Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/848806
4 • Outdoor Insight • August 2017 outdoorinsightmag.com NEWS/ANALYSIS T he Outdoor Retailer Show is leaving Salt Lake City after this summer's show. Emerald Expositions, producer of Outdoor Retailer, announced it has chosen Denver to be the site of all Outdoor Retailer trade shows, including Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, which will move to November in 2018. It is intended that Grassroots Connect will co-locate in Denver with Outdoor Retailer when an appropriate venue is procured. The decision comes after a tumultuous few months in which the OR Show, the outdoor industry and the state of Utah had a contretemps over public lands issues — it also included OR Show owner Emerald Expositions acquiring the SIA Snow Show. "We received submissions from truly incredible outdoor cities — a testament to the strength of the outdoor community," says Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer show director. "Denver is the unde- niable industry choice." While the partnership repre- sents an estimated $110 million annual impact for the Mile High City, Colorado public officials and outdoor executives told the Denver Post that the deal represents much more to the Golden State and the industry as a whole. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper called the outdoors – from parks to wildlife areas and the Emerald Exposition-sponsored trade shows – "part of the defining characteristic of Colorado." Denver, which has hosted the SIA's standalone Snow Show since 2010, beat out a number of unspecified cities for the host- ing rights to Outdoor Retailer and combo Outdoor+Snow event after an estimated 18 months of negotiations. The industry's exodus from Salt Lake City was in part driven by opposition to Utah politicians' continued push for a downsizing of the 1.35 million-acre Bears Ears National Monument. Many in the industry look to stronger ties to Colorado spark- ing further political, social and cultural support for public lands, environmental health and outdoor recreation industry in a state that already spends an estimated $28 billion annually on outdoor recreation. "We recognize the value of the outdoor recreation industry not just for the economy but also as a platform for conservation, stewardship, economic development, health and wellness," says Luis Benitez, who leads Colorado's office for outdoor recreation. Rich Hill, president of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, says OR and Grassroots Connect (another outdoor event) "will deliver the most effective and efficient nine days of our specialty-retail buying cycle." "Outdoor recreation is a huge economic force in the state of Colorado," adds 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 $2 billion 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. 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, CO • Outdoor Retailer Summer Market – July 23-26, 2018 • Outdoor Retailer Winter Market – November 8-11, 2018 O It's Official: Outdoor Retailer Heads to Denver Many in the industry look to stronger ties to Colorado sparking further political, social and cultural support for public lands, environmental health and outdoor recreation industry in a state that already spends an estimated $28 billion annually on outdoor recreation.