DENVER (BRAIN) — Organizers of the first combined Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, held last week, say the combined show attracted more than the sum of the two separate shows. It was the first OR show in Denver following the show's decision to leave its longtime home in Salt Lake City last year.
Organizers said the show had over 29,000 total attendees, with more than 7,500 verified retail buyers. The show occupied over a half-million net square feet and covered all three floors of Denver's Colorado Convention Center, making it the largest show ever staged at the venue.
"Denver exceeded our expectations as the new home for the first Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, reuniting the outdoor and winter sports communities for the first time in nearly 30 years," said Marisa Nicholson, vice president and show director for Outdoor Retailer events. "Retailers were able to see key product and trends for fall/winter 2018-2020 under one roof, creating an air of anticipation for what's next. The city of Denver and the state of Colorado laid out the red carpet for our exhibitors, our buyers from around the globe, and our team. We couldn't think of a better place to call home."
Mike Adams, newly elected chairman of Snowsports Industries America and commercial director for winter sports equipment for the Americas at Amer Sports, said, "I was impressed with the scale of the show. It provided a close-up view of the blending of outdoor and winter sports. The retailers were exposed to both communities under one roof.
"The comment I heard was, 'Why didn't they do this sooner?' People immediately understood the opportunity and the scale. We loved it and we are putting our deposit down for next year," Adams added.
Outdoor Retailer will hold its Summer Market in Denver from July 23-26. That show will include water sports suppliers and other brands that didn't attend the winter show. Another Outdoor Retailer show is planned for Denver from Nov. 8-11, and then the second combined OR + Snow Show will be held Jan. 8-11, 2019.
