Denver’s first Outdoor Retailer Summer Market happens this year. Its demo day will take place near downtown, and the public will be invited to some events.
Camping, paddling, climbing, fishing, and more – Denver’s first summer Outdoor Retailer Demo Experience will have an “urban adventure” focus.
Each year, Outdoor Retailer invites brands, retail buyers, and media to test out the latest gear at its hands-on “Demo Experience” day. Historically, this took place far from downtown Salt Lake City in parks with alpine lakes.
But in a major shift this year, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is set in Denver. Organizers will take advantage of the city’s whitewater park and river access with a demo day near downtown.
This allows organizers to push a new focus, “Urban Adventure,” with some events open to the public.
This move gives enthusiasts from outside the industry the chance to join in a party previously reserved for show attendees.
Summer Outdoor Retailer: Urban Adventure Demo Experience
“Denver’s unique downtown outdoor landscape makes the first demo in the city not only exciting and insightful but efficient for buyers flying in,” said Marisa Nicholson, vice president and show director for Outdoor Retailer.
According to Nicholson, outdoor professionals will have exclusive access to the latest gear coming to market. This is in line with previous Outdoor Retailer demos.
But in a new twist for 2018, local retailers and brands will showcase new and current product line items for the public.
“We know our event is going to generate a lot of interest and curiosity from the thousands of people living and working in the area that day, and we want to connect them with the retailers who have the gear they can try and buy now,” she said.
For those attending the show itself, the Demo Experience will take place at Confluence and Commons parks. Both sit on the banks of Cherry Creek and the Platte River, allowing gear tests on both land and water.
According to show organizers, the demo will have gear and apparel for paddling, fly fishing, trail running, camping, overlanding, climbing, yoga, and outdoor tech. Advocacy groups will be on hand to highlight key issues facing public lands, conservation, access, and more.
Outdoor Retailer’s Urban Adventure Demo Experience will take place on July 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We’ll update info on public events happening around the show as we become aware of them.
