Find out which trade shows our team is headed to this year.
In covering the active lifestyle industry —from outdoors to sports and fitness — the SGB team is lucky to be headquartered at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Louisville, CO, between Denver and Boulder. We get a great taste of the people and environment by just attending local events and conversing over a beer with next-door brands. We also have reporters based out East in the heart in New York City and in Charlotte, NC.
Still, it’s important for us to travel across the country — and the world for that matter — to attend the key events that bring us all together to cover the top minds, products and trends for the year.
We had a great trip to the IHRSA fitness trade show in Orlando, FL this past week and are ready for more. Here’s a sampling of events you’ll see us at in 2016:
Bicycle Leadership Conference – April 12-14 – Monterey, CA
Our Senior Business Editor Charlie Lunan will be on the scene covering the top issues in the bike industry with presentations on the millennial consumer, managing talent in the network age, and the omni-channel marketplace. REI CEO Jerry Stritzke is also scheduled to give one of the show’s keynote talks.
The Running & Fitness Event for Women – June 9–10 – Chicago, IL
Move over boys, because women are leveling the field in a big way. Our Sports & Fitness Editor, Jahla Seppanen, along with a pair of SSI Data experts will have a booth at the McCormick Place Convention Center for this powerhouse event that addresses the growing women’s active business. Sessions offer big picture marketing insights, and new ideas and tactics to bring back to your retail store. Dress code: a pair of good running shoes.
SGB 40 Under 40 Awards – June 3-5 – Boulder, CO
Of course we’ll be attending our own events, too! The jewel for SGB is highlighting the industry’s up-and-coming leaders at our 9th Annual 40 Under 40 Awards. We received hundreds of nominations for this year’s class and stay tuned this summer for the list of honorees.
Grassroots Spring Summit & Connect – June 13-17 – Albuquerque, NM
Grassroots has done a fantastic job in representing the specialty outdoor industry and boasts a strong membership of more than 60 retailers that exude financial stability and reliability in vendor relations. It’s new Connect event (June 15-17) expands the show to 100 select retailers and vendors. SGB Managing Editor David Clucas and Sports & Fitness Editor Jahla Seppanen plan to be there.
OutDoor Friedrichshafen – July 13-16 – Friedrichshafen, Germany
The industry is a global one and our SGB Editorial Director David Clucas will get a taste of what’s happening in Europe, attending one of the region’s largest outdoor trade shows this summer.
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market – August 3-6 – Salt Lake City, Utah
The pinnacle of outdoor trade shows here in the United States, SGB will send a full team of editors to the show to cover the top trends and new products. The day before the trade show starts, August 2 (Day 0), has increasingly become important, not only with Demo Day, but exclusive specialty retail events, plus that evening’s non-profit Outsiders Ball.
Interbike – September 21-23 – Las Vegas, NV
Our team is closely watching the changes in the bike industry as independent bike dealers struggle with a flood of inventory overseas and direct-to-consumer sales. They’ll all be hot topics at Interbike, along with latest new products.
Fall CycloFest, presented by Interbike – October 20-23 – Charlotte, NC
We’ve observed over the years that the active lifestyle industry has plenty of business trade shows, but few large consumer ones. That might start to change with this inaugural event put on by Emerald Expositions at U.S. National Whitewater Center. It will incorporate a blend of Interbike’s OutDoor Demo, tech seminars, retail education and more over the first two days of the event, then open up to consumers on the final two days with demos and musical events. We’ll be there to see how it goes.
The Running Event – November 29-December 2 – Orlando, FL
Mickey needs a new pair of running shoes. Due to a conflict with its usual location in Austin, TX, The Running Event moves to Orlando, FL for a one-time change of venue. Our Senior Editor and running guru Tom Ryan will be there to cover the show, which includes a 5K Run through Disney’s Epcot Center, December 1.
These are just a few of the main events our editors, and larger SportsOneSource family – which includes our SSI Data team – will be attending this year. Of course there are plenty of other press trips and events that have us flying across the country, like the iconic Boston Marathon, grueling Western States 100, and product launches at local gyms and specialty retailers.
Lead image courtesy Outdoor Retailer
If you’re wondering when we’ll be in your neck of the woods next, send us an email at sgbmedia@sportsonesource.com
