SALT LAKE CITY (January 20, 2014) — An estimated 22,000 manufacturers, retailers and suppliers to the outdoor industry will return to Utah this week, generating more than $20 million in direct delegate spending to Salt Lake and the state of Utah.* The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2014 expo runs January 22 through January 25 at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. The All Mountain Demo will be held at Solitude Mountain Resort Tuesday, January 21.
Since moving the Summer and Winter Markets to Salt Lake in 1996, direct delegate spending by Outdoor Retailer attendees has totaled more than $468 million, accounting for nearly $43.6 million in city, county and state taxes, thus substantially relieving the tax burden of citizens in every community throughout Utah.
“Salt Lake is the ideal location for the Outdoor Retailer conventions; our mountains are close and our city is vibrant,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. “Convention goers benefit our local economy when they eat in our restaurants, ski at our resorts, and shop in our stores. Our community welcomes members of the outdoor industry who share our love for adventure in the great outdoors.”
Of course, the connection between Utah and Outdoor Retailer is deeper than dollars. "In addition to welcoming back OR for the obvious economic reasons, the show's attendees also bring with them a deep appreciation for our position as one of the best outdoor recreation communities in North America," said Scott Beck, president & CEO of Visit Salt Lake. "The manufacturers, retailers and suppliers attending OR understand the ethos of Salt Lake. This show fits Salt Lake and all it represents, and we appreciate everything it adds to our community."
“I know I speak on behalf of our entire community in lauding and celebrating our biannual opportunity to host the Outdoor Retailer gathering in Salt Lake City,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. “These companies are not only making a tremendous economic contribution to our City, but are engaged in the very same pursuits that are so important to so many of our residents-maximizing the enjoyment of our fabulous natural assets be they world-class ski terrain, the unparalleled beauty of our southern deserts or the nearby Wasatch wilderness.”
“Outdoor Retailer is excited to bring the industry together again in Utah for another world-class All Mountain Demo and Winter Market event," said Kenji Haroutunian, Emerald Expositions vice president and Outdoor Retailer show director. "What makes being here special is that the people of this state live and breathe outdoor recreation, which resonates so well with the industry audience of OR. We love that shared lifestyle connection and are looking forward to another great event."
Outdoor recreation is a substantial and critical sector of the American economy. Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) recently released “The Outdoor Recreation Economy,” a report showing that outdoor recreation is a major economic driver in the United States — and one that has grown throughout the recession.
“Outdoor recreation can and should be an economic strategy for every state in the nation,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of OIA. “Right now, policymakers are considering devastating budget cuts to public lands funding that could ripple for years and negatively affect the outdoor businesses that depend on them. It’s more important than ever to make the link between a well-funded and well-managed national outdoor recreation system and the economic contributions that outdoor recreation makes to local communities.”
Highlight Facts from the OIA Outdoor Recreation Economy Report:
The outdoor recreation economy is responsible for:
· 6.1 million direct American jobs
· $646 billion in direct consumer spending
· $39.9 billion in federal tax revenue
· $39.7 billion in state/local tax revenue
In Utah, where the Outdoor Retailer Summer and Winter Markets have been held since 1996, OIA found that outdoor recreation continues to fuel tremendous economic growth, contributing $12 billion annually to the state’s economy, supporting 122,400 jobs, generating $856 million in annual state and local tax revenues, and producing $3.6 billion annually in wages and salaries in Utah.
* Total visitor spending figures are based on surveys of convention delegates conducted by the University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR). Surveys conducted by BEBR over the last five years indicate the average delegate spends $923 while attending a convention in Salt Lake.
About Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer (OR) brings together retailers, manufacturers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through tradeshows, product demo events and web-based business solutions. Produced by Emerald Expositions and based in San Juan Capistrano, California, Outdoor Retailer also provides and promotes retailer education, advocacy, responsibility and critical face to-face business initiatives within the outdoor industry.
Consistently named among Trade Show News Network’s 25 fastest-growing tradeshows by attendance, Outdoor Retailer (outdoorretailer.com) connects approximately 50,000 attendees on a semi-annual basis for its Summer and Winter Market shows, and thousands more through its year-round online resources and platforms.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, CO, with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.
Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. In partnership with Salt Lake County, Visit Salt Lake’s mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors while being a leader in environmental responsibility. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com.
Karen Boe, Local Media Relations
801-230-5404 / Karen@BoeMarketing.com
Shawn Stinson, Director of Communications
801-534-4913 / sstinson@visitsaltlake.com
Kate Lowery, Director of Public Relations
949-226-5779 / kate.lowery@emeraldexpo.com
For Press Credentials:
http://www.outdoorretailer.com/winter-market/media/badge-registration.shtml