Outdoor Retailer 2009 Kicks Off with Backcountry Base Camp
Photos
The OR backcountry basecamp arrived at Snowbasin for one day before the big show opened at the Salt Palace today. Retail attendees and media strolled the tents checking out and demoing manufacturers' latest in backcountry products including Nordic, telemark, and alpine touring skis, as well as snowshoes and other winter accessories.
"Yesterday's BBC was an energetic launching point for the outdoor recreation industry, kicking off the show season in a fun, low-key and informative way," said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer's show director. It was definitely low-key. Another victim of the economy and low-snow season so far, the attendance by both retailers and manufacturers felt down from last season. I heard rumors that publications didn't have the budget to send writers to the show this year. Companies were also lowering the buy price and upping the discounts for early orders.
New for this year, the BBC's expo area was located at Snowbasin's main lodge, instead of the resorts Old Day Lodge. The location made it easy to trek over to Snowbasin's Beacon Park where we played with Mamut's Barryvox transceivers. Talk about easy to use. We were able to locate three victims in about 3 minutes. Of course we had three search groups, but still.....
The BBC kicked off the five-day show known as 2009 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, an exposition full of winter recreation product demonstrations, launches, seminars, clinics, advocacy outreach and networking. The trade-only event is being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center and runs through Sunday, January 25.
So far, the most interesting thing spotted was Camelbak's Shredbak hydration vest. The slim versatile, water-resistant vest accomodates a 72 oz. CamelBak Omega Reservoir, and fits under a jacket. Though it gives you a slight humpback look, keeping it close to your body will keep your water from freeze and from sloshing around the way it does in a backpack. It'll be available this fall for $250.
"Yesterday's BBC was an energetic launching point for the outdoor recreation industry, kicking off the show season in a fun, low-key and informative way," said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer's show director. It was definitely low-key. Another victim of the economy and low-snow season so far, the attendance by both retailers and manufacturers felt down from last season. I heard rumors that publications didn't have the budget to send writers to the show this year. Companies were also lowering the buy price and upping the discounts for early orders.
New for this year, the BBC's expo area was located at Snowbasin's main lodge, instead of the resorts Old Day Lodge. The location made it easy to trek over to Snowbasin's Beacon Park where we played with Mamut's Barryvox transceivers. Talk about easy to use. We were able to locate three victims in about 3 minutes. Of course we had three search groups, but still.....
The BBC kicked off the five-day show known as 2009 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, an exposition full of winter recreation product demonstrations, launches, seminars, clinics, advocacy outreach and networking. The trade-only event is being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center and runs through Sunday, January 25.
So far, the most interesting thing spotted was Camelbak's Shredbak hydration vest. The slim versatile, water-resistant vest accomodates a 72 oz. CamelBak Omega Reservoir, and fits under a jacket. Though it gives you a slight humpback look, keeping it close to your body will keep your water from freeze and from sloshing around the way it does in a backpack. It'll be available this fall for $250.
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