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…