2019 Paddlesports Retailer Updates

Remaining in Oklahoma City, Okla, for 2019 and 2020, Paddlesports Retailer, the official national trade show of the paddlesports industry, will take place from August 26 – 29, 2019, with a few new perks and plans for exhibitors and attendees.

“Our first year in Oklahoma City was amazing. Both exhibitors and retailers told us the Demo Day at Riversport Adventure Park was the most successful demo in the industry’s history,” says show GM Charles Conner. “In post-show surveys and interviews, attendees raved about the convenience of the hotels and restaurants in Oklahoma City and said the community welcomed everyone with enthusiasm. We’re proud to be back for two more years.

Demo Day will kick off the 2019 show on Monday, Aug. 26, followed by two-and-a-half exhibition days in the Cox Convention Center Exhibit Hall.

This year’s improvements, says Conner, include:

• Subsidizing drayage to a flat $60 per hundred-weight for both advanced and direct shipments
• Free, nearby surface parking for exhibitor trucks and trailers
• Free Wi-Fi internet access for exhibitors and retailers
• Two additional social events: a Kick-Off Party on Sunday, Aug. 25, at Bricktown Brewery; and an After-Hours Gathering on Tuesday, Aug. 27, presented by American Whitewater at TapWerks Ale House
• Holding the flatwater and whitewater demos in succession rather than simultaneously.

The show’s second year—and first in Oklahoma City—drew more than 500 buyers representing over 230 individual retail stores. Show organizers expect attendance to grow in the coming years as momentum builds and attendees spread the word.

“The OKC location and the packed event schedule really delivered,” says Bill Kueper, vice president of Wenonah Canoe. “Ninety-four percent of attending retailers indicated they plan to return for 2019. It shows great potential going into 2019.”

The new social events are designed to give attendees additional networking opportunities. “Attendees ranked networking events the third most important show element, besides the core events in the exhibition hall and the demo day,” says Conner, adding the events also make the show more enjoyable. “An important characteristic of our show is that it’s fun. For our retailers these may be the only summer days they’ll spend out of their shops, and it’s important that they’re able to enjoy themselves while doing business.”

The Demo Day will also start earlier on Monday, the second day of exhibitor installation, and the show will end earlier on Thursday (new hours 8am to 1pm). “Exhibitors should still have time to schedule a range of appointments on Thursday, but they’ll also have time to break down their booths and start heading home for their Labor Day weekend plans.”

Show Schedule