Quick Feat is no stranger to the Outdoor Retailer Show, both as a visitor and exhibitor, and it was an honor and a privilege to attend again this summer in Denver, where the show celebrated its 40th year serving the outdoor industry! The show was well attended and substantially larger than last year’s show. The pandemic disruption afforded a lot of opportunity to new brands that exhibited for the first time. Of note was the trend in sustainable fabrics and processes that has taken center stage in our industry.
Of the 600 exhibitors in attendance, over 190 were new to the show and took up prime locations in the hall not available pre-pandemic due to the long waitlist for exhibition space. As a result, the show was infused with a lot of new faces and companies, which will provide momentum going into 2023 Winter Market. In addition, the Summer 2023 show, held June 16-18, will dovetail behind the “Outdoor Adventure X” consumer sports show. Outdoor Adventure X is the first show to offer consumers an opportunity to demo equipment, offer educational programs and opportunities for outdoor advocacy, and could provide some real synergies to outdoor brands in attendance.
“It was great to be back in Denver for the Summer OR show, and I am looking forward to the Winter 2023 show in January. This might just be the spark that brings our industry back together after the long pandemic hiatus,” said Darrell Kirk, Managing Director for Quick Feat North America. “The Summer and Winter OR shows are very important for our business, but more importantly, they provide a place to connect with our customers, suppliers, and friends. It’s great to see all the new faces and I am glad that these folks have the opportunity to enjoy a career in the outdoor industry and meet all the incredible people it attracts.”