The Daily Guide Winter 2023 - 5

First Words
OUTDOOR RET AILER
What's New
T and Next
Outdoor Retailer
Show Director Sean Smith
W
elcome to Outdoor
Retailer
Winter! We're
glad to be here
with you in Salt Lake and to
introduce you to all that's new
now and to everything coming to
Outdoor Retailer next year.
FRESH GEAR
This show lays the groundwork
for what's ahead. More than half
of the exhibitors you'll see this
week are new - fi rst-timers or
returning with new products
after a hiatus. They're launching
gear, entering the U.S. market,
and some are just emerging in
the outdoor space.
It's energizing to see new ideas
being infused into the industry.
These innovations can help engage
more customers and inspire
people to get outside.
And we're excited to be delivering
a show that points you to
what's new in our industry. It's
only going to get bigger next year.
SEASON OPENER
This show marks the beginning
of the new cycle and puts
the Winter show now at the start
of the fall/winter buying season.
It gives the industry a chance
to see new products as they're
launched, meet earlier order
deadlines, and get ahead on winter
marketing strategies.
Yes, this is a third Outdoor
Retailer show this calendar year.
For those who might not know,
the decision to move the Winter
show from January to November
was made last year when we
already had the 2023 Snow Show
in place. We're in a unique situation,
and this won't be the case
moving forward - in 2024 and
onward we'll host two annual
trade shows with the Summer
show in June and Winter show in
November. Both events now sit
at the front of the seasons and in
the timeframes that better fi t the
industry's needs.
NEW IN 2024
Speaking of next year, we're
rolling out a new format starting
with the Summer 2024 show.
We're investing in helping the
industry make the right connections
to support their businesses.
This includes:
* An expanded Hosted Buyer
program
* A new Outdoor Design + Innovation
show
* Simplifi ed booth space and
pricing structures
We invite you to talk with us
to learn more about all that's
changing. Come by the OR24
Preview space in Booth 1044 this
week to see what we have in store
- we'll be there throughout the
day with free coff ee. And read
more on page 25 or get in touch
with us at any time. We're excited
about what's ahead!
QUALITY TIME
This week, we're also looking
forward to learning and spending
quality time with one another.
While we recognize a third
show this year made it a challenge
for some to attend, there
are so many great brands here
and a long list of retailers ready
to discover what's new. A smaller,
more intimate show allows the
exhibiting brands to be seen and
heard, and buyers will not be as
rushed through appointments.
And we can help you make
those appointments - get logged
in to Match, our free matchmaking
program, to fi nd the right
connections.
You also want to take time to
attend education sessions that
can help your business and this
industry. We have an incredible
lineup of speakers from the
Outdoor Industry Association
(OIA), Circana, Outside Looks,
and more bringing you the most
up-to-date information to support
your decisions. And don't
miss fun evening events - the
Basecamp Bash on Night 1 and
After Hours on Night 2. See the
full schedule on page 31.
We are really looking forward
to seeing you and getting to know
you this week. We're here to help
- come meet with us, stop us on
the show fl oor, or give us a call
later and let's talk about how we
can shape the future together.
SEAN SMITH
Outdoor Retailer Show Director
his Outdoor Retailer Winter show will
introduce you to fresh fi nds, new relationships,
and the latest industry insight, while
laying the foundation for 2024.
OUTDOOR RETAILER WINTER 2023 /
GUIDE 5
EMERALD/OUTDOOR RETAILER
The Daily Guide Winter 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Daily Guide Winter 2023
