Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show Now is Largest Wintersports Industry Gathering in U.S.

November 21, 2017

The inaugural Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, Outdoor Retailer’s first combined trade show with SIA Snow Show in Denver, now is the largest annual U.S. trade show and conference for the outdoor and snowsports industries, boasting a sold-out exhibit floor.

Set for Jan. 25-28 at the Colorado Convention Center, the massive event will feature a revamped show format with approximately 1,000 brands spanning three floors, new show features and for the first time, consumer access to select marquee events.

“The positive response to the combined show has exceeded all expectations,” said Marisa Nicholson, vice president and show director for all Outdoor Retailer events.

She continued, “We are going to be bursting at the seams with gear. The opportunities for product discovery and access to outdoor and snow brands will be unparalleled, as well as the other hallmarks of an Outdoor Retailer show – education, networking and events that allow us all to connect with the outdoor community.”

Besides new curated spaces to help retailers target key areas, Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show will feature new conference programming as well as The Trend + Design Center, showcasing innovations in materials and manufacturing for designers and R&D teams.

To help attendees navigate the event, the show will offer “Ask Me for Help” people walking the floor, plentiful map kiosks, orientation tours, a revamped and streamlined mobile app and a “Text for Help” platform, according to show officials.

Special events will include The Inspiration Awards celebration; a new “Night of Stoke” evening of films and speakers living the dream of the ultimate wintersports lifestyles, as well as a new collaboration with Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks to bring the Fashion Show back to Denver at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Taking place Jan. 26, on the show’s second night, the Fashion Show and concert will be open to show attendees and to the public for the first time ever, with the goal of extending the show’s reach, providing a new platform for brand engagement and giving consumers a glimpse into the outdoor and snowsports industries’ fashion styles for next season.

Last summer, B2B trade show and conference producer Emerald Expositions announced that it had chosen Denver as the official home of its three annual OR trade shows: Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.

The three events are expected to draw more than 85,000 attendees and $110 million economic impact annually to The Mile High City, according to show officials.

The SIA Snow Show, which Emerald acquired in May, has called Denver its home for seven years, helping to pave the way for the Summer and Winter Markets to come to the CCC, which boasts 584,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 63 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and a 5,000-seat theater (with plans for a $104 million expansion of the facility in the works).

Known as largest annual ski and snowboard equipment, apparel and accessories trade show in North America, the SIA Snow Show drew approximately 1,000 exhibitors and 18,500 attendees to more than 326,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space at the CCC Jan. 26-29.

The most recent OR Summer Market, held July 26-29 at the Salt Palace Convention Center, marked the end of OR’s 22-year run in Salt Lake City, where approximately 46,000 attendees and 1,620 exhibitors spanned more that 549,000 square feet of expo space.

The final Salt Lake City version of OR Winter Market, held Jan. 10-12 at the SPCC, drew approximately 9,000 attendees and 965 exhibitors spanning more than 415,000 sq. ft. of the facility’s 515,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.

According to Emerald Exhibitions, beginning in Jan. 2018, Denver will be OR’s home for the next five years and will follow a three-show calendar going forward, with Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show taking place annually in January, OR Summer Market in July and OR Winter Market in November.

Outdoor Retailer will return to the Colorado Convention Center July 23-26 for its Summer Market, followed by its Winter Market, set for Nov. 8-11.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact