Outdoor Retailer PostShow - Summer 2019 - 54

Best Booths
I N T E L L I G E N T

D E S I G N

WITH 1,142 EXHIBITOR BOOTHS LINING THE SHOW

VR paddling at
Body Glove

Fjällräven, naturally

Best in Show

The Daily polled industry veterans and outdoor
reporters to come up with this list of the Show's
top-ten spaces. By Nancy Coulter-Parker
54

/ SUMMER MARKET 2019

aisles, it's not easy to stand out. These brands used
imaginative designs to draw people in, create an oasis
in the mayhem, or to simply embody their essence or
message in an eye-catching way. Here are the winners,
in no particular order.
OtterBox created a space that was a reprieve from
the show floor. Canvas shades overhead dimmed the
convention center's fluorescents, making for low-key
lighting inside the booth. Wood paneling and succulent
plant accents added an inviting nature-inspired ambience. Plus they had free coffee and beer.
Flexfit's booth looked like an ice cream shop right
out of the 50s. The most impressive part? It was
enticing enough-and just a little confusing-to draw
curious showgoers in. The next thing you know, you're
in line for a hat (instead of an ice cream cone).
The natural elements used in United By Blue's
booth and its structure showed just how at home
United By Blue is in the elements, while also showcasing the brand's sustainability ethos. The company's #quitsingleuse pledge helped bring people in.
Body Glove's booth was not necessarily original in
design, but the Virtual Reality paddleboarding and
kayaking setup stopped showgoers in their tracks.
Although it was nearly impossible not to look ridiculous waving a paddle around while wearing bulky VR
goggles, everyone secretly wanted to try it.
Kudos go to the Nikwax booth for its originality
in being so environmentally mindful. Made entirely
of cardboard, the booth itself can be recycled when it
comes to the end of its useful trade-show life.
Granite Gear made you feel welcome in its booth-
regardless of the type of badge you were wearing. And
Craghoppers earned points for immersing booth
visitors in British history, complete with cool tents and
a rock-crawling Toyota land cruiser.
Fjällräven gets props for incorporating elements
from the natural world, while Sherpa Adventure
Gear's woodwork and intricate decorations made
visitors to the booth feel as if they were walking into
a shop in Nepal.
New Jersey-born Jetty embraced its regional roots by
showcasing the East Coast surf vibe. It caught the attention of people passing by in the busy Venture Out zone.
Adjoining booths Katherine Homes and NoSo
Patches win the award for most creative in-booth
event schedule, drawing showgoers in with catchy offerings such as "Slay Your Dragon Lessons" and "Learn
How to Juggle"-always accompanied by a multitude of
hashtags. #eversoclever
Awards Panel: Betsy Bertram, Townsend Bertram
& Co; Nancy Coulter-Parker; Jenn Fields; José G.
González; Hudson Lindenberger; Cameron
Martindell; Sam Moulton, Outside magazine;
Emma Murray; Chris Sears, Outdoor Retailer

Photographs by

Lauren Danilek

Outdoor Retailer PostShow - Summer 2019

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