As the final summer market Outdoor Retailer approaches, sources report the trade show has three future homes to choose from.
Outdoor Retailer is on the way out of its Utah home, and its sights are on Denver and two other cities.
That’s according to a report by the Denver Post, which cited “multiple sources” that confirmed the Mile-High City’s bid is one of the finalists.
So far, Denver, Portland, and Minneapolis have either made official bids or submitted interest in hosting the show to Emerald Expositions, the owner and operator of Outdoor Retailer.
Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and Chicago are also rumored to have submitted bids, which were due by March 31. Salt Lake City submitted a bid, but the Outdoor Industry Association, which comprises 1,200 outdoor brands, made clear it was seeking a different home for 2018 and beyond.
Outdoor Retailer In Denver
According to the Post, Denver would host the show at two locations, the Colorado Convention Center and the National Western Complex, about four miles apart.
Outdoor Retailer requires close to one million square feet of event space. The Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, where the bi-annual show grew over the last 20 years, spans more than 700,000 ft.²
The bid makes sense, given Colorado’s wealth of outdoor activities for summer and winter. But there is a formidable setback: The city already hosts the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) trade show in January.
Outdoor Retailer’s winter market also takes place in January, but Denver has a non-compete clause with SIA. Denver must not host conflicting trade shows in the weeks leading up to and following the exhibition.
Emerald Exhibitions and SIA would have to resolve the conflict by reaching an agreement, or possibly merging. Such a merger might be welcomed by exhibitors and attendees alike. The costs to attend both shows successively is expensive, and it can be difficult for brands and media to organize.
Outdoor Retailer’s contract with the Salt Palace expires following the winter market in January 2018.
