12 Jun Outdoor Retailer Introduces Outdoor Retailer Online This Summer
Outdoor Retailer has launched a new Outdoor Retailer Online platform in the wake of the cancellation of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market due to COVID-19. An online, three-day outdoor business, networking, and educational event will run from July 21-23, 2020.
Outdoor Retailer Online tools will be available to registered exhibitors and attendees throughout the summer.
“Since the cancellation of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market due to COVID-19, it’s been our goal to find an alternative platform that best connects our community this summer. We’re excited to launch Outdoor Retailer Online to create a place that keeps us all united,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer senior vice president and show director. “While the value of coming together in person is irreplaceable, we used guidance from industry feedback – through conversations and surveys – to develop a custom online space to help outdoor businesses with both immediate and future needs. Outdoor Retailer Online is going to provide an important opportunity to listen, learn, and be inspired.”
The show operator said Outdoor Retailer Online was designed to deliver go-to-market strategies, personalized buyer/seller connections, marketing tools to drive awareness, and inspiration through discovery. Brands and reps will be able to reach retailers, buyers, designers, and media in an interactive environment, featuring customizable content and the ability to connect to e-commerce programs.
Three days of live programming will run throughout each day from July 21-23 on Outdoor Retailer Online, including:
- Exhibitors hosting live and on-demand product and line showings, one-on-one appointments, and chat sessions in brand-controlled spaces;
- Scheduled live education and conversations around current industry topics;
- Matchmaking and search tools to facilitate the discovery of new brands and products, retailers and buyers, innovations and inspiration; and
- Networking opportunities and discussion forums.
The daily schedule will be highlighted by many of the events traditionally held at Outdoor Retailer.
- The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) will kick off the event with a live Industry Breakfast on Tuesday, July 21.
- Winners of the 10th annual Outdoor Retailer Inspiration Awards will be announced in a live online ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, recognizing the people, organizations, and companies encouraging others to enjoy and protect the outdoors.
More details in a letter from Nicholson can be found here.
Outdoor Retailer is working in partnership with the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) on educational programming and content for the outdoor community within Outdoor Retailer Online and moving forward.
“The outdoor industry is at its best when we are able to come together to share ideas and take collective action. While we cannot be together in person this summer, Outdoor Retailer Online will help fill an important void at a challenging time for the industry, our communities and our world,” said Lise Aangeenbrug OIA executive director. “The virtual platform provides a way for OIA to bring together our industry and partners to create forums that help us collectively mobilize around how we address racial justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, impacts to our businesses from COVID-19, opportunities for engaging more people outdoors and climate action.”
All scheduled sessions will run live on Outdoor Retailer Online over the three days and will be available on-demand at outdoorretailer.com following the event. The platform will be accessible to registered exhibitors and attendees through August 31, 2020.
Brands interested in exhibiting, connecting, and sponsorships can contact an Outdoor Retailer Account Executivetoday. Attendee registration will open soon.
Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Outdoor Retailer made the difficult decision to cancel Summer Market, originally scheduled for June 23-25, 2020 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The new Outdoor Retailer Online platform will offer support and solutions for the industry through the summer buying season.
As the largest network of outdoor business, Outdoor Retailer will bring the industry together again in January 2021. The winter show returns to Denver and the Colorado Convention Center from January 27-29, 2021, providing the opportunity for the outdoor community to gather in-person and do business, learn, and build relationships. Interested exhibitors can contact their Account Executive, and attendee registration will open later this year.