Well, it’s official, the Outdoor Retailer trade show is moving from Salt Lake City to Denver. In what was one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry (Denver was long assumed to win their bid for the show) the announcement was made today that Denver will host all shows starting January 2018. The contract will see OR in Denver for the next five years.
The Outdoor Retailer trade shows include the newly-combined Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. The outdoor industry pulled the shows from Salt Lake City, which played host for over 20 years, because of the Utah government’s anti-public lands policies and efforts to repeal or downsize the Bears Ears National Monument. Competing cities submitted bids, and Denver ultimately won.
“We received submissions from truly incredible outdoor cities – a testament to the strength of the outdoor community,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer Show Director in a press release. “Denver is the undeniable industry choice. Bringing these organizations together and basing the show in a state that places such a high value on outdoor recreation is the best move we can make for the outdoor industry. As outdoor recreation evolves, outdoor businesses need to stand together and adapt to those changes to successfully move forward. We look forward to building a future together and thank Governor Hickenlooper, Luis Benitez, director for the office of Outdoor Recreation, and Mayor Hancock, for their gracious support.”
Outdoor Retailer engaged industry partners throughout the process to help identify the best venue for the show. The decision to move to Denver is strongly supported by the outdoor community that relies on Outdoor Retailer to be the place where the entire industry comes together to conduct business, to share best practices and to exchange ideas. This move and partnerships with Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance showcase the strength of the outdoor industry and a progressive approach to the changing outdoor recreation landscape.
“Outdoor recreation is a huge economic force in the state of Colorado,” said Amy Roberts, executive director of the Outdoor Industry Association. “It generates $28 billion in consumer spending annually and contributes a whopping 229,000 jobs and two billion dollars in state and local tax revenue. Colorado’s elected officials have shown significant leadership in promoting policies that ensure the outdoor recreation economy continues to thrive. OIA looks forward to having our industry gathering contribute to Denver’s economy and serve as a platform for collaboration that increases outdoor access and participation for all Americans.”
“SIA is thrilled that the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show will remain in Denver,” says Nick Sargent, president of SIA. “In 2010, SIA brought the 50-year-old Snow Show to Colorado. Since then SIA, Denver and the state have worked together to build the best platform for the winter business, thereby laying the foundation for this announcement. Denver has been an outstanding partner to SIA and the winter industry, and we are excited to help grow the economic impact that the Outdoor Retailer shows and the SIA On-Snow Demo bring to the state.”
The relocation to Denver begins in January 2018. The full calendar of shows for 2018 include:
SIA Industry + Intelligence Day – January 24, 2018
Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show – January 25-28, 2018
SIA On-Snow Demo – January 29-30, 2018, Copper Mountain, Colo.
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market – July 23-26, 2018
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market – November 8-11, 2018
Love Utah, hate Utah politicians. My vacation dollars will be spent in Colorado this year, thanks, in part, to the short sighted governor and his ilk.