The Outdoor Retailer Show, which drew 27,000 people and more than 150 exhibitors this year, came and went too fast – much like many of the summertime products that were on display. And while summer will return year the show may not. Organizers have yet to announce next’s dates and while Salt Lake City has a contract to host next year’s event it is still very much up in the air.
The reason in part is that the Outdoor Industry Association reportedly used the event to criticize the state’s public-land policies, which doesn’t make Utah feel warm and fuzzy about the association. There is also the issue of floor space as the Salt Palace has seemed to reach capacity, while the hotel rooms were in short supply as well as attendance increased by 20 percent for the third year in a row. With these concerns the show, which has been in Utah since 1996, could move elsewhere.
We just hope a good show didn’t die.
[Via Deseret News: Most recent Outdoor Retailer show biggest, best … but will it be back]