Less than six weeks out from its Winter Market Show, Outdoor Retailer  reported that close to 330,000 square-feet of exhibit space is currently sold, putting the tradeshow on par with last Winter Market. As of the release date, OR is also hosting more than 175 new exhibitors.

“Despite uncertain times for several retail categories, recent industry research shows the outdoor market remains healthy,” said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer show director. “This trend is holding true for the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market as nearly 800 exhibitors have purchased an average of five percent more floor space than in years past. At this point, we are on target to meet last year’s exhibitor and attendee numbers.”

Less than six weeks out from its Winter Market Show, Outdoor Retailer  reported that close to 330,000 square-feet of exhibit space is currently sold, putting the tradeshow on par with the last Winter Market. As of the release date, OR is also hosting more than 175 new exhibitors.
 
In addition to healthy show numbers, Outdoor Retailer also affords its exhibitors and attendees new and revamped events/venues for meeting their business and networking objectives during the show.

Backcountry Base Camp
All Outdoor Retailer attending retailers are invited to spend a day at Backcountry Base Camp (BBC), receive a discount lift ticket, view hands-on exhibitor displays and test backcountry products including Nordic skis, snowshoes and accessories. A limited amount of Telemark and Alpine Touring gear will also be available for selective testing.
Specifically, this year’s BBC features a new, more realistic testing track for Nordic skiing and will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at Snowbasin Ski Resort in Ogden, Utah.

Backcountry Village
A centralized community space located on the show floor, the Backcountry Village features the most relevant product, people and technologies for the winter hardgoods marketplace. Attendees and exhibitors alike are invited to enjoy the sense of backcountry community with ongoing videos, presentations, seating and cappuccino bar.

OR “Winter Exposure” Industry Party & Fashion Show
The Winter Market Fashion Show presented by Woolrich will take center stage at the Outdoor Retailer “Winter Exposure” Industry Party on January 22, 2009, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom in the Salt Palace Convention Center.

The annual OR Winter Market Fashion Show will reveal dozens of the latest designs in the wintersports technical, casual, and endurance apparel categories, and bring products “to life” for thousands of attending buyers and media.

Project OR  
New to Winter Market, Outdoor Retailer will host the second cycle of “Project OR,” a 48-hour concept-to-prototype student design competition meant to inspire innovative winter outdoor fashions. As part of the competition, up-and-coming design students from the country’s top design schools will conceive, design, and build garment prototypes using design materials and components from the supplier exhibitors of the show.

Scandinavian Village
Outdoor Retailer attracts outdoor industry manufacturers and distributors from around the world. In the Scandinavian Village, show participants can explore the product offering and culture of Scandinavia’s 1,554 years in the wintersports business.

Outdoor Retailer, a trade-only event, will begin with Backcountry Base Camp to be held at Snowbasin Ski Resort on Jan. 21, 2009, followed by the indoor portion of the show at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 22-25.