In response to feedback, Emerald Expositions’ Outdoor Retailer will shift its 2018 dates to better align with buying cycles, as well as collocate its shows with Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s Connect.

In 2018, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market will move to June 11–14, 2018, and Winter Market will move to Nov. 12–15, 2018.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s Connect will collocate with Outdoor Retailer Summer and Winter Markets in Utah, and will run June 6–9, 2018, and Nov. 7–10, 2018.

In addition, OR will launch a Winter Expo in January 2019 to serve market segments and product categories that have later-season winter order deadlines, meaning Emerald will run three OR shows, according to OR officials.

This last component has ruffled some feathers, most notably SnowSports Industries America, which runs the SIA Snow Show and expressed concern about the additional event.

“SIA applauds any effort to consolidate shows, however we are concerned that, starting in November of 2018, there will be four winter-specific national trade shows within the span of one year, with three being produced by Emerald Expositions,” said Nick Sargent, SIA president.

He added, “We feel that this will result in unnecessary stress and economic duress on the suppliers and retailers - not only for SIA members, but across all winter outdoor stakeholders.”

Snow Show's 2018 dates are Jan. 25-28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. 

On OR’s side, the changes came about after what they called “extensive industry wide research” that was conducted this past spring.

OR invited key specialty retailers, cornerstone brands, segment leaders and other industry stakeholders to participate in newly established advisory panels to discuss show cycles and best practices.

“Outdoor Retailer is a respected home for the outdoor industry,” said Marisa Nicholson, vice president and Outdoor Retailer show director.

She added, “Thirty-five years ago, a small group of brands and retailers not only created an industry, but also, an economic powerhouse. We are proud of Outdoor Retailer’s role in that growth – as the place where the industry gathers. Now, as before, it’s our responsibility to produce a platform giving specialty retailers and exhibitors the best opportunity to achieve their business objectives. This agreement gives credence to that goal and showcases that we are all in this together.”

Moving OR’s shows to early dates enables it to serve as the industry’s launch event – introducing the full breadth of product offerings, marketing initiatives and educational offerings at the top of the buying season, according to OR officials.

 “With the evolution of the order/buy cycles, research findings and feedback, we verified there are varying needs for exhibitors, retailers and reps,” Nicholson said.

She added, “By moving to June and November and launching new expo events, Outdoor Retailer provides options that best cater to their business goals. Outdoor Retailer is looking forward to presenting full strategies and operational details associated with these events in the coming months.”

OR’s date shift, and even more so additional events, though, makes for a too-crowded show calendar, according to Sargent.

“We are all part of one large industry eco-system and the lines are increasingly blurring between winter snow sports and the general outdoor market. Therefore, it’s crucial that we work together to find a way to minimize the number of national shows, while better supporting the regional shows,” he said.

Sargent added, “SIA welcomes Emerald and OIA to engage in constructive dialog on how best to serve the entire winter outdoor industry and the invaluable role that the SIA Snow Show plays.”