Representatives from specialty shops are signing up for Outdoor Retailer’s new hosted buyer program, which is a renewed focus on retail buyers and includes travel incentives for buyers to attend.
At the Outdoor Retailer Summer show at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 17-19, show organizers are rolling out a hosted buyer program that’s designed to help build relationships between brands and buyers.
Qualified retail buyers can apply for travel support to attend OR. Buyers who are interested in participating can contact OR for hotel and flight assistance.
An Opportunity for Discovery
DeLana Forsberg, gear buyer for Piragis Northwoods Company in Ely, Minnesota, said one of the main reasons she’s participating is to discover new brands in the market.
“It’s important to be exposed to new, upcoming, and innovating brands,” she added. “OR is a great place to find those diamonds in the rough.”
For Brian Mildelstein, owner of Fin & Feather in Davenport, Iowa, OR also presents an opportunity to find new products, proving to him that attending trade shows is worth it.
“I was a little apprehensive about going to the Summer 2023 show, as I knew it was going to look different than shows have looked historically,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of new product that I found, which is the main reason that I attend any trade show. I am excited to return to Salt Lake City and Outdoor Retailer again this year to build upon that momentum.”
Notable Buyers Already Signed-Up
Academy Sports – Katy, TX
Alltrails Inc. – San Francisco, CA
Alpine Shop – St. Louis, MO
Als Sporting Goods – Hyde Park, UT
American Land & Leisure – Pleasant Grove, UT
Arfmann’s Four Seasons – Salmon, ID
Backcountry.com – Park City, UT
Bass Pro Shop – Springfield, MO
Bering’s – Houston, TX
Big 5 Sporting Goods – El Segundo, CA
Big Sky Brewing Company – Missoula, MT
Boyne Resorts – Traverse City, MI
Canyon Sports – Salt Lake City, UT
Crown Enterprises (Sportsman & Ski) – Kalispell, MT
Crystal Lake Adventure Sports – Frankfort, MI
Desert Rock Sports – Las Vegas, NV
Discovery Land Company – Beverly Hills, CA
Fin & Feather – Davenport, IA
Grand Teton Association – Moose, WY
High Country Outfitters – Roswell, GA
In My Element – Fairbanks, AK
Indigo Highway –- Park City, UT
Karltons – Sioux City, IA
Ken’s Bike Ski Board – Davis, CA
L.L.Bean – Freeport, ME
Lake & Company – Grand Rapids, MN
Lake Chelan Sports – Chelan, WA
Level Nine Sports – Salt Lake City, UT
Mel’s Trading Post – Rhinelander, WI
Mudbelly Outdoor Supply – Huntington, TX
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort – Gatlinburg, TN
Piragis Northwoods – Ely, MN
Play It Again Sports – Minneapolis, MN
Prospector Outfitter – Valdez, AK
Pure Stoke Sports – Hood River, OR
River City Supply Co. – Wisconsin Rapids, WI
River Sports Outfitters – Knoxville, TN
Rock ‘n’ Roll Sports – Gunnison, CO
Ross Stores, Inc. – Los Angeles, CA
Russell Marine – Alexander City, AL
Ruze Shoes – Montclair, CA
Sandal Factory – Key Largo, FL
Sears – Huntley, IL
Shoe Fly Shoe Inc. – Tyrone, PA
Ski ‘N See – Salt Lake City, UT
Sportsman’s Warehouse, Inc. – Midvale, UT
Sun Diego – Vista, CA
Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop – Lawrence, KS
Target – Minneapolis, MN
Terra Running – Cleveland, TN
The Sportsman – Logan, UT
The Tix Companies – Boston, MA
Tooth of Time Traders – Cimarron, NM
Triple Crown Outfitters – Inyokern, CA
True Outdoors – Kamloops, B.C. Canada
Uloha – Honolulu, HI
United States Sales Corp. – Virginia Beach, VA
Uphill Pursuits – Bozeman, MT
Usmes.org – Burlington, LA
Brand Finding
The program is intended for specialty independent retailers who are ready to purchase outdoor apparel, clothing, footwear, gear, recreation, and leisure products.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to find new brands, meet key leaders, and learn new business tactics in the ever-changing retail industry,” said Sarah Morton, senior manager of attendee relations for Outdoor Retailer.
Submitting an application gives specialty retailer buyers the opportunity to subsidize out-of-pocket travel costs to attend the show.
Each application is reviewed and vetted by OR’s buyer relations team on a case-by-case basis. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.
For Buyers
In addition to travel assistance, participants in the hosted buyer program will have access to:
- A concierge-led matchmaking program to discover new brands and products, book appointments, and build relationships.
- Dedicated buyer hours on Day 1 and Day 2 from 9–11 a.m. for buyers to have meetings with brands without interruptions.
- Multiple days of education, networking, and direct connection to industry leaders.
To get involved apply here. Contact the Outdoor Retailer team with questions.
Ready to attend? Registration is now open. Register here.
Adding More Buyers to Benefit Exhibitors
According to OR show organizers, exhibiting brands should have access to more buyers than in recent shows and should be able to efficiently reach their target audience.
The benefit of the hosted buyer program to exhibitors is that it helps brands meet more buyers in just a few days and build relationships with prospective retail partners, leading to new leads and measurable ROI, according to show organizers.
OR is touting the program as an opportunity for exhibitors to meet directly with the buyers they want to see.
Brands that have signed on to exhibit at OR Summer include ATWYLD, COAL Headwear, GCI Outdoors, Klymt, Maine Outdoor Brands, Stansport, and Westfield Outdoors.
Read our companion story about the new and notable brands that have signed up for the show so far here.
Brands interested in exhibiting at the show can find out more here.
