SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. — 2024 will be a year of change for Emerald’s Outdoor Retailer, the global business-to-business outdoor sports trade show.
Beginning with the Summer Show, which will be held June 17-19, 2024 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Emerald will launch an expanded hosted buyer program, a new booth and pricing structure, and move the Sourcing category to a separate show that will be co-located with Outdoor Retailer (OR). The upcoming Outdoor Retailer Winter Show, which will be held November 14-16, 2023 at the Salt Palace, will maintain its current format.
These changes were made in response to a combination of industry conditions and attendee feedback. The outdoor and snow sports sector has been hit hard by the pandemic. Retailers have been left with surpluses as consumer demand has slowed. At the same time, OR exhibitors said they want to see more buyers from more categories, and buyers want to see a greater diversity of brands.
In response, OR is committed to attracting more buyers to the shows by expanding its Buyer Welcome Program. Buyers can apply for the program to help offset their travel expenses, but organizers stress that funds are limited and will be paid to those who apply early.
“We’ve heard from several buyers who are excited about the increased opportunities and support, and they’re looking forward to participating in the Buyer Welcome Program next year,” said Sean Smith, interim show director, Outdoor Retailer. “Many buyers come to Outdoor Retailer to see a wider variety of new and relevant products for their stores, and some may lack the resources to travel to the show. Through this program, we’re helping buyers and exhibitors connect with buyers from across the country who they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.”
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The show has also shifted its dates to coincide with the start of seasonal sales cycles, with the winter show now taking place in November and the summer show in June. The June summer show has also been redesigned, with a floor plan organized by category, including camping, climbing and watersports. This change will continue next year.
In 2024, OR is rolling out simplified booth space options and a new pricing menu. New booth space options, including a pre-fabricated turnkey space, will be limited to a maximum size.
Finally, organizers are creating a standalone show, Outdoor Design + Innovation (ODI), for the sourcing category, which will be co-organized with Outdoor Retailer. Exhibitors will include domestic and international raw material suppliers as well as companies offering manufacturing and sustainability technologies throughout the supply chain.
“We know the last few years have been an economic roller coaster for the outdoor industry, and it remains difficult to plan for the future,” Smith said. “So we’re investing in ways to help exhibitors and buyers plan and meet their needs in today’s marketplace. We’re also creating new ways to drive the discovery that’s so critical for businesses: ways to find emerging brands, source new gear and develop new partnerships. Outdoor Retailer connects the industry, and we want to make sure we’re the best place to build valuable relationships.”
Contact Sean Smith at sean.smith@emeraldx.com