Outdoor Retailer move in question as leaders rally against Utah’s governor
12/01/2022
The Conservation Alliance and Outdoor Alliance represent more than 270 businesses and ten national outdoor advocacy organisations.
In 2017, the twice-yearly Outdoor Retailer left Utah after 20 years of doing business there. The move was in protest of demands by Utah’s officials to roll back the National Monument designations, despite more than 3 million public comments in favour of the monuments.
The alliance said: “While we love the great state of Utah and its bountiful outdoor recreation resources, the decision by Utah’s elected officials to demand an illegal and wildly unpopular dismantling of the Grand Staircase Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments was out of step with our industry, our values and the way we do business.”
With the show’s contract in Denver set to expire in 2022, organisers have been considering moving back to Salt Lake City. However, industry leaders learned that Governor Cox and other Utah officials are planning to challenge the monument designations, which were reinstated by President Biden in October 2021.
Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert said: “We’re thrilled President Biden restored the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments, and we will oppose any effort to undermine their protection. Our position on the location of the annual Outdoor Retailer shows remains clear and unchanged: it belongs in a state whose top officials value and seek to protect public lands.”
Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond founder and a board member for The Conservation Alliance and Outdoor Alliance, added: “Utah, public lands, outdoor recreation, the outdoor industry and Black Diamond have defined my career and my life’s passions. Hence, it was with great sadness but conviction that five years ago I urged my industry to use its Utah-based tradeshow to challenge the state’s threat to take down two of our country’s most beautiful and beloved National Monuments.”
He added that he was deeply saddened to see the state’s leadership has again threatened these restored landscapes.
A joint letter concludes by urging Governor Spencer Cox to abandon efforts to erode Utah public lands protections and work with the outdoor industry to balance conservation with thriving communities and economies.
The next OR will take place in Denver between January 26 and 28.Share this story:
