The Outdoor Summer Retailer Market Celebrates Its 25th

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Outdoor Summer Retailer Market celebrates its 25th anniversary this week at the Salt Palace, where more than 950 exhibiting companies will present their wares. The size of the Market reflects the growth of the Outdoor Industry, says Frank Hugelmeyer, President of the Outdoor Industry Association.

"We are at 33.3 Billion in sales if you look at outdoor, bikes, surf, skates, fishing, hunting, snow sports, all added together," says Hugelmeyer. "The industry is pretty positive right now. We've recently finished the state of the industry report and many of the industry professionals are predicting good strong sales growing into the future."

According to Hugelmeyer, this much economic power attracts policy makers. Witness, Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne, who will attend the Summer Market to unveil the industry's new economic impact study. Members of the industry claim that with the growth comes increased environmental responsibility. Peter Metcalf, Co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of Salt Lake-based Black Diamond Equipment.

"When it comes down to environmental work, I think we really feel that as a grassroots organization we need to champion the access to, and preservation of the places that our customers go to play," Metcalf says. "I think that is what gives the industry this wonderful ethos."

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market begins Thursday at the Salt Palace. To hear more, go to the Midday Metro page at kcpw.org.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW