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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah will continue to host the Outdoor Retailer trade show for at least a few more years, officials announced Tuesday.
Last year, the Outdoor Industry Association expressed displeasure with Utah's public lands policies and Nielsen Expositions, who owns the show, expressed ongoing concern about Salt Lake's accommodations for the large show. Following nearly two years of discussion, Visit Salt Lake announced Tuesday that the show will be held in Utah through "at least 2016."
Salt Lake has hosted the show since 1996. The Salt Palace Convention Center expanded in 2006 to accommodate the summer and winter trade shows. Again, the shows have since outgrown the expo center, requiring organizers to expand them into the parking lot across the street from the center.
The Outdoor Retailer show generates an estimated $40 million annually for the city and state according to Visit Salt Lake. Officials expect the 2013 winter market, which opens Wednesday, to see about $18.5 million in visitor spending total.
"Not only do we recognize the enormous financial impact of the two OR trade shows, but we also appreciate how these shows speak to the ‘ethos' of what our community has to offer the outdoor recreationalist throughout the year," said Scott Beck, president and CEO of Visit Salt Lake. "Of course, with this announcement comes an even greater opportunity and need to continue to look for ways to improve our city as a travel destination, both for trade shows like Outdoor Retailer and for all of our visitors."
The All Mountain Demo opened Tuesday and the winter market opens Wednesday at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
