Outdoor Retailer, the largest U.S. tradeshow and premier business event for the outdoor industry, will launch the winter season this November at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Denver.
The four-day show runs Nov. 8-11, 2018, and will span nearly half a million square feet at the Colorado Convention Center. The Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards inaugural event will set the stage on the first night, and the trade show will be co-located with Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s Grassroots Connect fall show. Registration and housing are open.
“Outdoor Retailer Winter Market answers a long-standing need in the industry to have a launch event for the winter season,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer vice president and show director. “Outdoor Retailer has a proud history of delivering exceptional shows that provide the most efficient options for getting business done. At this November’s show, buyers and media can see more brands and gather more data all in one place before making buying decisions. Winter Market also finally brings the sales and manufacturing functions of the trade show to the front of the buying cycle.
“As we gather in Denver, we’ll officially kick off the new cycle and season with The Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards – our first awards program to recognize the people and products leading the way,” Nicholson continued. “And, as always, the show will be an opportunity to connect, learn, and encourage growth in our industry.”
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market draws brands and retailers across all categories. Among the exhibitors currently slated for this year’s show are Adidas Outdoor, Fjällräven, Helly Hansen, Keen, Klean Kanteen, Kühl, La Sportiva, Mammut, Merrell, Osprey Packs, Outdoor Research, Royal Robbins, Salomon, and Smartwool and textile brands, including Cordura Fabrics, Schoeller and W.L. Gore & Associates. The most up-to-date exhibitor list is available at outdoorretailer.com. For more information about exhibit opportunities, contact Krista Dill, director of sales, at Krista.Dill@outdoorretailer.com or an Outdoor Retailer account executive.
“We’re seeing a continued surge in real, purposeful product that has innovation and storytelling along with it,” said Todd Spaletto, group president for Wolverine Worldwide. “The newer show dates, to me, are kind of like a Consumer Electronics Show or some of the events you see in the auto industry. Brands and retailers have a chance at the front end of a season and selling campaign to learn what the biggest innovation and product stories are that brands are investing behind. And part of our goals within some of these new show dates is testing and how we complement that with new innovation opportunities to really step into a strong expression of those shared values through product innovation.”
The November show will highlight innovation, and the celebration begins with The Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards. On the evening of November 8, the inaugural ceremony will showcase the products, brands and people who are pushing the limits in outdoor gear, service and product technology. A panel of luminaries, designers, retailers and media will evaluate the cutting-edge products and services entered for consideration. Details regarding awards entry submissions and judge applications will be announced in September.
“We’re looking forward to attending Winter Market, as it will give us an opportunity to see multiple lines in one location, as well as check out new and existing brands we don’t currently carry to determine if there’s something we’d like to consider adding to our assortment,” said Stacey Weichbrodt, buyer, Sturtevant’s. “We expect the November show will cut down on our overall travel time, allow us to plan before we buy and be in the stores more during the crucial December selling season.”
Over the four days prior to the start of Winter Market, Grassroots Connect will take place at the Colorado Convention Center. The Fall ‘18 Connect show, held from Nov. 4-7, 2018, will feature more than 100 independent specialty outdoor retailers and over 100 top brand exhibitors and sales reps at a show created for the for the specialty outdoor industry. To request an invitation to Grassroots Connect and for more information, visit connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com.
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market will be the third of three shows hosted by Outdoor Retailer this year in Denver. In January, the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show was the first event in Denver, and the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market took place in July. The next Snow Show will be held January 30-February 1, 2019, back at the Colorado Convention Center. The floorplan for Winter Market will be released in September, as well as registration for Snow Show.
