Despite applying stricter qualifications for drive-in and non-exhibitor attendees, preliminary numbers show attendance at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market matched 2012 levels, show producers said.


Just under 27,000 overall attendance with 1,300 exhibiting brands mirrored last year's numbers very closely. The show floored over 516,000 net square feet (92,000 in three temporary pavilion structures), which is 2.5 percent larger than 2012 and the largest OR show ever staged. 

 

“I'm paying for the show jout of one meeting with a buyer from South Africa,” said Bruce Ancona, managing director for Blackfire LLC, which was exhibiting two LED flashlights it had designed specifically for the outdoor at its booth at the very back row of the Pavillion. “I've seen people from Academy, REI and other big retailers and been very impressed. It's nice to be at a show where there is a little more focus on product and design.”

 

Outdoor Retailer began tightening up registration for Utah retailers and businesses last year in a bid to weed out people sneaking into the show to collect swag. Rather than automatically renew credentials, OR staff required retailers with Utah addresses to submit recent invoices to prove they were still buying wholesale from industry vendors. The initiative reduced attendance by 700 at the winter edition of the show in January and probably had a bigger impact at the larger summer show, said Show Director Kenji Haroutunian. 

 

Exhibitors seemed to appreciate the effort.   

 

“At this show, more than ever, I feel like we are talking to the decision makers and less of the 'fringe' folks,” said Pat Bush, national sales manager for Clif bar. “Outdoor Retailer is one of two shows that are absolutely imperative to our business, which is why we choose to be here in such a big way.”

Summer Market kicked off at the Open Air Demo with ideal weather and water conditions at Pineview Reservoir, near Ogden, Utah. Retailers, media and brand representatives gathered for demos with 140 brands ranging from premier outdoor apparel, camping, fly fishing, GPS/geocaching, hiking, hydration, paddlesports, travel to trail running-focused brands.


“Attending Open Air Demo gives us a competitive advance over shops in our area that do not,” said Arnetta Hanzel with CJ Ventures LLC in Killdeer, N.D. “Beyond the value of testing and trying products for ourselves, the event exposes us to brands and products that might take several more months to enter our radar through other channels.”


The show kicked off a day after the demo in the Salt Palace Convention Center for four full days of product launches, seminars, marketing meetings, buying, parties, music, fillms and competitions.


“From where we travel, attending OR is a significant investment for our shop,” said Denis Lavoie with FGL Sports in Laval, Quebec. “That being said, it is necessary for us to help us make the decisions we need to be successful in our buying for next season. It's more than evaluating what was successful and what needs to be replaced, it is about seeing and trying products in a side-by-side environment so we can purchase correctly and then inform our customer more completely.”


Outdoor Retailer Summer Market will return to Utah with the Open Air Demo on Tuesday, August 5 and the Summer Market Expo running Wednesday August 6 through Saturday, August 9, 2014.