Outdoor Retailer Show Report - Winter 09
The 2009 Winter Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. "Green" is still big but the economy was the 800 pound gorilla in the room everyone tried to ignore.
OK, I admit it. I should have had this post out a week ago but to tell you the truth I just haven't felt much like writing. What's bugging me? You really want to know? Well let's see. The economy, wall street, main street, politicians, political parties, business partners, attorneys, governments, global warming, the media, talk show hosts, an unmarried unemployed bankrupt mother of 6 that decided to have 8 more children, people that throw cigarette butts out their car windows, people that don't pay their taxes, people that park in disabled parking spaces, people that park in fire lanes, people that speed through school zones, and people that let their dogs run loose on the trail and then say that it won't bite. Oh, and automated telephone "customer service" systems.
The show was OK but not great. Attendance was down and there was not a lot of new product that interested me. Lowa has some new boots that look promising. I liked the Hilleberg Tents. REI, Carhartt, and Outdoor Research continue to offer up improved and evolving product lines. I ran into and met the Sitka Gear guys. That was nice but the best stuff I saw at the show I can't talk about yet.
That's OK, the thing I guess I appreciate most about these shows now is that I get to talk with a lot of people and it gives me a sense of how things are going out there. What I detected this time was a strong undercurrent of concern. Anxiety. The industry is worried about how much product they are going to be able to move this year and how long the numbers are going to stay down. I don't blame them. Money is tight all over and I agree with the President on this issue, things are going to get worse before they get better but for the record, I don't see how loading a couple trillion dollars of debt on our children and grandchildren is going to help the situation. In fact, I think that it is going makes things worse and prolong the condition which is a big reason I am in such a funk. I mean come on folks, what are we doing?
The other big impression the show left on me was that "green" is still very big. Here is my question. Are bamboo fiber and recycled 7-Up bottles really helping the environment or is this a marketing gimmick? Or is it both? Maybe it is a marketing gimmick that actually helps the environment. If that is the case I am OK with it but if we are really so concerned about or carbon footprint, has anybody stopped to consider the impact of this show? What does it take to fill 330,000 square feet with 16,000 people and hundreds of elaborate exhibits for four days twice a year? The transportation piece of an effort like this alone has to be huge. And there are a dozen or so of these kinds of shows every year. Honestly, I don't know what to think anymore.
One rep told me that their best green idea was to build gear that would last and not end up in the dumpster within a year or two. That makes sense to me.
Yeah, I know Mom. I should count my blessings. You are right and I do. My wife, kids and family are great. I have good friends. I live in a nice place. We are healthy, have food on the table and a roof over our heads. It is everything outside of that circle, outside of my control that seems to be rubbing me the wrong way lately.
So, there you have it. Not much of a report and not a great article. Sorry.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
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