Escalante region is still wild. That is one of the main things that the event hosts from Escalante Outfitters hope people will take with them. Dana Waggoner, one of the owners of Escalante Outfitters, said, "One of the best things about an event like this is that the people who attend will go home remembering the good time they had here and help spread the word about the wonder and beauty of the area." When asked about the possibility of Mountain Hardwear returning to Escalante for another Desert Rendezvous, Bates said, "We'll be bac£." PANGUITCHOPLY • What is PanguitchOPOLY, and why is Main Street sponsoring it? Monopoly type game for a fund raising projects • What is the benefit to Panguitch businesses? Unique advertising opportunity. • Who will buy the game? Tourists, locals, participants at local events (at Main Street booth), Christmas gifts, monopoly collectors, and most importantly.. .you the advertiser .. .your name is on the game! • Setup fees must be collected upfront to make games: $250.00 per square (ONLY 20 spaces left); $300.00 per corner; $500.00 : Deed Cards, Money, Fate & Yellow Cards (SOLD OUT) ; $75.00:1 line item in middle of board for Businesses and Patrons (individuals, families..etc) • What are the games going to sell for and where can they be purchased? $25.00 per game at Panguitch Merchants. All proceeds of game sells are profit. Main Street will use these funds for the events they sponsor: Balloon Rally, Fiddlers Festival, Taste of Panguitch, Historic Playhouse 89, etc. • Due Date: April 13th....goes to game making company and back to us by June 26th. Main Street will distribute games to business for sale. To get in on the fun please contact: Linda Rabin, Cauleen Pollack, Pete Larson, Tom Barlow, Jane Excell or Janet Oldham Cwtifl Money $500.00: Ziom'i Bink House & Motel UpgndaS625.00 PANGUITCH HIGH SCHOOL WALL OF FAME ANNOUNCED Panguitch High School PTSO has announced plans for a WALL OF FAME to honor outstanding alumni. Arrangements have been made to set a side a wall in the commons area of the high school for displaying outstanding alumni and their achievements. We are really excited to move forward with this project. It will be a great opportunity to showcase and honor outstanding Panguitch High School alumni. We want to send the message to our students that each of them can be whatever they want to be with hard work, dedication, and the right tools. A good place to start is graduating from high school. Four alumni Will be chosen for display on the WALL OF FAME for the 20062007 school year with two being chosen year after that. Deadline for nominations is May 1, 2007. For nomimation forms contact Jennifer Bremner at jbremner@color-country.net or 435-676-8211. Jennifer Bremner, Panguitch High School / Middle School PTSO VP |