Today we’re giving you an update on the topics we’ll be discussing at our upcoming Blister Summit, and telling you who the athletes, founders, product designers, and snow safety experts we’ll be discussing these things with. Then, in case you missed it, we’re reposting one of our favorite conversations we’ve ever had on product design in innovation, which ran previously on our Off The Couch podcast. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in design and innovation.
TOPICS & TIMES:
- Summit A, Feb 21st (0:40)
- How We Review Gear (2:48)
- Ski Bindings (3:15)
- Athlete Panel (4:51)
- Ski Design (5:28)
- Blister Labs (8:10)
- AUA: Ask Us Anything (9:37)
- Summit B, Feb 25th (10:09)
- How We Review Gear (10:10)
- Ski Boot Design (10:45)
- Backcountry Safety & Safety Eqpt. (12:11)
- Athlete Panel (14:31)
- Women in the Ski Industry (16:52)
- Product Design & Innovation (19:33)
- What is Speedland? (24:27)
- Nike Basketball (26:32)
- Kevin Fallon’s background (29:09)
- Dave Dombrow’s background (32:51)
- How did you get jobs at Nike, Under Armour? (36:04)
- Why do brands fail at moving into other product categories? (48:24)
- Starting Speedland (53:56)
- Trail shoe design (58:57)
- Incorporating dual BOA dials (1:08:45)
- Pricing & Value (1:13:59)
- Removable carbon plate (1:18:02)
- 1st shoe: SL:PDX (1:19:56)
- Speedland’s ‘Give Back’ program (1:26:07)
- Optimizing for specific environments (1:27:37)
- Price & Hyper Performance (1:29:28)
- runspeedland.com (1:33:26)
RELATED LINKS
- Blister Summit Panel Discussions & Schedule
- Submit Questions for Panel Discussions
- Drew Petersen’s film, Ups + Downs
- Blister Summit Registration
- Subscribe to our Weekly Gear Giveaway / Newsletter
- Become a Blister Member / Get our Buyer’s Guide
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS
SUMMIT A: Feb 20 – 23, 2022
SUNDAY, Feb 20
5:30pm – 7:00pm: Welcome Reception
MONDAY, Feb 21
8:30am – 4:30pm: On-Snow Demos
4:45pm – 5:30pm: Panel Session 1: How We Review Gear (Blister reviewers)
- Paul Forward
- Kara Williard
- Jonathan Ellsworth
- Dylan Wood
5:45pm – 6:30pm: Panel Session 2: Binding Design & Real-World Considerations
- Francois Lefebvre, global product line manager, bindings, Amer Sports
- Chris Davenport: Skier, US Ski Hall of Fame inductee
- Paul Forward: Blister reviewer, physician, & lead heli guide, Chugach Powder Guides
- Chris McKearin, Commercial manager, Salomon Alpine
TUESDAY, Feb 22
8:30am – 4:30pm: On-Snow Demos
4:45pm – 5:30pm: Panel Session 1: Athlete Panel
- McKenna Peterson: Skier (K2) + AK Fishing Captain
- Julian Carr: Skier (Icelantic) + Founder of Discrete
- Chris Davenport: Skier (Kaestle) + Guide + Revelshine co-founder
5:45pm – 6:30pm: Panel Session 2: Ski Design
- Renoun founder & ski designer, Cyrus Schenck
- K2 Skis designer, Jed Yeiser
- Rossignol product manager, Jake Stevens
- Folsom Custom Skis owner & designer, Mike McCabe
WEDNESDAY, Feb 23
8:30am – 4:30pm: On-Snow Demos
4:45pm – 5:30pm: Panel Session 1: Blister Labs: Projects & Personnel
- Blister Labs Intro Video
- Jonathan Ellsworth: founder of Blister
- Jeni Blacklock: manufacturing processes & mechanical engineering
- Sean Humbert: robotics & systems design, mechanical engineering
- Greg Vanderbeek: mechanical engineering & fabrication
- Lauren Cooper: mechanical engineering & engineering education
5:45pm – 6:30pm: Panel Session 2: Ask Us Anything + Summit Recap
- Jonathan Ellsworth & Blister reviewers
SUMMIT B: Feb 24 – 27, 2022
THURSDAY, Feb 24
5:30pm – 7:00pm: Welcome Reception
FRIDAY, Feb 25
8:30am – 4:30pm: On-Snow Demos
4:45pm – 5:30pm: Panel Session 1: How We Review Gear (Blister Reviewers)
- Luke Koppa
- Kristin Sinnott
- Eric Freson
- Jonathan Ellsworth
5:45pm – 6:30pm: Panel Session 2: Ski Boot Design
- Christoph Lentz, Fischer boots product manager
- Tom Pietrowski, K2 boots product manager
- Greg Klein, product development & owner of Willi’s Ski Shops
SATURDAY, Feb 26
8:30am – 4:30pm: On-Snow Demos
4:45pm – 5:30pm: Panel Session 1: Backcountry Safety & Safety Eqpt.
- Backcountry Access (BCA) co-founder, Bruce Edgerly
- Salomon skier & filmmaker, Drew Petersen
- Lead guide, snow safety director, & former ski patroller, Megan Paden
- Lead avalanche forecaster, Zach Guy
5:45pm – 6:30pm: Panel Session 2: Athlete Panel: The Mental Game
- John Collinson, Volkl
- Sander Hadley, Dynastar
- Drew Petersen, Salomon
- Wendy Fisher, Head
SUNDAY Feb 27
8:30am – 4:30pm: On-Snow Demos
4:45pm – 5:30pm: Panel Session 1: Women in the Ski Industry
- Kjerstin Klein: Winter Divas founder & co-owner of Willi’s Ski Shops
- Kara Williard: boot fitter & Blister reviewer
- Louise Lintilhac: skier, brand manager, PR
5:45pm – 6:30pm: Panel Session 2: Ask Us Anything + Summit Recap
- Jonathan Ellsworth & Blister reviewers