Outdoor Retailer Open Air Demo 2011 (OAD), happening Aug. 3, 2011, brings more than 150 brands – up 50 percent from last year – from across the outdoor industry to picturesque Jordanelle State Park in Park City, UT for a day of product testing and events.


Kicking off a week-long gathering of the outdoor recreation industry, OAD is less than 40 miles from the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City where the indoor Summer Market will be held August 4-7, 2010.


“Open Air Demo gives everyone a first look at some of the new designs being launched the week of Outdoor Retailer,” said Kenji Haroutunian, vice president at Nielsen Expositions and Outdoor Retailer show director. “Retailers can put new products through the paces in an environment they were designed for to make more informed purchases, and hopefully have a lot of fun in the process.”


With products from HD video cameras and paddlesports gear to shoes and nutritional products, OAD offer retailers the full spectrum of summer outdoor equipment. A beer garden sponsored by Body Glove will offer liquid refreshment after a day in the sun and Probar will host a station to provide retailers with samples of its all-natural energy bars. Apparel and eyewear sponsors Xcel and Revo will be showing off the latest in the UV performance gear and water-specific optics, respectively.


Several new and returning exhibitors will host industry events at OAD that support the authentic outdoor recreation experience, including:



  • Redington Casting Lessons and Competition: Redington will be offering free casting lessons for anyone interested in learning how to fly fish. For experienced anglers, there will be a casting competition throughout the day, with winners every hour. 
  • Magellan GPS Treasure Hunt: The newest Magellan handhelds will be available to attendees that want to search for hidden treasures around the OAD geocaching course. Prizes include a chance to win a Magellan GPS and other outdoor gear. Pick up geocaching gear at the Magellan booth. 
  • Leid at the Lake: Get into the aloha spirit on Demo Day as Xcel, Honolua, and VonZipper present Leid at the Lake, a standup paddle sprint relay. Starting at 2 p.m., this Hawaiian-themed race continues the rich tradition of last year’s “Break for the Lake,” with four-person teams of retailers and buyers battling it out for a winner-take-all prize pack including a free full-page advertisement in Standup Paddle Magazine and gear from Honolua and VonZipper. Free race entry, Xcel jerseys, and great giveaways for all teams. 
  • Paddle Pedal Challenge, presented by H2O Overdrive and Outdoor Retailer: The first event of it’s kind anywhere in the world; the Paddle Pedal Challenge is a sprint distance time trial course that will send retailers onto Jordanelle Reservoir to complete a one-mile standup paddleboard course followed by a 2.5-mile bike leg on a mix of pavement and dirt. Located in the demo area, the Paddle Pedal Challenge will award points to finishers based on the time bracket in which they complete the course, which can be redeemed for prizes.
  • Brooks-Range Mountaineering Orienteering Race: Get a taste of orienteering and learn how to utilize the latest Map Tool from Brooks-Range Mountaineering. Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing will be available to give how-to clinics and then attendees will set off on an orienteering race. The mini clinics will start on the hour and run all day.
  • It’s a Shore Thing Trail Run: Trail Runner magazine and Helly Hansen will host the second annual It’s a Shore Thing Trail Run at 9:30 a.m. The almost-5K is a benefit for GECKO, a Colorado non-profit dedicated to “Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors.” A $10 donation is requested at sign-up and all participants receive a Helly Hansen HH Dry baselayer top with LIFA Stay Dry technology as well as a schwag bag. Post-race refreshments will be provided. Although day of registration is available one hour before start (8:30 a.m. at the Helly Hansen booth), runners are encouraged to sign up in advance online.
  • SUPzilla World Record Attempt: C4 Waterman will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Largest Stand Up Paddleboard” with SUPzilla. Thirty paddlers will take the enormous board across Jordanelle Reservoir to break the record.

 


The OAD exhibitor list and other information are available at www.outdoorretailer.com.    


For information about procuring booth space at Open Air Demo, please contact Marisa Nicholson at marisa.nicholson@nielsen.comor 949.226.5760.