Utah's fantastic red-rock playgrounds long have made the state a natural backdrop for the twice-yearly Outdoor Retailer shows, but now the state's politics are poised to drive the shows out of state/Kurt Repanshek

How many states will enter the bidding war for an outdoor industry convention that brings in an estimated $40-$45 million a year in economic impacts? And will Utah politicians, who have angered the industry with their anti-public lands positions, change their tone to protect that impact generated by the twice-yearly Outdoor Retailer Show that fills hotels and restaurants from Salt Lake City and the rest of the Wasatch Front up to Park City?

Outrage over Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's approval of a resolution asking the Trump administration to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument designation for a wild and culturally significant 1.35 million acres in the state's southeastern corner was perhaps best epitomized Tuesday by the decision of outdoor clothing and gear manufacturer Patagonia, Inc., which reported about $600 million in revenues in 2013, to withdraw from the OR shows as long as they remain in Utah. That decision came a day after the organizers of the OR shows announced they would entertain bids from other states for their shows.

“Outdoor Retailer has always been about ‘Right time, right place, right stuff,’” said Marisa Nicholson, show director for Outdoor Retailer. “We’ve been listening to the concerns from the industry and agree that it’s time to explore our options. Salt Lake City has been an incredible home to Outdoor Retailer and the outdoor community for the past 20 years, and we aren’t opposed to staying, but we need to do what’s best for the industry and for the business of outdoor retail.”

While Ms. Nicholson left open the future of the shows' footprint in Salt Lake City in her statement Monday, on Tuesday came Patagonia's announcement that could be the first of many voicing disappointment with Utah's official position on national monuments.

“Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a resolution on Friday urging the Trump administration to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument, making it clear that he and other Utah elected officials do not support public lands conservation nor do they value the economic benefits - $12 billion in consumer spending and 122,000 jobs – that the outdoor recreation industry brings to their state," Patagonia President and CEO Rose Marcario said in a prepared statement. "Because of the hostile environment they have created and their blatant disregard for Bears Ears National Monument and other public lands, the backbone of our business, Patagonia will no longer attend the Outdoor Retailer show in Utah and we are confident other outdoor manufacturers and retailers will join us in moving our investment to a state that values our industry and promotes public lands conservation.“ 

The Outdoor Retailer shows twice a year give gear and clothing manufacturers an opportunity to show-off their new product lines -- clothing, backpacks, canoes, hiking boots, tents, hydration systems, sleeping bags, kayaks, and more -- to retailers, who place orders based on what they see and like.

Last month, Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard penned an op-ed, The Outdoor Industry Loves Utah; Does Utah Love the Outdoor Industry? in which he stated, “If Gov. Herbert doesn’t need us, we can find a more welcoming home. Gov. Herbert should direct his Attorney General to halt their plans to sue and support the historic Bears Ears National Monument. He should stop his efforts to transfer public lands to the state, which would spell disaster for Utah’s economy. He should show the outdoor industry he wants our business – and that he supports thousands of his constituents of all political persuasions who work in jobs supported by recreation on public lands. We love Utah, but Patagonia’s choice to return for future shows will depend on the Governor’s actions. I’m sure other states will happily compete for the show by promoting public lands conservation.”

Peter Metcalf, who owns the Black Diamond outdoor gear manufacturer, in January called on the OR to move its winter and summer shows to another state after its current contract with Salt Lake City expires next year.

The Outdoor Industry Association, agreed with the decision to seek bids from other states for the shows.

“OIA encouraged and supports Outdoor Retailer’s decision to explore a range of host cities for the gathering of our community,” said Amy Roberts, executive director of the OIA. “The appropriate location of Outdoor Retailer should be determined by factors ranging from business economics for vendors and attendees to a location that upholds our industry’s core values around the importance of America’s public lands system. We will continue to educate policymakers on the economic contribution of our industry as well as our support of preserving places to recreate.”