Outdoor Retailer Is Cutting Back Its Number of Events to One a Year

Previously held twice annually, the Outdoor Retailer (OR) trade show is moving forward as a once-a-year event.

OR announced the reduction in the number of shows it hosts annually on Thursday via The Daily by Outdoor Retailer. There will now be one show that takes place in June, the report stated, and with the change, the event that was scheduled for November “will not stage.”

In the report, OR show director Sean Smith stated the November show isn’t being canceled. Instead, a decision was made “to position the Outdoor Retailer Winter and Summer Shows into a larger, more comprehensive show to be held in June of 2025.”

“Our decision comes after taking in a ton of feedback from exhibitors and attendees along with data on just how important the June sell-in time is for the industry,” Smith told The Daily. “Having one show will enable Outdoor Retailer to deliver a larger, more comprehensive show and an enhanced experience which will better serve both retailers and brands.

Smith confirmed OR will remain in Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

During the interview, the show director also addressed the potential boost for other shows that cater to the outdoor market with OR’s move to one show a year.

“Focusing on putting one larger, more comprehensive show in the important sell-in month of June is where we’re putting our attention. We believe that is what’s right for our exhibitors and attendees and the industry,” he told The Daily. “We can’t worry about what other shows might or might not do. Our primary concern has to be what we think is best for our business as it serves the outdoor industry.”

There are several outdoor-focused trade shows today, such as Connect by Grassroots and OutDoor by ISPO. Also, The Running Event (TRE) launched its outdoor-focused Switchback section in May 2022. In June, TRE announced Switchback would also become a standalone event, with the first scheduled to take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, on June 16-18, 2025.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.