Since 1982, Outdoor Retailer has brought the outdoor industry together for commerce, to share ideas, and to provide an experience that has grown into more than a trade show. Our community has become family, and for the past five years, we’ve held our biannual gatherings in Denver. As our contract nears its natural end after 2022, we’ve been exploring our options and conferring with the industry to map our next steps.
After much deliberation and input from all sides, we’ve decided the best move for Outdoor Retailer is to return to our basecamp. We’re heading back to Salt Lake City and County to the place we grew up and where our industry matured into the dynamic and powerful community it is today. Moving forward, Outdoor Retailer will bring the community together in January and June at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. We have a strong relationship with Salt Lake City and a committed partner in Mayor Erin Mendenhall, whose values align with ours following tremendous investments in clean energy and a strong commitment to public lands. This proved to be a real turning point in our recent negotiations.
A Commitment to Change
Salt Lake City and County is our hometown, and we’re going back with a commitment to effecting meaningful change. It would be wrong for us to leave the way we did and simply go back as if nothing happened. In reality, leaving after 2017 has not brought the change we had hoped for, so we will push back, not pull back. We firmly believe that staying engaged and collectively contributing to the ongoing discussion, no matter how difficult, is far more constructive.
We are the first to admit significant work is required to achieve change, so we are dedicating resources to making progress. To start, we are:
- Committing revenue over the next three years from Outdoor Retailer events in Utah to fund programs to support outdoor recreation and protect public lands;
- Forming the Business with Purpose initiative in partnership with Visit Salt Lake to bring the city, county, state, and federal officials, public lands and outdoor recreation leaders, and industry stakeholders together for biannual meetings focused on addressing challenges, influencing policy, assisting advocacy efforts, and directing resources into protecting natural and cultural spaces and improving access;
- Providing increased opportunities for the industry, local communities, and media to participate in panel discussions, educational activities, and volunteer projects.
As such, we are redefining Outdoor Retailer to meet the needs of the growing outdoor recreation economy, adding channels for the industry to interact directly with consumers and conduct commerce with buyers year-round. We’re moving beyond the walls of a convention center to present unique opportunities for commerce, storytelling, advocacy, knowledge, and celebration. We are excited to unveil our plans at this summer’s show.
Competition with Cooperation
Outdoor Retailer began 40 years ago with a group of adventurers who loved nature and created gear to make it more fun. Today, we’re a passionate community actively championing causes and advocating for people and our planet. We come together to collaborate, laud achievements, and embrace diverse perspectives. In the booths and aisles, each of us has made it a goal to transcend an individual future – our work is grounded in a desire to improve the outdoor experience for others.
We’re incredibly grateful to Denver for nourishing these passions and embracing our amazing community. We’ll gather in Colorado once more this June to reconnect in person, enhance relationships, and celebrate our milestone anniversary.
As we plan for the coming years back in Salt Lake City and County, we move forward with the same optimism and values that have always guided our industry, and we’re ready to work with you to explore endless opportunities to help our industry grow. We are excited about what the future holds for Outdoor Retailer.
Marisa Nicholson
Outdoor Retailer
Senior Vice President & Show Director
Jeff Davis
Emerald
Group Vice President
FAQ
What are the future dates and locations for Outdoor Retailer?
The existing contract for Outdoor Retailer in Denver, Colorado, ends with this year’s Summer Show, scheduled for June 9-11, 2022, at the Colorado Convention Center. The next three years – from 2023 through 2025 – Outdoor Retailer will bring the community together biannually in January and June back in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. Specific dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
Why did you decide to move back to Salt Lake City?
In late January 2022, we fielded a survey of brands and exhibitors around their preferences for future dates and locations. In addition, we have had ongoing conversations with brands, retailers, reps, and attendees from across the industry on the topic. This decision reflects the results collected from more than 1,500 attendees and over 2,000 exhibitor responses, as well as the meaningful conversations and feedback received over recent months. Ultimately, the decision involved many factors, but the overriding reason is this is what the majority of the industry wanted.
We’re going back to Salt Lake City committed to driving positive change, and we are dedicating resources to making progress. Our plans include committing revenue to fund programs focused on outdoor recreation and protecting public lands; the development of the Business with Purpose initiative in partnership with Visit Salt Lake to direct resources into protecting natural spaces and improving access. Read more in our letter here, and information around ways you can get involved will be available soon.
Why did you decide to stage the shows in January and June?
These time frames best reflect the most recent data we received through surveys and from ongoing conversations during the last few months with brands of all sizes and retailers across the board.
What will be different or new at the shows in Salt Lake City?
We are excited about the possibilities and are looking at a wide range of options to expand the existing Outdoor Retailer platform, including new ways for the industry to stay connected year-round and for brands to share their stories and products directly with consumers. Outdoor Retailer’s future will incorporate valuable new opportunities for commerce, storytelling, advocacy, knowledge, and celebration. We plan to announce more details this summer, and anyone on the Outdoor Retailer team would be happy to talk through ideas and your vision to help design the best show experience for your business.
Will there be demo opportunities at either show?
Yes. The demo is an important component of each show and we are planning for demos at both the summer and winter events, including on-water opportunities at the summer show and an on-snow demo in conjunction with the winter show. We expect to provide avenues for paddle, bike, trail, ski, board, and more between the two shows. We’re currently working through logistics, and more information will be available in the coming weeks.
Will there be a consumer component for future shows in Salt Lake City?
Through the years we’ve been exploring ways to incorporate consumer experiences and the local community. We’ve hosted public-facing opportunities in conjunction with the shows in Denver, including film festivals and networking events. Now, as we move back to Salt Lake City, we will continue to expand upon these programs to create direct ways for brands, nonprofits, and more of our industry to connect with consumers. We’ll have more details later this year.
When can brands sign up for the 2023 shows?
With details now confirmed, contracts for the 2023 Outdoor Retailer events in Salt Lake City will be available soon. Contact your Account Executive to get started. For attendees, the exhibitor lists for each show will be available on outdoorretailer.com a few months prior to the events.
Will there be any changes in price structure or incentives available to exhibitors?
We are offering continued savings for active OIA and SIA members. OIA members qualify for additional savings for both Outdoor Retailer shows. For SIA, savings are available for the winter show in January. Contact your Account Executive to discuss options.
How is Outdoor Retailer planning to enhance sustainable practices prior to and during the show?
We’re committed to working with Visit Salt Lake, the Salt Palace, Centerplate, and stakeholders to implement sustainable practices beyond what is already in place at the venue and at our shows. We will maintain the practices we put in place in Denver, including eliminating the sale of single-use plastic bottles, adding water refill stations, and removing aisle carpet, plus we’ll be introducing new programs. Visit Salt Lake and the Salt Palace Convention Center to share our dedication to sustainability and stewardship of our natural environment.
What will exhibitors and attendees see that’s new in Salt Lake City and County?
A lot has changed in Salt Lake City for the better since 2017, including:
- The new state-of-the-art SLC International Airport.
- The newly-opened TRAX Light Rail line takes 10 minutes from the airport to downtown.
- More than 1,000 new hotel rooms are under construction across Salt Lake County, including the 26-story, 700-room Hyatt-Regency Convention Center Hotel scheduled to open Fall 2022.
- 21 new restaurants and bars that opened downtown Salt Lake City in 2021 with a dozen new restaurants under development.
When does registration open for the Summer 2022 show?
Registration for this summer’s Outdoor Retailer in Denver (June 9-11, 2022) is open now. Register online here or contact Attendee Relations.
When will housing be available to book for this summer’s show?
Housing reservations through EventSphere for the summer show are now available. Get started here or contact EventSphere at (877) 414-7918 or ORHousing@eventsphere.com.
What brands will be exhibiting at Outdoor Retailer Summer 2022?
The exhibitor list for Outdoor Retailer Summer 2022 is now online at outdoorretailer.com. The list automatically updates as more brands contract for the show.
Are there any savings or incentive opportunities I should be aware of for Outdoor Retailer Summer 2022?
Yes, active OIA members qualify for additional savings. Contact your Account Executive to discuss options.
What are the health and safety plans for this summer’s show?
Our health and safety plan will follow current CDC guidelines and comply with the latest city and state health policies. As mandates change, or if we feel the need to make adjustments, we will update our guidelines. Our whole team is committed to creating an experience where everyone can safely and effectively conduct business.
How can I stay updated on Outdoor Retailer news and announcements?
Subscribe to receive year-round Outdoor Retailer updates here, including Outdoor Retailer Magazine.
What if I receive a message from someone claiming to provide access to Outdoor Retailer attendee lists/contacts, education, or other?
Please be cautious should you receive unsolicited emails from someone claiming to have access to Outdoor Retailer attendee lists/contacts or asking you to register for the show or for other information. This may be an example of an emerging scam targeting attendees and exhibitors of large events. See a list of Outdoor Retailer’s approved vendors here.
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