This summer’s upcoming Outdoor Retailer show is undergoing a major overhaul with a hosted buyer program, capped booth sizing, and other changes organizers say are in direct response to feedback they’ve received from the industry.

The key changes to the June 17-19 event at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, include:

• A hosted buyer program that’s designed to build direct relationships between brands and buyers onsite.
• Dedicated buyer-only hours where attendees with retail buyer, importer/distributor, and working media badges can access the show floor on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Exhibitors and buyers are encouraged to book appointments in advance and use this opportunity to have focused meetings.
• New booth space options, including a pre-built turnkey space that will be capped at a maximum size to support exhibitors.
• A new, immediately adjacent sourcing show called Outdoor Design and Innovation (ODI) that will run concurrently with Outdoor Retailer.

“Back in August last year we were excited to announce some key changes beginning with the Summer 2024 show. Changes such as moving to a hosted buyer format, buyer-only hours to start the first two days, booth-size caps, and more that our exhibitors and attendees specifically had been asking for,” said Sean Smith, show director for OR.

Smith added that the OR team has been meeting with brands and retailers to discuss what to expect, and “the response has been even better than expected.”

“We have some great brands already signed for the show and many more that we’re expecting to sign soon,” he said. “Needless to say, we’re excited for the industry to see what they’re in store for in June.”

Sean Smith, show director at Outdoor Retailer. Photo by The Daily.

Some brands that have signed on to exhibit at OR Summer include ATWYLD, COAL Headwear, GCI Outdoors, Klymt, Maine Outdoor Brands, Stansport, Westfield Outdoors, and many more.

Retailers interested in finding out more about the hosted buyer program can submit their information here.

Interested exhibitors can find more information about the show here.

Outdoor Design and Innovation Show (ODI)

Organizers are spinning off the sourcing portion of the event into its own show called Outdoor Design and Innovation (ODI). This is intended to provide more opportunities for sourcing and supplier exhibitors to connect with product developers and designers. ODI will be co-located for both the summer and winter shows.

The show is designed for exhibitors such as:

• Materials: Textile and raw materials suppliers; innovative brands developing fabrics, fibers, yarns, insulations, fasteners, and fixtures; advanced metals companies for hardgoods and other products – carbon, steel, titanium, aluminum; producers of composites, coatings, components and trims.
• Technologies: Sourcing and materials processing technology companies; global manufacturing, supply chain, and risk management groups; sustainable and responsible business providers; packing and shipping solutions.
• Trends: trend houses, forecasting firms, innovation agencies, sustainable solution specialists.

Attendees that will find ODI useful include:

• Design: Product designers and developers across outdoor, lifestyle, fashion, and more.
• Develop: R&D and sourcing teams; industrial designers; private label producers.
• Inform: Experts in sustainability, supply chain, manufacturing, delivery of goods; trend forecasters; manufacturers and brand leaders.

Popular Outdoor Retailer Features Remain

But not everything will be different at OR, with some of the core features of the national trade show returning. As in years past, the show floor will be organized by activity. Think Camp & Hike, Climb, Lifestyle, Overland, etc.

Matchmaking will continue to expand to provide more ways to connect and book appointments at the show.

Education sessions will happen across the show floor as well, both at OR and ODI. Details about education sessions at the two shows will be announced in the coming weeks.

The OR show will also have Industry Hours, where the show floor is open to all attendee badge types and all exhibitors from both OR and ODI.

Anyone interested in attending OR Summer and ODI can sign up for show and registration email updates here.