Vista Outdoor's profits are derived from the production of assault weapons. Business initiatives The organization had engaged in several business initiatives: In 1997 MEC introduced a free of charge online gear swap where members can trade used outdoor gear. MEC's distribution centre in Surrey British Columbia was opened in the fall of 2007 and was the first "Green" LEED (Silver) accredited distribution centre in North America. In November 2008 MEC opened bicycle repair shops in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal stores. The Winnipeg and Burlington stores opened their repair shops in March 2009. , sixteen stores have bike servicing. In the summer of 2008 MEC launched a series of annual national paddling and biking expositions named "MEC Paddlefest" and "MEC Bikefest". Leadership CEO Bill Gibson 1992–2000 Peter Robinson 2000–2007 David Labistour 2007–2019 Philippe Arrata 2019–20 Board chair Chris McNeil Anders Ourom Denise Lawson (2009–2012) Bill Gibson (2011–2014) Margie Parikh (2014–2016) Ellen Pekeles (2017–18) Judi Richardson History In 1971, four members of the University of British Columbia Varsity Outdoor Club conceived the idea of a mountain climbing equipment co-op when a snowstorm stranded them on Mount Baker in Washington state. Prior to this they had been purchasing gear at REI in Seattle. Other Varsity Outdoor Club members joined the plan and MEC was formed. The organization was incorporated under the British Columbia Co-operative Associations Act, with a constitution that was originally written by co-founder Jim Byers. 1972–2000 The MEC's first physical store was opened in 1972 on West Hastings Street in Vancouver. By 1981, it had opened a store in Calgary and had 57,000 members. MEC established its third retail location in Toronto, in 1985. By 1992, MEC's sales had increased to more than $35-million and had 330,000 members. Hudson's Bay Company executive Bill Gibson was hired from outside the organization and within a few years he had opened stores in Ottawa and Edmonton. 2000–2015 Peter Robinson was CEO from 2000 to 2007, until he was replaced by David Labistour in 2007. Gibson moved to the board in 2000 for a dozen years, which he chaired between 2009 and 2012. Serratus Mountain Products Ltd. and "the following substantially inactive companies": 330204 British Columbia Ltd., 340070 British Columbia Ltd. and 1314625 Ontario Limited were as of December 29, 2002 wholly owned subsidiaries of MEC. Festivals In 2006 MEC began a national program of outdoor "festivals" in every city in Canada that the