Summer Market Closes with Record Attendance, Enthusiasm for New Technologies and Innovation
OutdoorHub Reporters 08.07.12
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market closed Sunday afternoon, after setting records for one of the country’s fastest growing tradeshows in exhibitor and buyer attendance. Close to 27,000 outdoor industry members gathered in Salt Lake City to display, preview and purchase 2013 gear to help consumers get active outside.
For the third year running, OR Summer Market saw double digit increase in store attendance, with this year close to 20 percent, despite a tighter registration qualification process and security improvements.
“Summer Market 2012 was a landmark event for the industry, drawing out the top decision makers and design minds who steer innovation and expansion of the active outdoor lifestyle,” said Kenji Haroutunian, OR show director and vice president at Nielsen Expositions. “From the mountaineering and paddlesports core to the running, fly fishing and travel segments as well as international buying attendance, the evidence of a confident and expanding outdoor industry was felt all over the show grounds.”
Some highlights from Summer Market 2012 included:
- Largest-ever Open Air Demo featuring more than 150 exhibitors
- Dozens of seminars and events featured industry experts and speakers ranging from adventurer Aron Ralston to ultrarunning star Scott Jurek
- The return of OR Rocks! featuring the All Star Industry Jam, Industry Party, and the continuation of Project OR.
Summer Market returns to Salt Lake City in 2013, though a potential shift in show dates is currently under consideration and final dates will be announced in September. Winter Market 2013 begins with the All Mountain Demo on Jan. 22 and continues in Salt Lake City Jan. 23-26, 2013.
Check out this behind the scenes look at this years Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012.
httpv://youtu.be/gOkd-2njRlU
