SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (BRAIN)—Less than six weeks out from its Winter Market Show, Outdoor Retailer (OR) reported that close to 330,000 square-feet of exhibit space is currently sold, putting the trade show on par with last year's Winter Market. As of the release date, OR is also hosting more than 175 new exhibitors.
"Despite uncertain times for several retail categories, recent industry research shows the outdoor market remains healthy," said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer show director. "This trend is holding true for the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market as nearly 800 exhibitors have purchased an average of five percent more floor space than in years past. At this point, we are on target to meet last year's exhibitor and attendee numbers."
In addition to healthy show numbers, Outdoor Retailer also affords its exhibitors and attendees valuable new and revamped events/venues for meeting their business and networking objectives during the show.
All Outdoor Retailer attending retailers are invited to spend a day at Backcountry Base Camp (BBC), receive a discount lift ticket, view hands-on exhibitor displays and test backcountry products including Nordic skis, snowshoes and accessories. A limited amount of Telemark and Alpine Touring gear will also be available for selective testing.
Specifically, this year's BBC features a new, more realistic test track for Nordic skiing and will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at Snowbasin Ski Resort in Ogden, Utah.
A centralized community space located on the show floor, the Backcountry Village features the most relevant product, people and technologies for the winter hardgoods marketplace. Attendees and exhibitors alike are invited to enjoy the sense of backcountry community with ongoing videos, presentations, seating and cappuccino bar.
The Winter Market Fashion Show presented by Woolrich will take center stage at the Outdoor Retailer "Winter Exposure" Industry Party on January 22, 2009, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom in the Salt Palace Convention Center.
The annual OR Winter Market Fashion Show will reveal dozens of the latest designs in the wintersports technical, casual, and endurance apparel categories, and bring products "to life" for thousands of attending buyers and media.
New to Winter Market, Outdoor Retailer will host the second cycle of "Project OR," a 48-hour concept-to-prototype student design competition meant to inspire innovative winter outdoor fashions. As part of the competition, up-and-coming design students from the country's top design schools will conceive, design and build garment prototypes using design materials and components from the supplier exhibitors of the show.
Show attendees are encouraged to track their favorite student during daily episodes (available for viewing online and in the Design Center) and participate in a live voting component of the competition.
Outdoor Retailer attracts outdoor industry manufacturers and distributors from around the world. In the Scandinavian Village, show participants can explore the product offering and culture of Scandinavia's 1,554 years in the wintersports business.
Outdoor Retailer, a trade-only event, will begin with Backcountry Base Camp to be held at Snowbasin Ski Resort on January 21, 2009, followed by the indoor portion of the show at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 22-25.
For more information about exhibiting at Outdoor Retailer and other events and marketing opportunities surrounding the show visit, click on link.
