SALT LAKE CITY (July 29, 2013) — An estimated 25,000 manufacturers, retailers and suppliers to the outdoor industry will return to Utah this week, generating more than $23 million in direct delegate spending to Salt Lake and the state of Utah.*
The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2013 expo runs July 31 through August 3 at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center and satellite locations throughout Utah, including the block where the Olympics Medal Plaza was located, and Pineview Reservoir in beautiful Ogden Canyon.
Since moving the Summer and Winter Markets to Salt Lake in 1996, direct delegate spending by Outdoor Retailer attendees has totaled more than $445 million, accounting for nearly $41.5 million in city, county and state taxes, thus substantially relieving the tax burden of citizens in every community throughout Utah.
"It’s great to have the Outdoor Retailer show and all those who attend twice a year. The $23 million in direct delegate spending is a shot in the arm for our economy but as important is the chance to showcase our business-friendly community. We know that the exposure Salt Lake County and the state of Utah receives from the event is invaluable. I’m delighted to welcome them to their 2013 Summer Market,” said Mayor Ben McAdams.
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."
"The biannual Outdoor Retailer events hosted by Salt Lake City are not only a much-appreciated economic boon for our community, but a great reflection on what makes our region, and the rest of the state, truly unique," said Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. "Here in Utah's Capital City, we not only enjoy unparalleled access to pristine wilderness and world-class recreation opportunities, but are also the gateway to all this state has to offer in our amazing national parks, rivers and wildlands. We share the same enthusiasm, appreciation and reverence for these great natural assets as the companies that make their way to our City twice a year to participate in OR, and we couldn't be happier to have them here."
"As an industry, Outdoor Retailer is excited to be returning to Utah for another world class demo and trade event," said Kenji Haroutunian, Emerald Expositions vice president and Outdoor Retailer show director. "By and large, the people of this state live and breathe the outdoor recreation that is our industry's bread and butter; 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 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.
“At a time when policymakers are considering massive budget cuts, 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,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of OIA. “Outdoor recreation can and should be an economic strategy for every state in the nation.”
Highlight Facts from the 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, 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.
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.