Steamboat Does OR: Outdoor Tradeer Summer Market Fair Making New Denver Homes

SPRINGS STEAMBOAT – The Salt Lake City Loss is the Denver Gain

After a Long Race in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show – Held July 22-26 at the Colorado Convention Center – Moved At last week, she hosted about twenty manufacturers, retailers and other professionals from the outdoor industry of Steamboat Springs.

In addition to marking the inaugural summer presence of Outdoor Retailer in Denver, the event follows the winter market show. transition to Denver, in conjunction with the annual Snowsports Industries America. These two initiatives reinforce Mile High City's status in the outdoor industry, which has made its voice heard in politics and public lands; The move has resulted, in part, from major outdoor brands such as Patagonia who are pledging to boycott trade shows if they stay in Salt Lake City because of Utah's position on the preservation of public lands . "Denver is going to be a good home for us a long time," said event director Marisa Nicholson. "We felt that the industry would support the move to Denver, and that's ultimately what motivated the final decision to relocate here. The inaugural show of January was an excellent indicator of the energy that we can create here in Denver as our new home. "

In all, this year's summer show has attracted more than 1,400 brands, thousands of visitors and millions of dollars in economic spin-offs for the company. 39; State. A substantial portion of this work included outside industry workers based in Steamboat – including Smartwool employees, who took four days to travel to the Steamboat Lounge via Rocky National Park. Mountain.

Many non pedalists also made the pilgrimage. Local manufacturers such as Item 6, Big Agnes, Honey Stinger, Sweetwood Cattle Company, Chaos, Hala Gear and many others, all seek to showcase their new merchandise. They were joined by retail employees such as Ski Haus and Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare, to discover new products for the coming season, as well as public relations staff, independent representatives, outdoor photographers, athletes and more. networking in the festive setting of downtown Denver. A series of seminars, workshops and roundtables have made it an educational event.

"It's great that it's in our garden now," said Paige Boucher, who participated in the show as Founder of Inside-Out PR. North Face, Mystery Ranch packs and manufacturer of Wigwam socks. "It's a very important show for the outdoor industry, and it's now much easier to do it for us."

In addition to allowing manufacturers to meet buyers and suppliers keys, the same roof, so speak it. "This allows small brands to have equal chances for all brands," said Kenji Haroutunian, former salon director and brand consultant, adding that it is equally important for smaller brands of cities like Steamboat only for large companies. companies. "Opportunities are comparable regardless of brand size or marketing budget."

For outdoor equipment manufacturers Steamboat, it is almost mandatory.

"It's an incredible setting to meet buyers, retailers and other partners in the outdoor industry," said Garett Mariano, marketing director for Big Agnes, "and It's fantastic to be a Colorado brand in Denver.It's a complete circle to design and innovate products in Colorado and be at the outdoor lounge in our original state. marketing them for retailers across the country.

The sister brand Honey Stinger is also struck by the location Mile High. "We love having the show in Denver," added sales manager Nate Bird. We are a Colorado business and it's a lot easier logistically for us, the atmosphere is great and my mom lives there so kids can stay with grandma. "[19659002] Hala Gear, featured on the cover of the summer issue of Steamboat Living magazine, also used the proximity of Steamboat to attend this year, including the South Platte River demonstration day in downtown Confluence Park, where she made waves to retailers "The Denver Lounge helps our buyers to better understand the water courses and terrain that inspire our gear designs, "said President Peter Hall, who used the Rival series, the inflatable carbon construction and patented Double-Stack technology. "It's great to have this vibrant industry at home in Colorado."

Chaos and CTR Headwear, which bases its customer service and shipping operations at Steamboat, is another company that has traveled the Continental Divide to attend the show. "As a local brand of Steamboat and a growing national brand, it allows us to connect directly with retailers around the world," he said. Gary Supple, director of both brands in the United States. "

Scottish clothing maker Trespass, whose US three-person office is based in Steamboat, said he used the show as much to seduce the new retailers only to strengthen relationships with existing businesses. "It's essential to meet new customers, catch up with existing ones and enjoy the excitement of our industry when The world is meeting, "said Operations Manager Barbara Clark. "We would not regret it."

The essential for these local manufacturers is the chance to meet buyers, who are the glue that keeps the show together. And it's just as important to them as to the manufacturers.

"RO is very important to us, and it's great that it is now in Denver," said Murray Selleck, director of Ski Haus. "It's our chance to find out what's new, we already know what's selling well, so we're going to find the unique and promising companies that drive design and present new ideas."

Of course, there is a lot of fun to have too, with networking brimming over in the evening at parties in downtown Denver. This year's festivities included the Night of Stoke film festival, a beer and bike brewery tour highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, and a jam of the outdoor industry. leave their hair and play on stage in front of their peers. "I'm going to see all the new equipment, but also all my old friends," said Barry Smith, owner of Mountain Sports Kayak School. "It's a rather fun and unique gathering place for the people of the industry."

Exhibitors of Steamboats

• Hala Gear
• Honey Stinger
• SmartWool
• Item 6
• Chaos Hats
• Pro Grip Trainer
• Sweetwood Cattle Co.
• Trespass United States
• Big Agnes

Alphabetical Sampling Local Outdoor Businesses

With a well-educated, easy-to-use airport Steamboat Springs is a true outdoor business center. "They are one of the main drivers of the community that offers year round jobs and quality salaries," said Kara Stoller, CEO of Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort. "With more than our share of outdoor businesses that inhabit Steamboat, the city is more balanced."

Adventure Hounds

Founded by competitive competition skier SaRa Gezon and John Bowers, recently graduated from Colorado State University with degrees in marketing and sustainability, Adventure Hounds offers lifestyle clothing while enriching the lives of shelter dogs. With a line of shirts, sweaters, neck warmers, hats and more, he donates 20% of his monthly sales to various animal shelters. "We have two passions, spending time outdoors and dogs," said Gezon. "Our donation helps shelter dogs with food, shelter, guards, grooming and other necessities to help them find a home."

Big Agnes

Founded in 2000, Big Agnes is a winning tent, sleeping bag and floor mattress manufacturer headquartered in downtown Steamboat. In 14 years, he has won several writing awards in national magazines and has hosted more than 600 North American retailers, including EMS and REI, where he became the cooperative's number one tent brand. Employing nearly 40 people locally, the company is also present in 10 international markets in Asia and Europe. "Steamboat is a great place to be based," said co-founder Bill Gamber. "You could not ask for a better place to test our equipment."

Boa

Founded in 1998 by Gary Hammerslag, Boa Technology builds composite cable, coil and steel cable closure systems for everything from securing recreational shoes to medical supplies. The system can be found on one-third of the world's snowboard boots, as well as 100 brands in more than 15 categories. With its main office now housed in a new 23,000-square-foot facility in Denver, it still houses an outsourced medical branch in Steamboat.

Cogma Bikewear

Cogma Bikewear is driven by a passion for pedaling. Competitive Founders and Cyclists Karen Tremaine and Clint Ball started as bicycle clothing manufacturers in 2011, producing comfortable and "slightly rebellious" models. "Our brand is a lifestyle brand," Ball said. "The basis we build is that we really live the lifestyle of the mountain city. The product ideas come from our everyday experiences and our friends. We have the chance to play and work outside in our garden every day. days.

Creek Company

In 1982, residents of Steamboat Dave Gowdy and Chris Timmerman invented the Quick Float to inflate float tubes for fishing in alpine lakes. Recently, celebrating its 25th anniversary Creek Company is now a leader in the personal high-end personal floatation category, manufacturing pontoons, floats, fishing bags, and more. Having our business here has been a great source of inspiration for everything we do, "said Gowdy. "When it comes to R & D, we can test our product in minutes."

Hala Gear

Design. Adventure. Better. This is the premise of the stand-up paddle company Hala Gear, founded in 2010. The company offers an innovative range of inflatable SUPs and accessories, testing its products daily on the Yampa River. "We wanted to make a better and more stable paddleboard," said founder Peter Hall. Hall manufactures the boards overseas, with distribution centers in Steamboat, Seattle and California. "They are stable enough for everyone," said Hall, "grandparents to the younger generation."

Hog Island Boat Works

The Hog Island Boat Works, based along the Yampa The world's first rotomoulded drifting boat was put on the market in 2007. The company now produces a full range of rotomoulded drifting boats, available with trailer, anchor and other accessories, as well as a new line of motorized rotomoulded skiffs also accessorized. "We make efficient rotomoulded boats that can go anywhere," said Johnny St. John, founder. "And it's great to do everything in Steamboat, where you can wet a line during the lunch break."

Honey Stinger

Founded in 2002 by Bill Gamber, co-founder of Big Agnes, Honey Stinger's food business now has more than 40 local employees. While the company's original line of energy-based honey-based gels is born as a source of natural and enduring energy for endurance athletes, it now produces bars, croquettes, waffles, and waffles. gels. The company's bestseller, the Stinger Waffle, enhances the use of stroopwafel runners in Europe. The company is on track to double its sales this year. "It's another big company based in Steamboat," Gamber said. "We use the product every day."

Kent Eriksen Cycles / Bingham Bikes

Kent Eriksen helped introduce mountain biking both to the country and to Steamboat Springs. Owning the Sore Saddle Cyclery bicycle shop in the 1970s, he founded Moots in 1981 and was elected to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1996. He then founded Kent Eriksen Cycles, also specializing in titanium bikes. North American Handmade Bicycle Show). Now owned by Brad Bingham, the company produces up to 200 custom cycles a year

Moots

Founded in Steamboat in 1981, Moots hand-built road bikes , mountain and titanium cross, the staff that lives and breathes cycling. "We are surrounded by a beautiful riding that inspires us personally and professionally," said Marketing Director Jon Cariveau. Moots was recently selected as a Colorado company to be monitored by the State Economic Development Bureau. The company also sponsors many community programs, ranging from work days to cycling teams. "We're building the industry's most innovative high performance titanium bikes," said Cariveau, "we're proud of them, our team and the city we call our home."

Issue 6 [19659002] Founded by Peter and Patty Duke, who launched the Smartwool socks giant in 1994, Point 6 is another local company that places Steamboat on the sock map of the world. merino wool fibers combined with state-of-the-art spinning and knitting techniques. create soft merino products for optimal comfort and performance: around 15 employees are currently working at its Steamboat headquarters, serving more than 800 retailers and 20 distributors in 15 countries.

Smartwool

In the former airport building of Steamboat Springs, Smartwool is Steamboat's first outdoor clothing brand, based on a simple belief: keep Feet comfortable on the slopes and become a full range of clothing, all made in New Zealand. wool ino. Owned by VF Corp, the company has received several Editor & # 39; s Choice awards and continues to lead the merino wool socks and apparel market. Its 400 socks and clothing products – which use 500 times a year to surround the earth 500 times – are distributed worldwide by more than 6,000 retailers in 40 countries.

Spiffy Dog

Founded in 2002, Spiffy Dog is home to the most comfortable necklace in the world. With the experience of climbing equipment design in lightweight and quick-drying aerospace material, its founders have applied the material to pet products, and the result is its dog collar on more sold and other pet accessories. "It's a dog-friendly city and a great place to test our products," said brand director Kyle Nelson, whose Air Collar line includes 25 styles and matching leads.

Sweetwood Cattle Co.

Founded by Ryan Wood, co-founder of Under Armor, Sweetwood Cattle Co.'s mission is to promote American agriculture and fashion of western life. A family-owned company, it offers a full range of naturally grown beef products, from all-natural steaks, hand-cut in reusable and recyclable containers all over the United States, to award-winning Sweetwood Beef Jerky and its new Sweetwood Fatty, a delicious stick of smoked hickory meat. You can find his products all over the country in specialty grocery stores and stores like REI and Academy Sports, and he stands behind every order shipped from his Steamboat headquarters.

HEAD Grips

HEEL Grips target law enforcement officers and other firearms users desiring better grip for their firearms. The company went from a basement operation in 2012 to five employees with 75 US retailers and three international distributors. Offering 126 different pistol grips in two textures, the business is booming. "We would never have imagined that it would grow so quickly," said Mike Morris, whose company is also expanding into iPhone jacks. "Steamboat is a great place to be based. The lifestyle and mountain community are hard to beat."

Trespass USA

Founded Jacobs & Turner in Scotland in 1938 and launching Trespass USA in 1984, Trespass is a long time manufacturer of winter and summer clothing, opening his US operations headquarters at Steamboat Springs in 2004, where he employs three people. It's a good place to be based, said Barbara Clark, Operations Manager, for her lifestyle and location. "We are excited to offer our spring and summer line to the US market at this year's OR show," she said. "It's great that Steamboat is so close to the Salt Lake City exhibition location, it's also a great place for our brand because we work with companies across the country."

Why They Are Here

"Steamboat is an ideal outdoor environment for testing and developing new products … there is a romantic credibility to be located here."

– Chris Timmerman, The Creek Company

"It's a natural fit for our outdoor cycling activity: it's easy to balance work and pleasure in a city with so many outdoor activities and industry to offer. "

-Kent Eriksen, Kent Eriksen Cycles

" We make mountain products, so better located than in the mountains, it's a fantastic community for our employees.The good people come to us because they want to make a career and live life that they want. "

-Travis Campbell, (former president, S martWool)

" Steamboat is a great place for us because we can test our products directly through our backdoor. "

-Bill Gamber, Big Agnes / Stinger Honey

Local sampler of gold product

Big Agnes Deer Park sleeping bag ]

The 600-unit DownTek Deer Park Sleeping Bag by Big Agnes is part of its new saddlebag system for anyone who wants girth, but may also want to carry their bag. His Park Series Downtek bags are great in the bedroom, with double zippers and hand pockets in the top corners that look like your home comforter. The unique quilt-shaped construction of the Park Bags turns your bag into a backcountry bed. $ 299.95, bigagnes.com

Gear Rival Hala Line

Built on a platform of durability, stability and maneuverability, Hala Gear arrives this year with a series of high-tech, high-tech, high-tech, high-performance, and high-tech features. innovations, highlighted by its news Affordable Rival Line – with three new boards at competitive prices, including Hala Asana, Rival Hoss and Rival Straight Up. It is also making its debut in inflatable composite technology, making its boards lighter and stiffer than ever. $ 1,079 to $ 1,999, halagear.com

Item 6 Medium Mid Calf Boot

Made in the United States, Item 6 uses merino wool fibers combined with spinning mills and ultra modern knits to create socks perfect for hunting. Its mid-calf boot (70% wool, 3% elastane 27%) is guaranteed for life and offers cushioning throughout the leg and foot with an extra cushion on the instep for optimal support. The cozy wool in contact with the skin isolates the foot from hot spots and blisters, while its compact spinning process makes it soft, non-irritating and durable. $ 23.00, point6.com

Smartwool Hunt's Mean Winter

The Hunt Medium Hunt from Smartwool wears a medium cushioned insole and foot cushions with a Smartwool fit system with support ankle and ankle. Made from 65 percent merino wool, 34 percent nylon and 1 percent elastane, they will keep your feet warm, breathable and comfortable on the hillside and valley. $ 18.95, smartwool.com

Chaos Kids CTR Aqua Torrent

This new Chaos Kids line features a multitude of pro-active fabrics, colors and prints for kids, as well as new smaller sizes up to tweens, as illustrated in the Summit Junior Torrent, which comes with a waterproof / breathable shell, sealed seams, a moisture absorbing headband, a detachable chin strap, a floating edge and a one-handed waist adjustment system.