Imagine the world’s largest orienteering event. One where thousands of experienced orienteers, recreational participants and newcomers come together and participate in orienteering activities close to where they live, but at the same time as similar activities all across the globe. That is the idea of World Orienteering Week! Using the motivational and marketing power of doing this together to promote the values of orienteering and encourage increased participation.
One of the great things about World Orienteering Week is that any activity counts. You are free to use your imagination to market and practice the sport in new ways, to put on a very simple event or to simply organise what is familiar and comfortable. Indoor, outdoor, sprints, maze, youth, elite, masters, whatever; all events count equally. Have fun with it and try crazy ideas!
Being part of something bigger allows us to leverage off of common marketing materials, organising ideas and sponsorships to gain visibility. Use the opportunity to open discussions with local media, schools, institutional partners and sponsors. Orienteering has a lot to offer with our values of being a sustainable, inclusive and ethical sport. Show that we are a sport for all ages and abilities, how we are keen on protecting our natural environment as it is our arena, and how we uphold the values of fair play and clean sport. We have a strong story to tell.
The media is always looking for stories that are outside the usual. By using the global scope of World Orienteering Week in communications with the media and prospective participants you can tie in your local event to the bigger picture. And trying something new can be a great way to attract media attention.
The fact that World Orienteering Week is a global event can also help in discussions with schools and other officials. Schools and parks often look for different themed activities and this can be a great way to introduce orienteering with the credibility of other activities around the globe. Municipalities and governments are increasingly looking to sport activities to highlight public health initiatives and orienteering fits well with those goals.
World Orienteering Week can also be a good opportunity to talk with sponsors and partners. Many companies simply want to be recognized as being part of an activity that adds value to society, so-called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sponsoring. World Orienteering Week, with its strong focus on physical activity for youths, and in fact all ages, is very attractive.
Welcome to World Orienteering Week from May 17th to 25th 2025! Maybe you want to focus all efforts to a single day or want to have a different activity every day. The combinations and possibilities are unlimited. My personal goal is to organise or participate in a WOW activity every day from May 17th to 25th, please join me!
The most important thing about World Orienteering Week is to have a plan to promote your event to the target participants. The IOF provides a set of tools for you to use, you just need to make them fit locally.
WOW! Be part of something bigger!
Tom Hollowell
IOF President
