6 must-see spots at the Outdoor Retailer show

6 must-see spots at the Outdoor Retailer show


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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s that time of year again: Outdoor sport enthusiasts are flocking to Utah from across the country to see their favorite brands’ latest and greatest products. Year after year, the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show brings in thousands of people to downtown Salt Lake City to preview and buy the next year’s gear.

This year is no exception. The giant trade show begins Tuesday with the Open Air Demo and goes until Saturday Aug. 3, centered at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

As the event organizers set up the tents and put the final touches on outdoor retailers' displays, here are a few highlights visitors can be ready to see:

Open Air Demo

It’s one day before the trade show technically begins, but the day-long event is open to all registered attendees. Open Air Demo attendees a will have a chance to preview the latest merchandise and products from the tradeshow’s vendors, giving them a better idea of what to expect at the massive show.

There will be a little something for everyone, from fun runs with sponsored prizes and giveaways, to fly fishing and even a "glamping" demo to give attendees a taste of luxury camping. Magellan’s GPS treasure hunt will be an interactive product demo where attendees can engage in a geocaching hunt across the terrain.

Outdoor Retailer details
  • Where: The Open Air Demo is at the Pineview Reservoir, but the trade show events and retailers will be at or near the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake. City
  • When: Summer Market Expo runs Aug. 2-3. The Open Air Demo takes place Tuesday, a day before the Summer Market Expo.
  • Cost: $40 for retailer buyers, $100 for importers or distributors, $200 for designers, $595 for non-buyers

Keep in mind is the venue has changed from years past; instead of the Jordanelle Reservoir, the event will be held at Pineview Reservoir near Ogden. The location was changed after trade show officials visited Jordanelle July 3 to find it depleted, filled at 68 percent capacity. Hourly shuttles will be provided from the Salt Palace to the Open Air Demo. Fly fishing

Fly fishing has long been an integral part trade show, but the 2013 experience will include more expansive fly fishing opportunities. Seeing the need and growing demand for more fly shops, the trade show decided to host a Fly Fishing Lounge where relevant brands will be clustered together in addition to the fly fishing demos during the Open Air Demo.

The lounge will also feature a casting pond where attendees can test equipment and techniques, as well as mingle with other attendees and trade insights. The pond will be a vast 30 feet by 170 feet. Attendees will also find a Provo River Dusk Patrol, which the Outdoor Retailer calls a “world-class blue ribbon trout stream.”

Climbing Zone

Avid climbers will find a home at the Climbing Zone, a central hub for the event’s climbing community. There will be a variety of events hosted at the lounge, perfect for expert and novice climbers alike, including product demos on the latest climbing products and competitions.

With state-of-the art climbing boulders, it’s a great hub to not only test out new gear, but to network with fellow climbers as well.

The North Face

The North Face will be showcasing its recently-announced Mountain Athletics line at the trade show. The line is designed for multi-tasking athletes to prevent injuries in extreme training situations, whether mountaineering, climbing, trail running or sleeping.

Related:

In a news release announcing the line, The North Face said the concept is meant to meet a demand by other gear, and ultramarathoner Mike Wolfe will be trying the line in a 211-mile trail run come fall. Attendees can see, feel and test the line at The North Face exhibit at the trade show.

GoPro training

As GoPro continues to gain traction, and not just with outdoor enthusiasts, more people are using the product to document adventures in innovative ways. The Outdoor Retailer trade show will have three trainings on using the latest GoPro, starting with educating attendees on getting to know the product, following with how to use the mounts, a panel of vendors and training stations.

The events happen daily beginning at 9:30 a.m. with different events happening until 4:30 p.m

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Cait Orton

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