11th Annual Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Show is a Success

The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance held it’s 11th annual Early Show in Ogden Utah from June 13-17, 2011.

Grassroots changed it’s show location in 2011 to Ogden, Utah to meet the organizations growing needs. With 42 outdoor manufacturers, 9 Value Added Business Services and 38 Retail Members at the show, this years attendance topped all previous records with 284 people attending the 4 day event.

The combination of a beautiful facility at the Ogden Eccles Center, a welcoming local community and multiple events made the show busy and productive . Besides buying and selling Spring 2012 products, attendees were able to participate in a local BBQ hosted by Amer Sports, a fund raiser for Ogden local Jeff Lowe, educational seminars on topics of interest to retailers, a Vasque 5K run and the show’s annual awards ceremony.

This year’s winners, based on votes from Grassroots members and vendor partners were:

* Best Retailer: Rock Creek Outfitters

* Best Buyer: Travis Zarins, Great Outdoor Provision Co.

* Best Vendor: Patagoina

In addition, an honorary lifetime achievment award was presented to Dave Baker, founder of Summit Hut in Tuscon, AZ and one of the founding members of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance nearly 16 years ago.

The show stayed true to it’s mission: to facilitate business and to strengthen relationships between outdoor brands and independent outdoor specialty retailers with a personal atmosphere that makes it unique among tradeshows. As Bill Swan, Director of Operations for Ex Officio shared:

“I want to tell you that this was the best show I have attended in 17 years with Ex Officio for the following reasons:

I had time to have important discussions with virtually every retailer that we met with. The 2 hour appointments were so important. We could cover the breadth of our product line and have time to talk.

The format of eating meals together gave me added time to meet with some retailers and other vendors and improve relationships. I like not having to figure out where to go for food. This format provided the opportunity to keep conversations going with our business partners and network as well as meet new people.

The thoughtfulness that went into remembering a few that had passed on left a huge impression that although we are in business. Let’s never lose sight of our common humanness and care for one another.

So thank you and the rest of the team that put this together. I am looking forward to the next opportunity to attend. “

Thank you to everyone who attended this years show for making it a success. We look forward to our Fall Show in Atlanta, GA in November, 2011.



Grassroots Outdoor Alliance unites independent outdoor retailers as a strong voice to protect and promote the experience of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States. We enable access to best business practices for our retail members, to the best equipment and apparel brands for the public, and to outdoor recreation for all. To learn more about Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, visit www.grassrootsoutdoors.com