Outdoor Retailer moving from Salt Lake City to Minneapolis

Photo: Photo by Brian McCall

SALT LAKE CITY, UT —  Outdoor Retailer, the largest business-to-business gathering for the North American outdoor industry, will relocate to Minneapolis for its 2026 show, organizers announced this month. The event is scheduled for August 19–21 and will focus on collaboration, education, and innovation within the $1.2 trillion outdoor economy.

The last time Outdoor Retailer left Utah, during the 2017–2018 period, the decision was primarily political. Major brands protested the state’s stance on public lands, particularly the reductions to the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. This led to the show moving to Denver, followed by a boycott when organizers announced a return to Salt Lake City in 2023. Companies such as Patagonia, REI, and The North Face publicly opposed this return, and the 2023 show ended up being smaller due to the backlash.

Now, Emerald, the parent company of Outdoor Retailer, is proposing Minneapolis as the new “home” for the show. Minneapolis was chosen for its proximity to world-class trails, waterways, and a vibrant business community. This relocation marks a new chapter for the show, as Emerald aims to better align with the evolving needs of the industry and foster deeper connections among leaders, designers, retailers, and athletes.

A key feature of the new format will be the Leadership Village, which will be co-led by renowned endurance athlete and Summit Scholarship founder Sunny Stroeer, along with industry veteran Paul Gagner. Working closely with Lindsay Hubley, senior vice president of Emerald’s Sports and Outdoor Division, they will guide an expanded network of outdoor professionals through curated programming and collaborative sessions.

“Outdoor Retailer must be a discovery engine, a strategic gathering place, and a convener for all corners of the outdoor community,” Stroeer and Gagner stated in a joint statement. “The new Leadership Village will bring this vision to life, creating a space to share knowledge, tackle challenges, and spark innovation.”

Additional members of the Leadership Village will include Dana Caraway, founder of Caraway & Co.; Sasha DiGiulian, champion climber and global outdoor advocate; Peter Sachs, a longtime industry executive and former general manager of LOWA Boots; and Mike Massey, founder of Locally, a commerce platform that connects shoppers with nearby retailers. More contributors will be announced later this month.

The move to Minnesota has garnered broad support from the state’s outdoor recreation community. In 2023, Minnesota’s outdoor sector generated $13.5 billion in economic impact, representing 2.8% of the state’s GDP, according to state data.

“Moving Outdoor Retailer to Minnesota creates a fresh stage for collaboration, creativity, and community,” said Randolph Briley, director of Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership. “It underscores the strength of our outdoor economy, driving billions in impact, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and inspiring people to get outside.”

Organizers are also introducing new initiatives designed to expand access and innovation across the industry, including:

– A Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Scholarship for specialty retailers
– Complimentary exhibit space for Minnesota-based and mission-driven nonprofits
– An Industry Day Conference focused on artificial intelligence, sustainability, and supply chain trends
– The revival of the Outdoor Industry Innovation Awards

Hubley noted that the reimagined format reflects months of consultations with brands, retailers, and community partners.

“We’ve reinvented the show to capture the dramatic changes the industry has experienced,” Hubley said. “This new approach amplifies innovation, collaboration, and growth while positioning Minneapolis as the central stage for the future of the outdoor industry.”

The three-day event will feature themed zones, including Ascent (an innovation district for emerging brands), Camp Forward (startup pitches and futurist keynotes), Campfire (storytelling and video content), and Outdoor Lab (cutting-edge product design).

Local retailers believe the move will strengthen regional engagement.

“Independent retailers are the frontline of the outdoor industry,” said Lloyd Vogel, CEO of St. Paul-based Garage Grown Gear and executive director of the Minnesota State Outdoor Business Alliance. “Having Outdoor Retailer in Minneapolis provides a vital platform for retailers and brands to collaborate and shape the future of outdoor recreation.”