Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '06 Update – Back Country Base Camp at Brighton and foot massages galore.

Do you have a trade show event you think is worth noting?
If you have a trade show event that’s scheduled, confirmed and more than just an introduction of a new product (as in, entertaining and educational), fire an email to the SNEWS® team at orevents@snewsnet.com. We need them before Jan. 16 when we post our final Outdoor Retailer Winter Market preview story.

The SNEWS® team is continually weeding through all the press release fluffery and mounds of show announcements to bring you only the events we believe are really worth the time. To that end, mark your calendars for the following:

Backcountry Base Camp at Brighton on Jan. 27
Brighton should be an ideal venue for this year’s Backcountry Base Camp where attendees will have the opportunity to poke, prod, glide, slide and tumble around in and on tele, Nordic, skinny skis, splitboards, backcountry snowboards, snowshoes, sleds, boots, bindings, poles, stoves, footwear, outerwear, accessories and more prior to making buying decisions at Winter Market. Although the Backcountry Base Camp is open to all registered Winter Market attendees, enhanced services (meaning equipment use passes and free lift tickets) are available only for pre-qualified backcountry retailers. To request enhanced services, be sure to fill out the Pre-Qualification Form by clicking here (deadline is Jan. 13).

Base Campers will utilize the Millicent Lift for the entire day. Located directly beside the Base Camp, it’s the perfect spot to test out the latest gear or access the backcountry with one of the event’s mountain guides. All access lift passes are also available to purchase at 50 percent off for $22. Exum Utah Mountain Adventures will lead tours into the Brighton backcountry. Tours leave every half hour. Stop by the Exum booth for details and to sign-up. From what we remember, it is a short walk over to the Solitude Nordic Center where Backcountry Base Camp attendees can kick, glide and skate on the latest Nordic equipment. Yes, there is even a snowshoe testing area and a place to try out a sled, toboggan or an Airboard (you do remember how to slide down a hill on a sled without killing yourself, don’t you?).

Naturally, no day in the snow is complete without a few libations among friends at the Base Camp Bash from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Alpine Rose, located in the top level of the concession building. Come in out of the cold to party with free beer, food and music!

As a reminder to those riding the public transport, the last shuttle leaves Brighton at 6:30 p.m.

Winter Market events and must-attend recommendations from SNEWS®

Outdoor Industry Association Breakfast is always a must attend!
Beginning at 7 a.m. in the Marriott rooms Salons A-E, grab a good breakfast, network with old and new friends, and then sit back and prepare to be inspired by yet another in what has been an outstanding slate of keynotes for Outdoor Industry Association and its Outdoor Retailer show kickoff breakfast event, co-sponsored by SmartWool and Merrell.
 
The keynote presentation focuses on the topic of corporate social responsibility with Ray Anderson, founder and CEO of Interface Inc.

According to a statement from OIA: “Anderson, called the ‘greenest chief executive in America,’ has proven that being green can also bring in the green for big business by combining environmentalism with dedication to his company’s success. In 1973 after founding Interface, Anderson and his company revolutionized the commercial floor-covering industry by producing America’s first free-lay carpet tiles. Now, he and his company have embarked on a mission to make Interface a sustainable corporation by leading a worldwide war on waste and pioneering the processes of sustainable development.

“Today, Ray Anderson is recognized as one the world’s most environmentally progressive chief executives, having served as co-chairman of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development during the Clinton administration; being recognized by Mikhail Gorbachev with a Millennium Award from Global Green; and receiving the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.”

Only 500 folks get in, so be sure to reserve your spot at the breakfast table by emailing OIA’s Cathy Howland at: chowland@outdoorindustry.org.

Get your dogs rubbed the right way
With more miles to walk than ever before at a Winter Market, you’re going to want to give your feet a little love, and there’s no better treat than a few minutes of foot massaging at the Fox River booth 2119. From 1 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 and 30, Fox River welcomes retailer and media for essential foot care. Trade in an old pair of socks for a new set while you’re at it too.

Hot cider served with a little extra spice
Nothing says winter to us like a cup of steaming hot cider, and you can get yours at the Loki booth 2706. We’re told that the Loki cider — home brewed apple mash from Grand Junction, Colo. — will feature a “little transformational kick in your choice of dry or sweet.” Ummm…do we really have to choose?

Put a little balance back into your day
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of Winter Market, Prana is sponsoring its well-known rejuvenation room, located in Meeting Room 150 of the convention center. Yoga is the theme and it is open to anyone, of any level. All you need is an open mind.

Gore’s 12th annual breakfast always good for inspiration
You need to mark down Jan. 29 at 7:30 a.m. in the Salt Lake City Marriott for breakfast and then inspiration times 10. The speaker is Pete Goss, author of “Close to the Wind” and a Brit whose can-do attitude has made him the fastest British sailor to sail solo circumnavigating the globe (126 days and 21 hours). He was awarded France’s highest decoration for his heroic rescue of his toughest competitor during the Vendee Globe Round the World Race. But this talk isn’t just about sailing. Goss will share insights into what is necessary for all of us to compete with courage and integrity in business, in life. RSVP is recommended. Send an email to erin@cgprpublicrelations.com.
Â