MINNEAPOLIS (BRAIN) — Emerald, the owner of the Outdoor Retailer trade show, announced Thursday that the event will be next held in Minneapolis in August 2026, instead of in Salt Lake City in June as planned.
Emerald said the event will be Aug. 19–21, 2026 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event will include a new "Leadership Village," co-led by athlete and Summit Scholarship founder, Sunny Stroeer, and industry veteran Paul Gagner.
“Outdoor Retailer must be a discovery engine, a strategic gathering place, and a convener for all corners of the outdoor community,” said Stroeer and Gagner in a news release. “The new Leadership Village will bring this to life, creating a space to share knowledge, tackle challenges, and spark innovation.”
In addition to Stroeer and Gagner, the Leadership Village will include
- Dana Caraway, founder and principal of Caraway & Co, an independent sales agency;
- Sasha DiGiulian, champion climber and global outdoor adventure advocate;
- Peter Sachs, outdoor industry veteran and former GM of LOWA Boots;
- Mike Massey, founder of Locally, a leading commerce platform bridging shoppers and nearby retailers;
- And others to be announced by Oct. 30.
“Moving Outdoor Retailer to Minnesota creates a fresh stage for collaboration, creativity, and the outdoor community to thrive together,” said Randolph Briley, director of Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership. “This step underscores the strength of our outdoor economy, driving billions in impact, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and inspiring people to get outside.
