Outdoor Insight

8 • Outdoor Insight • July 2021 outdoorinsightmag.com N E W S / A N A L Y S I S OUTDOOR EYE A fter having to host its Summer 2020 and Winter 2021 trade shows virtu- ally due to the pandemic, Outdoor Retailer show execs are focusing on the industry's collective will to "show up" for the return of the in-person trade show this summer. Originally scheduled for June, Outdoor Retailer's summer show is now set for August 10-12. The date change was made in order to facilitate an in-person event While moving the event from June back to August allowed for more possibility of travel as the pandemic restrictions have eased, the change in timing takes the show out of the traditional buying cycle dates. It also bumps up with some other trade show dates, including MAGIC/PROJECT in Las Vegas. The OR Show will be back to its June dates in summer 2022. "In order for our industry to be able to come together this summer we needed to move out of June into August to allow for the greatest amount of brands and retailers to be there," said Marisa Nicholson, SVP and show director for Outdoor Retailer, who answered some questions in a recent Instagram live session. She also noted that show manage- ment has learned lessons from other shows owned by OR parent Emerald Holdings that have already returned as in-person events. She acknowledged that industry brands and retailers are in different stages of "reopening and recovering" and said that will impact the type of presence businesses have at the show. Some brands may have product for an immediate sell, others may have more of a marketing presence, while others may have a more traditional product showcase. "This is the first time the industry will really be together in almost 18 months," Nicholson said. "And brands are thinking about how they want to show up. It's been fun to have conversations with brands about what they can do differently [at the show]. I'm excited to see the changes and the ways different brands are approaching this par- ticular event." OR plans to have a f loor plan out by the end of June. "We are still having tons of conversations," said Nicholson, noting that "it is evolving as more brands are signing up." OR Brand and Retail List Show organizers have released a list of 100- plus brands who will be at the show. Brands on board to attend include The North Face, Liberty Mountain, LOWA, Osprey Packs, Pendleton, Rab, GCI Outdoor, Kavu, and Wolverine, and more. On the retail side, show organizers report that more than 3,000 buyers are registered so far, representing Academy Sports + Outdoors, Alpine Shop, Canadian Tire, Dick's Sporting Goods, Huckberry, JAX, Mountain Sports, Peace Surplus, Vail Resorts, Whole Earth Provision Co., and more. The "fluidity" of the show situation includes its safety protocols — the show had originally indicated that it would require masks and social distancing, but Nicholson recently updated that, saying the show will work within local and state guidelines and restric- tions to update safety protocols as the show approaches. Education and Networking OR will once again have an extensive Summer Trade Show Season Is On its Way After nearly 18 months without an in-person outdoor industry trade event, August will bring with it the return of Outdoor Retailer in Denver and the debut of The Big Gear Show in Park City. For OR Show execs, a key focus is on having the industry "show up" in whatever way they choose, and to serve as a place of community. For The Big Gear Show, a new show from a vetaran team, the focus is on delivering a curated, hands-on outdoor experience in a unique trade show environment. For OR Show, the Focus Is on 'Showing Up' Outdoor Retailer Show, Denver, CO, August 10-12

• Cover