Outdoor Retailer and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance made official November 8 what SGB reported back in September — they are shifting the outdoor trade-show season schedule.

The biggest change comes at Outdoor Retailer, which, starting in 2018, will move its Summer Market trade show to June 11-14 (Monday-Thursday) in Salt Lake City, to follow Grassroots’ show the week prior, which will move to Sandy, UT, just south of Salt Lake City.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market will move up to November 12-15 (Monday-Thursday), again following Grassroots’ show the week prior.

The announcement was made at the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Fall Show in Knoxville, TN.

The venue for the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Connect show, an invite-only event, will be at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah, with Outdoor Retailer remaining at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and Outdoor Retailer are cooperating to ensure ease of housing and transportation, officials said.

Other changes includes Outdoor Retailer partnering with its sister Surf Expo show to develop an expo “serving market segments and product categories have later-season summer order deadlines,” official said.  Outdoor Retailer will also establish what it calls a “Winter Expo” in January 2019 “to serve market segments and product categories that have later-season winter order deadlines.”  No word yet weather the Winter Expo would compete or attempt to partner with the SIA Snow Show.  Outdoor Retailer is owned and operated through partnership between Emerald Expositions and the Outdoor Industry Association, while the SIA Snow Show is owned and operated by its own organization, SnowSports Industries America.

“In addition to the extensive industry wide research Outdoor Retailer conducted this past spring, we invited key specialty retailers, cornerstone brands and segment leaders to participate in newly established advisory panels to discuss show cycles and best practices,” Emerald Expositions officials said. “The leadership from these discussions shaped the new Outdoor Retailer strategy. In addition, Outdoor Retailer convened a historic gathering of rep event leaders and other industry show representatives to work on a common strategy to serve the industry’s ongoing needs. These advisory panels will continue to provide guidance in the future.”

“Outdoor Retailer is a respected home for the outdoor industry,” said Marisa Nicholson, VP and Outdoor Retailer show director. “Thirty-five years ago, a small group of brands and retailers not only created an industry, but also, an economic powerhouse. We are proud of Outdoor Retailer’s role in that growth – as the place where the industry gathers. Now, as before, it’s our responsibility to produce a platform giving specialty retailers and exhibitors the best opportunity to achieve their business objectives. This agreement gives credence to that goal and showcases that we are all in this together.”

“It is a great time for the industry, as we strengthen our tri-parte relationships and embark on this effort to grow the vitality of the outdoor industry,” said Rich Hill, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance president. “Retailers, brands and reps will attend Grassroots Connect to review new lines fully and discuss orders, while Outdoor Retailer serves as the pre-eminent venue where the entire industry kicks off the industry’s manufacturing and order cycle.”

“Understanding the needs of the industry was paramount in our collaborative work with both Outdoor Retailer and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance to provide a valuable and productive opportunity to preview product, launch the buying process and conduct important marketing and media discussions,” said Amy Roberts, executive director of OIA. “As the industry’s trade association, we take great pride in uniting the industry and leading trade and outdoor recreation policy, sustainability best practices, youth engagement outreach and market and consumer research.”

“With the evolution of the order/buy cycles, research findings and feedback, we verified there are varying needs for exhibitors, retailers and reps,” continued Nicholson. “By moving to June and November and providing additional events, Outdoor Retailer provides options that best cater to their business goals. Outdoor Retailer is looking forward to presenting full strategies and operational details associated with these events in the coming months. Even with this important agreement in place, it’s imperative to continue to listen and innovate to safeguard the strength and future of the show,” noted Nicholson. “We will continue to engage in conversations with industry thought leaders that will help to shape the Outdoor Retailer future. These thought leaders played an important role in this collaborative process and will continue to serve this vibrant community.”

Future Dates:

2017
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: January 10-12
All Mountain Demo: January 9
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: July 26-29
Open Air Demo: July 25

2018
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: January 9-11
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Connect: June 6-9
Specialty Retailer Education Day: June 10
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: June 11-14
Outdoor Retailer Expo @ Surf Expo: September 6-8
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Connect: November 7-10
Specialty Retailer Education Day: November 11
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market: November 12-15

2019
Outdoor Retailer Winter Expo: January