When brand and destinations collide
What happens when a place meets a product? From co-branded trail gear to multi-day experiences, some of the most exciting marketing initiatives in the outdoor industry happen when brands and destinations join forces. These partnerships amplify reach by connecting with highly engaged, like-minded audiences and provide measurable impact through social impressions, email engagement and earned media coverage.
By aligning with complementary brands, destinations can expand their audience, increase visitation intent and drive authentic storytelling that resonates with both consumers and influencers. We’ve seen different approaches to these collaborations and the tangible benefits they bring, and have compiled a strong list that showcases gear with a sense of place, content as a tourism catalyst, events, and stewardship-driven campaigns that deliver both brand and destination value.
Please note these examples are not projects we’ve worked on at Origin; they’re just partnerships that have caught our attention and which we feel are worth mentioning.
1. Arc’teryx x Tourism Whistler
What: Co-created content and experiential events (e.g., Arc’teryx Academy in Whistler).
Why it worked: The Academy combined Arc'teryx's credibility with Whistler's huge alpine terrain, creating a respected mountain playground for skill development and brand immersion. This elevated both brands as serious players in the alpine space with a unique educational community aspect.
2. Patagonia x Chilean Patagonia Region
What: Patagonia helped fund and promote Chile’s national parks—and ecotourism—through Tompkins Conservation Advocacy.
Why it worked: Patagonia’s customers adore values. This campaign wasn’t product-driven and instead focused on the mission, positioning the destination and brand as leaders in conservation and ecotourism.
3. RUMPL x various national parks
What: Puffys for Parks is a limited-edition blankets featuring imagery inspired by six different national parks.
Why it worked: The pattern formed an emotional connection through design, and helped fund park conservation in the process.
4. REI x National Park Foundation
What: Co-branded gear like NPF-themed packs, clothing and sunglasses is paired with collaborative campaigns like #FindYourPark.
Why it worked: This natural fit between two outdoor brands provided strong reach through cause-marketing and community. It made the act of visiting parks feel like a movement.
5. Topo Designs x Colorado Tourism
What: Various collabs (including the NFL’s Denver Broncos) which included product photography shot across iconic CO locations and shared through online featurettes.
Why it worked: Reinforced a strong “Designed in Colorado” message, blurring the line between homegrown brand and the place that inspired it.
6. Fjällräven Classic Trek Series (Global)
What: A series of events focused on trekking in places like Sweden, Colorado, and Scotland, co-organized with local tourism boards.
Why it worked: Created immersive, guided destination experiences that naturally revolved around brand philosophy.
Key themes
While this is not an exhaustive list, the following themes stand out as successful approaches to collaboration:
- Place as Product: Turn a destination into a limited-edition experience.
- Co-branded Content: Produce high-quality visuals, stories, and films shot on-location.
- Values Alignment: Especially around sustainability, access, or stewardship.
- Limited-Edition Gear: Collectibles rooted in a sense of place.
- Events & Activations: On-the-ground community building in iconic landscapes.
Hopefully these examples allow you to think beyond ads and instead into experiences, shared values, and partnerships that tell a deeper story. If you’ve seen one or participated in one, please send them our way: mj@originoutside.com
