Outdoor Insight

10 11 12 )D QUI CUM SITIS EXPLAB IUM QUOS AUT HARIOS VELITAQ UISINIS QUIBUS /D EOSAPEROVIT VOLUPTATE SIMPERA EPELEST ULLAUDA SED MAIONSEDIT ETUMQUIAMET PRE according to winter show vendors. At press time, "what's next" still remains a big question mark in terms of winter show location and longevity. Will brands support a single winter show that isn't in Denver? In an open letter to the industry after the announcement of the Snow Show buyout in early June, execs from PrAna, Scarpa, Keen and Dawson Wheeler of Rock Creek Outfitters, wrote, "if the motivation to maximize short-term economics drives the result to larger venues in places like Las Vegas, we seri- ously question the long-term viability of the show as a place where exhibitors have a strong incentive to participate and as a valuable asset for the show producers and the Outdoor Industry Association." The execs' letter continued: "There are many alternatives to participating in an expensive and time-consuming show that falls at the end of the book- ing season. It would be foolhardy indeed to create additional reasons for participants to re-consider their options." That doesn't leave a lot to the imagi- nation given this year's exodus from the summer show. The disparity of timing among show factions had gotten so bad that last year the paddlesports industry pulled out of OR entirely, and will host its own show this year in Madison, WI. On January 13, 2017, a coalition of leading paddlesports manufacturers endorsed Paddlesports Retailer as the industry's official trade show. The inaugural event debuts August 29–September 1, 2017 in Madison at the Alliant Energy Center utilizing the common format of an open- ing on-water demo followed by three days in the hall. "We're proud of how our industry came together in a very short period of time, defined shared objectives and rallied behind a focused show we feel will give the paddlesports industry its best commercial and cultural experi- ence," says Wenonah Canoe's Bill Kueper, who will lead the new coali- tion. Kueper is joined by Sue Rechner of Confluence Outdoor, David Blue from NRS, and Jeff Turner from Kokatat on its industry advisory council. The group felt that show organizers Darren Bush and Sutton Bacon would bring a retail perspective to the show and that Paddlesports Retailer would be orga- nized through the lens of a retailer. "The trade show world is in a real state of flux and we are doing our best as a growing brand to adapt," says Astral sales manager Bryan Owen, "It's a challenge for us to identify which of the new shows will bring the best ROI and provide the most face time with our retailers. At the end of the day that is why we are there, so we try to invest in shows that allow us to have the most quality interactions with our retail partners." "The opportunity with OR and SIA coming together is exceptional," says McGuire. "We will see a potential reduction in shows, an expansion of community as many like minds only went to one or the other, and a way to reconcile that activities out-of-doors are to be valued, whether it be on dirt or snow." "We like the idea of putting more *ULY s /UTDOOR )NSIGHT s outdoorinsightmag.com The disparity of timing among show factions had gotten so bad that last year the paddlesports industry pulled out of OR entirely.

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