The Daily Guide Winter 2023 - 26

Bread + Butter
WE ARE OUTDOOR
WHAT TO
EXPECT IN 2024
Outdoor Retailer Show Director
Sean Smith answers questions
on plans for next year.
Outdoor Retailer recently announced
significant changes
coming in 2024. What's going
to be different?
Sean Smith: Changes are
coming starting with the Summer
show in June 2024. We're
investing massively in moving to
a Hosted Buyer format. Additionally,
the sourcing section will
become its own show - Outdoor
Design + Innovation - and will
be co-located with Outdoor Retailer
for both the Summer and
Winter events.
Booth sizes will be capped at
2,000 square feet and we'll be
dedicating a couple of hours each
day of the show for buyers only.
And, that doesn't mean non-buyers
will be left out of the show.
We just want to give brands and
buyers some limited, set time
each day to focus on doing business.
That's such a vital part of
any trade show.
Can you explain the Hosted
Buyer program?
Sean Smith: One of the biggest
pieces of feedback we receive is
that brands what to see more
buyers from more categories
at the show. At the same time,
retailers have said they want to
see more diversity of brands.
We're investing to ensure
we're bringing the retailers the
brands need to see and helping
both meet the right people.
Starting for the 2024 Summer
show, buyers can apply to the
Hosted Buyer program to help
offset travel costs to attend. We
are expanding what we've started
26
to provide more ways to support
key buyers.
We encourage retail buyers to
apply early to access the available
Hosted Buyer funds. We also
want to hear from both buyers
and exhibitors who they want to
see, and we'll help make those
connections.
Some who have been around
the outdoor industry for a long
time want Outdoor Retailer to
be like it was in the past. What
can you say about the future
of the show and how Outdoor
Retailer is moving forward?
Sean Smith: It's important to
first put everything in perspective.
The industry is not the
same as it was, nor is the world
the same after the pandemic.
So many things have impacted
and changed the business world
- supply chain issues, inventory
issues, inflation, and economic
challenges.
That's why Outdoor Retailer is
adapting to be the show it needs
to be for the industry where
we are today. We've listened to
exhibitors and attendees and
have made changes that both
brands and buyers are asking for
to give them the best possible
experience. Everything we do is
based on customer feedback and
where the industry and the world
is today.
Outdoor Retailer is going to be
the best place where retail buyers
can discover new brands and
products and where our community
can get energized by fresh
ideas and concepts. New business
connections will take root
and will pay off for years to come.
That is what we are focusing
on and plan to deliver for Outdoor
Retailer's future. As long as
we deliver on that, I'm confident
the show will be what the industry
needs.
2024 PREVIEW
Get ready for 2024 and preview future plans for Outdoor Retailer
and Outdoor Design + Innovation. Learn about the Hosted Buyer
program, explore turnkey booth options, meet the Outdoor Retailer
team and take advantage of early bird booth rates. Visit the OR24
Preview space on the show floor to hear more and grab a free drink!
SCHEDULE
DAY 1, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Retailer Meetup & Discovery Tour
Open Session
Outdoor Design + Innovation Q&A
Open Session
DAY 2, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Retailer Meetup & Discovery Tour
Open Session
Outdoor Design + Innovation Q&A
Open Session
DAY 3, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Retailer Meetup & Discovery Tour
Open Session
Queenmoonlite Studio -stock.adobe.com
BEGINNING 2024
GUIDE / OUTDOOR RETAILER WINTER 2023
http://stock.adobe.com
The Daily Guide Winter 2023

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