SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Show organizers for the Outdoor Retailer trade show will be extending their contracts with Salt Lake City through its summer 2018 show. Both OR's Winter and Summer Market shows have been in Salt Lake City since 1996, except the 2002 Winter show, which was held in California because of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games.
They also announced that, while next year's Summer Market will be held at its traditional spot in the calendar (Aug. 3-6, 2016), the 2017 and 2018 Summer shows will be held in late July (July 26-29 and July 25-28, respectively). The Winter Market will be Jan. 7-1o in 2016 and 2017, and Jan. 6-9 in 2018.
Organizers surveyed more than 6,000 specialty retailer attendees and exhibitors about their preferred location for the show. Over two-thirds preferred Salt Lake City.
"The highest majority of the responses came from specialty retailers, which show organizers considered to be the most critical indicator," organizers said. They said the cost of doing business in Salt Lake for exhibiting brands is favorable compared to other locations and was one of the key reasons exhibitors, and retailers, favored Salt Lake as the preferred location.
"Salt Lake, and the State of Utah have proven to be wonderful hosts to the Outdoor Industry and to Outdoor Retailer over the years," said Marisa Nicholson, vice president and Outdoor Retailer show director. "The community is welcoming, supportive and we feel at home during our two weeks in town. We are pleased to work with the Visit Salt Lake team, various elected officials, and the housing and business communities to continue to make the Outdoor Retailer Markets the most significant events for the industry."
