Outdoor Retailer, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), The Conservation Alliance and Outdoor Alliance announced that cooperatively they will host a march to the Utah State Capitol to celebrate public lands on Day Two, Thursday, July 27, at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. The This Land is Our Land march will provide show attendees with a platform to express their support for the outdoor industry’s backbone and foundation: federal public lands.
“The This Land is Our Land march at summer Outdoor Retailer spotlights that public lands across America are truly the foundation of the outdoor industry, providing incredible landscapes and waterways for people to come together and experience the awe of the outdoors,” said Amy Roberts, OIA executive director. “We aim to communicate that America’s national treasures require investment and effective management today and for generations to come—and they must remain accessible for all Americans.”
The march will convene in the South Plaza of the Salt Palace Convention Center at 4:30 p.m. and will proceed along a designated route to the Utah State Capitol. Confirmed route information will be available soon. The walk to the Capitol is expected to take approximately 30-45 minutes. At the Capitol, industry leaders and experts will hold a 45-minute rally to raise issues that spark further public lands discussion and action. Speakers include Utah tribal leaders, outdoor industry leaders, athletes and policy makers. All show attendees as well as interested citizens are welcome to attend. All march participants are asked to abide by the established Code of Conduct.
Outdoor Retailer is the only gathering where the entire outdoor industry comes together to conduct commerce, share best practices and exchange ideas. Outdoor Retailer 2017 will continue to serve the industry’s business needs while also serving as an important observance of public lands and our industry’s values. The show will remain open for normal business for those attendees wishing to conduct meetings. The show floor will close at its standard time of 6:00 p.m.
“The outdoor community has been in the national spotlight because of its fervent passion for protecting the public lands we all enjoy,” said Marisa Nicholson, show director for Outdoor Retailer. “This is not a one-and-done issue. While Bears Ears National Monument status has been a catalyst for our community, it’s just the most currently visible example of what will be a long, hard series of national debates. This march will harness that passion by providing a responsible yet energized path to celebrate what is so important to all of us, and about which we need to be heard.”
“Protecting public lands is central to The Conservation Alliance’s mission, and the Outdoor Retailer tradeshows provide a great venue to connect with the tribe and share our passion for this mission. At this pivotal moment, it is important that we join forces with Outdoor Retailer, the Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Alliance to rally the industry around a long-term agenda to protect and preserve the mountains, deserts, forests and waters that grace our nation’s public lands,” commented John Sterling, executive director of The Conservation Alliance.
In addition to the march, Outdoor Retailer, OIA, The Conservation Alliance and Outdoor Alliance are exploring additional ways to highlight public lands during the show. Updates will be shared on unity.outdoorretailer.com.
“Outdoor Alliance works on behalf of millions of paddlers, mountain bikers, hikers, climbers, and backcountry skiers who get outside on public lands each year. Public lands are the foundation of this large and passionate community, and we’re excited to lend our voice to this effort to unify the industry around this important issue,” said Adam Cramer, executive director of Outdoor Alliance. “We have been working for two years to unify outdoor business and advocacy groups to protect public lands. Summer Market is the perfect opportunity to rally together as a community to protect the landscapes that are home to our adventures.”
Photo courtesy Outdoor Retailer
