Outdoor Retailer

Meet our first Industry Day speaker for OR 2026. 👇fiske President & CEO of will be joining us on the panel “The Big Debate: Is the Independent Shop the Future?” — and there are few people better positioned to weigh in.
Neil has spent 20 years leading brand transformations at the highest level — , . Since 2023, he’s been steering Black Diamond through one of the more challenging stretches the outdoor industry has seen. He knows what it takes to build, rebuild, and lead — and he’s not afraid to say so.
This is the kind of conversation that only happens when the right people are in the room. August 19. Minneapolis. Come be part of it.
Register at the link in bio. 👆

It's official. Outdoor Retailer 2026 registration is now open.

This year, we're doing things differently. The campaign isn't just a tagline — it's an invitation. To the brands, retailers, founders, and creators who want to help shape what the outdoor industry looks like next. The room is open. Come claim your seat.

Here's what's waiting for you in Minneapolis:

🎓 Retailer Playbook Lab — hands-on education built exclusively for retail owners and buyers, Wednesday August 19

🎤 Industry Day: Outdoor Next — the whole industry, in one room, tackling what comes next

🎥 Wild Reach — 150 credentialed creators on the floor Thursday and Friday, producing real content in real time

🚵 Celebrate Minnesota Outdoors — guided hikes, trail runs, and canoe trips through Minneapolis before the floor opens

Qualified retail buyers: your registration is complimentary. Everything included. No upgrades required.

Register now at https://bit.ly/4mOBqkS— and we'll see you August 19–21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

It's official. Outdoor Retailer 2026 registration is now open. 🌲
This year, we're doing things differently. The campaign isn't just a tagline — it's an invitation. To the brands, retailers, founders, and creators who want to help shape what the outdoor industry looks like next. The room is open. Come claim your seat.
Here's what's waiting for you in Minneapolis:
🎓 Retailer Playbook Lab — hands-on education built exclusively for retail owners and buyers, Wednesday August 19 
🎤 Industry Day: Outdoor Next — the whole industry, in one room, tackling what comes next 
🎥 Wild Reach — 150 credentialed creators on the floor Thursday and Friday, producing real content in real time 
🚵 Celebrate Minnesota Outdoors — guided hikes, trail runs, and canoe trips through Minneapolis before the floor opens
Qualified retail buyers: your registration is complimentary. Everything included. No upgrades required.
Register now at the link in bio — and we'll see you August 19–21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Introducing — the campaign behind Outdoor Retailer Minneapolis 2026.
These three words say everything. OR 2026 isn't about reclaiming a throne. It's about handing ownership of the outdoor industry's future to the people actually building it — the brands, retailers, founders, and creators who want to shape what comes next.�
Here's what we built for you in Minneapolis this August:�
🎥 Wild Reach — 150 credentialed creators matched to exhibiting brands, producing real content live on the show floor Thursday and Friday. The media landscape has changed. OR is building for what it looks like now.�
🏔 The Ascent + GGG / Founded Outdoors Pavilion — a national stage for emerging and independent brands, with curated buyers targeting innovation and the opportunity for major influencer and media exposure.�
🎤 Industry Day — keynote and speaking opportunities for the brands ready to lead the conversation, not just be part of it.
⏱ August timing — buyers post-peak, with real bandwidth to write forward orders and discover what's next.�
Outdoor Retailer 2026. Minneapolis Convention Center. August 19–21.

The room is open. Make it yours. 👉 https://outdoorretailer.com/make-it-yours?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=make-it-yours

🌲 From the coast of Maine to the heart of Minneapolis — we’re so excited to welcome Maine Outdoor Brands back to the Outdoor Retailer show this August!
What started as a debut at OR 2017 has grown into a thriving community of 200+ members, proving that collaboration is the ultimate competitive advantage. 🙌
Maine may be far from the traditional outdoor industry hubs, but don’t let that fool you — the state ranks among the top in the nation for outdoor recreation’s contribution to GDP. Maine Outdoor Brands saw an opportunity, built an innovative collaborative booth model, and created a pathway for small and emerging brands to compete on a national stage.
As our industry faces real market challenges, their story is a reminder of what’s possible when brands choose to rise together. 💪
We can’t wait to see them on the show floor in Minneapolis this August 19–21. Link in bio to read the full story!
OutdoorBusiness SmallBusiness CollaborationOverCompetition OutdoorRecreation

“Not a week goes by without us getting a message from someone thanking us for changing their life.” — Daniel Farber,
“I ate a terrible meal on trail… and the entrepreneurial ideas immediately started flowing.” — Sara Willis,
That’s the Founder Friday energy we’re here for. 🙌
This week we’re celebrating two brands solving real problems for real adventurers:
➡️ Aarn Packs revolutionized load distribution with front-mounted Balance Pockets that shift weight off your back and onto your legs — where it belongs. Their flagship Featherlight Freedom Pro is a game-changer for long-haul hikers.
➡️ Luxefly Basecamp brought chef-level quality to the backcountry — think huevos rancheros and banh mi curry, all organic, non-GMO, and locally sourced from Oregon.
Different products. Same mission: raise the bar for everyone who heads outside. 🏔️
🔗 Tap the link in bio to learn more about both brands.
TrailFood BackpackDesign WomenFounders OutdoorInnovation HikerLife

Big news for the outdoor creator community! 🏔️

Outdoor Retailer has partnered with Popfly to launch the Wild Reach Initiative — and we want YOU on the show floor this August in Minneapolis!

150 creators will be selected to attend OR (August 19–21), connect with top outdoor brands, and produce authentic content live from one of the industry's biggest events.

Here's what that means for you:
✅ Access to the OR show floor
✅ Real brand collaborations & campaigns
✅ Tools to track your content performance
✅ Relationships that go far beyond the event

The outdoor industry is ready to meet its next wave of creators.

Are you in?
🔗 Apply now: https://outdoorretailer.com/show/wild-reach-creator-application-form/

For years I attended as a creative professional, then as a Brand Manager for a business I cared passionately about building and growing in the outdoor industry. Two years ago after corporate restructuring my position was eliminated and my passion was taken away from me. That is when Trail Goods Company was born. Here I am today being featured in a Founders Friday as a brand owner. What a full circle is has been. My humble little brand is growing every day and the future is feeling brighter than ever. Thank you Outdoor Retailer for giving smaller cottage brands like mine a seat at the table. See you in August!

🌲 Your next best-selling brand? It’s waiting at Outdoor Retailer.

The future of outdoor retail isn’t in the big names — it’s in the bold founders building something new. 🙌

This we’re spotlighting two brands that are completely changing the game:

🎒Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear — hand-built, ultra-lightweight backpacking essentials that balance artisan quality with real-world scale. Your adventure-obsessed customers will need these.

👕 Alpine Fit — inclusive, body-specific sizing meets cutting-edge fabric tech. Think USA-made, odor-fighting Sterling material that performs as good as it fits.

These aren’t just cool brands. They’re retail-ready, high-growth, and built for independent retailers like you.

OR is where discovery happens — and your next great vendor relationship starts here. 🔗 read the full story: https://outdoorretailer.com/news/founder-friday-9/

At Outdoor Retailer, we are doubling down on the belief that OR is the place for New and Discovery! That’s why we are thrilled to spotlight our partnership with Garage Grown Gear and Founded Outdoors!

The GGG + Founded Outdoors Campsite Pavilion is designed to bring you the most progressive, emerging trends in the industry. We already have 28 small and medium-sized retail-ready brands signed up to showcase their forward-thinking products and creative storytelling.

The Pavillion is your chance to discover exclusive and unique products your customers will love, forge strategic partnerships with independent founders, and elevate your retail strategy by sourcing inventory you won't find anywhere else!

Ready to explore what's next for the outdoor industry? Visit our website to learn more about the GGG Pavilion and how it can transform your store's offerings.

https://outdoorretailer.com/garage-grown-gear-and-founded-outdoors-pavilion/

🎉 Big News for Retail Owners, Buyers, and Managers! 🎉 The all-new Retailer Playbook Lab is launching at Outdoor Retailer 2026—and you’re invited to be part of it! Read More: https://bit.ly/4rL1wHv

Get ready for an action-packed, hands-on experience designed to help you thrive and lead with confidence in a changing industry. 💡🤝🚀

We're excited to announce the Retailer Playbook Lab, a new hands-on conference at Outdoor Retailer on August 19, 2026. This half-day program is designed exclusively to give you the practical skills and strategic edge to thrive.

Join us for interactive workshops where you'll learn to:
Automate tasks with affordable AI tools.
Develop customer growth strategies that build community.
Strengthen your operations for long-term resilience.

The highlight: an exclusive keynote by Eoin Comerford—industry visionary, founder of Outside Consulting, and former CEO of Moosejaw—who will reveal how to spot and champion emerging brands that can set your store apart. Don’t miss this rare chance to hear firsthand insights from one of retail’s most respected leaders!

We want you there to gain these exclusive insights. We invite you to apply for the Hosted Buyer Program for travel support and special access.

Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/3MsClJy