According to an article in The Denver Post, Denver is a finalist in the race to become the new home of Outdoor Retailer.
Although Emerald Expositions, which owns Outdoor Retailer, declined to discuss the finalists, there have been reports of bids from Portland and major trade show hosts like Las Vegas, Chicago and Indianapolis.
The twice-yearly trade show requires about 1 million square feet of meeting space, limiting the pool of possible host cities. But outside of practical considerations like convention costs and hotel room rates, Denver’s bid also featured Colorado’s commitment to fostering outdoor businesses and protecting public lands.
“It’s not just dollars and cents we are talking about,” Benitez told his advisory committee last week. “We are trying to align our values. It’s been a massive process of looking at a chess board. I like to say it’s a chessboard that has legs. I can say with confidence that we are leaving everything on the field.”
If selected, Denver would host the winter and summer Outdoor Retailer trade shows at the Colorado Convention Center and the National Western Complex. Colorado State University, located in Ft. Collins, CO, is also hoping to get involved by offering academic lectures and events.
A final decision from Emerald is expected within a month.
Photo courtesy Emerald Expositions
