Likening it to a ski slope that’s not safe, or even a rapid that’s not fit to run, Outdoor Retailer has cancelled its heralded trade show for the coming summer amidst coronavirus concerns.
Due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus), Outdoor Retailer has made the difficult decision to cancel Summer Market, originally scheduled for June 23-25, 2020 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Outdoor Retailer is actively designing digital platforms to provide the outdoor industry with support and solutions through the summer buying season and moving forward.
“This is an unprecedented situation. In a world with so much uncertainty right now, we can take steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and support our industry through these challenging times,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer senior vice president and show director. “It was a difficult decision to make as Summer Market is integral to the business of many and it’s the outdoor industry’s chance to gather as a community, but protecting the health and safety of everyone remains our top priority.”
Nicholson continued: “We have engaged brands, retailers, reps and partners to better understand the fast-evolving reality of the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses. With that information, we are designing digital solutions to serve our industry’s needs in ways that best suit these unprecedented times. It’s vital for the outdoor community to unite and stay connected, and we are committed to providing ways to reinforce buyer/seller networks; discover new brands, products and retailers; and access media and marketing tools. It’s our goal to help outdoor businesses navigate the path forward and preserve the passion that drives our industry.”
Outdoor Retailer is working with the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and Snowsports Industries America (SIA) to identify the digital tools and programming that will best support members and the outdoor and snowsports industries.
As the largest network of outdoor business, Outdoor Retailer will bring the industry together again in January 2021. The winter show returns to Denver and the Colorado Convention Center from January 27-29, 2021, providing the opportunity for the outdoor community to gather in-person and do business, learn, and build relationships. Interested exhibitors can contact their Account Executive today, and attendee registration will open later this year.
Exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees with existing plans for Summer Market 2020 can find more details and contact information at outdoorretailer.com.
A Letter from Show Director Marisa Nicholson
Experienced outdoorists know when the backcountry is unsafe, a trail insecure, or the season wrong for the adventure. In those times, we focus on different activities to ensure our safety while still fulfilling our connection to the outdoors.
This is one of those times. Amidst growing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and after having extensive conversations with many of you, we made the difficult decision to cancel Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2020, which had been scheduled for June 23-25, 2020 in Denver. Maintaining the health and safety of everyone is paramount to us.
Recent developments have made it impossible to effectively execute a June show that delivers the level of connection, discovery, and value our community expects. This is due to developments regarding COVID-19 that we are all familiar with at this point, including, but not limited to, the declaration of a National State of Emergency; various statewide states of emergency across the nation; the latest federal measures, including travel restrictions placed on foreign nationals traveling to the United States from certain EU member states and other places; the declaration by the WHO of COVID-19 as a pandemic; the accelerating pace of confirmed cases worldwide and domestically; current quarantines, containment areas, stay at home orders, and restrictions on congregating and large gatherings imposed by states and other government and public health authorities; various company-imposed travel restrictions on employees affecting attendees and participating companies; and the resulting cancellations made by several partners.
Life around the world has changed rapidly, and the way we live, interact and do business have all been radically disrupted.
While we did investigate potential alternative dates for the show, due to logistical issues, as well as clear feedback from retailers, reps and brands, we were forced to cancel and not postpone Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2020.
Despite cancelling our in-person summer show, we are committed to keeping us all connected because it’s with the help of each other that we move forward. As the largest network of outdoor businesses, we are doing everything we can to leverage that for the health of our industry.
In talking with you, we’ve been gaining a better understanding of the industry’s needs at this time. We’re now working to deliver you tools that will:
- Support go-to-market strategy for Spring/Summer 2021;
- Reinforce buyer/seller networks;
- Offer an ability to discover new brands, products and retailers, and a place to learn; and
- Provide media and marketing opportunities to tell stories and drive awareness.
We’ll keep you informed as details come together and plans become actions.
We’re going to come out of this eager to connect on a human level and anxious to celebrate everything we value as a community. We can’t wait to bring everyone together again and see you all in January. And as we’ve said before, this is when we really miss the hugs and high-fives, so make sure and take time to reach out and support each other.
Stay safe and take care of one another. A community together wins.
Marisa Nicholson
Outdoor Retailer | Senior Vice President and Show Director
About Outdoor Retailer: Outdoor Retailer, the largest U.S. tradeshow and premier business event for the outdoor industry, brings together retailers, manufacturers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through trade shows, Outdoor Retailer Magazine, product demo events, media events and web-based business solutions. The Outdoor Retailer trade shows are the premier outdoor industry events for North America, providing platforms for critical face-to-face business initiatives, line previews, innovations, launches, networking and retailer education. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information.
About Emerald: Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers’ businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, visit http://www.emeraldx.com.