Outdoor Retailer, the premier B2B gathering for the $1.2 trillion North American outdoor industry, will relocate to Minneapolis in 2026.
The reimagined event is scheduled for August 19–21, 2016 and aims to emphasize collaboration, learning, and shared experiences.
Minneapolis was selected for its thriving outdoor business community, world-class trails, and waterways, providing an ideal setting for the industry’s next chapter.
Central to the transformation is the introduction of the Leadership Village, co-led by renowned athlete and Summit Scholarship Founder Sunny Stroeer and industry veteran Paul Gagner.
Alongside Lindsay Hubley, senior vice president of Emerald’s Sports and Outdoor Division, they will lead an interdisciplinary team of brand executives, designers, sustainability leaders, athletes, and emerging voices to shape the event’s future direction.
“Outdoor Retailer must be a discovery engine, a strategic gathering place, and a convener for all corners of the outdoor community,” Stroeer and Gagner said in a press release.
“The new Leadership Village will bring this to life, creating a space to share knowledge, tackle challenges, and spark innovation,” Stroeer and Gagner added.
The leadership village will feature a diverse group of prominent outdoor leaders, including Dana Caraway, founder and principal of Caraway & Co; champion climber and advocate Sasha DiGiulian; outdoor industry veteran and former LOWA Boots GM Peter Sachs; and Mike Massey, founder of Locally, a platform connecting consumers with local retailers.
Additional participants will be announced by October 30.
The relocation to Minnesota comes amid strong local support for the state’s outdoor recreation economy.
In 2023, outdoor recreation generated $13.5 billion for Minnesota, representing 2.8% of its GDP. That figure underscores the state’s growing role as a hub for outdoor business and recreation.
“Moving Outdoor Retailer to Minnesota creates a fresh stage for collaboration, creativity, and the outdoor community to thrive together,” said Randolph Briley, director of Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership.
“This step underscores the strength of our outdoor economy, driving billions in impact, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and inspiring people to get outside,” Briley noted.
Briley added that hosting Outdoor Retailer positions Minnesota as a global showcase for its outdoor recreation assets, from its extensive trail systems to its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The event is expected to draw thousands of professionals across retail, manufacturing, media, and non-profit sectors.
To build on this momentum, Outdoor Retailer is introducing new initiatives designed to enhance engagement and accessibility.
Among them is the launch of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Scholarship, which supports specialty retailers’ participation, and complimentary exhibit space for Minnesota-based and mission-driven non-profits.
The show will also feature an Industry Day conference focused on key topics shaping the sector, including artificial intelligence, sustainability, and supply chain strategy.
Additionally, the Outdoor Industry Innovation Awards will return, celebrating cutting-edge advancements and leadership across the marketplace.
“Over the past few months, we’ve engaged in thoughtful conversations across the outdoor community,” said Hubley.
“Those insights are shaping every facet of this event. We’ve reinvented the show to reflect the dramatic changes the industry has endured, while creating a platform that amplifies innovation, collaboration, and growth,” Hubley added.
The three-day event will introduce several themed areas designed to encourage learning and connection. Highlights include Ascent, an innovation district for emerging brands; Camp Forward, featuring startup pitches and futurist keynotes; Campfire, a storytelling and video space; Outdoor Lab, focused on product design; and Industry Day, offering actionable insights for business growth.