Does Montana want to bid for the Outdoor Retailer Show convention?

[katqanna]

Outdoor Retailer organizers confirm they are looking at leaving Salt Lake City

Organizers of the Outdoor Retailer Show are soliciting proposals for a possible new location for the massive, twice-yearly conventions held for two decades in Salt Lake City.

The call for bids follows outcry from some industry leaders that the show should leave Utah in protest of state public lands policies, particularly its vocal opposition to the newly-annointed Bears Ears National Monument.

The shows, which organizers say bring at least 45,000 visitors and $40 million annually to the state's economy, may still remain in Utah's capital city, they said Monday. But multiple groups associated with the convention stressed the need for choosing a venue whose policies support the outdoor industry's "culture" and "values."

"We've heard member discontent as well as comments from Utah's [political] delegations and efforts on public land policy that are out of alignment with what our industry stands for," said Amy Roberts, executive director of the Outdoor Industry Association, which has close ties to the show and encouraged the show's owner, Emerald Expositions, to seek a range of potential host cities.

Just to save some states trouble they might want to put in a disclaimer, like "Any state with only 1.9% Federal Public Lands whose legislators have advocated the West sell theirs, need not apply"

 

[Southern Elk]

Does MT have a convention center large enough to host it? I heard last week that the Governor of Colorado expressed interest in hosting it. I would expect a big city like Denver to land it.

 

[MTGomer]

Does MT have a convention center large enough to host it? I heard last week that the Governor of Colorado expressed interest in hosting it. I would expect a big city like Denver to land it.

Nope. Billings is the largest city for about 8 hours in any direction and the 'Metra' is small and not nice. Don't have hotel capacity either.

 

[Big Fin]

I would put my money on Denver. All the right alignments, logistically, geographically, and economically.

Personally, I would love to see Utah lose that event. It is hard to see a state vote such anti-public land delegates to Congress and their state Legislature host such a large industry event where every attendee and every vendor has a huge interest in the future of public lands.

 

[kansasdad]

Twice yearly......two cities. Denver, Phoenix......summer and winter shows.

 

[Irrelevant]

Why not OR or WA? I feel like half the industry started around Seattle.