Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1172000
A ll eyes are now on 2020 after the cancellation of November's Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show, which had been scheduled for Nov. 5-7 in Denver. e November edition was canceled by show organizers in a late August announcement. e November show will now be combined with the Snow Show to create the Outdoor+Snow Show from Jan. 29-31, 2020. Outdoor Retailer show director Marisa Nicholson said the decision was made in partnership with the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and aer consultation with key brands and retailers. OR held its first November show in 2018 aer having acquired the SIA Snow Show in 2017. e November OR show was meant to get ahead of the outdoor buying season, but OR execs said it became increasingly clear that one combined show in January would best supports brands, retailers and sales representatives and lead to greater value for all in attendance. "It is clear now that the industry would like one consolidated winter show and we support Outdoor Retailer's decision to bring the two winter shows together under one roof and in one timeframe," said OIA Executive Director Amy Roberts. e OR team said that more than 230 brands and 2,300 retailer buyers had committed to the November show. ose who had signed on as Winter Market exhibitors will have the opportunity to exhibit at the Outdoor + Snow Show in January. Brands were given the choice to opt for a full refund for contracted exhibit space or apply any Winter Market payments toward a future OR show. In an open letter to the industry, Nicholson wrote, "Outdoor Retailer's responsibility to the community is to create a platform for commercial success. at said, though, we don't determine the dates, you do. Our value to the outdoor community is that Outdoor Retailer is where the entire industry comes together. Our biggest takeaway from all of this is confirmation that the outdoor industry is inspired by being part of something bigger and more profound than just the buying and selling of products, and that's what Outdoor Retailer is all about." Going forward, OR plans to continue with two seasonal national shows for the industry — a winter show in January and a summer show in June. e OR Show schedule is contracted in Denver through 2022. As for bike brands who had been invited to exhibit at Winter Market in November aer the cancellation of the Interbike trade show, OR execs say that bike brands and dealers can explore options for exhibiting and/or attending Outdoor + Snow Show and Summer Market. Bike brands had previously indicated that the timing on the two shows may fit their product cycles, according to the OR team. e Grassroots Connect trade show, the invite-only buying show held by Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, remains scheduled for Nov. 1-5 at the Colorado Convention Center. n B Y C A R A G R I F F I N Industry Looks Ahead After November OR Show Is Canceled. Trade Show Shake Up sportsinsightmag.com 14 • Sports Insight September/October 2019 IN THE MARKET/OUTDOOR