Industry figures call for Outdoor Retailer to move to Denver
01/06/2017
The letter was signed by Beaver Theodosakis, founder of PrAna; Kim Miller, CEO of SCARPA North America; Dan Nordstrom, CEO of Outdoor Research; Casey Sheahan, president of Keen Footwear; and Dawson Wheeler, founder of Rock Creek Outfitters. It has been written in response to talk of the show being relocated to Las Vegas, a move that they oppose.
“As executive leaders of outdoor industry companies, with no direct economic stake in the result, we believe it’s important to make a clear case that for the long-term health, and perhaps survival, of the Outdoor Retailer trade show, the process to determine the next home of the show must lead to Denver,” the letter begins.
It goes on to caution that trade shows are “notoriously fragile” and cites various examples of established events that have fallen off the calendar. “Outdoor Retailer faces the serious threat of a rapidly changing retail landscape putting tremendous pressure on profitability,” it warns.
Among the reasons it gives for choosing Denver are the economic incentives offered by the city and its facilities, which the leaders say are “big enough to contain a vibrant show of exhibitors are truly relevant to our consumers”.
Conversely, it says that moving the show to a location such as Las Vegas would bring into serious question “the long-term viability of the show, both 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 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market will move to Denver from January 2018 after Emerald Expositions, which is in charge of organising the event, acquired the Snow Shoe from SnowSports Industries America (SIA). This will see the two shows combine.
There is, as yet, no long-term commitment to keep this new show in Denver beyond 2018 and discussions about the Summer Market are still ongoing, with Emerald expected to make a decision on a new venue within the next month.
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