Outdoor Retailer Trade Show Update — Summer Market 2003

SNEWS will be running regular Outdoor Retailer trade show updates beginning today. The intent is to keep the industry up-to-date with news and information that will help retailers, reps and exhibitors with trade show attendance and planning.

Outdoor Retailer Committed to SLC Through ’04

Outdoor Retailer Winter and Summer Markets for 2004 will be held in Salt Lake City, group show director Peter Devin tells SNEWS. However, spurred on by the recent action of Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt surrounding the issue of wilderness protection, and fueled by the continued growth of both OR shows, Devin tells us that OR has begun to consider where the show should best be located beginning in 2005, and that may mean moving one or both shows outside of Salt Lake City.

“Outdoor Retailer is in full support of what is in the best interest of the outdoor industry which includes our customers; manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, reps and retailers who make up the large part of the Outdoor Industry Association membership,” Devin said. “If the OIA recommends to us that we should look at other venues for the Outdoor Retailer shows to be held, then we will absolutely hold their recommendation in the highest regard.

“We are committed to hosting the Outdoor Retailer Trade Expos in a city where our industry feels welcome, and where it’s best to conduct the business of the outdoors for the over 18,000 individuals, and over 5,200 businesses which make up Outdoor Retailer. Considerations and long-term negotiations around the convention center, the hotel and lodging community, the restaurant community, access to and from airports, the labor quality and rates, and shipping and handling, are all significant factors which play into the decision about where to host Outdoor Retailer,” Devin said.

If you have comments or suggestions about the future locations of the trade shows, contact Peter Devin at pdevin@vnuexpo.com

Retailers Mark Your Summer Market Calendars for Aug. 16

The second annual Retailer Roundtable, an Outdoor Industry Association event, will be held in the Salt Lake City Downtown Marriott on Aug. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Here, retail owners and managers will enjoy roundtable discussions and light dinner during Summer Market. The event provides a non-competitive atmosphere for retailers to share successful business ideas and programs. This exchange of best business practices allows each retailer to leave the discussion with at least three tangible ideas they can immediately implement into their businesses. A facilitator will lead the retailers in attendance through discussions on staff training, customer service, merchandising, marketing and community events. After last year’s event, we wrote that the event was, “Hands down, the best seminar packing the most bang for the buck.” Unfortunately, many retailers opted not to attend. Don’t make the same mistake twice.

Ready to Raid the Dell Again?

GoLite and Gore-Tex have joined forces to co-host the second annual Raid the Dell adventure race for retailers and select media on August 13 at Little Dell Lake, the site of Outdoor Retailer’s Open Air Demo.

The action will begin at 9 a.m. at Little Dell Lake as participants learn the skills of adventure racing during a four-hour skills camp taught by the world’s most elite adventure racers. These athlete-coaches will help retailers hone their mountain biking, trail running, paddling, in-line skating and orienteering skills before the race gun goes off in the early afternoon. Retailers and media — imagine getting trounced by a bunch of journalists? — will then battle it out in the waters and hills surrounding Little Dell Lake to see who can claim the coveted 2003 Raid the Dell title.

The event is focused on providing the outdoor industry with a fun and educational forum to expose retailers and key journalists to the products and sports specific to the fast and light and adventure racing markets. Race participants will learn from the best athletes in the sport while they see how products designed for these sports can draw new traffic into their retail shops. Each race participant will receive great giveaways such as adventure racing footwear, outerwear, base layers, sunglasses and adventure packs.

Any retailer registered to attend Summer Market and wanting to attend the Raid the Dell adventure camp and race must register by going to www.outdoorretailer.com and clicking on the Raid the Dell icon. Lucky participants will be selected from the registrants via a lottery drawing on June 15. SNEWS editors will be competing — will you?