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Raccoon Media Group celebrates four finalist nominations at the AEO Excellence Awards

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Raccoon Media Group is proud to announce that it has received four finalist nominations across three categories at the 2026 Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards.

Known as the ‘Oscars’ of the trade and consumer exhibition world, these awards celebrate the ingenuity, sustainability, and outstanding talent powering the global sector. The AEO Excellence Awards highlight success across the complete events ecosystem, recognising the standout organisers, venues, and service suppliers who continually set new benchmarks for excellence.

This recognition for Raccoon Media Group stands as a testament to the collective dedication of the entire team across a diverse portfolio of events. The company’s global efforts have been recognised with double nominations for Best International Show – Americas for both Abilities Expo Los Angeles and Snowbound Expo, while the Pets & Aquatics Trade Show (PATS) secured a shortlist spot for Best UK Tradeshow > 8,000SQM.

Culminating these achievements, Raccoon Media Group itself is in the running for Independent Organiser of the Year. While the team remains focused on delivering exceptional experiences for its unique communities, being shortlisted alongside the industry’s finest is both a humbling milestone and an inspiring reminder of what passionate collaboration can achieve.

Abilities Expos empower the disability community by bridging the gap between consumers, caregivers, and industry professionals. These life-changing events unite attendees with cutting-edge assistive technologies, vital resources, and expert-led workshops, while also delivering interactive, inclusive experiences like adaptive sports and dance. The expanded series features seven major host locations across the United States: Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Orlando, Dallas, Los Angeles, and the New York Metro area.

Building upon this commitment to community and specialised recreation, Snowbound Expo at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut serves as a consumer-focused event connecting winter sports enthusiasts, brands, and resorts. The gathering provides a venue for attendees to explore industry trends, purchase gear, meet professionals, and engage with interactive resort exhibits before the season begins.

Expanding this same spirit of innovation into the animal kingdom, the PATS (Pet & Aquatics Show) serves as the UK’s premier trade event for the animal care industry. It brings together leading brands, independent retailers, and innovators to shape the future of pet retail. It acts as a central hub where the market tests ground-breaking new products and builds the partnerships that drive the sector forward.

Providing the strategic foundation and organisational backing for these gatherings Raccoon Media Group specialises in B2B and consumer events, digital media, and publishing. The company serves passion-led communities – specifically within the global health, fitness, and outdoor sectors – and prioritises environmental sustainability across its entire portfolio.

“We are proud and humbled by the nominations,” said Mike Seaman, CEO at Raccoon Media Group. “From the inception of the company in a shed in my garden 10 years ago – to now operating over twenty events in key locations around the world. We are in the business of human connection and our events continue to deliver business opportunities, meaningful experiences, community engagement, and fun.

“That is only possible if you work with people who care deeply and authentically about what they do. Our team are some of the best in the business and I consider it a privilege to work with them. They deserve the recognition; I’m incredibly proud of all of them!”

The AEO Excellence Awards 2026 take place on the afternoon of Friday 12 June 2026 at London’s Grosvenor House. Wishing all finalists the very best of luck!

For all media enquiries, contact Chief Marketing Officer Ashley Cox at ashley.cox@raccoonmediagroup.com

Notes to Editors:

About Raccoon Media Group

Raccoon Media Group is a dynamic, high-growth media business focused on enabling healthy and active lives. Our media properties deliver year-round content and advice to specialist, self-identifying consumers that share a love of being outside, healthy and active. Our events are well-timed, community-driven, tightly focused and passion-led. They bring buyers and sellers together to see cutting edge innovations in a fun and exciting way.

Introducing OutdoorXpo: The evolution of adventure is here

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In a world where the great outdoors meets the ultimate adrenaline rush, one event is breaking the mould. In March 2027 prepare for the evolution of adventure as The National Outdoor Expo is reborn as OutdoorXpo.

After five years of trekking alongside the UK’s most passionate brands, the National Outdoor Expo is reframing the journey and charting a bold new course. Reimagined as OutdoorXpo, the event is transitioning into an experience-led platform designed for those who live for the trail, the peak, and the open water. This isn’t just a rebrand; it’s a total gearshift. OutdoorXpo has been built around genuine authority, featuring programming, partners, and participants who don’t just talk the talk – they live and breathe the grit and the great outdoors.

Launched in 2022 by Raccoon Media Group, The National Outdoor Expo quickly grew from a standard exhibition into a vital community meet-up. With over 21,000 attendees, it cemented its reputation as one of the UK’s largest gatherings for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.

In March 2027 (20th-21st), the NEC Birmingham will transform into a new, wild frontier as OutdoorXpo unleashes the ultimate playground for thrill-seekers. This rugged event sees the adrenaline of climbing and trail running collide with the spray of watersports and the raw grit of bushcraft survival.

Rather than just listening to tales of exploration, visitors will find themselves immersed in the heart of the action – testing high-spec cycling rigs, mapping out global expeditions with industry legends, and diving into hands-on skills sessions. It is a weekend designed to shift the balance from passive spectating to pure participation, giving every explorer the tools to navigate the unknown.

The Ultimate Basecamp: Four New Territories to Explore

The redesigned format is anchored by four defining elements that mirror the journey of every adventurer:

  • Activity: The heart-pounding pursuits that drive the community.
  • Equipment: The rugged, reliable gear explorers rely on.
  • Skills: The essential expertise developed through experience.
  • Environment: The breathtaking landscapes where it all happens.

One Destination. Infinite Depth.

The new layout moves beyond the traditional show floor. By combining top-tier products, expert coaching, and hands-on experiences into immersive hubs, OutdoorXpo creates a coherent environment where visitors can spend more time within their specific areas of interest – each will feature activity-led environments designed to be used. From climbing to watersports, the platform enables enthusiasts to build connections and delve into their favourite passions with more depth than ever before.

The new-look OutdoorXpo is built for those who live for the wild. The event assembles a heavy-hitting line-up of legends ready to share the ultimate guide to the outdoors.

OutdoorXpo 2027 will host an elite roster of outdoor icons ready to share their survival secrets and epic tales. Those announced so far include:

  • Global Pioneers: World-renowned filmmaker and climber Jimmy Chin, big-mountain skier Jim Morrison, and legendary survivalist Ray Mears.
  • Endurance Titans: Adventurer “Hardest Geezer” Russ Cook, explorer Levison Wood, and record-breaking mountaineer Leo Houlding.
  • Trailblazers: Broadcaster Louise Minchin, naturalist Steve Backshall, Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing, Black Girls Hike founder Rhiane Fatinikun and extreme adventurer Squash Falconer.

Stop Spectating, Start Exploring

Designed for every weekend warrior, wilderness seeker and future pioneer, the OutdoorXpo 2027 features immersive, discipline-led zones covering eight core areas: Hiking, Trail Running, Cycling, Climbing, Camping & Bushcraft, Adventure Travel, Watersports, and Family.

Visitors will discover the latest innovations and high-performance equipment to push their limits, from specialised technical gear to essential alpine tech. OutdoorXpo is the ultimate launchpad to find the next peak and start living life off-grid.

For all media enquiries, contact OutdoorXpo Marketing Manager Ben Yeo at ben.yeo@raccoonmediagroup.com

Notes to Editors:

OutdoorXpo #OutdoorXpo

A utopia for outdoor enthusiasts – provides all of the inspiration, kit, tech, nutrition and advice needed to get outside and get active.

Watch HERE!

About Raccoon Media Group

Raccoon Media Group is a dynamic, high-growth media business focused on enabling healthy and active lives. Our media properties deliver year-round content and advice to specialist, self-identifying consumers that share a love of being outside, healthy and active. Our events are well-timed, community-driven, tightly focused and passion-led. They bring buyers and sellers together to see cutting edge innovations in a fun and exciting way.

ISPO Impact Foundation introduced with launch of new €1 million grant fund

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The world’s leading sports and outdoor trade fair creates an independent foundation to channel lasting positive change across the globe

Founded by ISPO, the world’s leading sports and outdoor trade fair, the ISPO Impact Foundation was unveiled today, alongside eagerly-awaited details of the €1 million global grant fund it will be distributing annually. The independent foundation will harness the power of outdoor recreation and sport as a force for good, in pursuit of a healthier planet and more active, inclusive communities.

Through ISPO’s landmark annual donation, the Foundation will channel funding into initiatives across the globe that protect and restore the planet’s vitally important natural environments, whilst also building stronger, more active communities. It is a statement of intent from a trade fair that has long championed the outdoor and sports sectors, whilst recognising that those sectors have both the responsibility, and the unique ability, to drive real-world change.

Mike Seaman, Group CEO of Raccoon Media Group, said: “ISPO has always been more than a trade fair. It is a platform that brings together the people who care most deeply about sport, the outdoors, and the natural world. Creating the ISPO Impact Foundation felt like the natural next step: a way to turn that passion into lasting, practical change. But it was always our intention that the Foundation would operate with full independence. The decisions about where this money goes, and the projects it supports, belong entirely to the trustees, the advisory council and the communities they serve, which is exactly as it should be.”

Chair of the Trustees and CEO of the UK’s Outdoor Industries Association, Andrew Denton, said: “Healthy natural environments and widespread participation in outdoor recreation and sport are fundamental to the future of our sectors, as well as to the health of our planet and the communities within it. The ISPO Impact Foundation represents a powerful opportunity to put that belief into action, internationally and at scale, year after year. We are grateful to ISPO and Raccoon Media Group for their vision and generosity in making this possible, and we take the responsibility of stewarding this fund very seriously.”

The Foundation will be accepting project applications from non-profit organisations around the world from 1–30 June. A wide range of grants will be available, designed to ensure that no project with genuine impact is too small, or too creative, to be considered. Micro grants of €2,000 will support grassroots local clubs, groups and teams making a difference closer to home, while multi-year grants of up to €100,000 will be available for larger, more established organisations with the potential for significant, and potentially global, impact.

General Manager of the ISPO Impact Foundation, Tanya Kenrick, said: “The potential of this Fund to catalyse lasting change, for our planet and for the health of the communities that depend on it, is genuinely extraordinary. We are building something that will grow in impact every single year, and the Trustees, the Advisory Council and I are tremendously excited to begin partnering with the innovative, passionate organisations that will help shape what this Foundation becomes.”

About the ISPO Impact Foundation

With charitable formation imminent, the ISPO Impact Foundation is an independent grant-making organisation founded by ISPO, the world’s leading sports and outdoor trade fair. Funded by an annual donation of €1 million from ISPO, the Foundation distributes grants to non-profit organisations across the globe, supporting initiatives that protect and restore the planet’s natural environments and build stronger, more active and inclusive communities.

The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, comprising Andrew Denton (Chair), Mark Held and Hannah Lewis. The Trustees are supported by an Advisory Council of experts drawn from across the outdoor recreation, sport, and sustainability sectors, encompassing brands, suppliers and retailers: Katrin Bauer (Ortovox), Ben Blishke (Intersport), Yasmin Dufournet (Salomon), Julian Lings (Specialized), Marie Måwe (WL Gore), and Debbie Read (Eqiup Outdoor Technologies).

The Foundation will accept grant applications each year, with four levels of funding available ranging from €2,000 to €100,000. For full details and application information visit ispoimpactfoundation.org.

Press contact: Tanya Kenrick, General Manager, tanya@ispoimpactfoundation.org

Abilities Expo recognized for outstanding commitment to the disability community

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Raccoon Media Group is proud to announce that Abilities Expo is being honored with the prestigious ‘Live Award’ from national nonprofit Help Hope Live.

Established in 1979, the Abilities Expo has evolved from a local showcase into the premier nationwide event series for the disability community, empowering attendees with cutting-edge technology, adaptive products, and inclusive experiences.


Following its 2024 acquisition by Raccoon Media Group, the expo has experienced significant expansion in footprint and exhibitor participation. Building on this momentum, 2026 marked a major strategic evolution with the launch of the Abilities International Accessibility Conferences introducing a robust B2B component that bridges the gap between industry leaders, researchers, and users to drive global accessibility standards.


The upcoming award from Help Hope Live recognizes Abilities Expo’s core role as a vital hub for the disability community. The Expo hosts free events across major U.S. cities, bringing life-changing technology, adaptive sports, and hands-on workshops directly to those who need them. Through partnerships with nonprofits for financial assistance and essential services like on-site wheelchair repair, the Abilities Expo provides an empowering environment where families, veterans, and caregivers can find the tools and connection to lead more independent lives.


Commenting on the award nomination Brooke Schostak, Director of Development at Help Hope Live said: “We are truly thrilled to be honoring all that the Abilities Expo does for thousands of people living with disabilities in communities across the country.”
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, that has dedicated over 40 years to supporting individuals facing life-altering medical challenges, such as organ transplants and catastrophic injuries. They provide a structured, community-based fundraising model that offers unique advantages, including the verification of medical needs to build donor trust and the professional management of funds to help clients maintain eligibility for essential government benefits.


The organization’s annual awards, such as the Rainey and Hope Awards, are vital because they celebrate the extraordinary dedication of the volunteers and community leaders who make this support possible. By honoring these individuals, Help Hope Live highlights the power of collective compassion and reinforces its mission to provide hope and financial security to thousands of families across the country.


“Receiving this recognition from Help Hope Live is a profound honor,” says Katy Roberts, Managing Director USA of Abilities Expo. “While our team is deeply dedicated to supporting the disability community nationwide which is at the core of what we do, it is the strength of our collaborative partnerships that truly allows us to push boundaries and build a more inclusive world.”


The Awards ceremony will take place during the annual Live It Up! Gala in late October 2026.

ENDS

For all media enquiries, contact USA Marketing Director, Chloe Hyland at chloe.hyland@raccoonmediagroup.com

Notes to Editors:

Abilities Expo

Website: https://www.abilities.com/

Where else can you conquer an all-inclusive climbing wall, show off your mad skills in adaptive sports, learn moves from pioneers of inclusive dance, find the perfect device to meet your needs and so much more? Join us at our free, life-changing Expos.

About Raccoon Media Group

Raccoon Media Group was founded in 2018 with the launch of the multi-award-winning National Running Show and over the next few years went on to launch many popular consumer events in health and wellbeing markets. The business has expanded significantly since its inception and is now a dynamic, scaled, high-growth media business focused on mobilizing passion-led B2C and B2B communities across the globe. Our events and media properties deliver year-round content and advice to specialist, self-identifying audiences. Raccoon is entrepreneurial, fast-paced and disruptive. As a business we question the status quo, we invest in exceptional people, we operate with a clear purpose and deliver sustainable events that directly meet the needs of our audiences in a way that ignites and bolsters the industries in which we operate.