August Trade Show-Outdoor Retailer

           The trade show season is upon us and I decided to do some traveling over the next 2 months to see what’s going on in the outdoor industry. Outdoor Retailer is held each summer and winter in Salt Lake City. Outdoor Retailer is the trade show venue of choice for the Outdoor Specialty Industry. Companies both large and small converge to show off their new products for the year. If you’ve never been, it can be overwhelming!

I arrived mid day the first day of the show and took my time wandering the aisles wondering where to begin! I started by visiting one of our clients Byer Of Maine in their booth. Byer Manufacturing is the oldest supplier of folding cots in the country and have been supplying comfortable camping furniture for over a century.

Next, a stop to say hi to Tim Rosenhan who owns Innova Kayaks. These, inflatable, folding colorful kayaks are really cool and portable. Visit his website http://www.innovakayak.com and check them out!

The next day I decided to get down to business and visit the section where all of the new product companies were displayed…well, not really a section. There are so many new companies they had to put them in the old Delta Center (where the Utah Jazz play). I found some really great new products…..ChicoBag, Rickshaw Bagworks, BornFit, Mistymate, GoGaga (my favorite), BagGames, Spibelt and Adventure Babe just to name a few.

Evenings are spent at Industry parties networking and having fun. The Industry party was held at the Energy Solutions Arena, formerly known as the Delta Center where Rusted Root performed. There was a Badminton Tournament, food, wine from Redwood Creek (this is the coolest website!) and lots of fun was had by all. The next day it’s back down to business and a flight back home.

Next up….Adventure Travel Expo in Seattle.